Smart Home using technology to reduce energy use 

Energy saving improvements •

• Solar 12 PV panels, 4.2kW Peak •
• House battery storage 5kWh Fox Plug-and-play •
• Intelligent electricity tariff: Octopus Flux •
• Load shifting strategies implemented so all electricity is on cheap night rate via the battery storage •
• Intelligent smart home with presence sensing, which controls the Nt thermostat, charging the car at efficient times, •
• Electric vehicle

Mark lives in a 1950s detached bungalow. His goal with the improvements he has made was to reduce electricity usage and reliance on the grid to a bare minimum, and eradicate if possible.

This has been done by installation of a standard solar array and house battery, this allows him to power the house during the day and fill the battery for use at night. He has also switched to an intelligent electricity tariff with night rates at a fraction of daily rates, using this tariff he’s able to charge the house battery if required as a top up if solar hasn’t been sufficient. This has been enough to reduce his electricity bills by 90%.

The house uses Nest presence sensing which automatically switches the heating to eco mode when no one is at home, saving even more money on gas. Lights and smoke alarm, even the music system and vacuum cleaner are also controlled via the google smart home system.

To prevent thermal overheating the electric blinds on the rear bi-fold kitchen doors are controlled via the smart home app to maintain comfortable temperatures in the height of summer.

He also has an electric vehicle and car charge point, this communicates automatically with Octopus energy allowing the energy company to choose the most efficient time on the grid to charge the car when solar isn’t enough. During most months in the summer however, there is enough solar generated to run the house, fill the house battery and then fill the car, meaning that the electricity bills are running at little more than the standing charge during the summer months.

Mark keeps a detailed spreadsheet of power used, power saved, electric car vs petrol savings, battery savings, solar generated to give an overall return on investment on his project.

Parking: plenty of off street parking either directly outside the property on the road, or park on the right-hand side entrance to the estate as you come up the hill.

This home is Open by Appointment all year round - email dorsetgreenerhomes@gmail.com to book a visit