What It Takes To Charge An EV At Home

If you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, you might be wondering just what it takes to juice up your new car. Perhaps you’ve already scouted out locations around town that allow you to charge your vehicle while you shop. However, it is more convenient to charge up your car from the comfort of your own home. This ensures that it's ready to go whenever and wherever you need it most.

If you are curious about just what it takes to charge an EV at home, here is everything you need to know:

Plug it into the Wall

Every electric vehicle on the market comes with the ability to tie into some sort of power grid. Most come with a 110-volt charging unit that will allow you to plug the car directly into a three-prong outlet in the garage or on the side of the house. These are known as Level 1 connector kits, though you can certainly upgrade to fancier options.

Tapping into this basic electric system is relatively easy and is the most cost-efficient way to go. However, if you stick with this Level 1 system, you should be aware that it is rather slow. It can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours to get a full charge on your battery. If you leave it plugged in overnight, it should completely recharge the battery.

Upgrade Your System

For those who need to charge their EV faster, you can call an electrician and have them install a 240-volt circuit. You probably already have one of these circuits installed in your home for your clothes dryer. With this upgraded power, you can charge your battery fully in as little as four hours.

In addition to the new circuit installation, you will also need to purchase a Level 2 charging unit. You might see this referred to as electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). They can come as either portable plug-in models or as wall-mounted units, depending on what your local electrical codes may require. If your area requires a fixed-mount, you will likely need a professional electrician to wire this as well.

If this is something you are interested in doing, be aware that it can be quite an investment. Between the hardwired circuit and the Level 2 charging equipment, you could be looking at a cost of somewhere around $2,000.

Charging Your Electric Vehicle at Home

It is more than possible to conveniently charge your EV at home. If you want to upgrade to charge it faster, you need help from the top electricians in Winnipeg. Powertec Electric can help you organize your electrical needs and get you ready in no time at all. Give us a call today to see how we can help you get a more efficient charge on your electric vehicle.

Understanding Direct Current in Off-Grid Solar System

The solar system is now the new alternative to beat the higher cost of utility supply. A lot of homeowners are now trying different power supplies. It's either they choose the off-grid solar system or the grid-tied solar system.

We know there are advantages and disadvantages of solar systems, but we know they're benefits.

Today, let’s dig deeper into a solar system, specifically the off-grid system. And, let’s understand why direct current is used in the off-grid system?

The off-grid system requires cautious maintenance and utmost care than the grid-tied solar system. The reason for this is that almost all household appliances are designed to connect with AC power.

The grid-tied solar system won't give you much burden about plugging in different types of appliances because almost all appliances we have today are AC-compatible.

Let’s Compare Dc to AC

Direct current or DC has a constant flow of electrons while AC flows alternately back and forth with high speed. The best things about AC electricity are, less power loss and it’s easy to build up and down using a transformer.

On the other hand, DC is a direct opposite of AC. Using DC as your source of electricity will end you up losing more voltage (in long distances) and that loss can’t be changed to connect to the appliance you are using.

But, Why Does Off-Grid Solar System Uses Direct Current?

Solar electric systems, like the off-grid system, convert sunlight into direct current – this electricity is like your everyday battery which you use – and it flows in one direction. Basically, solar cells have two layers of silicon plus the other separation layer.

These layers are wired together to make a module or panels.

The layers have their own roles. If the sunlight hit the panels, the photons will interact with the electrons in the silicon of the upper layer. In this phase, the atoms are disturbed and interact with the electrons.

The electrons are attracted to the atoms and they travel through the wire. This process is called the electrical current or we call it the photovoltaic process.

The problem with direct current electricity is that it’s not compatible with most of the household appliances. The reason for this because most of the appliances are designed for AC. To make your electricity compatible with the standard appliances you need an inverter.

This will convert your direct current into a usable AC electricity.

How Much Power Can a Direct Current Produce?

The output voltage depends on the number of cells. The common voltages are 12V, 18V, and 24V in direct current. The number of the cells on each panel and the area of the panel dictates the amount of wattage being released.

The more cells you have in the panels and the larger your panel is the greater the wattage you’ll get.

You Can Use Direct Current to DC-Compatible Appliances

Although most of the appliances are designed to connect with AC electricity, you can also use your direct current electricity to incandescent light bulbs or a soldering iron. Without even going through an inverter.

You can also buy DC-compatible appliances such a refrigerator, or you can ask your appliances supplier for any DC appliance.

At the end of the day, direct current can save you a lot of money and energy. However, you need to tell your electrician or installer to have a separate connection.

To give you more off-grid solar system and direct current explanations you can call us today. And, let’s talk how much you would save when you choose to install DC appliances and off-grid solar system.

Powertec Electric, Inc. can give you the best electric service. We’ll guide you and give you a good advise so that you’ll have a better life.

Manitoba Hydro Furnace Rebates, Savings and Financing

A furnace is part of your home heating system that provides warmth to your home. It blows warm air through ducts and distributes it to your home via registers. The energy source may be electricity, natural gas or fuel oil.

When the furnace would break down during winter, it would be terrible. You would need repair or replacement. When your energy bill skyrocket, you may possibly need for an upgrade.

But don’t worry, through Manitoba Hydro furnace, you can save money or apply financing.

Upgrade and Replacement of Home Heating System

A home heating system has a heating unit, distribution system, and thermostats. A heating unit could be a boiler or a furnace. The distribution system is via a duct and registers or pipes and radiators.

Replacing or upgrading your heating home system sometimes can be costly. Costs matter especially if you have insufficient means.

However, be proactive and plan first. Choose the right home heating system for you. Consider its impact on the environment, life expectancy, annual maintenance and operation cost and energy efficiency.

Some heating system has high installation cost but can save you money in the long run. Compare to a high-efficiency natural gas heating system; an electric furnace may cost less up front. However, high-efficiency natural gas is energy efficient and has longer life expectancy period.

Manitoba Hydro Furnace Rebates and Savings

If you’re planning to change your furnace, make it more energy efficient.

Majority of the utility cost is from heating. Sixty-three percent of your total bill is from space heating. And 12 percent is from water heating.

To cut costs, install a high-efficiency furnace. The Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Water and Energy Saver Program offers Water and Energy Saver Kits. The kits can help you reduce the usage of water and energy.

Homeowners who joined the program saved $10M collectively in water and energy. If you enter, you can earn a rebate and make savings, too.

Manitoba Hydro Furnace Loans and Financing

Residents of Manitoba can avail of the Manitoba Hydro Furnace Financing.

Power Smart Affordable Energy Program. This program can help in your upgrades even with limited income. Either you own your house, or you only rent, you can still qualify.

Personnel from Manitoba Hydro will come to your place to review your energy efficiency. Review and visitation are done after you qualify. Upon inspection, he will give the essential energy items that are useful to you.

Energy Finance Plan. This program is an on-bill financing for gas and electrical systems upgrades including furnaces. It is available for the customers of Manitoba Hydro. Funding can be up to $5,000.00 per residence for five years with annual interest of 6.75 percent.

Power Smart PAYS Financing. This scheme allows you to use the estimated annual utility savings. This estimated savings can pay for your upgrades.

Power Smart Residential Loan. This system is a convenient and affordable option for financing. The payment may be added to your monthly bill.

Choose the Right One

For your installation or upgrades, you may call a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor. They offer the service right at your door at affordable prices.

Choose the right home heating system and the right contractor.

Gain and Earn from Manitoba Hydro Refrigerator Rebate

Do you have any delinquent refrigerators or freezers that is 15 years old and above? Do you plan to upgrade to a more energy efficient appliances? Have you heard about the Manitoba Hydro Refrigerator Rebate and Saving?

These fridge and freezer are usually not energy efficient anymore. These appliances can cost you an annual energy bill of $100. Upgrading them to energy star certified freezers and refrigerators could save you money.

Manitoba Hydro is offering you a favorable and convenient way to dispose of your old fridge. This scheme is through the Power Smart Refrigerator Retirement Program.

What is a Manitoba Hydro Refrigerator Rebate?

Sometimes, disposal of your refrigerators after acquiring a new unit can be a problem. However, the Power Smart Refrigerator Retirement Program of Manitoba Hydro will do the work for you. Also, you may earn a $50 per unit they collect.
Manitoba Hydro recycles these products. Recycling is critical to lessen the pollutants in our environment. Plastics are made into pots, copper into copper wires and aluminum into some car parts. The oil is drilled and tipped to drain. The shell of the fridge is crushed and shredded that are used for bridges.

But are you eligible for the program?

Are you eligible for the program?

For you to participate in the program, you must be the owner of the appliance. You must also be a Manitoba Hydro residential customer, and of legal age.

Your refrigerator must still be functional and is ten cubic feet large or more. Condominiums, apartments, and businesses do not qualify for the program. You can dispose of three appliances per residence.

However, if your appliance is already nonfunctional, call the local municipality for disposal when outside Winnipeg. If you are within Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, call 311 to request for pickup. You also visit the page of the City of Winnipeg Water and Waste for more information.

How to participate in Manitoba Hydro Refrigerator Rebate

If you want to check if you are eligible, call 1-855-537-4343. The same number you will call for pickup. Prepare your account number and address.

You must make sure to clean your appliances. If you are the owner, you must be present. You are also to check and sign the papers regarding the said program.

If you want to cancel or move your appointment, please call 1-855-537-4343. After 4 to 6 weeks from disposal, you may get $50 cheque for every appliance.

Missing your appointment may be rescheduled but missing it the second time will disqualify you.

What Are You Waiting For?

Apply now and avail of the incentives of the Manitoba Hydro Refrigerator Rebate!

There are also other Manitoba Hydro Programs that are available for you. They have the:
- Affordable Energy Program
- Heat Recovery Ventilator Control Program
- Home Insulation Program
- Lighting
- Power Smart for New Homes
- Indigenous Communities and Power Smart
- Solar Energy Program and Water and Energy Saver Program.

Some of these programs that you can avail cover not only the owner but also the contractors. Give us a call to assist and give you a quality service. We are one of the participating contractors of the Manitoba Hydro Programs.

Solar Power Rebates for Increased Use

Using renewable and sustainable energy sources has been encouraged by many governments over the years, especially since these power systems can benefit both the consumers and the environment in the long run.

With that in mind, renewable energy programs by the state have been established, and this may range from solar power rebates or solar panel incentives by the state to making its installation even more affordable for homeowners. With all the fuss about solar panels running around, it pays to know how do solar panels work, so that you can switch to using it and save electricity cost today.

How do Solar Panels Work?

Installing this system at home can give a consumer a lot of benefits, and it may range from having savings on electric costs amounting to thousands of cash up to getting solar power rebates and tax credit as part of the initiative of the local government of certain countries.

In case you are wondering, how do solar panels work? Why is it encouraged for home use by many countries such that some of them offer solar power rebates or solar panel incentives by the state?

To answer that, a solar power energy systems harvest energy from sunlight and convert this into photovoltaic energy which can be used to supply electric power to consumers. Since it uses natural energy, the exploitation of other resources is minimized along with the carbon emissions which come directly from it.

This is the reasons why solar power rebates are in effect in certain countries along with renewable energy programs by state, today.

Renewable Energy Programs by State are Implemented in Certain Countries

Certain countries took the initiative to implement renewable energy programs by state, ranging from solar panel incentives by state, up to solar power rebates and tax credits which consequently encouraged more people to switch.

States all over the world agree that the efficiency of solar panels makes them a suitable energy source which can cater to both the consumers and the environment and with that in mind, an incentive such as solar power rebates or cash grants, have been implemented to encourage more people to switch to this energy system.

How Solar Incentives By State in Certain Countries Encouraged Many

The rebate projects initiated by certain states have consequently encouraged many people to start installing and using solar panels at home. Many governments consider solar power rebates as a worthy investment which can benefit the world in the long run, given that it has little impact on the environment all the while providing what the consumers need.

The solar panel incentives by the state may vary, but one thing is for sure - these renewable energy programs by the state have been implemented to make the world a better place.

Solar Power Rebates for Increased Economy

In the long run, solar power rebates can offer more than just cash savings for consumers, especially since the influx of consumers in the solar power industry may stimulate the economy to improve it. This is the reason why many governments make a program for such incentives, although renewable energy programs by a state may vary.

Other countries may not be offering a program for the rebate, but they make up for the cost of installing one for consumers. Deductions may be unavailable but, the utility equipment is more affordable.

Buying Houses for Sale: Winnipeg Listings

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The real estate industry is one of the most proactive markets which boost the country's economy, and with that said, it won't be a problem to look for houses for sale Winnipeg locations should you decide to transfer there. Many real estate brokers have listings of houses that are for sale in Winnipeg, and you may even buy home foreclosures for sale or foreclosed homes for auction, to keep your options open. With that said, buying a property in Manitoba, particularly in the Winnipeg area, won;t be a problem for you.

Looking for Houses that Are for Sale

It may be challenging to look for houses that are for sale in Winnipeg, especially since Canada is a large country, and making sure that the houses that are for sale, offered to you by realtors are legitimate. Normally, going for condos is the cheaper alternative instead of buying houses for sale (Winnipeg locations), but buying the house and lot properties like a townhouse are still deemed more advantageous in the long run. There are several reasons why buying houses for sale (Winnipeg) is beneficial in the long run, and these include:

Owners can modify their surrounding in a way which can maximize privacy such as putting a fence on.
Winnipeg's local realtors or real estate agents can help you find your dream house which suits your budget.
Buying houses for sale (Winnipeg locations) can give you the opportunity to raise a family in a perfect environment.

Is Buying Foreclosed Homes for Auction a Good Idea?

While buying houses for sale is beneficial in the long run, you may not have the budget for it for now. The good news is, you can buy your dream property for a lower price by buying foreclosed homes at auction instead of buying them directly from an owner. A realtor can help you do so so that you can max your savings as you buy your dream house. Hence, many people recommend buying foreclosed homes for auction, although you also have to ensure that the home foreclosures for sale are legitimate.

Doing so can help you ensure that your transaction is running smoothly so that your Winnipeg residence transfer will be as hassle-free as possible.

Make Sure Home Foreclosures for Sale are Legit

As you move to Winnipeg, you need to make sure that the homes being offered to you do not have any attached problems. You can ensure that the home foreclosures for sale being offered to you are legit by checking the background of the property. Additionally, the reputation of the realtor offering you home foreclosures for sale can help you decide if the transaction is legitimate or not so that your new Winnipeg home is acquired legally.

Buying Houses for Sale (Winnipeg Locations)

The real estate market is like a jungle, especially since you are subject to predators who are selling problematic properties. Despite easily find a listing containing your dream home in Winnipeg, it is still imperative to check the legitimacy of the property being offered to you, so that you are assured that you won;t face any legal problems after the acquisition in the long run.

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Knob and Tube Maintenance for a Safe Home

Antique or vintage houses say a lot about the history of the engineering and architectural influences that have been in action in a certain place over a period. With that said, several components of the house such as the wiring systems, are one of the elements which can give people an idea on how modern electrical wirings came to be.

You might be wondering, how does knob and tube wiring work, especially since it has been widely used for a long time (from 1880 to the 1930's). Determining how this electric system came to do so is a method of how early electric wiring designs gave birth the common systems installed in buildings and homes today.

How does Knob and Tube Wiring Work?

The wiring system which knobs and tubes use resembles a pipeline system, especially since these single-insulated copper wires are hidden from plain sight all the while being nailed to a specific fixed and insulated area (porcelain or ceramic knob insulators) as the electricity is distributed. Its design has prompted many people in the past to use them in their houses for some reasons, and these include:

It is cheaper than any other electrical systems.
When spaced correctly from each other, they can potentially maximize their current carrying capacity.
The porcelain or ceramic knobs may take longer to get damaged, so they protect exposed wires for a long time.

How to Tell if Knob and Tube Wire is Live

With the advantages that this electrical wiring system offers, it is imperative to know if such system is live or not especially as you acquire a new property with an old structure built on it. You can have a standardized routine inspection conducted by professionals to help you learn the truth if the structure is safe, through the dangers which these experts can identify stemming from faulty wires which need replacing. In doing so, you are assured that you are protected from the dangers which come from such wirings, today.

Cost to Replace Knob and Tube Wiring

As much as you follow care tips to prolong the optimal status of your wiring system, the damage will eventually come to them, but you should consider having these damages fixed investment, given that no amount of money can pay for the lives which will be put in danger in not doing so. According to experts in this practice, the average cost to replace knob and tube wiring vary from 8 to 14 thousand US dollars. Prices may vary depending on the area which needs to be covered, and the services which need to be done, so better prepare your wallets in advance.

Preventing Knob and Tube Wiring Risks

Old buildings usually have outdated electrical wirings, and often, insurance companies do not cover insurance for buildings which use an older electric system such as a knob and tube wiring, especially since these may already be predetermined hazards to old homes. Hence, it pays to know how to tell if knob and tube wire is live to prevent accidents from happening and to have them replaced should any problem come up with it during inspections. In doing so, you may have to prepare to pay for the cost to replace knob and tube wiring, as this small investment can potentially save lives in the future.

How To Find Houses For Sale In Winnipeg

Owning a home can drastically increase your quality of life. The freedom that home ownership allows can let you unleash your creative side, decorate your house as you wish, own any lawn accessories you wish, paint the walls, own pets, and enjoy your freedom away from rented home life.

You will need to do your own maintenance, but luckily we know Winnipeg electricians with good reviews that can help you with that.

Whether you are a single person, married, with kids, or just with roommates, owning a home can help make living easier, and generally rent payments are less than renting since you pay your own utilities. A home can also offer you the space you need for a growing family, a yard for your kids to play with, and a place for you and your spouse or partner to pay off in time to live and retire in.

There is no questions about the benefits of owning a home. The hard part is finding a home for sale in Winnipeg and taking the steps to buy the home for yourself. This process can take a while, so as soon as you start thinking of it is when you should begin to search and look.

How To Find A House For Sale In The Winnipeg Market

The first thing we recommend doing when you are beginning your search for a house for sale in Winnipeg is to sign up for different realtor websites and browse what they have to offer.

There are plenty of websites on the internet that can help you get a good feel for what's available in the market you are looking for, and you can see the prices and potentially even schedule viewings on your own to check out the houses, no realtor involved.

However, you could also go the route of hiring a realtor. A realtor will have the best knowledge about the houses and can help you negotiate a fair price with the home's owners or their realtor, and they have all the knowledge of the current market so they can easily give you tours of the houses that best suit your interests.

They may even bring you to homes you may not have considered without them, giving you a fresh perspective and new options.

And lastly, you could always just take your car and drive around neighborhoods you like, looking for for sale signs. This could take a while and is less efficient than the other ways, but some older homeowners may not know how to list their house for sale online, and you might find some hidden gems if you just take a drive around and look.

Final Thoughts When Looking for Houses for Sale in Winnipeg

So keep in mind your options when you are looking for a new house, and depending on your budget and time available for the housing search, some options may be better than others. Feel free to contact a realtor if you have any questions about the market, as they will most likely be more than happy to help you with any of your questions or concerns.