Back in 2022, as the world was recovering from Covid, little did we know we were about to face soaring inflation and energy prices. Our decision to purchase these Digital TRVs from Hive wasn’t based on these factors, but ironically, they played a significant role in transforming our energy usage, particularly with gas. Our energy supplier, Octopus Energy, previously did a ‘Savings Session‘ to help understand how you could use less energy, and this encouraged us to look to do more if we could. You can see other Energy Saving Tips on my blog here
Our home features a traditional boiler with a hot water cylinder and ten radiators, not counting the bathroom towel rails. Investing in these new TRVs required careful consideration due to their cost. However, with two separate downstairs areas in our home, we often found ourselves using one or the other at different times of the day.
Previously, our heating system maintained the entire house at a comfortable 20-21 degrees Celsius. However, Mrs. B frequently wanted to raise the temperature, settling at 23 degrees when it got colder. This resulted in overheating unused rooms. While traditional TRVs helped somewhat, we often had to manually adjust them to focus heating on specific areas. Under our previous heating setup, our energy consumption typically ranged from 10,000 to 12,500 kWh of gas annually, costing around £300-£400 at old gas prices (about 3p per kWh). However, during peak energy rate periods, these costs could quadruple to 10-12p per kWh. Though rates have since dropped, the initial impact was harsh on many households.
Impact:
Unfortunately, I only have a year of accurate data due to subsequent installations of a Log Burner (taking advantage of free firewood) and an Air Source Heat Pump (topics for another blog). Despite these changes, our gas consumption has plummeted, estimating a reduction by 75%. Just switching to the new TRVs and heating rooms individually likely halved our consumption, if not more.
The TRVs:
Our upgraded TRVs are from British Gas (branded as Hive). Although Nest systems were an option, our existing Hive Thermostat influenced our decision. These TRVs allow individual programming akin to the main thermostat. For instance, we schedule our bedroom to warm up 30 minutes before waking and an hour before bed. Other rooms adjust based on use; for example, the lounge heats in the evenings during weekdays and differently on weekends. Additionally, the ‘Away from Home’ function prevents temperatures from dropping too low when we’re on holiday or away, which is quite convenient if you tend to forget.
Cost:
Let’s not underestimate their cost—around £60 per valve now, occasionally available at discounted rates in bundles. Yet, considering the significant savings achieved in just one year, these devices have already paid for themselves and will continue to do so. Despite the initial expense, the long-term benefits are substantial. (our cost at the time of purchase was circa £350 for 10)
Installation:
Installation is straightforward compared to programming. No plumbing expertise is required—simply unscrew the old TRV (a wrench might be handy) and screw on the new one. Some older systems may need adapters due to differing thread sizes. I’ve kept our old TRVs just in case we move, as they could come in handy during negotiations.
Data:
As mentioned earlier, data solely from the new TRVs is limited. In preceding years, we often consumed over 11,000 kWh of gas annually, roughly 1000 units on the meter. However, in the year following the TRV replacement, our usage dropped to 341 units (3,777 kWh, a 34% reduction).
Summary:
Managing heating effectively is crucial, and Hive’s TRVs have worked wonders for us. While I’ve heard positive reviews about Nest systems too, I recommend doing your research before making a decision. Some users may struggle with the technology rather than the mechanical aspects. Mrs. B herself approves—the house is better heated and offers better value with these units. Your savings may differ from ours depending on how you use and demand your heating and, of course, the size & insulation of your home.
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