Should we turn off ASHP for an hour to benefit from Octopus Saving Sessions?

Knukes · 2022-11-15T10:27:05Z

We've signed up to Octopus Energy Saving Sessions and have opted in for the one tonight at 5pm to 6pm. If we reduce our electricity consumption in that hour, we could save up to £2.25. It isn't just about the savings for us, but ensuring there is more energy available for the general population too at peak times when energy is scarce. Would it make any difference if we switched off our ASHP for an hour with the weather relatively mild to take advantage of this saving? Or would the reheating of the hot water, buffer tank, underfloor heating downstairs and rads upstairs negate any benefit from the saving? There could be many of these over the winter, and when it is really cold, would it be more efficient just to keep the heating and hot water on and turn off lights, TVs, washing machines, induction cooker etc? Currently, we keep the heating on permanently using weather compensation, and our hot water is heated from 6am to 8:30pm (plus 3:30am to 4:30am to give it a pre-heat when we have the cheap Octopus Go tariff) due to five people in our house and variable showering times and three teenage girls that also like to take a lot of baths. Thanks

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Knukes

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Topic starter 21/11/2022 12:24 pm

@scrchngwsl We try to be responsible and as energy efficient as we can be, but a combination of two ASHPs, an EV, three teenage daughters and being fortunate to live in a large house means we are still heavy users of electricity.

I do agree though that this scheme isn't progressive as it does benefit those of us who are heavier users than those who aren't and maybe the payments would be better arranged based on the percentage you saved compared to typical amounts rather that the kWh amount saved.

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scrchngwsl

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22/11/2022 12:21 pm

@knukes apologies, I didn't mean to suggest that the more money you make, the more irresponsible you are - I think everyone on this forum is among the more responsible members of the public. I was just talking about my experience specifically: for me, I could have made more money if I were more irresponsible.

Playing devil's advocate, I can see why they structured it like this: they have calculated that they will make more energy savings overall (in the short term at least) if they reward and encourage the biggest users to cut down on their use, rather than incentivising people who already use not-very-much to reduce it further.

ASHP: Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5kW
PV: 5.2kWp
Battery: 8.2kWh

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Knukes

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