It’s a brexit export opportunity to Germany, a plucky brit show manufacturing giants how to save energy!

Is sad though that more effort isn’t put into understanding proprietary equipment, an out door sensor on that boiler has been available  for years!

I wonder how this DIY inventor has managed to connect his device such that it controls the boiler temperature for the C/H circuit (only).
That would surely suggest it's connected into the boiler control board.
And that means it requires a registered Gas Safe engineer to fit it.

Posted by: @transparent

I wonder how this DIY inventor has managed to connect his device such that it controls the boiler temperature for the C/H circuit (only).
That would surely suggest it's connected into the boiler control board.
And that means it requires a registered Gas Safe engineer to fit it.

Well I'm no sparky and certainly not any kind of boiler whizz, but I'd have thought it'd be only simple common sense to have the wires exiting the device at the bottom and to install the device somewhere other than under the boiler and a water pipe. I know condensation drips and boiler leaks are unlikely, but why take the chance if it costs nothing to do it differently?

It also mentions his device works by interpreting a weather forecast rather than measuring the actual outside temperature. Isn't that less accurate?

I've also followed up on what @alec-morrow said and have found the weather compensation module for that boiler is just under £32 inc delivery and VAT.

Overall, fair play to the guy for building what he has, and I'm well aware there's probably a whole load of stuff he's done safety-wise that we just didn't get to read about. However, it seems to me he's saved himself very little money to install something that's not as efficient as what's readily available already and would almost certainly come back as a problem on a survey if he were ever to try to sell his house. All assuming @Transparent isn't right and the guy isn't told to take it out right now because a Gas Safe engineer didn't fit it.

It's an interesting article, but I really wonder what sort of message the BBC is trying to send out here; it seems like they are almost encouraging people to try Heath-Robinson amendments to gas and electric devices. I'm in no way opposed to a bit of inventiveness, but this feels like rather reckless journalism.

In the last six weeks I have emailed two (freelance) BBC journalists who had articles published via BBC News online.

Both articles were technology/energy related and made incorrect assumptions about the way in which electricity is used/distributed. For example, one quoted a 3rd party who referred to anti-islanding... a technical term concerning a requirement for grid-connected G98 certification. But the article was about off-gridders whose electricity supply would definitely be islanded!

In each case I offered further assistance in them preparing such articles.... free of charge.

Neither journalist replied.

That doesn't bode well for the BBC being a portal through which the public can obtain quality information/guidance on energy matters.

Ofgem are well aware that lack of public knowledge/understanding is holding back the development/sales of new devices which would help save energy.

This is becoming critical. People will die this winter from hypothermia and malnutrition because they can't afford their gas and electricity.

Two weeks ago I spoke to an elderly neighbour who had put away her slow-cooker for the winter. She incorrectly assumed that it would be too expensive to run on mains electricity. She has now retrieved it from the cupboard, and will using it to make wonky-vegetable stews. 😀 

Posted by: @transparent

In the last six weeks I have emailed two (freelance) BBC journalists who had articles published via BBC News online.

Both articles were technology/energy related and made incorrect assumptions about the way in which electricity is used/distributed. For example, one quoted a 3rd party who referred to anti-islanding... a technical term concerning a requirement for grid-connected G98 certification. But the article was about off-gridders whose electricity supply would definitely be islanded!

In each case I offered further assistance in them preparing such articles.... free of charge.

Neither journalist replied.

That doesn't bode well for the BBC being a portal through which the public can obtain quality information/guidance on energy matters.

Ofgem are well aware that lack of public knowledge/understanding is holding back the development/sales of new devices which would help save energy.

This is becoming critical. People will die this winter from hypothermia and malnutrition because they can't afford their gas and electricity.

Two weeks ago I spoke to an elderly neighbour who had put away her slow-cooker for the winter. She incorrectly assumed that it would be too expensive to run on mains electricity. She has now retrieved it from the cupboard, and will using it to make wonky-vegetable stews. 😀 

how do you know ofgem are aware of the issue, do you work for them?

No, I don't work for Ofgem.

The lack of public knowledge/understanding of energy matters was identified by Ofgem about 3 years ago. It was within a list of grants/funds which could be applied for - a list primarily intended for energy suppliers and DNOs.

That category stuck out because it could've been applied for by anyone. It wouldn't necessarily have to be a commercial company within the energy sector who came up with an idea to overcome the knowledge deficit.

At the time I did have just such an idea. I discussed with other organisations/companies who were in a position to provide the required level of matched funding to satisfy Ofgem's criteria.

However, it became apparent that it would be taking up all of my time for at least the first year... and time is my most precious commodity.

In the event, I decided not to pursue that. Instead my time has been used in a different design project, albeit still within the subject area of energy.

@transparent 

out if interest what are Ofgem doing about the lack of awareness of controls

and the low level of understanding any where in the industry?

I must admit I’m here as a bit of a Casandra, not only am I grey haired but also a gas safe registered installer making the odds of me gaining traction in dealings with anybody somewhat steeped with complication. I’m still hoping my experience of advanced controls over 20 yrs can be useful to get change in the Industry!

I guess what we need is someone like the site owner to embrace the challenges of the changes needed in their promotions!

Posted by: @majordennisbloodnok

It also mentions his device works by interpreting a weather forecast rather than measuring the actual outside temperature. Isn't that less accurate?

Not necessarily: "nowcasts" are often pretty accurate and it would be less vulnerable to problems like sun reaching a sensor or being near a wall that heats up when the sun's on it, plus it could make decisions based on the temperatures to come. It does depend on the chosen forecast being good for the site, though.

@mjr Tado is well ahead in this, if the boiler has an outdoor sensor, then Tado uses that information

There argument is that an outdoor sensor on site will always provide the better information.

Experience  (I have installed over 250 boilers with outdoor sensors since 2006, these controllers can also contol heat pumps )  also shows, when you have indoor sensing as well the system is highly tolerant real precision on outside temperature is less important. I guess that that’s because we have little sun in the U.K. in winter, and there isn’t much heat in the sun when it comes out.

Posted by: @alec-morrow

I guess that that’s because we have little sun in the U.K. in winter, and there isn’t much heat in the sun when it comes out.

Speak for your own area! 😉

@mjr love to know where you are, Gibraltar