Installer for Honeywell EVOHome

garion

Hi everyone
I've recently purchased the Honeywell EVOHome smart heating kit but am really struggling to find someone to install it.

If can recommend an installer of EVOHome or similar smart heating systems in the North Dublin/Meath/Louth area I would REALLY appreciate a PM.

Thanks
Garion

mackTheKnife

garion wrote: »

Hi everyone
I've recently purchased the Honeywell EVOHome smart heating kit but am really struggling to find someone to install it.

If can recommend an installer of EVOHome or similar smart heating systems in the North Dublin/Meath/Louth area I would REALLY appreciate a PM.

Thanks
Garion

These guys installed it for me ... did a good enough job to recommend them

Stoner

Mac, pm only please!

mackTheKnife

Sorry Stoner ... wont happen again

BoardsMember

mackTheKnife wrote: »

These guys installed it for me ... did a good enough job to recommend them

How are you finding the Honeywell?

mackTheKnife

Excellent ... I'm very happy with it. I bought it because there were very few options for multi-room/zone heating.
The integration options could be better but its not bad, people have reverse engineered their apis but they are not public.
There is integration with Alexa (https://getconnected.honeywell.com/en/evohome-support) and IFTTT but not google assistant yet.
The only gripe I have is there could be an option for stored profiles ... i.e. a summer and winter. I have 11 zones including the hot water and while you can copy schedules across days of the week, you cant do it across zones.

There is a python library with api support for backing up and restoring schedules but its not available in the app.

BoardsMember

mackTheKnife wrote: »

Excellent ... I'm very happy with it. I bought it because there were very few options for multi-room/zone heating.
The integration options could be better but its not bad, people have reverse engineered their apis but they are not public.
There is integration with Alexa (https://getconnected.honeywell.com/en/evohome-support) and IFTTT but not google assistant yet.
The only gripe I have is there could be an option for stored profiles ... i.e. a summer and winter. I have 11 zones including the hot water and while you can copy schedules across days of the week, you cant do it across zones.

There is a python library with api support for backing up and restoring schedules but its not available in the app.

Thanks for the info. One of the reason this has come back on the radar is that Google Home is now claiming to work with it so was more interested.

paulbok

mackTheKnife wrote: »

Excellent ... I'm very happy with it. I bought it because there were very few options for multi-room/zone heating.
The integration options could be better but its not bad, people have reverse engineered their apis but they are not public.
There is integration with Alexa (https://getconnected.honeywell.com/en/evohome-support) and IFTTT but not google assistant yet.
The only gripe I have is there could be an option for stored profiles ... i.e. a summer and winter. I have 11 zones including the hot water and while you can copy schedules across days of the week, you cant do it across zones.

There is a python library with api support for backing up and restoring schedules but its not available in the app.

On my controller you can copy to both different days and zones.
I do agree about the lack of options on the controller.
A winter/ summer switch would have been handy a few weeks ago as the weather warmed up. Had to go through each zone and adjust down a little.
Several options to lower the temp, eg if you are away, but none for a short boost up.

BoardsMember

mackTheKnife wrote: »

These guys installed it for me ... did a good enough job to recommend them

Can you PM the name of your installer please? You might also give me an idea of cost of install. Do you have many TRVs? Thanks.

mackTheKnife

I had 15, they counted and quoted 17 plus hot water ... the price was 1700 including BER but there is a 650 grant.

beanian

mackTheKnife wrote: »

I had 15, they counted and quoted 17 plus hot water ... the price was 1700 including BER but there is a 650 grant.

was that for supply & fit or did you source the hardware yourself?

mackTheKnife

Just install ... Got the hardware from here
https://theevohomeshop.co.uk/en/

paulbok

That seems very high.
Apart from installing tvr valves on rads that don't have any and two electrical connections, there isn't much more to it.
Unless you have a house and plumbing that is a nightmare to work with, a handy day for one plumber and two hours for an electrician would easily get it done.

Is there an existing heating controller?

mackTheKnife

Cheapest quote I got was 1300 but he wasnt SEAI registered. If you manage to get it cheaper, good for you !! 
Maybe come back here and boast about it and make me jealous :)

beanian

I was quoted €1300 for an 8 Zone system for fit & supply. That was through Electric Ireland so there was rebates and SEAI grants built into that quote.
The same company quoted €600 for fit only of an 8 zone system

BoardsMember

When you say 8 zone, do you mean 7 trvs + hot water?

beanian

no i mean 8 TRV's. I guess you could say 9 zones if you include the hot water

garion

beanian wrote: »

I was quoted €1300 for an 8 Zone system for fit & supply. That was through Electric Ireland so there was rebates and SEAI grants built into that quote.
The same company quoted €600 for fit only of an 8 zone system

Hi beanian
Any chance you could PM me the name of the company that installed for you?

Thanks
Garion

garion

Just to provide an update... I FINALLY tracked down an installer for my EvoHome kit and it was installed last Wednesday. 8 rads plus hot water.

It wasn't cheap but I was very happy with the service & the advice received. PM me if anyone wants the details of who I used - I presume that's not something I can just post here?

corcadorcha

garion wrote: »

Just to provide an update... I FINALLY tracked down an installer for my EvoHome kit and it was installed last Wednesday. 8 rads plus hot water.

It wasn't cheap but I was very happy with the service & the advice received. PM me if anyone wants the details of who I used - I presume that's not something I can just post here?

Hi,
Can you send me cost and contact details. Looking at it at moment.
Thanks

BoardsMember

garion wrote: »

Just to provide an update... I FINALLY tracked down an installer for my EvoHome kit and it was installed last Wednesday. 8 rads plus hot water.

It wasn't cheap but I was very happy with the service & the advice received. PM me if anyone wants the details of who I used - I presume that's not something I can just post here?

Can you PM me the cost and the name of the installer too please? Thanks

PressTheButton

garion wrote: »

... I FINALLY tracked down an installer ... PM me if anyone wants the details ...

PM sent.

PressTheButton

@garion

garion wrote: »

Just to provide an update... I FINALLY tracked down an installer for my EvoHome kit and it was installed last Wednesday. 8 rads plus hot water.

It wasn't cheap but I was very happy with the service & the advice received. PM me if anyone wants the details of who I used - I presume that's not something I can just post here?

Can you PM me the cost and the name of the installer too please? Thanks
(Sent PMs to you but you may not have received them.)

garion

PressTheButton wrote: »

@garion


Can you PM me the cost and the name of the installer too please? Thanks
(Sent PMs to you but you may not have received them.)

Sorry didn't get any PMs from you. Will send you the details now.

colm_c

I got the evohome installed via electric Ireland 10 trvs and hot water kit.

I also got a boiler installed as well at the time.

When I did the sums, it wasn't worth buying the kit and paying for it to be installed separately.

Worth getting a quote with them if you are thinking about it.

It's a really good piece of kit and very happy with the install.

corcadorcha

colm_c wrote: »

I got the evohome installed via electric Ireland 10 trvs and hot water kit.

I also got a boiler installed as well at the time.

When I did the sums, it wasn't worth buying the kit and paying for it to be installed separately.

Worth getting a quote with them if you are thinking about it.

It's a really good piece of kit and very happy with the install.

What did it cost you to do this? I am thinking of similar..
Thanks,
Corcadorcha

colm_c

corcadorcha wrote: »

What did it cost you to do this? I am thinking of similar..
Thanks,
Corcadorcha

Including discounts and grant, it was 2,900.

Boiler is Worchestor Bosch, would have beem slightly cheaper to get a different boiler.

colm_c

corcadorcha wrote: »

What did it cost you to do this? I am thinking of similar..
Thanks,
Corcadorcha

Including discounts and grant, it was 2,900.

Boiler is Worchestor Bosch, would have beem slightly cheaper to get a different boiler.

beanian

colm_c wrote: »

Including discounts and grant, it was 2,900.

Boiler is Worchestor Bosch, would have beem slightly cheaper to get a different boiler.

That 2900 is including the boiler? any idea how much the evohome was on its own?

colm_c

beanian wrote: »

That 2900 is including the boiler? any idea how much the evohome was on its own?

That included the boiler, didn't get a quote with just evohome.

Conn2012

garion wrote: »

Just to provide an update... I FINALLY tracked down an installer for my EvoHome kit and it was installed last Wednesday. 8 rads plus hot water.

It wasn't cheap but I was very happy with the service & the advice received. PM me if anyone wants the details of who I used - I presume that's not something I can just post here?

please PM me details also..

Plascebo

Got the new boiler/Honeywell system installed by Electric Ireland roughly a month or so ago, and still finding my way around how the system works.

I find there can be a delay of 5 or more minutes if I turn on/off the hot water or a radiator via the app. At one stage when I tried to turn on a certain radiator, after 10 minutes I ended up having to turn it on manually.

Recently I keep getting signed out of the app on my phone when I try use it, pain having to log in as it does not save username/password.

Also find the main control unit does not last more than 5 minutes without having to put it back on its charging cradle (even after buying new rechargeable batteries).

And finally, we lost our internet today (due to outside maintenance) and therefore lost control of our heating.

Conn2012

Plascebo wrote: »

Got the new boiler/Honeywell system installed by Electric Ireland roughly a month or so ago, and still finding my way around how the system works.

What was the cost and house size please? Looking to get done myself, boiler/evohome.. Was there much choice in boilers to select from? The seai grants and electric Ireland incentives are very good..

Did you go for any insulation?

Did u query this delay issue with EI or is it just how it is?

Plascebo

Conn2012 wrote: »

What was the cost and house size please? Looking to get done myself, boiler/evohome.. Was there much choice in boilers to select from? The seai grants and electric Ireland incentives are very good..

Did you go for any insulation?

Did u query this delay issue with EI or is it just how it is?

With all the grants it cost roughly €2700 spread out over 12 months interest free, which included a new boiler that had to be relocated (Ideal Logic) and 9 rads plus hot water. After our initial query to EI they sent out an assessor who gives you a written quote that includes grants and if you agree you are given an installation date, very pain-free.

The lad who installed the system said there could be a delay of up to 6 minutes between making a change and the system picking it up and activating, but that can be hit or miss I find.

Did not go for any insulation but the installer informed we should receive a visit from BER representatives to get a new BER rating due to this new system.

Conn2012

Plascebo wrote: »

the installer informed we should receive a visit from BER representatives to get a new BER rating due to this new system.

Yes, from what I understand seai grant requires a new ber cert, for each application..

That price seems a bit high ? - The seai grant is 700eur and EI grant/credit is 460eur. You obviously got a few quotes?

This price included a TRV for each rad? - Did u get a separate thrmostat or anything for any rooms ? ( Seen some reviews that the TRV`s on rads are not so accurate. As they are literally on the heat source and room temp may not have actually reached desired temp.)

Is the ideal boiler the only one available in EI package or did you have any choice to select another model?

Plascebo

Conn2012 wrote: »

Yes, from what I understand seai grant requires a new ber cert, for each application..

That price seems a bit high ? - The seai grant is 700eur and EI grant/credit is 460eur. You obviously got a few quotes?

This price included a TRV for each rad? - Did u get a separate thrmostat or anything for any rooms ? ( Seen some reviews that the TRV`s on rads are not so accurate. As they are literally on the heat source and room temp may not have actually reached desired temp.)

Is the ideal boiler the only one available in EI package or did you have any choice to select another model?

Quote was from EI, included TRV for each rad and 3 separate thermostats where the TRV on the rad was covered by curtains or couch and would not give an accurate temperature reading.

Had no choice in boiler.

Shane732

Would also appreciate details of an installer....

prochida

I am in Cork City and considering Evohome also in a 30 year old house with single zone. 
Looking for an installer or SEAI reg plumber to work with me on this. PM me with contact detail
I upgraded the boiler a few years ago but still only have programmed timer. I also have solar for summer hot water.
I looked at the evohome shop and they are competitive in price but I still need a SEAI reg installer to sign off on it. I can get the grant for smart controls and also entitled to top up grant as this would be my third measure. Roughly €900.  I already have TRVs on all my rads but they have been installed at different times and a selection of makes. 
For my install I need  a WiFi Connected controller, Relay switch for boiler,  12 TRV controllers, Hot water kit and 2 room thermostat kits for kick plate forced air rads. About £1100 plus shipping. 
The changing of the valve heads should only be a DIY task provided they are compatible. Otherwise it could need the change of the valve body. Do the heads come with a selection of adapters?
The relays for the boiler, hot water and kick plate heaters will need a qualified person to install. 
I will eventually integrate this with some sort of  smart home but not decided on GH or Alexa. Looking to bring in smart light switches to the mix.
Would welcome any comments and suggestions. Hoping to have this completed by Xmas.

beanian

prochida wrote: »

Would welcome any comments and suggestions. Hoping to have this completed by Xmas.

I was in a similar position to yourself a few month ago. Ended up going with Tado for a few reasons:

1. The TRV's are much more aesthetically pleasing then the evohome ones....by a long way
2. The cost was cheaper
3. From reading the forums online it looks like the evohome is in maintaince mode with no new features being added and bug fixes taking a long time
4. The hardware hasnt aged well. The tablet & it's interface look dated

I have 6 TRV's, extension kit (for hot water) and the thermostat. I have been running it for about 6 weeks now and it's working flawlessly Very happy with it. It can do everything that the honeywell can and it's interface is pretty decent. Even the wife like it!

prochida

Benian

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that the Tado TRVs are much neater and come with adapters which should be a bonus.
A question on your install, how are you measuring the water temperature in the HW Cylinder, if that is what you have. 
I could use an extension kit to control the motorized valve for the HW. but would need to have a feed back of the actual water temperature.

Initial  check on prices from Tado would make this more expensive with 12 rads, thermostat kit and 2 extensions. I would probably need two more thermostats to control the plinth heaters. 
I will research this a bit more. before taking the plunge and check prices.

Prochida

beanian

prochida wrote: »

A question on your install, how are you measuring the water temperature in the HW Cylinder, if that is what you have. 

I'm not. There is a thermostat wired into the hot water cylinder that keeps it about 65 but this isnt fed back to the Tado, but it does support it. My hot water setup in Tado essentially acts as an on/off switch.

you need 2 extensions? is that even possible?! Yeah the 12 rads at £60 a trv is whats killing you. They dropped these to £35 in a month or so ago and I got 3. They might do something similar again for black Friday? Would make it alot more affordable when buying that amount.
Also if you get in touch with Tado directly they'll normally give you 10% off when you buy directly from them.

prochida

I'm not. There is a thermostat wired into the hot water cylinder that keeps it about 65 but this isnt fed back to the Tado, but it does support it. My hot water setup in Tado essentially acts as an on/off switch.

Thanks Benian

Strange that the thermostat for HW is not fed back to something. 

I have  a motorized valve operated by the thermostat in the HW tank to limit the temperature from the heating circuit to 65 deg. I also have Solar HW which provides HW using a separate coil. This has two additional thermostats to control it. 

My goal is to have the option to heat hot water only without heating any rads. In other words two zones. This should satisfy the SEAI for the grant. The way the plumbing was installed 30 years ago would make it challenging to re-plumb a separate HW circuit back to the boiler without breaking through walls. 

Thinking about  it, at a basic level I only need  the rad thermostats as I can leave the control of the cylinder as is with the existing powered thermostat but this would not send a "call for heat" to the boiler. Likewise once the water is heated there would not be a feedback to shut down the boiler. Granted the boiler itself would idle with return flow temperature similar to output temperature but this would not be good for the boiler. Or am I missing something?

I will put a call in to Tado next week when I have time and see there technical solution to this. I still have to consider the controlling of the "wet" plinth heaters in addition to the 12 rads.

Will see what black Friday brings

beya2009

With the Honeywell evohome Radiator HR924UK, are you able to just choose the rooms you use regularly to have them installed or every radiator in the house must have one for entire system to work? Their pricey that's for sure.

paulbok

beya2009 wrote: »

With the Honeywell evohome Radiator HR924UK, are you able to just choose the rooms you use regularly to have them installed or every radiator in the house must have one for entire system to work? Their pricey that's for sure.

In theory yes. You control each room as needed. Only when one rad controller decides it needs heat does it fire up the boiler.
You could get away with some rads left uncontrolled. Eg the bathroom where you usually always want heat. In that case when a controlled rad calls or hot water Cal's for heat, those other rads will get warm as well. If you have a manual trv on them you still have options for some control.
I have all my rads except three in the hallway with Honeywell trvs. I left this on purpose so when the water gets too hot from a solid fuel stove, it has somewhere to dissipate.
And you are right, it is pricey, but you don't have to get them all at once, add one every so often to spread the cost.

beya2009

paulbok wrote: »

In theory yes. You control each room as needed. Only when one rad controller decides it needs heat does it fire up the boiler.
You could get away with some rads left uncontrolled. Eg the bathroom where you usually always want heat. In that case when a controlled rad calls or hot water Cal's for heat, those other rads will get warm as well. If you have a manual trv on them you still have options for some control.
I have all my rads except three in the hallway with Honeywell trvs. I left this on purpose so when the water gets too hot from a solid fuel stove, it has somewhere to dissipate.
And you are right, it is pricey, but you don't have to get them all at once, add one every so often to spread the cost.

Thanks Paul that was very helpful. One last question and this is probably the reason I don't think Honeywell will be compatible. I was thinking of getting this value pack (Honeywell evohome Wi-Fi Connected Value Pack A) as it would have everything required to get it installed but I noticed the controller uses wifi (ATC928G3000 evohome Wi-Fi Connected Controller). Problem is we live out in the country and we have a very weak phone line so we only have a 2mb broadband with sky but we average around 1.2mb.

Sometimes during the day the connection will drop (doesn't happen often during the day but I think when it gets below 1mb and probably because too many devices in use or something). When connection drops the connection is extremely slow in that loading up web pages takes time. Also the 3rd landing which has 2 rooms and a bathroom doesn't get wifi signal as router is by the kitchen downstairs but that's probably easy to fix with a WiFi Range Extender but it's the slow connection I think is the big problem. It's an investment I think might not be worth it if it solely relies on wifi. Any thoughts?

paulbok

beya2009 wrote: »

Thanks Paul that was very helpful. One last question and this is probably the reason I don't think Honeywell will be compatible. I was thinking of getting this value pack (Honeywell evohome Wi-Fi Connected Value Pack A) as it would have everything required to get it installed but I noticed the controller uses wifi (ATC928G3000 evohome Wi-Fi Connected Controller). Problem is we live out in the country and we have a very weak phone line so we only have a 2mb broadband with sky but we average around 1.2mb.

Sometimes during the day the connection will drop (doesn't happen often during the day but I think when it gets below 1mb and probably because too many devices in use or something). When connection drops the connection is extremely slow in that loading up web pages takes time. Also the 3rd landing which has 2 rooms and a bathroom doesn't get wifi signal as router is by the kitchen downstairs but that's probably easy to fix with a WiFi Range Extender but it's the slow connection I think is the big problem. It's an investment I think might not be worth it if it solely relies on wifi. Any thoughts?

Your broadband service only is required if you are trying to access the system via an app when away from the house, otherwise it works on your internal WiFi network. You may need to invest in a few extenders to cover all your house, but you'd probably want that for general use aside from the heating.

Tom123

I have just purchased the full kit from evohome shop in the UK as they were 10% off last week.

Controller, hot water kit and 12 TRVs for €1k.

I was hoping to self install but after reading this thread I am getting worried!

Can anyone recommend an installer for me to get a price?

paulbok

Tom123 wrote: »

I have just purchased the full kit from evohome shop in the UK as they were 10% off last week.

Controller, hot water kit and 12 TRVs for €1k.

I was hoping to self install but after reading this thread I am getting worried!

Can anyone recommend an installer for me to get a price?

Do you already have manaul trvs on the radiators?
If so you can install those your self so all you will need is an electrician to wire up the relay and the control panel (battery life is useless on it)
If not you will need a plumber to drain down the radiators system and change the valves to regular manual trvs (approx €15 each in a hardware shop).

Tom123

paulbok wrote: »

Do you already have manaul trvs on the radiators?
If so you can install those your self so all you will need is an electrician to wire up the relay and the control panel (battery life is useless on it)
If not you will need a plumber to drain down the radiators system and change the valves to regular manual trvs (approx €15 each in a hardware shop).

Thanks that is really good advise will try and find a good electrican to do the wiring for the relay, control panel and hot water cylinder

I have manual TRV on all the radiators at the moment so should be a simpler job to replace them.

Any other advise on setting up the system?

paulbok

Tom123 wrote: »

Thanks that is really good advise will try and find a good electrican to do the wiring for the relay, control panel and hot water cylinder

I have manual TRV on all the radiators at the moment so should be a simpler job to replace them.

Any other advise on setting up the system?

For the trvs, there are a number of adapters that came with each controller, but you probably won't need any as the default connection seems to be the most common. Simple as unscrewing the existing top, screwing on the new wheel with the control pin, then clipping on the actual controller and pairing it (can be done first, doesn't need to be fitted to do so).
One thing I would do differently on my set up is to locate the controller in the hallway instead of in the living room. The controller can also be used as a room thermostat, have one on the living room rad, so would have been useful in the hall as I don't have one there. Not essential, as the rads in the hall have no controllers, but if the hall did get colder than any of the other rooms it could turn on the heat. On the flip side, my toddler would love to get at it in the hallway as she plays there. Can keep an eye in it better where it is.

The hot water kit comes with a probe to go into the tank and a thermostat that goes on to the side of the tank. I used the thermostat, easier to fit, though I did have to cut the insulation to allow it sit on the metal of the tank.

Tom123

Looks like I need to replace about half of TRV adapters as they aren't compatible with the HR92s.

So probably not something I can do myself. Any recommendations for an installer in Wicklow and how much is a reasonable price to pay for the installation