In the latest episode of Homeowners Q&A, Ash Parker, Laurence Bradbury, Mick Wall and Paul Arundale came together to address that exact question.
The promise of solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps working in harmony is an appealing one. But as the panel made clear, there’s no off-the-shelf formula for getting it right. Instead, it’s a landscape shaped by variables: property type, occupancy patterns, grid constraints, installer quality and fast-moving tariff structures.
One of the most consistent threads was the regret many homeowners feel about under-sizing their solar arrays. Whether due to installer caution, planning limits or cost concerns, too many systems are constrained from the outset. As Mick Wall put it, “Nobody ever says they wish they’d installed less solar.”
If there’s a weak link in the low-carbon trifecta, it remains heat pump integration. While standalone heat pumps can be highly efficient, combining them effectively with solar and batteries (especially within automated home systems) is still not straightforward. Compatibility issues, control logic and seasonal performance quirks all add complexity.
There was consensus that while automation holds massive potential, it remains out of reach for many. Whether due to clunky apps, confusing setups or just a lack of clear advice, simplifying smart home energy management needs to be a priority… both for the industry and policy makers.
