HeatingSave cuts fuel bills in Hail Weston

Pamela and Ian Wilkie live in a Grade 2 listed building at Hail Weston, in Cambridgeshire, which is the oldest house in the village. Because the home is very old (dated from 1535) it has no insulation apart from the roof and no cavity walls. The only part of the four-bedroom four-reception room property with proper insulation is a new wing. Also due to its listed status the house loses heat very easily. The couple wanted a more efficient way to heat their home, and as they explained: "Because we can't do anything to the house we wanted a system that didn't require modifying the home. For example, we aren't allowed double glazing as we can't do anything to the windows."

They chose a HeatingSave Building Energy Management System for their Rayburn boiler, which provides oil for water and central heating, because HeatingSave's internal computer system works out the absolute latest time to switch on the boiler for the rooms to be warm for when you want them. For those with an oil-fired system like the Wilkies it predicts how much oil is left in the tank. The HeatingSave system was installed in September 2009. They both received training in its use, and Pamela said it was "very good and patient."

One feature of the Building Energy Management System they use is passive infra-red detectors (PIR's) to control occupancy. When no-one is in the room the heating is switched off, but as soon as someone enters it comes on. Pamela commented: "They are very effective," adding: "Obviously it's saving us money. It's good that we're not heating the rooms if we don't need to when we are not using them. You can use the PIR sensors for this."

There have been no problems with the hardware or software installation: plus since then, their controller has been upgraded. They have called the HeatingSave help desk, with Pamela telling the reporter: "The service has been good, and also the engineer has popped in regularly." Asked on how HeatingSave could be improved, Pamela said it could be a bit more user-friendly for older people: "Maybe a more simple manual or version for the older generation who have not grown up with computers."

On what she liked most about the HeatingSave system, Pamela replied: "The fact it saves us money. For our home a heating system without HeatingSave is very extravagant and we hadn't been aware of how much money could be saved as we are able to heat specific rooms. It's doing its job very well." And would she recommend HeatingSave to other companies? "Yes, we have done and we will continue to do so." When invited to sum up HeatingSave in a few words, Pamela commented: "I think it's a very good idea, very impressive."

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Hail Weston

St Neots

Cambridgeshire