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276 Topic threads

Tim_OVO
Community Manager
Tim_OVOCommunity Manager
Posted in Home and heating

Solar Photovoltaic (pv) panels: Installation, apps, export payments and ROI - User guideTutorial

Updated on 11/12/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO:Interested in generating energy from the sun? 🌞 Guess what...   Thanks to the help of our PV champions and Plan Zero heroes, we’ve put together a collaborative guide to all things solar.  Thinking about getting into the micro-generation game but don’t know where to start? - Check out the info below for what you might need to consider before  joining the solar panel club.  Below is a series of experiences and insights from community members for you to get a different point of view on this energy generating tech. Please note that this is not the viewpoint and advice of OVO. As always, it’s important to do your own research. Check out our Forum guidelines here. How many PV panels do you have, and what type?    I have PV panels - 14 of them, styled “8.33 285w ETERNITY+10 PV modules”.  They are made by Table Trading S.L. aka 8.33 Solar.      I have a 4kW domestic solar PV installation since 2016.· The array is 12 x 330w Panasonic HIT

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B
Carbon Cutter*
10 months ago
BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
BPLightlogPlan Zero Hero
Posted in Home and heating

Energy usage data from third party Apps: Ivie, Loop and Hugo - my guideTutorial

There are a number of third party data sets now available gathering info from smart meters so I thought I’d give a few a go to see what they offer. As has been mentioned, the OVO info screens are useful but could be enhanced but what about the others. Loop HomesLoop - a useful and quick series of data which are updated during each day keeping track quite efficiently. This offers not much more than that apart from a solar PV and battery storage simulator but always a go-to for quick info. For some reason, gas always lags electricity by half a day or so. Loop are also running a peak hours reduction trial at present (2022-2023)  (example screens)Loop does also have a solar PV and battery storage simulator which can give an idea of possible energy savings with these technologies. You can switch these on and off and also view a calculated kWh saving - however, if you already have solar panels or batteries you will get a false picture as the app doesn’t currently allow you to indicate this  

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
10 months ago
Tim_OVO
Community Manager
Tim_OVOCommunity Manager
Posted in Home and heating

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) - Getting paid for the energy you export to the grid - FAQsTutorial

Updated on 08/12/23 by Emmanuelle_OVOInterested in getting Solar Panels? Find out more here: OVO are now installing Solar! 😁​​​  SEG - Smart Export Guarantee - Your FAQs What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)? The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives micro-generators (such as homes with solar panels) the chance to earn money for every kWh of energy they export to the national grid. This replaces the Feed in Tariff (FIT), which was closed to new applicants in 2019. The key difference between the FIT scheme and SEG that generator are only paid for the energy they export on SEG rather than the energy they generate as well, as they were with FIT.  Who can sign up to the SEG tariff? Generators (or homeowners) who own one of the following technology systems; anaerobic digestion, hydro, micro-combined heat and power (with an electrical capacity of 50kW or less), onshore wind, and solar photovoltaic exporters with up to 5MW.  In order to apply for SEG you mustn’t be receiving FIT export payme

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R
New Member*
10 months ago
B
Carbon Cutter*****
BrightEyes161Carbon Cutter*****
Posted in Home and heating

How does ECO4 work?

I have been trying to get a new heating system to replace electric storage heaters for over two years as my bills are very high in winter. I was told by one company that I had successfully got ECO3, but then so many delays happened that it was no longer valid and I had to wait for ECO4. Meanwhile the company closed down and some of the people started a new company. They told me after several months that I have been accepted for ECO4. That was about half a year ago now, and again, so many delays have happened and appointments cancelled by them that I've lost trust. This has been going on since 2020. The latest I heard from them is that it'll definitely be done a few weeks ago, so I moved all my furniture and wall decor away from walls etc and moved into my partner's place and I'm still here almost a month later. Recently they said they're delayed because they'd "run out of money", as ECO4 funding is only given after the job is complete, so they need to buy everything out of their own po

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Tim_OVO
Community Manager
10 months ago
BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
BPLightlogPlan Zero Hero
Posted in Home and heating

A Solar Sojourn - a user’s tale about getting solar panels fitted to my homeBlog

 Given that there’s a number of organisations including OVO who are promoting solar PV systems, I thought it might be useful to note a few things about my own journey so far. We had solar panels installed in early 2012Preparing for the installand more recently added battery storage.Retrofit Inverter for battery storageThe systems mostly look after themselves but we’ve found support and expertise difficult to find. Our original installer moved out of the industry and so although we were able to get initial queries answered, any follow up from other suppliers has not been straightforward. No understanding of any equipment apart from those they install themselves, difficulty in matching different parts of the system when wanting any additional equipment, and a lack of technical understanding in the technology space of measurement and monitoring. Dual panel array facing East and WestTo be clear, we have not had any operational problems with the original equipment installed and it shows no

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
10 months ago
juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
juliamcCarbon Catcher***
posted in Home and heating

CO2 forecast for my region

I have a PodPoint charger which doesn’t have many bells and whistles, not very smart and isn’t compatible with Charge Anytime…. However the app now has a great new lookup function which gives the CO2 forecast for Today and Tomorrow for my region. Previously I’ve only found apps that give a figure for (I assume) the whole country or just a snapshot of the regions. 

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Firedog
Plan Zero Hero
10 months ago
juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
juliamcCarbon Catcher***
posted in Home and heating

Choosing the optimum number of solar panels for my roof?

I’m planning to get solar panels for my bungalow. I have a lot of south east facing roof space, an air source heat pump, and an electric car (low mileage). We are ‘at home all day’ and I am hoping to not need battery storage.The word on the street is to get as many PV panels as can fit on the roof, 24 would fit and the DNO is ok with that. How do I decide just how many panels to get ? Any advice would be gratefully received.

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
11 months ago
Firedog
Plan Zero Hero
FiredogPlan Zero Hero
posted in Home and heating

Alternative energy sources - is deep geothermal the best green way to heat our homes?

Those interested in a greener future with less reliance on fossil fuels may be interested in a report submitted to the PM and parliament yesterday: https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/deep-geothermal-report-publishd 

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Firedog
Plan Zero Hero
11 months ago
Tim_OVO
Community Manager
Tim_OVOCommunity Manager
Posted in Home and heating

Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) cost analysis - how does it compare to a gas boiler?VIDEO

How does a heat pump compare to a gas boiler?  Here’s a recording of an online event that took place in March 2023, where we were shown detailed heat pump cost analysis from forum member @jason.lewis. In the recording we hear from Jason about his home, the heat pump set up, and how the costs of heating and hot water and the approach to this differ when compared to his gas boiler system. An essential watch for anyone considering this low carbon heating system:  Interested in finding out more? See OVO Energy’s heat pump page here.  Post any questions you have in the comments section below.

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Tim_OVO
Community Manager
11 months ago
BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
BPLightlogPlan Zero Hero
posted in Home and heating

A Thirst For Data: My Guide to third party Apps

I put together a guide to a few of the 3rd party data feeds which are now accessible with a smart meter to view your energy use.I also have been looking at a few other things to explore a little more as, has been pointed out in the Power Move trial, it is mainly with more information that users can make more informed choices.One thing on the Bright energy app is a comparison chart which allows you to see power use during the day. It also allows you to look deeper across days of the week and for the same day over a number of weeks Bright Energy app comparison viewOne thing which isn’t very well explained but shown in the 2 images above is that you can zoom into the image to see the time frame required in more detail. This is simply done by ‘pinching’ the image as often used on smartphones these days.Now that ivie bud is working more consistently alongside the ivie app, you can get an instantaneous electricity use reading together with low and high readings for the day. ivie app feed via

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Firedog
Plan Zero Hero
11 months ago
E
Carbon Cutter****
elisabethz59Carbon Cutter****
Posted in Home and heating

Air Soure Heat Pump external pipework positioning

I bought my house 5 years ago.  There seem to be issues with the installation.  First there was no insulation on the external pipework.  Now I’ve been told (by a different company) that the pipes attached to the unit should not be lying on the ground (half buried) but raised and clipped to the wall.  It’s going to cost a bit of money and I’d like to know if this gentleman is correct with his observations.Any comments appreciated.

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N
Carbon Catcher**
11 months ago
S
Carbon Cutter*
ShirlCarbon Cutter*
Posted in Home and heating

Storage Heaters aren't heating up!

Please can someone advise.  I know nothing about storage heaters apart from the fact that my daughters in her new apartment and hers don’t heat up.  Not sure if we are doing something wrong or the system is broke.   Basically on each side of two of the heaters there are two plugs that are wired to the heater.  One shows it has a fuse and the other doesn’t.  In the cupboard is what looks like an emersion heater.  There are two switches in there.  One that says ‘switch for emersion heater’   The other says Economy 7 supply.  Landlord says switch both of them on at night and turn off in the morning.  Also to set output on the heater to 1 and input to 9.  I’m assuming that’s when it uses the economy 7 Tariff.  We then switched on the power on the right side of the heaters which doesn’t say it has a fuse and expected to have heat and hot water this morning but nothing! All stone cold.  Are we supposed to have the power on the right side of the heater on as well? The one in the hall only has

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K
Carbon Cutter**
1 year ago
BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
BPLightlogPlan Zero Hero
posted in Home and heating

A cautionary tale - or Life’s a gas

As some of you will know, I keep a close eye on my fuel usage (as many do these days) but yesterday was a particular example. I use a few different data feeds to look at various aspects of both electric use and gas consumption. Although the OVO usage page does now show electrical usage during the current day (approx 1 hr behind actual), it doesn’t show any gas use until the next day. For this I use my Hildebrand/Glow IHD and the Bright app which tracks electrical use approx 10 secs behind time and gas in 30 minute segments. Yesterday I saw this Which confused me as after an initial heating burst on a cold morning, there is usually no gas usage apart from a blip now and then for cooking or hot water. So the regular low level during the day was rather baffling. I thought nothing of it until late afternoon when I began checking because at that low level the Chameleon IHD didn’t show anything significant as the cost/kWh level was not very high. Lo and behold, I found a gas burner on the co

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Jeffus
Plan Zero Hero
1 year ago
S
Carbon Cutter***
Susanfl17Carbon Cutter***
Posted in Home and heating

OVO Power Move, can you tell me more?

I have read somewhere that Ovo have introduced a scheme/ plan where you can get up to £100 back for reducing usage between certain hours

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M
Carbon Cutter*****
1 year ago
M.isterW
Carbon Catcher***
M.isterWCarbon Catcher***
posted in Home and heating

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) - How have your energy usage and costs changed since getting one installed?

Many of us on here are interested in the COP of our heat pumps to see how efficiently they're running but most people will only be interested in what happens to their electricity consumption and bills. You often see claims that heat pumps will reduce your energy costs but is that correct? So, how has your energy use changed? What about your bills?

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juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
1 year ago
C
Carbon Cutter*****
ColinGCarbon Cutter*****
Posted in Home and heating

Do OVO have plans for ASHP and Solar?

Long story short, we are with Octopus (were Bulb). Octopus cannot connect to our old smart meter and are unable to fit new ones for ex Bulb customers yet and no timeframe! We need the smart meter as we are committed to having solar and ASHP installed - without the meter we cannot have the special tariffs. If we came across to OvO how long would it take them to fit a smart meter and presumably they too have special tariffs for solar and ashp?Thank youColin

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Jeffus
Plan Zero Hero
1 year ago
E
Carbon Cutter***
Eleanor O'FlynnCarbon Cutter***
Posted in Home and heating

Midnight energy consumption? To do with Solar Panels?

Why does my smart metre show about 3kw of electricity are suddenly used at around midnight every night. Nothing is on in the house at that hour. Could it be some sort of boost to the solar panels battery? It didn't appear when they were first installed in September last.  

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E
Carbon Cutter***
1 year ago
M
Carbon Cutter****
mogginsCarbon Cutter****
Posted in Home and heating

Can I install an air source heat pump in the lightwell outside my house? What type would fit?

Hello,We are getting our house ready to fit an air source heat pump.  We have seen a few houses around us that have installed the heat pump in the light well at the front of the house.   We would like to do this, but want to know whether it makes sense.  We would put the ASHP on the ledge so the top would be at the top of the lightwell the depth (wall to bay window) of the lightwell is around 2.4m so room to have space behind and in front.  one side is totally open the other side will have a wall around 0.5-1.0m away.I know there needs to be good airflow around the pump and this seems enough (and more than the places we have seen them installed in other lightwells).   Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks 

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M
Carbon Cutter****
1 year ago
M
Carbon Cutter***
magstlCarbon Cutter***
Posted in Home and heating

Solis Cloud- The battery does not charge or discharge.

hi, we had solar panels, an inverter and pure drive battery fitted. So far we have used a fraction of electricity produced. The battery does not charge or discharge.Installer says it’s a fault and are waiting for pure drive- I think it’s set up as it charged from the grid at one point and discharged to the house, but they changed the settings and now nothing.Installer also say the meter doesn’t show up on the system in any their installations. The meter in our fuse box has remained at zero. The real question - is this a set up fault or a product fault? Thanks

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
1 year ago
J
New Member*
JunieMoon22New Member*
Posted in Home and heating

We have warm air heating which is currently serviced annually. Does OVO maintain and service this type of boiler?

We have warm air heating which is currently serviced annually.   Does OVO maintain and service this type of boiler?

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juliamc
Carbon Catcher***
1 year ago
BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
BPLightlogPlan Zero Hero
posted in Home and heating

Off-Grid project for solar and a wind turbine: any tips for installation and planning permission?

I am part way through installing an off-grid solar PV and wind turbine feed for a summerhouse and wondered if anyone has any experience or tips. One strange piece of info is that a first small turbine or ASHP is permitted development (conservation areas excluded) but if you already have a Heat Pump then you would need planning permission for a wind turbine.I have a small control system with battery storage which the panels and turbine will feed into and an associated power dump protection once the battery is full. It is a relatively small system but something that will power lighting, cooling and a small heater in winter. Once all in place I will post some photos for info.

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T
Carbon Cutter**
1 year ago
J
Carbon Cutter****
jenthomsonCarbon Cutter****
posted in Home and heating

Holiday mode! Air source heat pumps (ASHP) and how you manage them when out of the house?

Hi everyone,Back to thinking again about how to manage our heat pump better and I don’t think this has been covered yet, so I am looking to start a conversation with you all.We got our second ASHP (after a Northern Gas special) in August 2021. We tend to go away twice each winter, one month at a time, so have now been away four times.We got no information on what to do to ‘shut down’ our house for holidays from either installer. When we had a combi gas boiler, we’d just set our Nest thermostats to 9C (so the house didn’t freeze) and then tell the house to heat up again about 24hrs before our return - the app is particularly useful here.We still have Nest and now an ASHP with a hot water tank and Eddi solar diverter. We were content to set our thermostats to 9C and tell Eddi not to heat our water with excess solar, but the ASHP still wanted to heat up the water tank all the time. Looking at the Operation Manual I was given for the Daikin Altherma control unit, there is a menu called ‘Ho

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
1 year ago
H
Carbon Cutter*
HospurCarbon Cutter*
Posted in Home and heating

Chameleon IHD3 Pylon display without a Smart Export Agreement. Am I giving my surplus away for free?

Hi, I have just had Solar installed in the very dull month of March and occasionally the the IHD shows that I am exporting small amounts back to the grid by showing the Pylon icon without me having an Export Tariff agreementI realise that if the Export readout shows zero, there is no cost or rewardIf the readout is below zero does this mean I am exporting without rewardOr is my export, when  the reading to below zero automatically being deducted from previously or future import electricityI hope this not too stupid a question

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Tim_OVO
Community Manager
1 year ago
V
Carbon Cutter*
VirgaudasCarbon Cutter*
Posted in Home and heating

Electric hob's specifications. Does anyone know how much electricity would cost if large heater is working for 1 hour?

Hi, I added picture showing electric hob's specifications. Does anyone know how much electricity would cost if one of large heaters is working for 1 hour? What about small heater? Thank you for answer. Best Regards,Robertas 

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BPLightlog
Plan Zero Hero
1 year ago
C
Carbon Cutter****
CaolCarbon Cutter****
Posted in Home and heating

Mismatch in electricity imported on my solar PV app compared to my smart meter and OVO online account?

Hey, im wondering if anyone else has had similar issues, I was advised against smart meters due to their history of being inaccurate but figured was just paranoia.  Below you can see on the 9/3/23 I was charged for 30Kw of electricity, despite only using 22kw from the grid that day (to charge my car), I notice couple days before it also has slight over spending despite again not consuming that much from the grid. I sadly only got Solar this week so this may have been going on for the past couple months too (our routines haven’t changed) curious on anyone’s thought?  

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C
Carbon Cutter****
1 year ago

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