British gas 'the hive'

Robiow_2

Hello and good morning all.

We have our first bundle of joy coming in May and am looking at ways to help save some money. One of the ways I was think was by installing and internet controlled thermostat so we don't use any heating when were not at home, and also so the wife doesn't have to faff about with the boiler (valiant ecotec) when she wants a boost.

British gas believes I can save you £150 a year, I have my doubts, installation and supply costs are £199, or a self install is £159, so even if we only save half as much as they suggest we'll recoup the costs in two years, as well as more funky gadgetry to show off.

Has anyone had this installed? I was hoping for the kit to be £100 and I'd have jumped on it but there are other alternatives on ebay

Any opinions?

Ta!
:money::money::money:

giraffe69

We had it installed a few weeks ago. Too early to say if it is saving as suggested but it gives a much greater control over both heating and hot water. It suits our lifestyle in that we can leave it off and turn it on remotely an hour or so before getting home and this has saved some hours of heating and hot water.
The app to control it was reportedly flaky in its early incarnation but since we have had it is fine and is being developed.
It's certainly fun to play with it! :j
I would wholeheartedly recommend it or a similar alternative.

macman

If there's someone at home in the daytime, then it doesn't really do anything that a £60-70 digital programmer doesn't do anyway.
What are the existing controls on the system? Room 'stat, TRV's?

StuC75

Do you have a link to the £159 self install option?

Been considering it myself, although my current setup is wireless with multiple temperature settings through the day - so looking to weigh up just how much this could save me (maybe just the on\off when out / matching to when back later after the gym)..

Whats the current setup that you have - suppose if you have an older plain on\off setup with a room dial then there is probably greater scope for a saving...

Robiow_2

No link, phoned up and asked about self install. Seems an easy task looking at youtube.

My wife doesn't intend on staying at home most days due to family and friends all expecting about the same time so the idea of her being able to send a text to the boiler upon leaving to heat the home up is appealing.

Current set up is 6x rads, 5 with tcvs and one thermostat in the hall. Looking to install a hot water storage tank which will divert unused solar pv energy to help costs although need to save up first

Lgas

I didn't know it was available for self-install, you will have to do wiring for the receiver unit from where the existing programmer is, (if you're lucky you can just take off the old programmer and put the receiver straight on, but depends on what you have and if the backplate is compatible) and link out your old manual room stat and make safe. Power to the boiler controls must be off obviously, so a multimeter to test that it is isolated is a must.

Robiow_2

Did it! Had to look at the wiring electric schematic, it didn't help the boiler wouldn't turn on at all at one stage and thought I'd blown the pcb but got my multimeter on it and there was no power, the 3amp fuse had gone. Got sent a dual receiver (for boiler and water storage) but needed a single receiver (combi boiler), phoned them up and they're sending a single one but managed to still wire the dual one in. Well chuffed. Easy to use the app and text messaging it is a breeze and you get text conformation too. All in all about an hour and a halfs work including getting the 5 core cable needed. Recommend it if you're brazen enough to do it yourself, but then it's only £40 if you want it done for you

Lgas

Well done