@majordennisbloodnok its in their T&C's that any unauthorized modification to the system could invalidate the warranty and particularly the 15 year comfort guarantee. I asked if they would install the heat meter for me (at my cost) during install but they declined.  I decided not to push any further as I really like the idea of keeping my 15 years protected!!

Luckily we have found a workaround through HA to allow us to see their data.

@mikeh they insisted on installing it, although it did result in a return visit as it wasn't installed tightly enough and was rattling something awful!

You honestly don't even notice it's there so no big deal. I'm a fan of "Belts and Braces" anyway.

@vsmith1 pop over to the aira FBook group and you'll find that we've got a working Aira integration for HA. You'll need to have the device with HA on it relatively close to the aira indoor unit to get the Bluetooth signal to connect.

@editor the aira installation manual calls for it but leaves it suitably vague about how to achieve it. I'd rather have something than not, although I think the risk of it tipping over given the weight is slim at best!

@gmuzz, thanks for sharing (and welcome to the forums). After posting this today, I got a message from Aira's Group Service Operations Director, who's asked if I could share your details with him because while the heat pumps are supposed to be secured, he feels it should have been done differently and he'd like to get this rectified for you. Please let me know if I can share your email address with him.

@editor that's fine. Thanks

@gmuzz, will do. I would also ask them to alter your condensate pipe while they're there. 

Posted by: @gmuzz

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@majordennisbloodnok its in their T&C's that any unauthorized modification to the system could invalidate the warranty and particularly the 15 year comfort guarantee. I asked if they would install the heat meter for me (at my cost) during install but they declined.  I decided not to push any further as I really like the idea of keeping my 15 years protected!!

Luckily we have found a workaround through HA to allow us to see their data.

Yup, totally understand, @gmuzz.

However, fitting Open Energy Monitor sensors (CT clamps etc.) doesn’t modify their system at all; it simply measures what’s going into and coming out of it. If that were allowed to invalidate a warrranty no electrician would be able to put a multimeter near the power cable.

As I said before, I’ll be interested to hear what answer @editor gets from Aira. Any suggestion that monitoring will invalidate a warranty smacks strongly of attempts to stop the homeowner marking the manufacturer’s or installer’s homework.

@majordennisbloodnok I don't think it's the sensors, I've installed my own CT clamps and surface mounted temp sensors. It's the cutting in of a flow meter they objected to. I've even tried an ultrasonic meter but it isn't stable enough to get reliable reading.

Posted by: @gmuzz

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@majordennisbloodnok I don't think it's the sensors, I've installed my own CT clamps and surface mounted temp sensors. It's the cutting in of a flow meter they objected to. I've even tried an ultrasonic meter but it isn't stable enough to get reliable reading.

It is, of course, for you to decide on your situation. However, unless you were actually cutting a piece of pipe that was an integral part of the heat pump itself as sold, I cannot see how it’s enforceable. Aira cannot view the whole heating circuit as “their” system otherwise you wouldn’t be able to replace a towel rail without invalidating the warranty and no court would see that as reasonable. Let’s not forget that you have bought all this kit, so you installing a flow meter on one of your pipes a short distance after your unmodified Aira heat pump would strike me as eminently reasonable.

Let’s also not forget that so far I’ve given a lot of opinion before Aira have had a chance to respond. This might all be a case of crossed wires. However, if we were to find they were trying to enforce a very broad definition of “their” kit for warranty purposes, I would be inclined to get an independent legal opinion from someone qualified to make such judgements (not me, I might add).

I seem to remember we’ve been in this territory before when car manufacturers tried to insist only servicing by a franchised garage would satisfy the terms of their warranty, and that that was found not to stand up in court.

I hasten to add that if this reads like I’m having a go at you, it most certainly isn’t meant to. I hate companies trying to throw their weight around and instinctively get narky about it. As said before, Aira should be allowed to clarify so I’m still open-minded.

@editor condensate pipe?

@gmuzz please see attached image. During defrosts your water will leave through here. That water could ice over in freezing temperatures which causes a slipping hazard. So better to point it away from walkways. Also clear any stones or blockages away from the pipe so the water can pour and drain away easily.

Aira have confirmed they'll be in touch with you soon. Would be great if you could post an update once they've been.