So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???

Reed_Richards

Richmc wrote: »

Micro wave 50%
Kettle on electric ring 70%
Stand alone electric kettle 80%
Metal kettle on an induction hob 85%

If you have an electric kettle where the element touches the water then any lack of efficiency can only be through loss of heat through the kettle walls. So one made of thick plastic ought to be very hard to beat. Whereas an induction hob heats the metal of the kettle which then heats the air as well as the water; that surely cannot be more efficient.

Richmc

You have to consider the whole of the metal base is the heating element on an induction hob, a stand alone kettle has an element under the internal plate so that has to be heated first then the heat transferred to the water. I guess that's why the induction hob has a slight advantage.

Martyn1981

Richmc wrote: »

Thanks for reading.

And thanks for posting.

As you say, avoiding heating too much is key, and that's one of the key benefits of a small travel kettle, as some of the bigger ones have minimums that are more than one cup, and also harder to fill accurately.

Bit naughty, but as a PV'er I go for the small 1kW kettle, which might be a bit less efficient (insulated etc) in order to minimise import. I suppose this is similar to getting batteries, I would then waste a bit more clean generation, but the economics are can attract more interest in clean generation and as a package the end result is more good.

[Just to be clear, I'm repeating what many have said before about small kettles, not trying to lay claim to the information posted by others.]

Doc_N

We're back to discussing angels dancing on pinheads here, surely. Think about how much water you actually need to boil in a day, calculate the rough cost, and see how trivial the potential savings are!

Martyn1981

Doc_N wrote: »

We're back to discussing angels dancing on pinheads here, surely. Think about how much water you actually need to boil in a day, calculate the rough cost, and see how trivial the potential savings are!

But it's not just one day, and it's not just the kettle.

The same argument could be used regarding old lamps, look at the use of one on one day, but UK households (and other countries) can save around 10% of their leccy consumption with low energy lighting, so it all adds up, individually and as a nation.

Plus it's fun!

Doc_N

Martyn1981 wrote: »

But it's not just one day, and it's not just the kettle.

The same argument could be used regarding old lamps, look at the use of one on one day, but UK households (and other countries) can save around 10% of their leccy consumption with low energy lighting, so it all adds up, individually and as a nation.

Plus it's fun!

I'd agree wholeheartedly on the lamps. We've been using them throughout the entire house since the early 80s because the payback was clear, even then when they were £20 each. Add up the old-style wattages though, and they're way more expensive than the odd minute or two with a kettle.

Martyn1981

Doc_N wrote: »

I'd agree wholeheartedly on the lamps. We've been using them throughout the entire house since the early 80s because the payback was clear, even then when they were £20 each. Add up the old-style wattages though, and they're way more expensive than the odd minute or two with a kettle.

Obviously this is a bit of a fluke, but I did the washing up today using the 2.2kW kettle, with generation of approx 2.5kW.

Import meter stayed solid rEd, but I couldn't have gotten away with that with the old 3kW kettle (today), so free hot water*, and no need to run the boiler and heat up all the pipework with gas.

I know what you are saying, but the point is that it's not 'the odd minute or two with the kettle', it's lots of odd minutes, every day, and it's not just the kettle.

*I export approx 70% but get paid for 50%, so technically, any PV I use is free, not valued at export rate.

Richmc

As you say Martyn, it's all the little bits added together.
Out of interest I over the year send 15% back to the grid so I really don't want a smart meter as one day someone will knock deemed export on the head.
as for consumption I use 33% from the grid the other 67% from solar/battery.
I'm happy!

1961Nick

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Obviously this is a bit of a fluke, but I did the washing up today using the 2.2kW kettle, with generation of approx 2.5kW.

Import meter stayed solid rEd, but I couldn't have gotten away with that with the old 3kW kettle (today), so free hot water*, and no need to run the boiler and heat up all the pipework with gas.

I know what you are saying, but the point is that it's not 'the odd minute or two with the kettle', it's lots of odd minutes, every day, and it's not just the kettle.

*I export approx 70% but get paid for 50%, so technically, any PV I use is free, not valued at export rate.

Someone needs to invent the smart iBoost kettle - should be simple enough with a wireless connection to the clamp on the meter tail ... even better if it could stall the DHW iBoost while the kettle is on.

Payback could be under 50 years!

orrery

1961Nick wrote: »

Someone needs to invent the smart iBoost kettle -...

Someone needs to invent a range of appliances with solar compatibility.


...washing machines, dishwashers, kettles, tumble driers with a 500w heater setting!