Octopus Energy have launched a new feature called Greener Days, to help show when there’s more renewable energy in the electricity mix in order to help the UK cut carbon emissions.

Greener Days are days when there’s a higher share of renewables powering the nation. You can use the Greener Days forecast to plan the best time in the coming week to hoover, do laundry, or charge your EV to help cut UK carbon dioxide emissions.

How do Octopus determine which are Greener Days?

The Octopus boffins check the forecasted wind generation for every night (23:00 – 06:00 the following morning) and calculate the Greener Days score. A score of 100 implies an especially windy night and an unusually high share of wind energy on the grid. This only happens a few times a year. Weather is hard to predict so they’re most confident about the forecast for the upcoming days.

Who can sign up to Greener Days?

Anyone can switch to Octopus Energy (and save £50 straight away!) and anyone who’s interested in their Greener Days forecast can use the forecast tool to plan ahead. You can sign up to receive a Greener Days forecast in your inbox once a week. The forecasts let you know when renewable energy generation is especially high so you can schedule your home appliances, or your EV charging if you’ve got one.

If Octopus supplies green energy how can some days be greener than others?

When you sign up with a renewable energy supplier like Octopus, they don’t pump green energy through a separate ‘green grid’ straight to your home. Instead, all energy sources – whether “green” or “dirty” – get mixed together when they’re fed through the wires that lead to your home. The reason Octopus can claim to be a ‘green’ supplier is that they buy green energy from renewable energy generators to replace the energy their customers use (making the ‘energy mix’ greener in the process) over the years. So day to day, you can still be using energy at ‘greener’ or ‘dirtier’ times. On a greener day, the share of renewable energy is especially high.

What is the benefit of Greener Days for me?

The Greener Days forecast shows you the daily energy mix of the grid. This gives you the power to decide if you’d like to use more energy on Greener Days and less on others, to help you cut your carbon emissions.

I have an EV – how can Greener Days benefit me?

If you have an EV, you can earn what Octopus Energy calls Octopoints when you charge your EV on a Greener Day. The more often you charge on Greener Days, the more Octopoints you can earn . If you’d like to go even further, tariffs like Agile Octopus and Tracker actually financially reward you for planning your energy use around the UK’s power mix. Octopus even reward streaks of Greener Days charging, with one charge a week that must be done on a Greener Day (weeks run from Monday to Sunday). You can earn up to 80 Octopoints per week.

If you’ve got an EV you might want to use our Smart Tariff Savings Calculator to check you are on the right tariff – some people have seen significant savings (up to £600) from switching.

What are Octopoints?

Octopoints are a way of rewarding Octopus Energy customers. You can earn them in different initiatives like Saving Sessions. There are 8 Octopoints to a penny. They can be redeemed for account credit (in GBP) and in the future, other stuff too.

Is there a relationship between Agile Octopus price drops and Greener Days?

Agile’s pricing is often cheaper when the energy in the grid is greener, and more expensive when energy is dirtier. Usually, when the UK’s fossil fuel generating stations have been turned on to meet high demand. But Octopus Agile is tied to wholesale prices which are impacted by a range of other factors. Read more about Octopus Agile.

Is there a relationship between Intelligent Octopus Go and Greener Days?

Intelligent Octopus Go already optimises your charges to the cheapest and greenest times every day. But because of weather changes, some days are still greener than others. Put simply, the stronger the wind, the greener the grid – and the more green electrons to fuel your EV.

Can I still charge my EV if I am away on the Greener days?

Yes. Intelligent Octopus Go will always try to schedule your charge to the greenest times of the night. 

Find out more and sign up to Octopus Energy now to save £50, get 800 Octopoints and access the Greener days forecast as well their super smart balance forecaster. Octopus customers even get to take the wheel of fortune for a spin every time they submit a meter reading!

The post Octopus Greener Days explained appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

But with the UK’s often cloudy weather and the upfront costs of installation, many wonder: are solar panels truly worth it in the UK? Let’s break down the costs, benefits, savings, and practical considerations to help you decide. 

Are solar panels worth it in the UK: Costs and Savings

The initial cost of installing solar panels in the UK typically ranges from £5,000 to £12,000, depending on system size (e.g., a 4kW system for a three-bedroom home averages £6,500) – although plug in solar kits are much cheaper.

This includes panels, an inverter, and installation fees. While this might seem steep, several factors make the investment worthwhile over time.

• Energy Bill Savings: A 4kW system can generate around 3,400 kWh annually in the UK, covering roughly 50-70% of a typical household’s electricity needs (based on Ofgem’s average usage of 2,700 kWh for electricity). With electricity prices at 26p per kWh, this translates to savings of £816 per year. Over 20 years, that’s £16,320—far exceeding the initial cost.
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Since the Feed-in Tariff ended in 2019, the SEG allows you to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Rates vary (e.g., Octopus Energy offers 15p per kWh), but a 4kW system might export 1,000 kWh annually, earning £150 per year, or £3,000 over 20 years.
• Rising Energy Costs: With volatile energy prices solar panels offer a hedge against future increases, locking in lower energy costs.

Environmental Benefits

Solar panels significantly reduce your carbon footprint. A 4kW system offsets around 1.5 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to planting 70 trees each year. For eco-conscious homeowners, this aligns with the UK’s net-zero goals by 2050, making solar a meaningful step towards sustainability.

Practical Considerations in the UK

• Weather and Efficiency: The UK’s climate isn’t as sunny as Spain, but solar panels still work effectively. They generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunlight, and modern panels perform well even on cloudy days. Southern England (e.g., London) gets around 1,500 hours of sunshine annually, while Scotland averages 1,200 hours—still enough for decent output.
• Roof Suitability: Your roof needs to be south-facing (or near-south), with a 20-40° pitch and minimal shading for optimal performance. If your roof isn’t suitable, ground-mounted systems are an option, though they’re costlier.
• Lifespan and Maintenance: Solar panels typically last 25-30 years, with a 10-20 year warranty on most models. Maintenance is minimal—clean them annually to remove dirt, and budget £100-£200 every 5-10 years for inverter checks.

Government Incentives and Support

While the Feed-in Tariff is gone, the SEG provides export payments, and some local councils offer grants (e.g., the Home Upgrade Grant for low-income households). Additionally, solar installations are VAT-free for residential properties (0% VAT as of 2025), saving you £1,000-£2,000 upfront. If paired with a battery (e.g., AlphaESS G3, costing £3,000-£5,000), you can store excess energy for evening use, maximising savings.

Are solar panels worth it – Potential Drawbacks

• Upfront Cost: The initial investment can be a barrier, though financing options (e.g., 0% interest loans from installers like Heatable) make it more accessible.
• Break-Even Period: It takes 8-12 years to recoup your investment, depending on energy prices and SEG rates. If you plan to move house sooner, this might not suit you.
• Aesthetic Impact: Some find panels less attractive on traditional UK homes, though sleek, all-black designs are now available.

Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK?

For most UK homeowners, solar panels are worth the investment. Financially, they pay for themselves within 8-12 years and deliver £15,000-£20,000 in savings over their lifespan, while also increasing property value (by 4% on average, per Rightmove). 

Environmentally, they’re a win, cutting your carbon footprint significantly. However, they’re not ideal for everyone—if your roof isn’t suitable, you’re moving soon, or you can’t afford the upfront cost, you might want to explore alternatives like community solar schemes.

Final Thoughts

Solar panels in the UK offer a compelling mix of financial savings, environmental benefits, and energy independence. With government support, rising energy costs, and improving technology, now is a great time to go solar.

If you’re considering solar, get an instant free quote from a trusted installer like Heatable to see how much you could save.

You may also be interested in our posts on solar power diverters and the best batteries for solar power storage.

The post Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK? appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

Elevating Safety Standards Through Real-Time Monitoring

Advanced monitoring tools provide real-time data on the performance of electrical systems, enabling the diagnosis of faults before they escalate into hazardous situations. For example, in industrial settings, monitoring systems can detect unusual fluctuations in current or voltage. This early detection allows engineers to address issues immediately, preventing costly downtime and ensuring worker safety.

Integrating these tools with other safety systems can create a comprehensive safety net. For instance, insulation monitoring devices are instrumental in proactively monitoring electrical distribution systems to identify potential faults.

In commercial buildings, automatic alerts can notify maintenance teams when readings exceed predefined thresholds. This proactive approach maintains safety standards and fosters a culture of safety within the workplace. By incorporating real-time monitoring, organisations can protect their workers and enhance the longevity of their electrical systems, ensuring that equipment remains reliable and operational for years to come.

Unique Use Cases in Diverse Environments

Advanced monitoring tools are highly versatile, finding unique applications across various environments, each tailored to meet specific safety requirements.

Healthcare Facilities: Safeguarding Patient Care

Ensure that medical equipment operates safely in healthcare settings. Monitoring tools can continuously check the electrical integrity of essential devices. If a vital care machine exhibits abnormal readings, alerts can be triggered to inform staff immediately, preventing equipment failure that could directly impact patient safety.

Regular checks also help facilities comply with regulatory requirements and meet necessary safety standards. By maintaining the electrical integrity of medical devices, healthcare providers can uphold high operational standards vital for patient care.

Residential Settings: Protecting Homes and Families

Homeowners benefit from monitoring solutions that track electrical consumption, allowing them to identify trends and potential issues. For instance, if an appliance begins to draw excessive power, it may indicate a fault that could lead to overheating or fire hazards.

Advanced monitoring tools alert homeowners to these changes, empowering them to take preventive action, such as calling a technician before a minor issue becomes a major crisis. This proactive approach ensures the safety of families and their properties, giving homeowners peace of mind.

Industrial Environments: Enhancing Operational Reliability

In industrial settings, monitoring tools are essential for ensuring safety and efficiency. They can monitor large machinery and electrical installations, identifying faults that could lead to equipment failure. For instance, in a manufacturing plant, monitoring systems can track the electrical load on motors and generators, providing insights that help engineers optimise performance and prevent breakdowns.

Moreover, these tools assist in compliance with safety regulations by generating reports and logs of electrical performance over time. This documentation is invaluable during audits, helping organisations avoid penalties associated with non-compliance. Rigorous monitoring demonstrates a commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Key Features That Enhance Utility and Safety

Several features distinguish advanced monitoring tools from traditional safety measures.

Historical Data Logging

One important feature is the capability to log historical data. This data analysis enables professionals to identify patterns over time, making informed decisions based on trends rather than isolated incidents. Regular spikes in electrical consumption during specific times might indicate underlying issues, such as overloaded circuits or inefficient appliances.

Proactively addressing these trends can prevent future failures and improve energy efficiency. Understanding historical usage patterns enables professionals to implement changes that enhance safety and reliability.

Adapting to Different Environments

Advanced monitoring tools are designed to adapt to various environments, from commercial spaces to residential homes. This flexibility allows for effective implementation of safety measures, regardless of the scale or complexity of the electrical system.

In facilities with multiple types of equipment, monitoring tools can be calibrated to track various parameters, such as temperature, load, and electrical anomalies. This adaptability ensures that safety protocols are tailored to meet specific operational requirements, significantly enhancing safety measures.

Integration with Other Systems

Another significant feature is the ability to integrate with existing systems. Monitoring tools can work alongside fire alarm systems, HVAC controls, and energy management solutions, creating a holistic safety approach. This integration allows comprehensive monitoring of all critical systems within a facility.

Centralising safety data management through integration streamlines operations and enables maintenance teams to respond quickly to alerts. This facilitates more efficient troubleshooting and repairs, enhancing overall safety.

Training and Awareness

Training your team to use these tools effectively is critical. Understanding how to interpret their data can significantly enhance responses to potential hazards. Regular training sessions keep staff updated on safety practices and tools, fostering a culture of safety awareness.

Encouraging a proactive approach to electrical safety protects assets and positions your organisation as a leader in best practices. Investing in education and safety measures contributes to a safer working environment for everyone involved. Implementing these advanced monitoring strategies significantly enhances electrical safety protocols and operational reliability.

The post Ensuring Electrical Safety: Unique Uses of Advanced Monitoring Tools appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

Smart home deals for Cleaning

Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum Cleaner

• Features: 8,000 Pa suction, dual mops, AI obstacle avoidance, auto mop washing, and self-emptying.
• Discount: 28% off. Buy now on Amazon for £579

Dreame X40 Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum Cleaner

• Features: 12,000 Pa suction, self-cleaning mop, extensive cleaning capabilities.
• Discount: 27% off. Buy now on Amazon for £949

Eufy L60 Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Self-Empty Station

• Features: Hair detangling technology, ultra-strong 5,000 Pa suction, and laser navigation.
• Discount: 26% off. Buy now on Amazon for £259

Smart home deals for Energy-Efficient Climate Control

Tado° Smart Radiator Thermostat (3-Pack)

• Features: WiFi-enabled multi-room control, easy installation, and compatibility with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
• Discount: 44% off. Buy now on Amazon for £112

Tado° Wireless Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+

• Features: Boiler and hot water control, energy-saving capabilities, and voice assistant support.
• Discount: 37% off. Buy now on Amazon for £85

Pro Breeze 20L/Day Smart Dehumidifier

• Features: Laundry drying, automatic humidity sensor, and sleep mode.
• Discount: 30% off. Buy now on Amazon for £153

Smart home deals for Next-Level Connectivity

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro Mesh Wi-Fi 6E System

• Features: Coverage up to 2,900 ft², support for 200+ devices, and 8K streaming compatibility.
• Discount: 30% off. Buy now on Amazon for £349

Tapo Smart Plug (4-Pack)

• Features: Energy monitoring, Alexa and Google Home compatibility, and remote control.
• Discount: 45% off. Buy now on Amazon for £27

Smart home deals for Enhanced Security and Monitoring

Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340

• Features: 2K HD video, dual cameras, color night vision, and no monthly fee.
• Discount: 41% off. Buy now on Amazon for £95

Eufy Security Floodlight Camera E340

• Features: 3K resolution, 360° pan and tilt, and dual-band WiFi.
• Discount: 27% off. Buy now on Amazon for £159

Other Smart home deals

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)

• Features: Smart energy-saving thermostat with sleek design.
• Discount: 28% off. Buy now on Amazon for £159

Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier

• Features: HEPA filter, auto mode, and ultra-quiet operation.
• Discount: 40% off. Buy now on Amazon for £149

Smart home technology simplifies everyday living, enhances energy efficiency, and adds a layer of security to your space. With these incredible smart home deals, there’s never been a better time to invest in your home.

Hurry though! These deals are only available for a limited time. Explore the full list of smart home deals to transform your home today and our top 60 smart tech gift ideas.

The post Smart Home Deals – Save Big on Smart Living appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

When a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is generating more electricity than the home is using the ‘excess’ energy is usually exported to the grid. Home owners normally receive an extra payment for this exported energy from their energy supplier, but these rate energy suppliers pay for exported energy is normally a lot less than they charge for importing energy to your home.

Since a unit (kWh) of electricity always costs a home owner more to buy from the grid than they receive for exporting energy it makes sense to use as much of the energy a solar PV system generates as possible. Obviously there is no point in turning on lights, or other devices which do not need to be on, but if the ‘excess’ energy can be diverted into things which can store the energy, or make use of it to avoid buying electricity in the evening or at night, there are big savings to be made. Controlling a solar photovoltaic system in this way with a solar power diverter makes great sense and can reduce the time it takes for the system to ‘pay back’ its’ installation cost.

The most effective way to store ‘excess’ solar energy, and reduce your energy bills, is to use a solar power diverter to send the electricity which would have been exported to heat the water in your hot water tank. Doing so means your gas boiler, or other type of water heater, will have less work to do to heat your water to the required temperature.

Obviously you need a hot water tank to be able to use a solar power diverter in this way, so it won’t be an option if you have a combi boiler. But if you do have a hot water tank the changes required are very simple, since most hot water tanks already have an immersion heater installed, so all you need is a solar power diverter which will sense when your PV system is generating more energy than your home is using and send any excess to the immersion heater.

The most common solar power diverter is probably the Solar iBoost+ which has been installed widely in the UK, but some customers have reported problems with problems with the iBoost running and not running when expected.

The Cool Energy Solar Power Diverter, linked below, can replace your current immersion heater and can usually be installed by a competent DIYer in 30 minutes. The wireless clamps to measure current mean that you can install the Solar Power Diverter wherever you need it in your home, so you’re not restricted to having it by your meter or near your fuse box.

If you’re interested in maximizing the savings from your solar PV system, check out the following products on Amazon:

• PowerFlow E.R.S Mini Solar Immersion Heater (£299)
• Solar iBoost+ (£418)

You might also want to check out our Smart Tariff Savings Calculator to see if you can save money from switching to a smarter Time of Use electricity tariff.

The post Solar Power Diverter appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

What are smart radiator valves?

Smart radiator valves connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and allow you to control the temperature of each radiator via an app or other remote control. The valves work by regulating the amount of hot water that is allowed to flow through each radiator, which allows you to easily adjust the temperature of each room in your home.

Smart radiator valves also have other features and capabilities, such as being able to detect when a window is open and automatically shut off the heating in that room. You can set schedules for the radiator valves to control when each radiator is on or off so you don’t have to worry about manually adjusting your radiators every day.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves, or TRVs are similar products which control individual radiators but are not ‘smart’, meaning you cannot control them from your phone or other devices.

Advantages of smart radiator valves

There are many benefits to using smart radiator valves, such as more accurate room-by-room heating control, energy savings, and convenience.

Smart radiator valves can help you save on energy costs by automatically adjusting the temperature to specific levels and even switching off a radiator when a room is unoccupied. You can also set schedules for the radiator valves to specify when each radiator will be on or off – and have different schedules for different days or months, or occupation patterns for example a ‘work day schedule’ and ‘weekend schedule’ so you don’t have to worry about manually adjusting the radiators.

Smart radiator valves also provide a very convenient way to control the temperature of each radiator from your smartphone or other remote control so you don’t have to work your way around the house to manually adjust the temperature of each radiator.

Are smart radiator valves worth it?

If you are looking for a simplified way to control the temperature of each room in your home independently, then smart radiator valves are a great option. But whether they’re truly worth the investment depends on why you want them and how you use them.

If you already have Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) which allow you to control the temperature of individual radiators manually, and you use them regularly then it’s unlikely you’ll make additional financial savings from smart radiator valves.

Some brands of smart radiator valves claim that up to 30% savings on your heating bills are possible, which is way higher than the 10-12% savings that Nest claim you’ll achieve with their Learning Thermostat.

If you think about it this makes sense. A smart thermostat will control your whole house’s heating, turning the heating up or down for all rooms at the same time. But, if used well, smart radiator valves should enable you to avoid heating some rooms completely some of the time, hence the larger savings.

However, the 30% saving would be in an ideal case and the reality is likely to be lower. So, whether smart radiator valves are worth it depends on their usage and how you program them. The vast proportion of the savings will come from not heating unused rooms, which you could achieve with regular TRVs anyway, if you’re happy to adjust them manually.

Environmentally, if your heating system runs on oil or gas there will definitely be come carbon savings but it takes energy to produce smart valves and you will create waste with the old valves you remove.

Do I need smart radiator valves on every radiator?

No, you don’t need to have smart radiator valves on every radiator. You can choose which radiators you want to have smart radiator valves installed on, depending on your individual requirements.

Which smart radiator valve is best?

There are many different smart radiator valves available on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the best one for your home. To help you make the best choice, we’ve complied the smart radiator valve reviews below detailing some of the best smart radiator valves that are currently available.

Only a handful of smart radiator valves work independently of a smart thermostat, home hub or other bridge, so if you don’t have and don’t want a smart thermostat one of the first 5 options below will be best. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Valve is currently the best value at just £44 on Amazon although it does not work with Apple HomeKit. If you want a smart valve that does work with HomeKit then the meross Smart Valves are the best option at £53 on Amazon.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution, with a bridge which will work with a smart thermostat, then the tado° Starter Kit (currently just £135 at Amazon) is one of the best options which works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, And Google Assistant.

Smart radiator valves reviews

meross Smart Valves – £53 on Amazon – Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and SmartThings

The meross smart radiator valves are probably the best option on the market for price, functionality and compatibility. This starter kit includes a radiator thermostat and meross hub and will work with 98% of TRVs. Control the system alongside you other smart home devices via your preferred app or with voice commands. In the meross app, you can see the daily room temperature and set schedules for different rooms. The smart hub can support up to 16 smart thermostats and the system also supports open-window detection and will send a notification on phone while the room thermostat will stop heating for 30 minutes to avoid wasted energy. The meross package contains 1 Smart Radiator Thermostat + 1 Hub + connection adapters for Danfoss RA / Danfoss RAV / Danfoss RAVL / Giacomini / Caleffi / M28 radiators. Additional valves are just £39 making meross one of the most cost effective options.

Buy now – £53 on Amazon

TP-Link Kasa Smart Valve – £44 on Amazon – Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Radiator Thermostat Starter KIT is another good option if you don’t have or want a smart thermostat, as it allows you to control all your radiators in each room from your phone from anywhere without the need for an additional hub or bridge. The usual retail price for the starter kit is £90 but there’s a deal on Amazon (at the time of publishing) which makes this the cheapest quality option on the market. Additional valves at £40. The Kasa valves allow you to set heating schedules, work with voice Control via Alexa or Google Assistant and have a frost protection setting to keep your house safe in winter. Just replace your old radiator valve with Kasa and follow the step-by-step in-app guide but check your existing radiator valve carefully to ensure compatibility.

Buy now – £44 on Amazon

Hive 7004240 – £45 on Amazon – Works with Hive app

The Hive 7004240 radiator valves also work without a smart thermostat, so you don’t need the Hive active heating to use them. Whatever system you have, you can manage these valves via the Hive app. They are also easy to install, simply unscrew your existing TRV head and replace it with the Hive radiator valve. If you already have a Hive thermostat for heating and/or hot water (£135 or £440 respectively) adding some Hive smart radiator valves makes a lot of sense to add greater control to your system, plus then you’ll be able to control the radiator valves via Alexa, Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant.

Buy now – £45 on Amazon

Eve Thermo – £70 on Amazon – Works with Bluetooth, Thread and Apple HomeKit

The Eve Thermo is another great option if you don’t have or want a smart thermostat or other bridge. You can use these valves directly via Bluetooth, Thread or Apple HomeKit. Use schedules to heat individual rooms or your entire home automatically to suit your routine – independently of your iPhone and internet connection. They even offer ‘open window detection’, have a simple to use ‘vacation mode’, valve protection, and a whole lot more.

Buy now – £70 on Amazon

Eqiva 142461A0 – £50 on Amazon – Works with Bluetooth

The Eqiva 142461A0 smart radiator valves work directly without a hub or bridge via bluetooth and can be controlled via the free Apple (from iOS 8.3) or Android (from version 4.4) app. They can also be operated directly without a smartphone. Up to 7 switching intervals can be defined and the boost function heats up radiators quickly. Up to 5 Radiator thermostats per room can be combined and controlled via app.

Buy now – £50 on Amazon

tado° Starter Kit – £135 at Amazon – Works With Alexa, Apple HomeKit, And Google Assistant

The tado° Starter Kit is a great option for those looking for a reliable and easy to use smart heating setup. This kit comes with 2 tado° Smart Radiator Thermostats, tado° Internet Bridge, 2 AA batteries, Set of adapters, USB power supply, UK power adapter / EU power adapter, USB cable, Ethernet cable, and detailed welcome and setup guides. Once you have the starter kit you can buy extra smart valves at £50 each.

Buy now – £135 at Amazon

Netatmo NAV-UK – £192 at Amazon – Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant

The Netatmo NAV-UK Smart Thermostat + Smart Radiator Valve is another great option for those looking for a reliable and easy to use smart heating system. The kit only includes one smart valve but you can buy additional valves for £72.50 each.

Buy now – £192 at Amazon

Honeywell evohome – £380 at Amazon – Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT

The Honeywell evohome is another option to get smart heating. The evohome allows you to create and individually control up to 12 heating zones with remote access via the Total Connect Comfort (TCC) app or the full-colour touchscreen. Users can quickly gain control of exactly where and when the property is heated and remote access via a tablet or smartphone keeps you in-the-know. You can buy extra valves for £65 each. They are battery powered with a two-year battery life and a battery low reminder visible on both the radiator controller screen and the evohome controller screen. The flip-up screen is backlit and can be positioned so that it can be easily viewed or folded away flat.

Buy now – £380 at Amazon

Drayton Wiser – £396 at Amazon – Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT

The Drayton Wiser starter kit allows you to take full control of your heating system via your phone on a room-by-room basis. The Wiser App allows you to easily control your home’s temperature room-by-room whilst also viewing your system’s heat report from anywhere in the world. Additional smart valves are £49. The kit comes in different versions for combi or conventional boilers and the radiator valves are also available in black or white. The kit comes with 1 x Smart Room Thermostat, 1 x Heat Hub and 5 x smart radiator valves.

Buy now – £396 at Amazon

Conclusion

Smart radiator valves are a great way to keep rooms at the perfect temperature and avoid wasting energy on heating unoccupied rooms. They are very convenient, as you can control the temperature of each radiator from your smartphone or other remote control.

Nearly every brand offers professional installation for around £120 so if you’re not confident installing radiator valves yourself you will need to factor this into the price. Ask your local smart home installation company for a quote.

If you’re only looking for one or two valves and don’t want a smart thermostat the TP-Link Kasa Smart Valve is currently the best value at just £44 on Amazon although it does not work with Apple HomeKit.

If you want a smart valve that works on its own with HomeKit then the meross Smart Valves are the best option at £53 on Amazon.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution, with a bridge which will work with a smart thermostat, then the tado° Starter Kit (£135 at Amazon) is one of the best options which works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, And Google Assistant.

Read our other reviews about the best smart plugs and the best home energy monitors and check out our list of 60 smart tech gift ideas.

The post The Best Smart Radiator Valves for Your Home appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

The best plugs also help you monitor energy usage, improve energy saving, and can be used as timers to turn appliance on and off at set times of the day plus, some can be controlled when you’re away from home. 

The main restriction with smart plugs is that they only work for devices that can be left in the ‘on’ position, then switched on and off by controlling the power from the socket. Anything that needs to be turned on at the device won’t come on just because you turn on the socket, so a smart plug won’t be much use with these types of devices.

Monitoring energy use with a smart plug

The best plugs also offer energy use and cost monitoring. Devices left on standby when not in use can account for up to 16 percent of your electricity bill so, by turning off devices at the socket, a smart plug cut down on wasted electricity and save you money. 

How to choose the best smart plug

There are hundreds of options available so choosing the best smart plug for your smart home depends on a range of factors. The most important aspect is how you can control the plug, because you probably want it to work with your existing smart home appliance and to control it through the same app that you use for other devices. If you’re already an Apple user you want one that is compatible with HomeKit, Google users will want one which is compatible with Google Assistant, and Amazon users will want one which is compatible with Alexa.

Other factors to consider are energy monitoring and of course, price.

Our recommended smart plugs are as follows:

• Best budget smart plug – Tapo P100 Mini – £8.79 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best budget smart plug with energy monitoring – Yuin – £13.00 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug with energy monitoring – Eve Energy – £39.99 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug for HomeKit – Eve Energy – £39.99 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug for Alexa – Amazon smart plug – £24.99 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug for Google Assistant – Yuin – £13.00 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug for Hue users – Philips Hue – £26.99 – Buy now on Amazon
• Best smart plug for Hive ecosystem – Hive Active – £35.29 – Buy now on Amazon

Eve Energy

The best smart plug for HomeKit and energy monitoring

The Eve Energy smart plug is one of the best you can buy – although it won’t work with Alexa or Google Assistant. It’s very simple to use, monitors the energy consumption of the devices plugged into it – and if you provide price details from your energy provider – the total cost of energy used too. 

The Eve Energy connects over Bluetooth, or Thread smart home technology  – if you have a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV – so you’ll be able to control it even when you’re not at home. Thread is more stable than Wi-Fi and puts an end to smart home devices failing to respond. Compared to the rest of the market it seems like an expensive option but it’s a high quality device, has excellent energy monitoring, and the ability to create schedules too.

Belkin WeMo WiFi

The best smart plug for HomeKit, if energy monitoring is not required

If you’re using HomeKit, but aren’t worried about energy monitoring, the WeMo WiFi is ideal. But, due to some odd regional specification, in the UK it wont works with Alexa or Google. 

The Belkin Wemo is a compact plug, it’s simple to use and includes the ability to set schedules so it turns on or off automatically, and also features ‘Away mode’ – which randomises the times the plug switches on and off – to simulate occupancy. It has a manual power buttons, and LED that illuminates when the plug is switched on. Its main drawback is the lack of energy monitoring.

Amazon smart plug

The best smart plug for Alexa

If you’re already an Alexa user, then the Amazon smart plug makes good sense. It is not the cheapest on the market, but it integrates well with Alexa routines – so setting up automations for your smart home is as simple as other Alexa tasks. 

The Amazon smart plug is quite large compared to other plugs which could be a drawback if space is limited around your sockets. It connects to the internet over Wi-Fi, so it can still be controlled even when you’re not at home and is simple to set-up.

It doesn’t provided energy monitoring, neither is there an ‘Away mode’, and it doesn’t work with Google Assistant or HomeKit.

Philips Hue smart plug

The best smart plug for Philips Hue users

If you are after a plug to control lamps and other lights the Philips Hue plug is a great choice. It integrates with any Hue smart lighting you already have in your home, and can be controlled through the Hue app, Alexa, Google Assistant or HomeKit.  

It’s one of the more expensive models of smart plug, considering it doesn’t offer energy monitoring. But, if you already have a Hue bridge, it makes a lot of sense and can be controlled when you’re away from home.

Hive Active Plug

Specifications

The best plug for Hive ecosystem

Hive is one of the most affordable ecosystems to get into – cheaper than Philips Hue, if you’re interested in building up a smart home which isn’t reliant on Google, Apple or Amazon.

The Hive Active plug requires either a Hive Active Heating thermostat or Hive Hub, but if you own either of those, it’s simple to set up and use. You can create complex schedules too, with up to six time slots per day, control the plug using the Hive app on your phone, or link it to a Hive switch or sensor. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.

The Hive Active Plug is quite bulky and can have some issues during set up, so you may need patience!

IKEA TRÅDFRI Wireless Control Outlet

The IKEA TRÅDFRI is not a pretty plug, but it’s reliable and a reasonable price. It’s controlled via the IKEA Home Smart app. Once it’s set up, it can be controlled via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri but, unlike most smart plugs, which connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, it requires the Tradfri gateway and a Tradfri ‘steering device’, which makes it a less attractive choice. It also lacks features such as ‘Away mode’ and energy monitoring.

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is the company’s latest smart home device which can be controlled using Meross’s own app, HomeKit, Google Assistant or IFTTT. It’s a super-compact design and connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network to let you set schedules and timers for the plug to switch on and off, or use sunrise and sunset times to activate schedules, which is a nice feature. But it doesn’t have any energy monitoring features.

Hey Smart Plug

Hey! is a new UK smart home brand which stands out mainly for its stylish packaging – although that’s not really a reason to buy their products – the main reason is a the great prices. If you’re just after the basics this is a worthwhile option at just £15. It’s a nice, compact design that won’t obstruct the plug socket next to it and can fit in places some larger plugs can’t. It connects straight to your wifi without the need for a hub and can be controlled via the Hey app, Alexa or Google Assistant.

Humax Wi-Fi

Best budget smart plug with energy monitoring

Yuni’s smart plug is beautifully compact, and won’t obscure adjacent sockets. It has a button on the left-hand side to manually turn on and off the connected device, which is useful if you have it on a strip.

Set up via the Smart Life app is simple: press the button on the plug for five seconds, tell the app the blue light is flashing and it pairs over Bluetooth, then asks for your Wi-Fi password and you’re done. Plus, it works with Alexa and Google Assistant too, as well as IFTTT. The Smart Life app also tells you how much power is being consumed in real time, and the total amount of energy used ‘today’ and overall, a nice set of energy monitoring features. It also features schedules for turning power on and off, countdown timers and – most usefully for lights – schedules based on sunset and sunrise.

Tapo P100 Mini

Best budget smart plug

Tapo is a sub-brand of TP-Link and the P100 Mini is one of the most affordable smart plugs on the market. It has a simple design, which is reasonably compact, although it’s still a bit more bulky than some of the more expensive options. It features schedules and timers and there’s even an ‘Away mode’ which turns devices on and off randomly, to make it look like you’re at home. There’s also a button on the plug if you want to switch it manually.

It works with Google Assistant and Alexa, but not with HomeKit or the Kasa app, so it isn’t ideal if you already have TP-Link smart plugs or other smart devices. Overall, unless you’re already locked into a different ecosystem, this is definitely one to consider.

Check out the best smart radiator valves for your home, see how much you could save on energy and also check if you can save on broadband.

Some newer smart plugs feature in our list of smart tech gift ideas.

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You may have noticed that, whilst the government’s price cap on energy bills is in place, it does not seem like there’s a way to save money by switching energy suppliers – but there is!

Most energy companies, and energy bills, state “You’re already on the cheapest similar tariff” however, these statements are misleading because dynamic tariffs are not included in the comparisons.

The way energy is priced is evolving and new, smart tariffs are coming online which offer different prices at different times of day.

Smart tariffs come in several different versions:

• Dual rate – the most basic form of smart tariff with a day rate and cheaper night rate
• Time-of-use – tariffs with 2 or more rates per day
• Real-time or dynamic tariffs – where the unit price varies every half hour according to the wholesale price of electricity, often based on day-ahead market prices, so that you have time to plan your energy usage.

Dual rate tariffs include the old Economy 7 and 10 tariffs, which offer cheaper rates for electricity during the night. They offer distinct advantages over a standard tariff if you have electric heating or other energy intensive appliances which you can run during the night.

Time-of-use tariffs are becoming far more popular, especially with the increase in Electric Vehicles.

Real time, or dynamic tariffs are still quite experimental in the UK. Octopus Energy is currently the only supplier offering a dynamic electricity tariff, which they call Octopus Agile.

In theory, dynamic tariffs place a lot more risk on the consumer because energy prices can spike dramatically between 4 and 8 pm when people are using the most power, meaning your price per kWh could reach up to £1! That’s a huge leap, which would make a big impact on your bill, if you consider that other tariffs offer a fixed price of 33p/kWh.

However, while the price cap is in place there is a cap on how much suppliers can charge for peak rate power and since the price often drops under 10p/kWh in the night (sometimes even going negative, so you get paid for consuming electricity!), this means that the average price per unit is usually less than every other tariff on the market. As a crude example, the average half-hourly price on Octopus Agile between Jan 16 and April 16 2026 was just under 20p/Kwh (in the London region).

By our calculations, the majority of UK households could save more than 15% on their electricity bill by switching to Octopus Agile, without even changing their behaviour.

However, when the price cap is lifted these savings could soon disappear and would be replaced with additional costs if consumers do not avoid usage at time of peak demand. But Octopus will warn you before this happens and make it very easy to switch to a fixed or dual-rate tariff, so switching now still makes a lot of sense and will save you money. Plus, Octopus will give you £50 off your bill just for switching making the savings even more attractive. Visit the Octopus Energy website, enter your postcode and follow the steps to get a quote and start saving.

If you’re looking to save money on your energy bills switching to Octopus is very easy and takes less than 5 minutes. They can’t switch you directly onto Octopus Agile so you’ll need to switch to their fixed tariff and then transfer to Agile once you’re a customer, but that’s very easy – all you need to do is email hello@octopus.energy and tell them to switch you to Agile as soon as your account is transferred.

Smart tariffs are the future of electricity pricing. Traditional energy companies in other European countries that have not yet managed to deliver dynamic tariffs are losing customers in droves to new market entrants, because consumers like smart tariffs – and it’s not hard to see why.

As supply and demand vary in the grid, variable pricing is not only a powerful tool to help the National grid keep things balanced, but a practical motivator to encourage consumers to change behaviour which enables them to save money.

As the success of the Demand Flexibility Service experiment demonstrates, people like controlling their energy use and are more than willing to get involved in helping balance the grid, especially when there are financial incentives. During the DFS trials 1.6 million households saved over 3,300MWh of electricity during peak times.

Use our Smart Tariff Savings Calculator to see if you could save from switching to a smarter tariff.

The post Smart tariffs can save you money appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

Globally, heat accounts for nearly half of all energy consumption and 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. It is estimated that 19% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from warming up the places we live and work

Heating UK homes accounts for around 14% of our carbon emissions so, switching the 87% of UK households (22 million homes) to alternatives to gas boilers would make a massive dent in UK emissions.

The government has announced that by 2025, all new homes will be banned from installing gas and oil boilers but, if you’re living in a home which is currently heated by gas what are the best alternatives to gas boilers? And which option is most cost effective?

In this in-depth post we examine the available alternatives to gas boilers.

Alternatives to gas boilers

There are seven main alternatives to gas boilers to provide central heating and hot water, each of which we explain in detail on the following pages:

• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Ground Source Heat Pumps
• Infrared Heating Panels
• Solar Thermal Heating
• Biomass Boilers and Stoves
• Electric Combi Boilers
• Dry Core Storage Boilers

However, solar thermal and infrared heating panels will require an additional heat source to provide heat and hot water all year round.

We’ve summarised the alternatives to gas boilers, their installation costs and running costs in the table below. Keep in mind that every property is different and these are only estimations. Costs for specific properties can vary considerably depending on size, location, how well insulated the property is and what sort of heating system is being replaced, size of radiators, and a range of other factors.

Assumptions:

• 3 bed house, previously using 12,000 kWh of gas a year, (2.5% for cooking) paying 10.3p/kWh + 28p/day for gas, with an 85% efficient gas boiler plus 3,000kWh of electricity at 34p/kWh
• ASHP with a CoP of 3.0, GSHP with a CoP of 4.0
• 8 x 500W Infrared panels at £350/panel but only 1 switched on for 8 hours/day each between Oct 1 – March 31
• Biomass boiler using 3 tonnes of pellets/year at £600/tonne
• Electric combi boiler 11kWh, sufficient to power 8 radiators
• Dry core storage boiler with storage running on Economy 7 / night tariff of 17p/kWh

The UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme – grants for installing low carbon heating

The UK government was running the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to incentivise low carbon heating. In April 2022 the RHI was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides grants to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler. This scheme is open to people in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, you might be able to get an interest-free loan or a grant to make your home more energy efficient. If you live in Northern Ireland, you might be able to get a grant to replace your boiler.

The boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants of:

• £5,000 towards an air source heat pump
• £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump
• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler

Check if you’re eligible for the UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and find out how to apply for the grant.

Choosing the best alternatives to gas boilers

Selecting the best alternative to a gas boiler is no easy task and will depend on the type and size of your home. But don’t even consider any of the alternatives to gas boilers until you have insulated every single aspect of your home.

Don’t even consider any alternatives to gas boilers until you have super-insulated your home.

There is one action you must take before any other to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of your home and that is: INSULATE. Don’t assume your home is well insulated, or that you have done all that can be done. In reality, there is always more you can do to insulate, reduce your bills and improve the thermal efficiency of your home.

There are so many ways to improve thermal efficiency that this point can never be made enough. Heat escapes from walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, windows and fireplaces – anywhere there is an air gap is costing you money and none of the alternatives to gas boilers will be worth your while if your house is letting hot air leak out. Also, consider installing smart radiator valves to shut off the heating in unoccupied rooms.

Alternatives to gas boilers for flats and smaller homes

We’ve produced the following decision making trees to try and help you through the maze of alternatives to gas boilers. They are only guides and your final choices may vary depending on your home, but hopefully they provide a useful guide for the order in which to consider the options.

Alternatives to gas boilers for larger homes

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all answer which provides a comprehensive alternative to a gas boiler. Much as we would all like to go zero carbon the reality is that, with the price of electricity being three times the price of gas, electric boilers unfortunately cost more to run than gas boilers. This may well change, and if you have the roof space to generate even some hot water or electricity from solar these are probably the first technologies you should consider installing, once you have insulated your home as much as possible, whatever type of house you have.

Solar thermal and solar photovoltaics capture a completely free source of energy so have no, or very very low running costs – making your home lower carbon and smarter too. Solar thermal can often cover all of a home’s hot water requirements for around 9 months of the year reducing hot water heating bills dramatically. Solar PV systems, of a sufficient size, can provide all of the electricity to power a home and work very well in conjunction with air or ground source heat pumps to reduce the costs of electricity for heating. When combined with batteries, solar PV opens up the possibility to trade energy, providing additional income to subsidize the cost of heating your home – see also the news about plug in solar kits.

Air source and ground source heat pump systems are fairly expensive to install and need to be well specified to match your home’s heating system in order to work efficiently. But, when switching from gas to a heat pump which consumes electricity that costs three times more it can take a very long time to see a return on your investment.

Infrared heating panels came out very well in our assessment of alternatives to gas boilers because they are very efficient but they may not be for everyone, or suited to every situation. Since they heat objects and people directly via radiant heat, as opposed to the convective heat from traditional radiators, they are not terribly effective at heating an entire house at once but, since we rarely need an entire house to be warm at the same time – and they work well when combined with occupancy sensors to deliver heat instantly when and where it’s needed – they do offer an effective alternative to gas boilers, for space heating.

Electric combi boilers are a good alternative to gas boilers for flats and small homes. They’re relatively cheap to install and very efficient but, with the price of electricity being three times more than gas, as a direct replacement for a gas boiler an electric combi boiler is highly likely to increase your energy bills.

For larger homes an electric dry core storage boiler offers a viable alternative to gas boilers, with lower running costs than a combi boiler because they can take advantage of smart tariffs which offer lower electricity prices at night, and via Economy 7. But a dry core storage boiler costs more to install than an electric combi boiler and requires more space too, because it needs a heat store.

Biomass boilers are another option for larger homes and provide a good, low carbon alternative to a gas if you have a source of biomass to burn. But if you need to rely on fuel to be delivered, biomass will rarely be a truly zero carbon option, and leaves you susceptible to fluctuations in the price and availability of biomass fuel.

Whichever way you choose to go, remember: insulating your home as much as possible gives the fastest payback of any alternatives to gas boilers.  

If you decide to stick with a gas boiler check out Heatable who offer fixed price quotes and next day installation anywhere in the UK.

We hope the information here helps you make an informed decision and to reduce your bills and carbon footprint.

The post All the alternatives to gas boilers, explained appeared first on Smart Home Energy.

The Demand Flexibility Service is most commonly accessed via your energy supplier but apps like Uswitch’s Utrack and Loop’s Turn Down and Save mean that any household with a smart meter can join up and potentially earn money.

The National Grid ESO scheme rewards users for changing their habits and reducing their electricity usage during certain peak hours.

The scheme has been described as a “great success” in a recent blog post by the power supply firm. It was first run live on 23 January 2023, when people were asked to reduce consumption between 5pm and 6pm.

The Utrack Money Back scheme allows anyone who isn’t already signed on to the scheme with a smart meter to take part, no matter who your electricity provider is.

Participants could also earn more, according to the utility switching firm, as it will pass on the full payment awarded by the National Grid, to ensure users see the full benefit.

Linking the app to a smart meter and signing up for the Utrack Money Back scheme, will see users paid around £3 for every kWh saved – the full payment incentive offered by the National Grid.

The Demand Flexibility Service was first launched in November of 2022, and will end on March 31, 2023. Uswitch expects there to be at least two more sessions before the scheme ends.

You will not be asked to sit in the dark to reduce energy consumption. Those taking part will be asked to reduce their electricity usage in a safe and manageable way, such as by switching off appliances not in use or delaying cooking a meal.

Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments:

“We launched Utrack to help households understand their energy usage and make the right choices for their home, as well as to cut back on energy consumption in a safe and manageable way.

“Homes are already changing their energy habits, and the National Grid scheme is offering tangible rewards for their efforts.

“We’ve already seen the energy-saving schemes used to manage public demand for the first time in recent weeks, so it’s important to sign up with Utrack ahead of the next session to receive the maximum savings potential.

“Anyone with a smart meter display unit can take part thanks to Utrack, no matter who their energy provider is. We’re also passing on the full savings for those who qualify.”

Click here to view original web page at www.dailyrecord.co.uk

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