Switching to Chargepoint

[molsonmatt]

Had the FCSP installed for the past few months. It’s been working fine with no issues. I just found my electric company doesn’t qualify that charger for off peak discounted rates. Went with a chargepoint home flex. Should be easy to switch out. Frustrating. Just glad the charger didn’t cost me anything.

Sponsored

 

[RLXXI]

Had the FCSP installed for the past few months. It’s been working fine with no issues. I just found my electric company doesn’t qualify that charger for off peak discounted rates. Went with a chargepoint home flex. Should be easy to switch out. Frustrating. Just glad the charger didn’t cost me anything.

How would your utility know what kind of charger you're using? All they're doing is supplying the juice, mine don't know whether I'm using the portable plug or the FCSP.

 

[F150Redux]

How would your utility know what kind of charger you're using? All they're doing is supplying the juice, mine don't know whether I'm using the portable plug or the FCSP.

OP is referring to the fact that they can't get the off-peak discount because the FCSP isn't supported - Ford won't release the private keys to the units, so the energy providers can't scrape the data.

No data, no discount.

 

[RLXXI]

OP is referring to the fact that they can't get the off-peak discount because the FCSP isn't supported - Ford won't release the private keys to the units, so the energy providers can't scrape the data.

No data, no discount.

Again, how would they know? We don't have off peak times for electricity like many do, one flat price 24/7. They have no way of knowing if I'm charging my cell phone or my truck or the space shuttle should it come out of mothballs and make it down my street lol. Point is HOW would they know and why would it matter to them?

Makes 0 sense. Unless this is some sort of foreign country issue that I'm unaware of. I'm in the states.

 

[molsonmatt]

OP is referring to the fact that they can't get the off-peak discount because the FCSP isn't supported - Ford won't release the private keys to the units, so the energy providers can't scrape the data.

No data, no discount.

Exactly. When I signed up for the program I gave them the swa number or whatever else they needed off the unit but I guess that’s the issue. They can’t directly access the charger to see the day to day usage. The off peak rate is a $.105/kw deduction i believe

 

[F150Redux]

Again, how would they know? We don't have off peak times for electricity like many do, one flat price 24/7. They have no way of knowing if I'm charging my cell phone or my truck or the space shuttle should it come out of mothballs and make it down my street lol. Point is HOW would they know and why would it matter to them?

Makes 0 sense.

Because when you join these programs, they monitor your EVSE and "watch" when it's running through the data/metrics provided from the unit. They can then make sure you're only using it during the approved off-peak hours, and thus get the discount.

 

[molsonmatt]

Again, how would they know? We don't have off peak times for electricity like many do, one flat price 24/7. They have no way of knowing if I'm charging my cell phone or my truck or the space shuttle should it come out of mothballs and make it down my street lol. Point is HOW would they know and why would it matter to them?

Makes 0 sense. Unless this is some sort of foreign country issue that I'm unaware of. I'm in the states.

They access the WiFi connected charger directly to see the usage. And the deduction applies when it’s used between 9:00pm and 7:00am

 

[RLXXI]

Because when you join these programs, they monitor your EVSE and "watch" when it's running through the data/metrics provided from the unit. They can then make sure you're only using it during the approved off-peak hours, and thus get the discount.

Peak times are based on the time of day/night where I sit. Has nothing to do with what's using the power.

 

[RLXXI]

They access the WiFi connected charger directly to see the usage. And the deduction applies when it’s used between 9:00pm and 7:00am

So you're saying this is an adjustment strictly for EV's and not the entire home?

 

[molsonmatt]

So you're saying this is an adjustment strictly for EV's and not the entire home?

Correct

 

[F150Redux]

Peak times are based on the time of day/night where I sit. Has nothing to do with what's using the power.

If the discount program the utility offers says it matters what is using the power, then it does. Their rules if you want the discount.

Like most things in life, if you want a discount, you give something up (usually some form of personal/private data).

And FYI, this is in the U.S. Lots of utilities do it.

I would have signed up in MA, but same problem as the OP, the FCSP isn't a supported EVSE.

 

[RLXXI]

Correct

Weird, and thanks for the explanation. No such program where I am however they did cut me a check for $400 when I bought a heat pump water heater. Go figure.

 

[RLXXI]

If the discount program the utility offers says it matters what is using the power, then it does. Their rules if you want the discount.

Like most things in life, if you want a discount, you give something up (usually some form of personal/private data).

And FYI, this is in the U.S. Lots of utilities do it.

I would have signed up in MA, but same problem as the OP, the FCSP isn't a supported EVSE.

Sort of like my utility giving me $400 for buying an Energy Star heat pump water heater. They still have no idea if I actually installed it though.

 

[F150Redux]

Sort of like my utility giving me $400 for buying an Energy Star heat pump water heater. They still have no idea if I actually installed it though.

Kinda apples and oranges there.

You probably had to provide the utility a receipt for the new heat pump before they gave you the rebate. Besides the rebate, your other incentive, in the eyes of the utility anyways, is that this new device is probably more efficient and will save you money going forward. Altruistically, the utility wants you to install and use the device to save energy.

Would be sort of silly for you to purchase a new heat pump just to get the rebate. I guess maybe you could try returning it after purchasing. There are probably other rules to get the rebate... proof of installation, original UPC/etc. from box.

With the EVSE off-peak discount you only save money if you're actually using the unit and they get your data.

 

[RLXXI]

Kinda apples and oranges there.

You probably had to provide the utility a receipt for the new heat pump before they gave you the rebate. Besides the rebate, your other incentive, in the eyes of the utility anyways, is that this new device is probably more efficient and will save you money going forward. Altruistically, the utility wants you to install and use the device to save energy.

Would be sort of silly for you to purchase a new heat pump just to get the rebate. I guess maybe you could try returning it after purchasing. There are probably other rules to get the rebate... proof of installation, original UPC/etc. from box.

With the EVSE off-peak discount you only save money if you're actually using the unit and they get your data.

I'd be a fool not to use the heat pump WH as it's extremely thrifty, sips electricity thru a needle. Last month we only used 42kwh the entire month for 2 people, 2 showers each day, washing machine, dishwasher and assorted use.

I had to send them the serial# from the unit, that's it.

Sponsored