The votes are in and once again Cove Power is the North Shore’s Favourite Electrician! This follows up our first ever nomination and win in 2021 followed by 2022. We are so happy to take the top spot again in 2023!
The annual Readers Choice Awards showcase great local businesses across the North Shore. The community chooses the winners in over 175 categories. More than 7,500 ballots were cast this year, the most ever!
Our first win inspired us to be even better this year. Once you claim the title you don’t want to give it up! So we made it a mission to improve our services and strengthen relationships. We wanted every client interaction to not only be positive but also memorable. An experience people would share with their friends and family.
Cove Power has come a long way since we opened the doors in December 2009. What started as one electrician and a single van has grown to a team of 12 incredible individuals. Our electricians are professional and personable. We’re committed to training apprentices and local students interested in the trade. And we continue to promote EV charging, solar panels, and alternative energy solutions.
Of course capturing another Readers Choice Award in 2024 will be top of mind! We’ve got a few ideas cooking to make this year even better than the last. But rest assured we’ll always be here for our North Shore community.
Thinking big though, what if Cove Power could really help propel the EV revolution? At least at the charging level, what if we could build up charging infrastructure on a bigger scale? Get more chargers to more people…
Well, we’re already working on that. Multi-residential buildings need chargers in their parkades before everyone starts buying electric vehicles. An EV charger in every stall? Yup! It’s doable and it’s a passion project for us. So if you live in a strata give us a call and we’ll show you what’s possible.
Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists in the 2023 Readers Choice Awards! And a special thank you for reaffirming Cove Power is your favourite electrician!
Service solutions are the bread and butter of our business. We love helping frustrated clients solve their everyday electrical problems and get their busy days back on course. Our team of electricians is ready for your call.
Not sure whether your problem warrants a service solution? Check out some common service-related solutions or schedule a service call today. We’re happy to help!
Smoke detectors are one of the most important, and possibly most neglected, devices in the home.
Keeping them up to date, check them regularly, and having them replaced is an important part of home and business maintenance and care.
The maintenance of a sensitive and effective smoke detection system allows for the early detection of any kind of fire threat so that people can be moved to safety as quickly as possible.
While most public awareness campaigns usually focus on residential smoke alarm maintenance, it is equally important to ensure that businesses, large and small, also maintain this essential notification system. Various factors can impact the effectiveness of a smoke alarm and impact its ability to function at optimal level:
These factors can pose a serious risk to the integrity of a smoke alarm system and require close and careful attention.
A bit of history and importance of smoke detector maintenance and smoke alarm fire safety to help you and your family stay safe. Over thirty years ago, laws were enacted to make smoke detectors mandatory in all inhabited buildings. These new laws lead to a wave of smoke detector installations. Since then, many smoke detectors haven’t been replaced and require replacement. This is an issue because smoke detectors become less effective ten years after installation. So having faulty smoke detectors is an accident waiting to happen.
Ageing smoke alarms have a 30% failure rate within the first decade. This means your family’s safety has a one in three chance of being compromised in the case of a fire. To the majority of homeowners, this is an unacceptable statistic. Be sure to test your smoke detector to see if it is operational and find out whether your home requires smoke alarms to be replaced.
Which replacement model you need depends partly on whether the existing detector wires are wired independently or are interconnected. If you aren’t sure what you have, press the test button on one. If all devices go off, they are interconnected, typically linked with a red or orange wire to carry a direct current signal in addition to regular alternating current wires for power. If only one sounds, they are wired independently. If you have interconnected alarms, check the specifications to ensure you get a compatible replacement — or replace all the devices in your home with a single model.
A smoke alarm should be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When installing a smoke alarm, many factors influence where you will place the alarm, including how many are to be installed. Consider placing alarms along your escape path to assist in egress in limited-visibility conditions. In general, you should place alarms in the center of a ceiling or, if you place them on a wall, they should be near the ceiling.
While some tasks, such as monthly testing and changing the battery, can easily be completed by yourself, we believe that installation should always be completed by a professional. There are many reasons to invest in this service.
Not every smoke detector is equal in quality and effectiveness. While it may not matter if you buy store-brand bread instead of an expensive loaf, it matters greatly which smoke detector you choose. Electricians know which models are reliable, safe, and up to code.
Although you will pay a service fee in addition to the cost of the smoke detector when hiring an electrician, having a professional do the job can save you a lot of money. Installing a smoke detector can involve some delicate electrical work which can be dangerous and also expensive to get wrong. Faulty wiring can lead to expensive repairs, and depending on where you live, incorrect wiring can even involve some pretty hefty fines for code violations.
Improper installation can also lead to malfunctioning of the device which could mean either dealing with constant repairs or having to purchase a new smoke detector before 10 years has passed. You may be able to save money on labor by doing it yourself, but the cost could be high.
Perhaps you have a light that keeps flickering, an outlet that goes in and out, or a breaker that is continually tripping. These problems, along with many others, can signal a deeper problem with your electrical system. While you are getting your smoke detector replaced, it is a good idea to have your electrician take a look at any other problems and concerns that you have noticed in your home’s electrical system. Having multiple tasks completed at the same time can help save money on labor, and can prevent small problems from turning into larger ones that are more expensive to fix.
Your electrician will be happy to take a look at other areas of your electrical system while performing smoke detector installations. They can check to make sure that everything is functioning optimally and that your electrical system is safe. In addition, they can check for any code infractions that need to be dealt with.
Cove Power performs smoke detector replacement and smoke detector repair. We have years of experience in the field of electrical wiring. If you have broken smoke alarms in your home, you run the risk of property damage and the safety of loved ones. If you believe your families safety might be at risk, call Cove Power today for information regarding the safety of your home.
Service solutions are the bread and butter of our business. We love helping frustrated clients solve their everyday electrical problems and get their busy days back on course. Our team of electricians is ready for your call.
Not sure whether your problem warrants a service solution? Check out some common service-related solutions or schedule a service call today. We’re happy to help!
The North Shore News Readers Choice Awards highlight local businesses in 180 different categories annually. Everything from restaurants and hair salons to realtors, book stores, and golf courses is up for grabs. This year more than 6000 votes were cast and set a new record!
We are so grateful to all the readers who voted us their favorite electrician. We love living on the North Shore and serving this amazing, supportive community. Your recognition means a lot!
From everyone at Cove Power, THANK YOU!
Service solutions are the bread and butter of our business. We love helping frustrated clients solve their everyday electrical problems and get their busy days back on course. Our team of electricians is ready for your call.
Not sure whether your problem warrants a service solution? Check out some common service-related solutions or schedule a service call today. We’re happy to help!
So you’ve just purchased an electric vehicle, or you’re thinking about it. And now you’re wondering how you are going to charge it!
Sure, there’s plenty of public EV charging stations around town, and setting up an account for those is easy; you just pay a small fee per use. Or maybe there’s a DC super charger location somewhere along your regular commute, those things provide crazy fast charging. But let’s be honest, the ability to charge your EV from home is what it’s all about. Plugging into your own charging station at home and knowing the next time you drive away the batteries will be fully charged is a simple joy only an EV owner can appreciate.
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about EV charging, the different EV charging stations available, and how to have the best charging experience.
Your EV can draw power from any regular outlet, like the ones for charging your phone or running the vacuum. And you probably have one of those plugs in the garage already. That’s considered Level 1 charging. But the charge rate – think: speed of charging – from those is tiny and it will take many, many hours to top up your vehicle’s batteries. And pretty simply, the higher the charge on the batteries the more range you’ll get on the road.
The real deal at home is Level 2 charging. (Those DC super-duper chargers I mentioned earlier are Level 3, but you won’t get that at home.) Level 2 essentially means it’s 240 volts, whereas those general outlets around the house are 120 volts. So right away Level 2 is double the voltage. If you need a fast charging solution at home, plug into a level 2 charging station.
The sweet spot for EV charging is around 30 or 40 amps, which is like the power available for your clothes drier or kitchen oven. It’s easy to see the difference now between that old outlet and a circuit like your oven: one can cook a turkey… that’s the one you want charging your electric vehicle!
Important to note: smaller electric vehicles may get sufficient charging from a 20 amp level 2 circuit, or even that 120 volt plug. If you drive very infrequently or only a limited distance between charging this may be all you need.
Consider the following when determining if you need a level 1 or level 2 EV charger:
Now you know the basics and you’re excited to get a level 2 charger. Or do you want an outlet? Most electric vehicles will ship from the manufacturer with a cord that can be connected to a 14-50 outlet, which is like the plug for your kitchen oven. So which one is best for you: a charger or an outlet?
Level 2 outlets (of any amperage: 20A, 30A, 40A, etc) are just what you’d expect: a receptacle that accepts a cord with a plug end. Sometimes an adapter is needed to match the configuration of the outlet, but generally that’s all there is to it. You can leave the cord plugged in while not connected to the vehicle, but a lot of drivers will take their cord in the vehicle in case they need to plug in while away from home.
Level 2 chargers are devices that have a permanently connected cord, ready when you pull up to plug into your EV. (Much like when you fill your gas car at the pump, you don’t bring your own hose to the gas station!) Different models may have additional features such as network capabilities, an app to connect your smartphone, load sharing/expandability, cord management, and most, if not all, are rated to be installed outdoors. A charger is not required to charge an electric vehicle, but it can create a better experience.
One last thing in terms of connection, is the configuration of the socket on the vehicle itself. The standard type used by most manufacturers is called J-1772. Unless you have a Tesla, which has its own spacial configuration.
When you’re ready to get the wheels turning so to speak, the next step is to consult an electrician with plenty of experience in EV charging stations. There is a lot that goes into safely planning your home charging station and ensuring everything meets code.
In a perfect world your breaker panel is in the garage, with lots of available capacity, and it’s right beside where you want the charger. But if not don’t stress! Even if your panel is maxed out, or the garage is detached from the house, there’s lots of ways to make home charging work for you. It’s even possible to share a circuit like your drier and toggle between the two.
Our team are leading experts on electric vehicle charging stations. Consult with one of our certified electricians to learn more about electric vehicle chargers today.
Armed with all this knowledge for charging your electric vechile at home, don’t forget to look at what the road ahead may hold. It’s inevitable that EV’s (and ZEV’s in general – zero emission vehicles) will replace gas-powered vehicles at some point. Adoption of electric vehicles is already strong and steadily increasing. If you’re replacing one gas vehicle now with an EV, your next one will surely be an EV as well. Factors like this may influence whether you install a charger versus an outlet, or what size circuit you’ll need.
If you’re ready to purchase an electric vehicle or install an EV charging station, there are often rebate programs available to help offset new vehicle purchases and home charger installation costs. Check out these resources to learn more:
Hopefully this crash course on EV charging helps steer you in the right direction. If you have any questions or need assistance, give Cove Power a call. We’re happy to provide a free consultation and work with you to design your home charging installation.
Owning an EV already makes a lot of sense compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. And electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is easier to add to your home or building than you might think. If you’re ready for an electric vehicle we will make sure you can charge it.
We can install chargers for any make and model of EV. And we know our stuff. Call us for all your electric vehicle charging needs.
Service solutions are the bread and butter of our business. We love helping frustrated clients solve their everyday electrical problems and get their busy days back on course. Our team of electricians is ready for your call.
Not sure whether your problem warrants a service solution? Check out some common service-related solutions or schedule a service call today. We’re happy to help!
Cove Power, 1 of 30 businesses across North America to receive a grant of $5,000.
We are so excited to announce that Cove Power has officially been selected as one of 30 businesses across North America receiving a grant of $5,000 from Boost by Jobber, a program that rewards great work in home service.
We are recognized for our positive role in keeping our community’s home and offices safe and running, helping hardworking people build meaningful careers, and giving back to the community where we live and work.
These funds will help us keep doing what we’re doing and we’re so excited to continue supporting our employees, customer and community.
Service solutions are the bread and butter of our business. We love helping frustrated clients solve their everyday electrical problems and get their busy days back on course. Our team of electricians is ready for your call.
Not sure whether your problem warrants a service solution? Check out some common service-related solutions or schedule a service call today. We’re happy to help!