Optimizing EV charging with amina and Homey
As more households transition to electric vehicles (EVs), managing home energy consumption efficiently has become crucial. Bas Metsaars, an IT professional, Homey user, and EV enthusiast, has found the perfect solution for his energy-efficient lifestyle using the amina S chargers and Homey. Here’s how he has optimized his EV charging while saving on energy costs.
A drive for energy efficiency
Living in a detached house in Veghel, Bas strives to make his home fully energy-efficient. He aims to maintain a fossil-free lifestyle with solar panels, a pellet heater, and two EVs (Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Kona). Bas’ commitment to renewable energy extends beyond his home, ensuring his electric vehicles are charged during the greenest and cheapest energy hours.
The need for smarter charging
Like many Homey users and EV owners, Bas initially struggled with the limitations of his Tesla charger, which lacked automation and control over energy usage. “With the Tesla charger, it wasn’t controllable, and I had to adjust the charging times manually,” Bas explains. The need to monitor and plan charging sessions daily became a chore.
This is when he turned to amina Charging, the first official Zigbee integrated charger with Homey for seamless control over his EV charging. The Homey app allowed Bas to set up automated Flows based on energy prices, dynamically turning his charger on or off depending on how cheap or green the electricity was at any given time.
Homey and amina S: The perfect pair
With Homey, Bas can fully automate his amina S charger. Using dynamic pricing from the Tibber app, the system adjusts charging sessions based on energy market fluctuations. “If electricity is cheap, the charger switches on automatically, and if it’s expensive, it turns off,” Bas shares. This level of automation has provided him with financial savings and the convenience of effortless charger control.
Installation and setup
Having some light experience setting up EV chargers, Bas found the amina S charger straightforward to install. The charger’s separated electrical components and flexible cable management made the process easier than his previous setups. He appreciated the thoughtful design that ensured smooth installation and hassle-free usage. Apart from that, the charger’s timeless and small design looks great on the wall in the front of his house.
Results and future plans
The combination of amina S and Homey has been a game-changer for Bas’ home energy management. Bas maximizes his energy efficiency with a dynamic contract and solar panel setup while keeping his electricity bills in check. “I don’t need to charge at 100%, but if I do, I plan,” he says.
Looking forward, Bas envisions using his solar surplus energy to energize his car and even a two-way charging system where EVs can store and return energy to the grid, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels. For him, the future of EV charging is about more convenience, automation, and sustainability.
