Problem is, this is my first winter using a heat pump so I have no comparable data to see if using this App/Company would make any difference to my costs.
Also, I’m not sure I would be comfortable with a very fledging company (2024) taking over control of my heating/water system.
With regard to hot water, it seems to function in reverse to what I use at the moment, i.e. my hot water is set to come on at 1pm, their system has the hot water ready at 1pm. I’m not sure how they know when to start heating the water in order to have it ready by a certain time.
Any comments?
CBJ
Best answer by Ben_OVO
Morning @cbj,
Just to let you know we’ve had this response back from Havenwise:
Thanks for sharing your concerns — those are very valid points, especially when it’s your first winter with a heat pump.
1. No prior data: The trial is designed to monitor your system’s performance and energy use over time, so you’ll still get useful insights into how efficiently your heat pump is running. Even without a baseline, we can help identify trends and potential savings.
2. Control and data security: You remain in full control of your heating and hot water. The trial only adjusts settings within agreed comfort limits, and you can override them at any time. The company complies with data protection regulations, and all control actions are transparent to you.
3. Hot water scheduling: The system works by heating the water in advance so it’s ready at your preferred time. Havenwise know how hot the hot water already by the temperature sensor in the hot water cylinder. This enables them to get the hot water to the right temperature when its right to you. You are always in control of this through the Havenwise app but do get in touch if you have any further questions on this
@Captainheatpump thanks for your valuable insights here - very much appreciated!!!!
Ben, the first year is daunting to say the least. I am a gas engineer of 30 years, a heat pump engineer of 16 years, and a qualified Energy Efficiency Practitioner. Although the industry is still finding its feet, trust in the engineers, as our training in Britain is second to none, the products are really great at what they do. I would suggest that you buy an infrared temperature sensor from Amazon, excuse me, other outlets available, 🤣 who am I kidding. They are brilliant at helping you build up temperature data from all over the system to advise visiting engineers what your experiences, and they will help you save too.
The first winter is a great chance to see how little energy you can use. now we all know to turn the light off when we leave a room, but how many of us turn the radiator off and shut the door if it's a little-used spare room, for instance? But the heating is the easy bit, only heat when you're home and the areas you use.
That big tank of hot water that you can never tell how much is inside is the biggest waste you will have this winter, I assure you. Don't get me wrong, they are normally C-rated high-efficiency insulated. But why heat what you're not going to use? now, believe me, my wife took an age to get herself on board with this one. take a few weekends when you don't need to be anywhere at a certain time, to trial and error your family's actual hot water usage. I always went last, so if the water ran out, it was on me.
My tests and I always relay this to all my customers, whether they are heat pump customers or gas boiler customers; it helps everyone. You need to know, on average, what the daily occupancy of the property is, how many of those are to shower and how many bathe. I always heat the water to start with for 30 minutes for every Bather and 15minutes for every showerer. Remember, we go last, so be prepared for that ice blast; it's good for you, apparently. Depending on whether you still have hot water left at the end of the day or you jumped out feeling refreshed by the ice shower, use the Woolworths😂 temperature sensor on the draw off from the top of the tank, and then the cold inlet bottom, which will give you the temperature differential that your heating. Add or subtract 5 or 10-minute increments until you get it just right. we do the same amount every day, and I only get that icy blast when my daughter has a bad day and needs a bath, rather than a shower, but hey, it gets us communicating, and if I know, I adjust to suit.
Sorry if this is a boring overshare. I'm such a nerd, but if you need any help, just let me know.
Last thing I promise, WIFI-enabled controls are great money savers and really cheap now, and you can adjust anywhere in the world, or as I do generally at work when my daughter has called me to give me the gossip, I put an extra 15 minutes of hot water on for her, or should I say me.
Just to let you know we’ve had this response back from Havenwise:
Thanks for sharing your concerns — those are very valid points, especially when it’s your first winter with a heat pump.
1. No prior data: The trial is designed to monitor your system’s performance and energy use over time, so you’ll still get useful insights into how efficiently your heat pump is running. Even without a baseline, we can help identify trends and potential savings.
2. Control and data security: You remain in full control of your heating and hot water. The trial only adjusts settings within agreed comfort limits, and you can override them at any time. The company complies with data protection regulations, and all control actions are transparent to you.
3. Hot water scheduling: The system works by heating the water in advance so it’s ready at your preferred time. Havenwise know how hot the hot water already by the temperature sensor in the hot water cylinder. This enables them to get the hot water to the right temperature when its right to you. You are always in control of this through the Havenwise app but do get in touch if you have any further questions on this
@Captainheatpump thanks for your valuable insights here - very much appreciated!!!!
Cheers,
Ben
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