iBoost allows you to use more of the free energy the panels generate and save money on water heating bills even when you’re out all day!
Solar panels are an excellent way to gain independence from unstable energy costs while cutting your carbon footprint and electricity bills.
According to the Energy Savings Trust, solar panels have the potential to save up to £600 annually. However, you must be home all day to use the excess energy generated instead of sending it to the grid.
Read on to learn more about iBoost, how it works, its advantages and costs, and why you should add it to your solar system.
Key Takeaways:
- iBoost diverts excess energy to heat the water in your hot water tank, helping you reduce water heating bills.
- It comprises a Sensor and Controller that wirelessly communicates vital export energy information.
- iBoost can cost from £250 to £300 or more depending on the supplier and installation.
What Is iBoost?
The Solar iBoost is a device that can help you maximise the use of free solar energy. It can help reduce your energy bills even further by cutting the cost of water heating and reducing boiler use.
Most domestic solar systems have periods of export, during which you can’t consume all the energy your array generates. Solar panels usually generate more power during the day, and the excess seamlessly flows back to the grid.
iBoost can divert this surplus energy to heat the water in your household water tank, saving you money on heating bills.
How Does the iBoost Work?
The iBoost unit is easy to install and use if you’ve invested in a solar panel system and have a hot water storage tank with an immersion heater.
It comprises the Solar iBoost Controller, which neatly fits into an airing cupboard, and a Sensor, which easily clamps to your household mains.
The sender monitors the electricity your solar panels are generating and the electricity being used, wirelessly sending vital export energy information to the iBoost Controller.
If your solar panels generate 100W or more of excess energy, the Controller automatically diverts the surplus energy to power the immersion heater so you can get free hot water.
iBoost ensures only excess power is used for water heating and adjusts energy distribution as your home consumption varies.
Solar iBoost works with typical household resistive immersion heaters rated up to 3kW and is also suitable for dual immersion systems. It ensures the water is only heated to the immersion heater’s maximum thermostat setting for optimal energy efficiency.
What Are the Advantages of Installing Solar iBoost?
Installing the Solar iBoost offers various benefits, including:
- Optimised solar energy usage – The iBoost unit maximises the usage of your panels’ solar energy, helping reduce reliance on the grid and the amount you need to buy to heat water, thus enhancing solar PV cost-effectiveness.
- Reduced boiler use — iBoost helps reduce the use of your home boiler for water heating, resulting in lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and lower breakdown risks.
- Lower water heating costs — Water heating is the second largest energy expense in most households. iBoost can help you heat your water for free, saving thousands of pounds over its lifetime.
What Are the Features of iBoost?
Easy Installation
iBoost can easily fit next to your hot water tank, and you can install it on new and existing systems in less than 30 minutes. The Sender and Controller communicate wirelessly, eliminating the need for costly and unsightly wiring.
Intuitive
To ensure only excess power is used to heat water, iBoost responds intuitively and rapidly to changes in home power consumption and weather conditions. If exports drop below 100W, Solar iBoost switches off and waits until exports are restored.
Simple Programmable Timer
The simple programmable timer allows iBoost to work harmoniously with your existing water heating system on a 5/2-day basis. It offers greater flexibility in managing your energy usage and even allows you to program and switch between separate summer and winter settings at the push of a button.
Boost Function
The built-in boost switch gives you complete control if you need water quickly. Each press increases the time for heating the immersion by 15 minutes, and you can set it to run for up to 2 hours.
The display shows a countdown of the remaining time, and iBoost automatically switches off after reaching the temperature on the thermostat.
Real-Time Insights
iBoost displays real-time information when it uses solar energy to heat your water. You can also view current and historical energy savings with a button. It can show what you saved today, yesterday, in seven days, 28 days, or in total, providing valuable insight into your energy usage and cost savings.
What Is the Cost of iBoost?
The Solar iBoost can cost from £250 to £300 or more depending on the supplier and installation costs.
Other factors affecting the total fitted cost include accessories and spares such as extension cables or the optional iBoost Buddy, which allows you to monitor and control iBoost remotely.
Will iBoost Affect My Feed-In Tariff Payments?
No. iBoost will not affect your feed-in tariff payments and will allow you to benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme while enjoying the energy efficiency and cost savings of the iBoost system.
If you have a deemed usage export contract, it will remain unaffected whether or not you consume the energy. It’s usually based on an estimated 50% of the generated energy regardless of whether you export 10%, 30%, or 100% of your solar power.
Since buying back the same energy costs nearly three times as much, it’s more beneficial to self-consume all on-site generated electricity. Whether you have an export meter or not, the benefits of iBoost easily outweigh the rising energy costs of heating water.
Final Thoughts
iBoost is an excellent choice for your home if you have a hot water cylinder with an immersion heater, even if gas is the primary energy source. It can help you maximise your solar energy usage and save money on water heating bills.
iBoost can be especially beneficial if you have high hot water demand during the day when solar energy production is at its peak.
Sources and References:
- https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/