Tips for Purchasing an Electric Vehicle (EV)

Buying an electric vehicle (EV) can be challenging, especially if you haven’t done so before. Here are four tips to help you get the most bang for your buck.

EV Purchasing Tip #1

Double Check Your Incentives

EV incentives are always subject to change at the federal and state level. As of December 2019, the reduced federal tax credit of $7,000 is no longer available to automakers that have reached cumulative sales of 200,000 vehicles. This places Tesla and GM vehicles at a higher price point, as the federal tax credit no longer applies to these automakers. All other automakers have available tax credits in the United States, with Nissan seemingly next in line to hit the 200,000-vehicle mark. Plus, certain states (such as California and Colorado) offer EV incentives. Check energy.gov for current credits.

EV Purchasing Tip #2

Define Your EV’s Intended Use

Vehicles can serve many purposes such as daily drivers, road tripping, and towing/hauling. It’s best to define early on what the use of your EV will be. Are you taking road trips in this vehicle? How long is your daily commute? How many miles do you typically drive in a day, a week, a month? This will help you to narrow down vehicles that are best suited for you, as EVs come in various projected ranges.

Typically, older, used EVs have lesser ranges per charge. A few examples:

  • 2015 Nissan Leaf with 84 miles of range
  • 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf with 83 miles of range
  • 2015 BMW i3 with 81 miles of range

Newer EVs tend to have longer ranges:

  • 2020 Tesla Model 3 with a minimum of 240 miles
  • 2020 Nissan Leaf with a minimum of 150 miles
  • 2020 Chevrolet Bolt with a minimum of 240 miles

With the capacity of a longer range, there of course comes a higher cost. That said, used EVs tend to be much less expensive than new ones, when compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. EVs not only depreciate as they go from “new” to “used” vehicle, but they depreciate even further as the federal tax credit is not available to used vehicles.

For example, if a new EV sells for $30,000 in 2020, why would a prospective buyer purchase the same vehicle a year later for $26,000 when he/she can buy the same new vehicle for $31,000 (anticipating a price increase) and potentially apply a tax credit? Therefore, new EVs tend to depreciate more quickly than ICE vehicles, so take this into your equation.

Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle (EV)
Source: Colton Sturgeon, Unsplash

EV Purchasing Tip #3

Consider Your Climate

An EV’s expected mileage range is greatly affected by the temperature. When an EV is parked where temperatures are at or below freezing, the projected mileage range can be decreased by 30% or more. This is due to both the efficiency of the batteries decreasing in cold temperatures, as well as the additional electric load to heat the car, seats, steering wheel, etc.

For those who park indoors, this may not be as much of a factor because your car is kept at a higher ambient temperature (60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) when not in use, so your battery efficiency won’t decrease nearly as much.

EV Purchasing Tip #4

Check the Battery Life

When purchasing a used EV, one of the deciding factors should be the condition of the battery. An EV’s range decreases over time due to the degradation of its batteries. How much a vehicle’s batteries degrade over time depends upon the specific vehicle/battery, as well as the utilization of the vehicle by the previous owner(s). Some vehicles may decrease in range by 1% each year, whereas others may decrease by 3% or more each year. Thus, this battery degradation directly decreases a vehicle’s range.

So, if you’re considering purchasing a used EV, what can you do? Do your research; check the online forums of the specific make/model to read about other owners’ experiences with battery life. If you’re purchasing from a dealership, ask them to run diagnostics to check the health of the battery. If purchasing from a private party, take the vehicle to an independent shop or a dealership to have the battery evaluated.


If you’re purchasing your first EV or just considering what EV options are on the market, I hope these tips help. Good luck!

Searching for Melink HVAC Technicians: It’s Recruiting Season!

If it’s January, then it’s “Recruiting Season” for Melink T&B Field Service Technicians. Each year, our goal is to source, engage, and win the best technicians to join our national network of HVAC technicians.

Melink technician diagnosing HVAC unit

Becoming a Melink Technician

So, what characteristics does it take to become a Melink T&B Field Service Technician?  That answer lies in our Melink Core Competencies:

Extreme Ownership – A Melink HVAC Technician takes personal responsibility for outcomes and perseveres to face resistance or setbacks. A Melink Technician pursues everything with energy and drive.

Subject Matter Expertise – A Melink HVAC Technician is the on-site expert. Every technician excels at his/her professional function, regularly demonstrating and sharing depth of knowledge and skills. Being a quick study is key in success.

Clear & Candid Communication – A Melink HVAC Technician ensures that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed and has the courage to say what needs to be said.

Building Collaborative Relationships – A Melink HVAC Technician develops trusting, respectful, and professional relationships with colleagues and customers over time.

Planning & Problem-Solving – A Melink HVAC Technician takes the steps necessary to deliver high-quality results on time and on budget.

Continuous Improvement – A Melink HVAC Technician constantly seeks ways to improve the internal and external customer experience by delivering better, faster, or less expensive products and services.

When looking to take the next steps in your career, make sure to take the time to truly understand the meaning behind of each of Melink’s Core Competencies. Going through these will not only help you in your job search but help you to be an overall better employee, no matter your future career path.

Are You the Next Melink HVAC Technician?

At Melink, our goal is to provide the best “White Glove” service for our customers.  We want you if you:

  • Can travel 100%
  • Have electrical and controls experience
  • Received HVAC training and education
  • Have a strong work ethic
  • Possess a high level of self-accountability
  • Have strong organizational skills
  • Have high emotional intelligence, a positive attitude, and a service-leadership philosophy

Does it sound like you would be a great fit for our team? Click here to learn more and meet with Melink’s Human Resources Team.

The Application of Ground-Source Heat Pumps with Waste Water Systems

The use of waste water, both grey and black, as a heat source or sink is not a new concept. But, until recently, the availability of cost-effective, factory-constructed systems has been limited.

Now, with these new systems hitting the market, engineers have more options than ever for designing more sustainable facilities. One such way the marketplace is utilizing waste-water technology is through ground-source heat pumps.

However, many engineers may be hearing pushback when they suggest incorporating waste water into plans. Maybe you’ve heard or said it yourself: “We’ve never done this before.”

To combat the obstacle of pushback, engineers must outline the project goals to demonstrate good engineering concepts and application guidelines:

  • Understand the application of waste-water energy recovery systems for heating and cooling applications
  • Understand characteristics of unconventional water sources and their applications as the heat sink and heat source for ground-source heat pump operations
  • Recognize the capital cost requirements to effectively implement heat recovery from unconventional energy sources
  • Understand the importance of performing a thorough site investigation of the project location to assess the site limitations and unique features

Case Study: Grey Water Energy Recovery

Project Type: Retrofit of laundry area for 350-room hotel
Project Location: Alberta, Canada
Project Size: 6,000 gallons of hot water/day
Average Run Time: 10.7 hours/day
Average Output: 1.28 million BTU/day or 375 kWH/day or 1,700 gallons (50° to 140°F)
Average Performance: 4.71 COP
Peak Performance: 8.77 COP
Estimated Annual Savings: $40k/year

Laundry facility utilizing ground-source heat pumps with waste water

Learn More about Ground-Source Heat Pumps + Waste Water Systems

Steve Hamstra of Melink’s Solar & Geo team will present more on the application of ground-source heat pumps with waste water systems at the ASHRAE Conference, prior to the AHR Expo (Feb. 3-5, 2020, in Orlando, FL). If you’ll be there, we invite you to schedule a meet-and-greet with the Melink team to discuss geothermal solutions for your business.

Melink Corporation provides turnkey management of geothermal projects for architects, engineers, ESCOs, and building owners, as well as consulting services for architects and engineering firms.

Tips for Home Solar Panel Installation

Melink Employee-Owner Jason Brown offers tips for DIY home solar panel installation.


Jason Brown, Senior Applications Engineer for Melink Corporation, added a 9.76 kW solar system consisting of 32 panels to the roof of his new home in 2019.

“I went with adding solar because I know it works, and it’s worth the investment. I had installed solar on my previous home,” said Brown, who has served in various technical roles for Melink T&B, Solar & Geo, and Intelli-Hood®. “I recommend it to anyone that is looking to save money, help the environment by reducing fossil fuel emissions, and increase their home equity.”

Home solar panels

Install

After a little homework and modeling, Brown came up with a system he could install for less than $1 per watt by doing the project himself.

Home solar panel CAD drawing by Jason Brown

Next steps included filing the appropriate permits, purchasing materials, renting a lift to move the solar panels to his roof, and gathering his Melink Solar & Geo co-workers to assist him with the installation. Over a weekend, they completed the project: mounting the racks, wiring the system, and installing the panels themselves.

Solar & Geo co-workers prepping for the home solar panel installation.
Prepping for the home solar panel installation
Brown rented a lift to move the 50-pound panels to his roof. Once installed, the overall weight of the system on the roof is less than a second layer of shingles, not compromising the snow loads in place on the home structure.
Mounting the solar panel racks to the roof
Mounting the racks to the home’s roof
Electrical breaker box
The breaker panel
AC Combiner and Rapid Disconnect with NEC labels
The completed AC Combiner and Rapid Disconnect with NEC labels

System Maintenance

As for maintenance, the system requires little upkeep or cleaning. The panels are installed at a 5/12 pitch angle, which allows them to be cleaned naturally by the region’s rain cycles.

Home solar panel installation
The home solar panels are installed at a 5/12 pitch angle.

Additionally, the system’s micro-inverters have a free, built-in monitoring system that can be observed through a phone app. The app shows system production (instantaneous or over time calculations) and efficiency between each panel. With this tracking, Brown will know if there is a problem within the system that needs attention.

Home solar panel phone app tracking
Energy balance displayed on the app
kWh displayed on the app

Forecasted maintenance depends on the type of inverter installed. Traditional string inverters may need to be replaced in 12-15 years, while many micro-inverters have a 25-year warranty/life expectancy.

“Sometimes these component parts can last the life of the panels, sometimes a little less,” Brown said. “I went with micro-inverters for their longer projected life-rating and to offer better performance with any shading.”

Micro-inverter for home solar panel installation
The type of micro-inverter Brown selected has as 25-year life expectancy versus a traditional string inverter.

Lastly, Brown said some indirect tree trimming may come up in the next 25-30 years to allow more sunlight to reach the panels.

System Performance

The best part? Brown’s home system is currently trending to the projected energy savings and on pace to be under a 5-year ROI with using the 2019 tax credit. The solar array is on track to provide 70% of his home energy usage annually, resulting in a savings of $75-165 per month depending on the time of year and the current electric rates.

As rates from energy suppliers increase so does the system’s calculated savings. Additionally, by doing the project himself, the system has increased the value of his home with nearly a 3-to-1 return.

Home solar panel installation in Cincinnati, Ohio

Home Solar Panel Installation Tips

If you’re considering your own home solar project, here are Brown’s tips:

  • To understand your home’s energy profile, check your electric bills to find out what the average kWh usage is over 12 months. This will give you a glimpse of your home’s energy usage and an idea of what to plan for.
  • Research residential solar tax credits through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency® or ask a tax professional. For the tax year 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% and will drop to 22% for tax year 2021. 
  • Determine if you would be installing a ground-mount or roof-mount system. The solar modules need to be mounted facing south with not too much obstruction (trees, shading of the sun, etc.). Most residential installations are roof-mounted due to the size of the property and to elevate the modules, offering a better chance of extending the sunlight hours.
  • If you choose to do a roof-mount installation, determine the age of the roof on your home. Keep in mind that the solar system you’re planning will be there 25-30 years. Ideally, solar should be added at the time of new construction or roof replacement.
  • Before purchasing materials, assemble a Bill of Materials (BOM) of what you need to purchase. This will give you a full understanding of the project costs.
  • Call your local zoning and permit offices before you start. You need to review the guidelines to make sure you are within your right to install this electrical upgrade and that you’re abiding by all local codes and permitting requirements. Your township/county will likely require you to file an electrical permit, and they may need to perform a structural review.
  • If you live in a neighborhood, you also need to contact your home owners association (HOA). Your HOA may require you to provide documentation and pay an application fee.
  • Once you have done your research and filed for the appropriate permits, file an interconnection agreement with your utility provider so you can connect to the grid.

This information is for educational purposes. Melink shall not be responsible nor retain liability for use of the provided information. Prior to beginning any electrical or solar project, you are advised to consult with an industry professional.

Melink envisions clean energy transforming the world by improving our global economy, security and environment — for ourselves, our children and future generations. “Walking the Talk” stories showcase Melink employee-owners that are making sustainable choices in their personal lives.

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day: Tips for Businesses

In the United States, January 10 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, a time that encourages people to look for ways to reduce energy usage and ultimately save on energy bills.

Melink offers five tips for businesses to cut their energy costs. Implement these solutions today to impact your business’ bottom line in the future!

Melink technician checking air flow in business for energy costs

Tip #1 — Ensure Your Building Has a Balanced Airflow

An air balance testing service is the process by which the performance of HVAC airflow is measured.  Once it is tested, the systems are then adjusted, or balanced, so that the air brought into a building is slightly greater than the air being pulled out of the building. The result is a comfortable, healthy indoor environment with an HVAC system that is optimized to perform efficiently. Read more air balance basics.

Keep in mind there are different degrees of air balance reports and you should choose an air balance contractor wisely. Not every balancing firm performs the same service or provides the same report at the end of the project. Hire a professional, certified firm like Melink Corporation.

Energy costs in busy commercial restaurant kitchens

Tip #2 — Conserve Energy in Commercial Kitchens

If your facility has a kitchen operation, this is an area where you can greatly reduce your operating costs, as well as occupant comfort. Consider installing a demand control kitchen ventilation (DCKV) system to control the variable speed of your kitchen’s exhaust fans.

Traditionally, kitchen exhaust fans run at 100% speed for constant periods of time.  With the addition of a variable speed system, like Melink’s Intelli-Hood®, fan speeds are reduced when cooking isn’t at its maximum. 

Dirty furnace filters can increase energy costs

Tip # 3 — Replace Used Furnace Filters

This may sound like a simple fix, but dirty furnace filters can lead to defective equipment, airflow issues, and ultimately higher energy bills. If a filter is clogged, airflow is reduced and the unit(s) will have to run longer to achieve the desired temperatures. Seasonally changing air filters within your building is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most effective ways to ensure maximum airflow output.

Monitor your building for guests' comfort and to watch energy costs

Tip # 4 — Monitor Your Building

Monitor your building’s health BEFORE a costly issue develops, such as mold growth, high energy bills, safety issues, or comfort issues for occupants. Melink offers PositiV®, a standalone tool to monitor your building’s performance data. A small investment now can lead to a great reduction in future energy costs.

Rooftop HVAC Unit

Tip # 5 — Have a Replacement Plan

Whether your facility has an immediately aging HVAC unit or not, it’s important to plan for the future — especially with the phase-out of R-22. Emergency replacement, AKA “fix-on-fail,” is the costliest way to repair units. If you implement a proactive equipment replacement program, you can save approximately 70% per unit, which adds up to major energy cost savings.

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day may only happen once a year, but Melink offers energy-efficiency solutions for businesses year-round. With Melink, cut your commercial building’s energy costs. Contact us today at (513) 965-7300.