Hive - Most cost effective way to use?

david_cox1990

Hi all,

As the title says, just recently had a Hive system installed in our home - for context boiler is fairly new, only about 2 years old.

What is the best cost effective way to use this type of device? 

We tend to currently leave it off and just use the 'Boost' function as and when we get cold, however I've ready that this can cost more as the boiler is cracking up and cooling down each time you do this.

Is it more cost effective to have it set to a certain temperature all the time/for long periods of time?

Interested to hear all of your thoughts,

Thanks

Dave

piperm87

Do you have the radiator thermostats too?

We use ours the same as any other thermostat - just set it to 19 or 20 degree's when its cold and leave it at that and turn it off when its no longer needed ... In the coldest winter days we usually turn it on of a morning and leave it on all day unless we go out where it gets turned off and we will switch it on via the app when were 5 minutes away from home so its warm for the kids.

I've installed Hive radiator thermostats in our bedrooms for this winter so we're able to switch those off or down depending on use but they haven't been put to the test yet so cant comment on how effective they are

Astria

Exactly the same as any other thermostat - it depends on your property, the thermal condition of the walls, and how you feel the cold.

At the moment mine is currently set at 18c and is sitting in my office with the door shut, the rest of the house is noticeably cooler. According to the app the heating has been active for 23 minutes so far today.

Using the boost function will be very similar to using the thermostat normally, the only difference is that you'll be switching it on when you feel cold rather than an absolute temperature. This could actually be better in some circumstances.

badmemory

It all depends on how you use your house.  For example I am here 24/7, I sleep badly even when following all the advice about having the bedroom colder etc etc no screens near bedtime whatever.  So mine is on 24/7 at a slightly reduced temp to what it was on when timed to go off at night.  Horses for courses.  Only you can decide what is most effective for you, just don't feel obliged to do what everyone else does.  Your house your rules.

david_cox1990

piperm87 said:

Do you have the radiator thermostats too?

We use ours the same as any other thermostat - just set it to 19 or 20 degree's when its cold and leave it at that and turn it off when its no longer needed ... In the coldest winter days we usually turn it on of a morning and leave it on all day unless we go out where it gets turned off and we will switch it on via the app when were 5 minutes away from home so its warm for the kids.

I've installed Hive radiator thermostats in our bedrooms for this winter so we're able to switch those off or down depending on use but they haven't been put to the test yet so cant comment on how effective they are

No radiator thermostats, just the wall mounted one for me.

Astria

david_cox1990 said:

piperm87 said:

Do you have the radiator thermostats too?

We use ours the same as any other thermostat - just set it to 19 or 20 degree's when its cold and leave it at that and turn it off when its no longer needed ... In the coldest winter days we usually turn it on of a morning and leave it on all day unless we go out where it gets turned off and we will switch it on via the app when were 5 minutes away from home so its warm for the kids.

I've installed Hive radiator thermostats in our bedrooms for this winter so we're able to switch those off or down depending on use but they haven't been put to the test yet so cant comment on how effective they are

No radiator thermostats, just the wall mounted one for me.

Same as me then, the rooms I want warmer (office, lounge) get more flow than the rooms that I don't care about as much so in effect they are cooler. I've never had a problem where a room has been too warm so never bothered with the purchase of TRVs, and being able to turn a radiator off at specific times of day doesn't save enough money per year to spend on them.

david_cox1990

Astria said:

david_cox1990 said:

piperm87 said:

Do you have the radiator thermostats too?

We use ours the same as any other thermostat - just set it to 19 or 20 degree's when its cold and leave it at that and turn it off when its no longer needed ... In the coldest winter days we usually turn it on of a morning and leave it on all day unless we go out where it gets turned off and we will switch it on via the app when were 5 minutes away from home so its warm for the kids.

I've installed Hive radiator thermostats in our bedrooms for this winter so we're able to switch those off or down depending on use but they haven't been put to the test yet so cant comment on how effective they are

No radiator thermostats, just the wall mounted one for me.

Same as me then, the rooms I want warmer (office, lounge) get more flow than the rooms that I don't care about as much so in effect they are cooler. I've never had a problem where a room has been too warm so never bothered with the purchase of TRVs, and being able to turn a radiator off at specific times of day doesn't save enough money per year to spend on them.

So you'd recommend permanently on at a reasonable temperature?

At the moment, I have mine switched off all together and only turn on the Boost each time I want a bit of warmth.

Ally_E.

Boost function increases flow temperature, so it is more expensive to use. 

Bendy_House

Some facts

Heat transfers from a hotter body to a cooler one.

The bigger the difference between the temps of the two bodies, the greater the heat transfer.

The closer the two bodies become in temp - as they equalise, for example - the less the heat transfer. When they are at the same temp, there is no transfer.

Yeah yeah yeah - you all know this.

What it means in housie terms is, the warmer you have your house, the more heat you lose. The longer you maintain the heat in your house, the more heat you lose.

So, if you maintain the heating on all day when you are not at home, even at a somewhat reduced temp, you will still be losing more heat than if you turned the heating off, and just put it back on before it's actually required.

If you know how long your house takes to get up to comfy temp, then the most cost-effective way to heat your house will be to have the heating fully off when not required, and set it to come on at a time that'll have it comfy for you.

You may still decide, tho', that you'd rather have your home at at least, ooh, 15oC when it's empty, so that the get-up-to-cosy-temp time is reduced. This might not be quite as cost-effective, but you may consider it worth it.

enzo88

Incase anyone else stumbles onto this post like i did after wondering about the Hive's Boost functionality, I've called their helpline and confirmed Boost does not increase the flow temp set on the boiler. I.e. it is no different to turning on and back off after a certain amount of time/temp reached. So no difference in running cost like someone mentioned.