Worth switching to a smart meter

LouiseK_2

Our boiler works fine but the ancient timer has finally packed in (round dial with pegs you push in and out) and no longer rotates so the choice is either having the heating on or off.

I was thinking instead of simply replacing it, and given I'm going have to pay someone to do something anyway, perhaps this would be the time to get a smart meter like the one offered by British Gas (Meter and installation for c. £250). Would this be a good idea? Any experiences of smart meters? Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

molerat

I assume you mean HIVE Active Heating and not a smart meter, two completely different things.

Coedy

As above.

When I moved into my house the timer was held onto the boiler by cello-tape. We called a gas man who disconnected a timer and installed a wireless programmable thermostat (inc timer) for £80.

It doesn't let me turn on the heating remotely from my phone... But it's about 5ft from where I sit watching TV on the mantelpiece, so I didn't think moving 5ft to manually override the timer was worth an additional £200... :P Also It has already paid for itself by cutting off the heating at a certain temp.

footyguy

LouiseK wrote: »

Our boiler works fine but the ancient timer has finally packed in (round dial with pegs you push in and out) and no longer rotates so the choice is either having the heating on or off.

I was thinking instead of simply replacing it, and given I'm going have to pay someone to do something anyway, perhaps this would be the time to get a smart meter like the one offered by British Gas (Meter and installation for c. £250). Would this be a good idea? Any experiences of smart meters? Advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

You mean a timer like this?




£46.50 from the site I took that picture from, or probably about £20 if you shop around (try ebay!)

Not difficult to replace for even someone with very basic electrical skills - but otherwise a spark should be able to do it in minutes for you for a minimum 30 minute call out (typically £50 ish)

Or they make one with a digital display that is also a direct replacement



Probably cost about £5-£10 more if you shop around.

Pincher

Short term solution is to have the timer on permanently, and just turn the thermostat up and down.

Have a look here:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Timers_Index/Central_Heating_Programmers/index.html


I assume you have a combi, so you only need a single channel controller. It's just an ON/OFF switch.

I prefer a digital one with a BOOST button, so you just hit it to get an extra hour, up to three hours.

If you have to ask, pay somebody to do it.