Project Overview
Redhill Services helped a homeowner in Costessey develop their home energy setup in two stages, starting with a Hypervolt EV charger and later adding Fox ESS battery storage.
The customer wanted to make the most of their energy provider’s EV tariff, which offers cheaper electricity overnight. Adding battery storage would allow them to store this lower-cost energy for use around the home, while charging their car directly from the grid at the same reduced rate.
Challenges
- Helping the customer choose an EV charger suited to their needs and future plans.
- Making use of off-peak electricity without a solar PV system.
- Preventing the home battery from discharging into the car when cheaper EV charging was available.
- Preparing the electrical installation for future air conditioning.
Our Solution
- Hypervolt EV Charger: We recommended and installed a Hypervolt charger, selected for its compatibility with Octopus smart tariffs and its ability to work with solar should the customer add panels in future.
- Fox ESS Battery Storage: Several months later, we installed a Fox ESS inverter and battery system, allowing the customer to store cheaper overnight electricity for household use.
- Careful Energy Monitoring: We positioned the system’s current monitoring clamps so the battery inverter would not respond to the EV charger’s electricity demand. This prevents the home battery from supplying the car, leaving it available to support household consumption.
- Provision for Air Conditioning: We included provision for future air-conditioning units, preparing the installation for the customer’s next upgrade.
Outcome
The customer now has home EV charging alongside battery storage that can take advantage of off-peak electricity, without needing solar panels.
The system keeps stored household energy available for the home while allowing the car to charge directly from the grid when cheaper electricity is available, including during daytime charging opportunities. Provision for air conditioning also makes the installation ready for future plans.
