September Edition 2018
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Smarter Heating
Smarter Heating
When new technology appears on the market aimed at reducing fuel bills we're naturally curious. We investigate why some local residents are asking the Energy Centre to make changes to their home heating system.
Our attention was recently drawn to the Energy Centre by a number of Local Residents who had employed them or have made their first appointment. There's nothing unusual about upgrading your home heating system such a boiler upgrade, radiator replacement or loft insulations etc until they told us that what they were doing was 100% FREE. Not even 1 cent!
Our attention was recently drawn to the Energy Centre by a number of Local Residents who had employed them or have made their first appointment. There's nothing unusual about upgrading your home heating system such a boiler upgrade, radiator replacement or loft insulations etc until they told us that what they were doing was 100% FREE. Not even 1 cent!
We researched how this is possible and what you could also do in time for Winter.
We researched how this is possible and what you could also do in time for Winter.
NOTE
NOTE
We're not being paid to provide this article and receive no benefit should you take on the service described.
The Typical Heating System
The Typical Heating System
Within many of the older homes the heating system is very simple and consists of:
Within many of the older homes the heating system is very simple and consists of:
- a GAS BOILER with either a 24hr or 7 day simple TIMER,
- several connected RADIATORS,
- a hallway wall mounted THERMOSTAT,
- a HOT WATER TANK with an immersion heater.
Typical upgrades usually involve replacing each individual item with a more advanced and efficient product which will reduce the long term running cost.
Typical upgrades usually involve replacing each individual item with a more advanced and efficient product which will reduce the long term running cost.
Many are not simple DIY jobs and all have reasonably high purchase and installation cost with the 'Pay Back' time varying considerably.
Many are not simple DIY jobs and all have reasonably high purchase and installation cost with the 'Pay Back' time varying considerably.
The Energy Centre Offer.
The Energy Centre Offer.
Brief Overview
Brief Overview
Essentially they provide you with considerably better control of your existing system.
Essentially they provide you with considerably better control of your existing system.
They're not changing your boiler, radiators or the hot water tank but they do install an advanced wall controller, thermostats and modify the heating pipework.
They're not changing your boiler, radiators or the hot water tank but they do install an advanced wall controller, thermostats and modify the heating pipework.
Within 2 hrs they provide homeowners with higher levels of heating control and more efficient use of hot water.
Within 2 hrs they provide homeowners with higher levels of heating control and more efficient use of hot water.
This WILL reduce your energy bill but it really depends on your requirements and lifestyle.
This WILL reduce your energy bill but it really depends on your requirements and lifestyle.
The 'Climote' wall controller has now been around for a few years, has 3 years manufacturers warranty and is therefore tried and tested.
The 'Climote' wall controller has now been around for a few years, has 3 years manufacturers warranty and is therefore tried and tested.
As a SMART internet device it does NOT however connect to any other device such as security cameras, lighting, radios or tv ...... or smart coffee machines either. We don't see this as a disadvantage since your Smart TV has nothing to do with central heating!
As a SMART internet device it does NOT however connect to any other device such as security cameras, lighting, radios or tv ...... or smart coffee machines either. We don't see this as a disadvantage since your Smart TV has nothing to do with central heating!
Our Verdict:
Our Verdict:
This system will reduce your home energy costs, maintain your existing comfort level, and provide additional control and efficiency benefits if you use it properly.
This system will reduce your home energy costs, maintain your existing comfort level, and provide additional control and efficiency benefits if you use it properly.
It does not cost you anything for installation using the SEAI Grant.
It does not cost you anything for installation using the SEAI Grant.
The Energy Centre is recommended by Local Residents.
The Energy Centre is recommended by Local Residents.
The 'Climote' controller comes with 3 yr manufactures warranty.
The 'Climote' controller comes with 3 yr manufactures warranty.
The EnergyCentre.ie is registered with SEAI.
The EnergyCentre.ie is registered with SEAI.
Read our full review below or simply contact the Energy Centre to speak to an advisor in person.
Read our full review below or simply contact the Energy Centre to speak to an advisor in person.
1850 50 50 60
1850 50 50 60
Our Detailed Review.
Our Detailed Review.
To establish whether their system is suitable for your circumstances an appointment for a FREE inspection is made to survey your existing heating system.
To establish whether their system is suitable for your circumstances an appointment for a FREE inspection is made to survey your existing heating system.
If your boiler has been upgraded since base build then there is a possibility that it is not suitable for the proposed system.
If your boiler has been upgraded since base build then there is a possibility that it is not suitable for the proposed system.
A separate installation appointment can have the system operational within 2 hours and the energy savings can begin immediately.
A separate installation appointment can have the system operational within 2 hours and the energy savings can begin immediately.
4 Main Features
4 Main Features
1. New Controller
1. New Controller
A wall mounted 'Climote' controller replaces the wall mounted thermostat and essentially adds programmable timing, zone, and temperature control to the central heating system.
A wall mounted 'Climote' controller replaces the wall mounted thermostat and essentially adds programmable timing, zone, and temperature control to the central heating system.
2. Zoned Heating
2. Zoned Heating
By installing controller activated valves within the existing plumbing system it divides your home into 3 heating zones: Upstairs, Downstairs and the Hot Water tank.
By installing controller activated valves within the existing plumbing system it divides your home into 3 heating zones: Upstairs, Downstairs and the Hot Water tank.
Using one separate Zone for hot water means that you no longer need to manually pull levers in the hot press or have radiators on if you only want to heat the hot water tank. It also means it can operate on its own timing schedule.
Using one separate Zone for hot water means that you no longer need to manually pull levers in the hot press or have radiators on if you only want to heat the hot water tank. It also means it can operate on its own timing schedule.
The remaining two Zones can separate the upstairs and downstairs radiators, each with their own heating times. This is far better than the 'All On' or 'All Off' system that most homes currently have and where perhaps the greatest energy saving can be made.
The remaining two Zones can separate the upstairs and downstairs radiators, each with their own heating times. This is far better than the 'All On' or 'All Off' system that most homes currently have and where perhaps the greatest energy saving can be made.
From the x8 radiators in my own 3 bed home it could reduce the time that the x5 upstairs radiators are active. This amounts to a big energy saving without compromising on comfort levels.
From the x8 radiators in my own 3 bed home it could reduce the time that the x5 upstairs radiators are active. This amounts to a big energy saving without compromising on comfort levels.
3. Temperature Sensors
3. Temperature Sensors
In an ideal world each room would have it's own independent temperature sensor and zone with every radiator having an independent thermostatic valve but the system cost and complexity is unlikely to suit our small homes for the energy saving they'll produce.
In an ideal world each room would have it's own independent temperature sensor and zone with every radiator having an independent thermostatic valve but the system cost and complexity is unlikely to suit our small homes for the energy saving they'll produce.
Having 2 independent space heating zones means having 2 separate and adjustable temperature sensors to control their operation. Again a huge benefit compared to allowing the cold hallway temperature sensor to activate the entire house.
Having 2 independent space heating zones means having 2 separate and adjustable temperature sensors to control their operation. Again a huge benefit compared to allowing the cold hallway temperature sensor to activate the entire house.
4. Internet Control
4. Internet Control
The installation package has this feature for FREE for the FIRST YEAR. The Climote controller uses this as an optional feature and can be operated manually from the wall controller. The ability to control the system either online or by text message is a great addition if you're not the most organised or if your schedule varies daily. You can have the ability to adjust the heating without moving from your sofa and even access the system when you are away from the house. How much use you gain from this depends on your lifestyle. There is an annual fee after the first year.
The installation package has this feature for FREE for the FIRST YEAR. The Climote controller uses this as an optional feature and can be operated manually from the wall controller. The ability to control the system either online or by text message is a great addition if you're not the most organised or if your schedule varies daily. You can have the ability to adjust the heating without moving from your sofa and even access the system when you are away from the house. How much use you gain from this depends on your lifestyle. There is an annual fee after the first year.
Video Summary
Video Summary
Summary of the system
Summary of the functions
BONUS
BONUS
Included in the service is a FREE Building Energy Rating (BER) measurement.
Included in the service is a FREE Building Energy Rating (BER) measurement.
This is useful to know and it can help identify the weakest aspects of your home. It's something most of us have never looked into unless we're moving home.
This is useful to know and it can help identify the weakest aspects of your home. It's something most of us have never looked into unless we're moving home.
How much will you save?
How much will you save?
If your home has not undergone any improvements since base build and you maintain a constant house temperature via the central heating system then you can potentially save the 30% advertised saving.
If your home has not undergone any improvements since base build and you maintain a constant house temperature via the central heating system then you can potentially save the 30% advertised saving.
Is installation really FREE ?
Is installation really FREE ?
FREE offers attract customers and if you're a skeptic you're going to be looking for the hidden cost. We can't find any and none of the residents we've spoken with have paid anything.
FREE offers attract customers and if you're a skeptic you're going to be looking for the hidden cost. We can't find any and none of the residents we've spoken with have paid anything.
Installation costs are covered by the SEAI Government Grant so you don't pay anything provided your house was built between 1990 and 2005 and that you've not already used the Grant.
Installation costs are covered by the SEAI Government Grant so you don't pay anything provided your house was built between 1990 and 2005 and that you've not already used the Grant.
What's NOT Free ?
What's NOT Free ?
The internet / text message control is the only feature which has an annual cost to keep using after the 1st year. For €19 per year it's not exactly a deal breaker and the system has a manual wall mounted control panel so it's not an essential feature
The internet / text message control is the only feature which has an annual cost to keep using after the 1st year. For €19 per year it's not exactly a deal breaker and the system has a manual wall mounted control panel so it's not an essential feature
Further Explanation
Further Explanation
The Smart technology system being offered by the Energy Centre provides heating control to maintain your home comfort levels at a reduced operating cost.
The Smart technology system being offered by the Energy Centre provides heating control to maintain your home comfort levels at a reduced operating cost.
Installation is FREE using the SEAI Grant and includes a FREE Building Energy Rating (BER) measurement.
Installation is FREE using the SEAI Grant and includes a FREE Building Energy Rating (BER) measurement.
If you are interested in taking up this offer contact the Energy Centre
If you are interested in taking up this offer contact the Energy Centre
Contacts
Contacts
1850 50 50 60
1850 50 50 60
Related Reading
Related Reading
APP reviewed on Google PLAY
APP reviewed on Google PLAY
Bear in mind that personal opinions and these reviews will vary according to users circumstances, installers and users knowledge and ability to use both the system and their mobile device.
If you're looking to reduce your home energy bills research the available government grants.
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