The hub controller

nava · 25-10-2018 9:08pm #1

I been thinking about upgrading my heating to smart, but totally new to it.

I wonder does anyone know anything about the hub controller, they have them on sale in Woodies a couple of weeks ago I think it also included free install, any information good or bad will be helpful.

davegilly · 26-12-2018 7:14pm

nava wrote: »

I been thinking about upgrading my heating to smart, but totally new to it.

I wonder does anyone know anything about the hub controller, they have them on sale in Woodies a couple of weeks ago I think it also included free install, any information good or bad will be helpful.

Did you ever upgrade to this? What's it like? Simple.to use?

nava · 26-12-2018 10:53pm

davegilly wrote: »

Did you ever upgrade to this? What's it like? Simple.to use?

No, getting it install next month or 2, they are running some free installs I think part of a government grant, so I will get it for free. You can sign up here free install is only for houses built before 2007

26-12-2018 11:12pm

Never heard of it.
I had a look at the link and it is very light on the details of how the claimed reduction in heating bills are actually achieved. For this reason I would be skeptical.

davegilly · 26-12-2018 11:18pm

nava wrote: »

No, getting it install next month or 2, they are running some free installs I think part of a government grant, so I will get it for free. You can sign up here free install is only for houses built before 2007

My mother is getting the same thing, that's why I was asking. Details are light and she is a little skeptical so some info to appease her would be ideal!

Honestfrank01 · 23-01-2019 10:58pm

Did anyone get this and any feedback on it???

Aidan No1 · 24-01-2019 3:09pm

I had it installed at the weekend.
Very straight forward process.

Filled in the form on the website.

Received an email requesting more information about when the house was built and a picture of the current controller for switching on and off the boiler.

A guy rang me about 2 weeks later to arrange a time time install.

He arrived and left 30 minutes later. (It was his 81st install this week)

The Device works great, control from an APP or at the touch screen console.

No cost, No inconvenience No hassle

Honestfrank01 · 24-01-2019 5:17pm

Sound filled out form and sent all details this week so hopfully won't be waiting too long

kave2 · 26-01-2019 6:00pm

Does this work with multiple zones? My current setup is 2 zones and hot water. Is the touchscreen device installed as digital timer or thermostat? Thanks

antodeco · 27-01-2019 7:48pm

kave2 wrote: »

Does this work with multiple zones? My current setup is 2 zones and hot water. Is the touchscreen device installed as digital timer or thermostat? Thanks

Yes and no. It will work, but only on 1 zone. I have 2 zones and 1 hot water zone. I have it installed on 1 of the zones. So I still need the existing unit for my hot water (which is fine). The other zone is a separate living areas that has its own independent controls for that particular zone.

The unit installed is a timer and thermostat. I originally had 1 thermostat and 1 control unit. Now for my "single zone" heating I have the touchscreen that is my timer and thermostat. My hot water still runs off the existing timer.

Konkers · 01-02-2019 10:57am

antodeco wrote: »

Yes and no. It will work, but only on 1 zone. I have 2 zones and 1 hot water zone. I have it installed on 1 of the zones. So I still need the existing unit for my hot water (which is fine). The other zone is a separate living areas that has its own independent controls for that particular zone.

The unit installed is a timer and thermostat. I originally had 1 thermostat and 1 control unit. Now for my "single zone" heating I have the touchscreen that is my timer and thermostat. My hot water still runs off the existing timer.

I also had it installed after signing up here.

https://www.thehubcontroller.com/trial?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgZbQl6Ka4AIVirTtCh3NqgMNEAAYASAAEgLTLvD_BwE

Great service and product and it was free.

dingdong1234567 · 15-02-2019 9:28am

I have to say the service from this crowd leaves alot to be desired. I was notified just before Christmas that my install was imminent in the following weeks after Christmas, it's now the middle of February and last week, when I enquired what was happening with my install date I was told I was pushed out due to a lack of supply of the hub controller units. Quite frankly the service here is sub standard and at this stage I would not be recommending this to anyone. There seems to be an excuse everytime I enquire about my install date. Absolutely shocking carry on.

davegilly · 15-02-2019 10:08am

dingdong1234567 wrote: »

I have to say the service from this crowd leaves alot to be desired. I was notified just before Christmas that my install was imminent in the following weeks after Christmas, it's now the middle of February and last week, when I enquired what was happening with my install date I was told I was pushed out due to a lack of supply of the hub controller units. Quite frankly the service here is sub standard and at this stage I would not be recommending this to anyone. There seems to be an excuse everytime I enquire about my install date. Absolutely shocking carry on.

I feel your pain as I’m getting the same runaround myself but at the end of the day the thing is free!! You could always just go out and buy one if you want one that bad?

Honestfrank01 · 15-02-2019 11:26am

dingdong1234567 wrote:

I have to say the service from this crowd leaves alot to be desired. I was notified just before Christmas that my install was imminent in the following weeks after Christmas, it's now the middle of February and last week, when I enquired what was happening with my install date I was told I was pushed out due to a lack of supply of the hub controller units. Quite frankly the service here is sub standard and at this stage I would not be recommending this to anyone. There seems to be an excuse everytime I enquire about my install date. Absolutely shocking carry on.

Getting it for free though so I can only imagine there's a high volume of requests for it. Where abouts you from cause my sister whos living in dublin got hers last week and applied after me I am still waiting in Galway but don't mind it considering its a free service your signing up to

dingdong1234567 · 16-02-2019 11:23pm

It's free yes, I would be saying the same in your shoes guys. However being told umteen times that I'll be getting a call next week for installation by the hub controller customer support for nearly 2 months now is getting a bit tired and quite frankly it's getting a bit predicable. Yes I could go out and buy one or similar but to be honest I couldn't be bothered.

kungfual · 22-02-2019 4:44pm

Got one installed today in Dublin area after registering in January. I chased them up once about it when I had heard nothing.
Installation was quick and guy was friendly. Not sure how 'smart' it is yet but worth a try for free.. Will post again in a few weeks

gerrykeegan · 26-02-2019 7:42pm

Registered 18th February. Free install today. Lovely job absolutely delighted with it. Service was excellent.

Gerard93 · 01-03-2019 5:48am

Hi
I currently signed up and am waiting now for installer to contact me within 2 x weeks that was 15th Feb my existing system has no controller only a timer. How are people finding it that have it installed?
Besides turning Boiler on and off through the app or touchscreen can you control the temperature up or down ?
Any other functionality
My system has only 1 x Zone but has manual TRV on the radiators
Would appreciate any info Thanks

BeepBeep67 · 05-03-2019 11:37am

I've been accepted but currently discussing my options with them over mail.

They are saying that my heating will become 1 zone, I have downstairs and an upstairs controlled by manual thermostats currently and my water tank will be separate. I don't feel this is very inefficient as I only occasionally put the heating on upstairs or at least on a lower setting.

Are there better solutions I could be looking at that would allow control over 2 heating zones and the water tank?

loyatemu · 06-03-2019 3:37pm

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

I've been accepted but currently discussing my options with them over mail.

They are saying that my heating will become 1 zone, I have downstairs and an upstairs controlled by manual thermostats currently and my water tank will be separate. I don't feel this is very inefficient as I only occasionally put the heating on upstairs or at least on a lower setting.

Are there better solutions I could be looking at that would allow control over 2 heating zones and the water tank?

there are several other options - Nest, Hive, Tado, Honeywell, Drayton can all do multiple zone and some are modular so you can add smart valves to your radiators and control individual rooms. HubController seems very basic and I'd be concerned about long-term support for the system.

yellow76 · 13-03-2019 12:49am

kungfual wrote: »

Got one installed today in Dublin area after registering in January. I chased them up once about it when I had heard nothing.
Installation was quick and guy was friendly. Not sure how 'smart' it is yet but worth a try for free.. Will post again in a few weeks

Any update on how this is going for you?

Got installation date for tomorrow.

Honestfrank01 · 13-03-2019 11:43am

Got an email from geo pal solutions saying a installation will take place soon dunno if its to do with this crowd or not haha anyone know?

Gerard93 · 13-03-2019 12:05pm

Hi
How long did it take from getting approved to install notification

Honestfrank01 · 13-03-2019 12:35pm

Gerard93 wrote:

Hi How long did it take from getting approved to install notification

I am waiting over 3 months now in fairness its free so can't complain but I think they wait till there is enough sign ups in the area before ya get installed. So outside of Dublin ya be waiting a good bit

yellow76 · 13-03-2019 4:53pm

I got approval 6th March and installed today

Gerard93 · 13-03-2019 7:34pm

Honestfrank01 wrote: »

I am waiting over 3 months now in fairness its free so can't complain but I think they wait till there is enough sign ups in the area before ya get installed. So outside of Dublin ya be waiting a good bit

Thanks for the update, looks like I will be waiting a while!

Would be interested to hear how people are finding the controller

Honestfrank01 · 13-03-2019 7:56pm

Gerard93 wrote:

Would be interested to hear how people are finding the controller

Will keep updated when ever I get it

kungfual · 14-03-2019 11:08am

I've had it a couple of weeks now, and it is working ok, but have had a few issues.

Both my wife and I have the app installed, if she changes a setting on it - turns on the heating, or changes on/off schedule times, those changes don't appear in my app, just on the hub itself. So I had set a weekly schedule and unknown to me she had too, so we had two sets of on/off times mostly overlapping. Had to delete all schedules from the apps and setup again on the hub.

Also the hub screen sometimes displays the wrong info - like the heating is off, when it is obviously on, navigating around a few menus updates it but it's a bug.

Can't seem to connect Alexa either, or I can connect it, but then it is gone again a day later and says I have no hubs connected.

Very difficult to find any real information on how or what the 'smart' capabilities are. I read on their website it takes a few weeks for the hub to learn... not sure what it is learning though as it just comes on at the scheduled times and turns off if/when it hits the desired temp.

Hopefully they are still actively supporting it and there will be updates, both to the hub and app.

chuck eastwood · 14-03-2019 11:07pm

I signed up for the free install last week and asked if it can support a 2 zone plus HW. The site says it can support multiple zones and hubs ? does this mean if you want to zone the house you need a hub for each zone. also if the app doesnt update when more than one user logs in to change the schedule then you can say goodbye to any fuel saving if the software isnt up to scratch. does anyone have any photos of the actual unit and the touch screen in action

IJS84 · 15-03-2019 6:21am

Thinking of getting one of these systems installed and filled the initial details online. Can anyone tell me if you can use the system for hot water. We have just 2 zones, 1is the rads on all over the house and the 2nd "zone" is the hot water

nava · 15-03-2019 8:31am

IJS84 wrote: »

Thinking of getting one of these systems installed and filled the initial details online. Can anyone tell me if you can use the system for hot water. We have just 2 zones, 1is the rads on all over the house and the 2nd "zone" is the hot water

No it's only for 1 zone.

They are giving it free because the are doing via the Heating Control Grants so you might be able to get a better system for both zones using the grant.

R.O.R · 15-03-2019 5:38pm

nava wrote: »

No it's only for 1 zone.

They are giving it free because the are doing via the Heating Control Grants so you might be able to get a better system for both zones using the grant.

I asked them about that, and apparently it's not that grant it's a different one. Was trying to wangle 2 controllers out of them for the 2 heating zones.

As it's only single zone, I gave up and have signed up to Electric Ireland to get a Nest @ €130 (along with a €200 switching bonus) then bought another Nest and boiler service (overdue) for €209 which comes with a free Google Home Mini. 2 Nests will control the 2 heating zones and hot water.

chuck eastwood · 15-03-2019 10:07pm

I gave up on this today after several back and forth emails. I requested more info on the system and I asked a few times about zoning. Finally today they confirmed that it would combine my two zones into one which by any standard is a massive step backwards when saving money is concerned.

Quote from email

"As regards energy/cost saving and convenience it is better to have a single but you would lose the functionality of changing the the zones to different temperatures"

Frankly that statement is misleading. You simply cannot have a second zone on when not needed just because the controller isn't capable yet and make any saving.
Having stated on their site that it can be used on zoned systems it's hard to have any faith in the company if the product is miss sold.

dingdong1234567 · 16-03-2019 3:42pm

Yeah, getting the same run around here to from this crowd. Really couldn't be bothered listening to the empty promises of installation week after week now for 3+ months from the hub controller. Not only is the system basic but it's being marketed as a efficient, money saving device however if they are saying your better of with a single zone when there are 2+ zones available then this statement is quite shocking as it's clear they haven't a clue what they are talking about. They are more like snake oil salesmen than anything at this stage.

jmBuildExt · 19-03-2019 4:05pm

nava wrote: »

No it's only for 1 zone.

They are giving it free because the are doing via the Heating Control Grants so you might be able to get a better system for both zones using the grant.

If it was via that grant, you would have to fill out a seai form to confirm that they are claiming it on your behalf... Or you would have to explicitly apply yourself. Also, to be eligible for seai it has to be able to control 2 zones.

From the website its described as a trial...

We're running a subsidised campaign to prove that with the Hub Controller Smart Thermostat you can save up to 26.4% on your heating bill.*

But in order to prove this, we need to test it. That's why we need your help. If you fit the criteria we'll install a free Hub Controller Smart Thermostat in your home!

So for certain types of installations they will do it for free so they can prove some point or add some tagline to their marketing.
Lookslike they are funding it themselves...
A bit further digging shows the company is based in the Synergy centre in IT Tallaght (now TU Dublin) which is an innovation centre so it probably has some research element to it and prob funded publicly but its not part of seai or any other grant available to consumers (as far as i can see).

chuck eastwood · 19-03-2019 5:51pm

I got an email back from the guys at hub today stating that specific seai heat they are providing dictates that the product they offer only has one zone. The can offer a two zone solution but that is not what they are offering right now.
This is the reply and it should clear up to some extent the limitations of what they offer and why.

"We can operate on multi zone systems but they are not part of the trial, hence why i have said its designed for a single zone in the trial period, the SEAI have given us specific instructions to go into single zone systems or people who are willing to switch from multi zone to a single zone"

I cannot understand the logic behind switching from dual or more zones into a single zone or why the SEAI would specify such a trial system. It is an instant loss of fuel.

nava · 19-03-2019 7:09pm

jmBuildExt wrote: »

nava wrote: »

No it's only for 1 zone.

They are giving it free because the are doing via the Heating Control Grants so you might be able to get a better system for both zones using the grant.

If it was via that grant, you would have to fill out a seai form to confirm that they are claiming it on your behalf... Or you would have to explicitly apply yourself. Also, to be eligible for seai it has to be able to control 2 zones.

From the website its described as a trial...

We're running a subsidised campaign to prove that with the Hub Controller Smart Thermostat you can save up to 26.4% on your heating bill.*

But in order to prove this, we need to test it. That's why we need your help. If you fit the criteria we'll install a free Hub Controller Smart Thermostat in your home!

So for certain types of installations they will do it for free so they can prove some point or add some tagline to their marketing.
Lookslike they are funding it themselves...
A bit further digging shows the company is based in the Synergy centre in IT Tallaght (now TU Dublin) which is an innovation centre so it probably has some research element to it and prob funded publicly but its not part of seai or any other grant available to consumers (as far as i can see).

Interesting, they did look for the GPRN/MPRn number, also wanted to check the bill showing the number when they came to install it.

I wonder if I could apply for grand from seai if I want to get a better system or upgrade my system.

jmBuildExt · 20-03-2019 9:19am

You can apply for the 700 euro controls upgrade grant. You just need to get a listed plumber to do it for you - and it has to be a multi zone system.
These hub guys probably are getting money from seai or some other publicly funded organisation, it sounds like a research project.
But that hub controller scheme is not part of the usual seai grants that they offer direct to homeowners and end users. (they also offer grants for insulation, solar and heat pump installations)
Maybe it is part of some desire to encourage people with single zone systems, who would have to do major re-plumbing work to avail of the current seai controls grant, to save energy.
In that case it would be overly expensive to obtain a multi zone system, and so those type of home-owners would never bother upgrading the controls. Maybe these guys are claiming, or researching that/if their gadget can help those people save energy too.

Long story short ..... a free lunch doesn't come around that often, take it if you can get it

- But I don't see anything un-toward about this crowd (even though they could be a bit more forthcoming with the technical details).

loyatemu · 20-03-2019 10:09am

chuck eastwood wrote: »

"We can operate on multi zone systems but they are not part of the trial, hence why i have said its designed for a single zone in the trial period, the SEAI have given us specific instructions to go into single zone systems or people who are willing to switch from multi zone to a single zone"

I cannot understand the logic behind switching from dual or more zones into a single zone or why the SEAI would specify such a trial system. It is an instant loss of fuel.

that's either bull**** or the SEAI have lost their minds. Why would anyone change from multi-zone to single-zone.

Even as a trial, how can you tell if the controller is saving energy if you've simultaneously reduced the efficiency of your system by removing zones, it doesn't make any sense.

For people who are already single zone, maybe, but even they'd probably get more benefit from zoning their properties.

chuck eastwood · 20-03-2019 10:14am

jmBuildExt wrote: »

You can apply for the 700 euro controls upgrade grant. You just need to get a listed plumber to do it for you - and it has to be a multi zone system.
These hub guys probably are getting money from seai or some other publicly funded organisation, it sounds like a research project.
But that hub controller scheme is not part of the usual seai grants that they offer direct to homeowners and end users. (they also offer grants for insulation, solar and heat pump installations)
Maybe it is part of some desire to encourage people with single zone systems, who would have to do major re-plumbing work to avail of the current seai controls grant, to save energy.
In that case it would be overly expensive to obtain a multi zone system, and so those type of home-owners would never bother upgrading the controls. Maybe these guys are claiming, or researching that/if their gadget can help those people save energy too.

Long story short ..... a free lunch doesn't come around that often, take it if you can get it - But I don't see anything un-toward about this crowd (even though they could be a bit more forthcoming with the technical details).

Free lunch ? You do understand that this free lunch takes away your abilty to control separate zones therefore possibly doubling your fuel costs.
For example. In my case the heating is on in the upstairs zone maybe 1 hour a day, downstairs maybe 6 hours. If I switched to this free lunch My fuel cost would rise by roughly 40% plus the cost of pumping to that zone that I don't need to be have to heat because the controller is not fit for purpose.
Also it is not aimed at people with single zones, that would be logical of course. Here is a quote from the last email I got from hub yesterday.

" The SEAI have given us specific instructions to go into single zone systems or people who are willing to switch from multi zone to a single zone "

I am amazed that SEAI would back this as under no circumstance that I can think of can it save money. This could cost some homes the best part of an extra tank of oil a year running zones they don't need to

jmBuildExt · 20-03-2019 11:18am

I wasn't clear above....I agree with you... I wouldn't install it on a system that already has multi zones.

But if i had a single zoned system, I'd have no probs using it especially if it was free.

If they are making statements like that
" The SEAI have given us specific instructions to go into single zone systems or people who are willing to switch from multi zone to a single zone "
They should be giving the technical details to back it up.

cruizer101 · 20-03-2019 5:00pm

I've a Hub Controller Installed a few months now, I reckon I was lucky and was early on the list. According to them they are doing install when they have a number of people signed up in an area so there is a bit of luck involved.
If you have been waiting try and get some people who live close to sign up.

I think it is great personally. I'm on a single zone system myself and agree would not be great in multi zone system.

In terms of funding they have got some grants as far as I know. There is also a link with UCD so probably some research money.

I did have an issue where it stopped working but to be fair I sent an email at 6:30pm and got a call by 8pm with someone trying to resolve it remotely. They couldn't but arranged for someone to come out two days later to fix the issue (would have come out the next day but I wasn't around).

It probably not the best smart heating controller out there but when its for free its well worth it if it suits you.

Happy to answer any other questions people have about my experience with it.

listermint · 21-03-2019 2:26pm

cruizer101 wrote: »

I've a Hub Controller Installed a few months now, I reckon I was lucky and was early on the list. According to them they are doing install when they have a number of people signed up in an area so there is a bit of luck involved.
If you have been waiting try and get some people who live close to sign up.

I think it is great personally. I'm on a single zone system myself and agree would not be great in multi zone system.

In terms of funding they have got some grants as far as I know. There is also a link with UCD so probably some research money.

I did have an issue where it stopped working but to be fair I sent an email at 6:30pm and got a call by 8pm with someone trying to resolve it remotely. They couldn't but arranged for someone to come out two days later to fix the issue (would have come out the next day but I wasn't around).

It probably not the best smart heating controller out there but when its for free its well worth it if it suits you.

Happy to answer any other questions people have about my experience with it.

Do you know if it works with Google Home ? google Assistant.

i.e can you turn it on or off via google home

cruizer101 · 21-03-2019 2:57pm

listermint wrote: »

Do you know if it works with Google Home ? google Assistant.
i.e can you turn it on or off via google home

Not that I'm aware of. I can't see any indication that it does so probably not.
I tried saying hub controller to my phone and it just googles it, doesn't open app.

Gerard93 · 21-03-2019 6:53pm

I've a Hub Controller Installed a few months now, I reckon I was lucky and was early on the list. According to them they are doing install when they have a number of people signed up in an area so there is a bit of luck involved.
If you have been waiting try and get some people who live close to sign up.

I think it is great personally. I'm on a single zone system myself and agree would not be great in multi zone system.

In terms of funding they have got some grants as far as I know. There is also a link with UCD so probably some research money.

I did have an issue where it stopped working but to be fair I sent an email at 6:30pm and got a call by 8pm with someone trying to resolve it remotely. They couldn't but arranged for someone to come out two days later to fix the issue (would have come out the next day but I wasn't around).

It probably not the best smart heating controller out there but when its for free its well worth it if it suits you.

Happy to answer any other questions people have about my experience with it.

Besides turning Boiler on and off through the app or touchscreen can you control the temperature up or down ?
Any other functionality
My system has only 1 x Zone but has manual TRV on the radiators
I have been approved for it but that was was in January not holding my breath but if I get it will take it !

cruizer101 · 21-03-2019 10:49pm

Here is two screenshots from app so in the first you can set temperature, boost or turn on.
The second let's you set a schedule.
At the moment that's basically all the functionality.
There is a holiday mode also

Gerard93 · 21-03-2019 10:57pm

Here is two screenshots from app so in the first you can set temperature, boost or turn on.
The second let's you set a schedule.
At the moment that's basically all the functionality.
There is a holiday mode also

Thanks for the update Cruizer

Honestfrank01 · 23-03-2019 2:17am

Right folks I have had this for a few days now must say I am happy out compared to the old control I had which was and old crapy clock looking thing. I am sure there is much better systems out there but for it being free and to be able to turn on and off from you phone it ticked boxes for me. Can't fault it plus cosmetics wise it looks 100 times better than what I had. And just hooked up to alexa today works fine too

ted1 · 23-03-2019 9:25am

cruizer101 wrote: »

Here is two screenshots from app so in the first you can set temperature, boost or turn on.
The second let's you set a schedule.
At the moment that's basically all the functionality.
There is a holiday mode also

Is the schedule on or off ? Is it not temperature based?

IJS84 · 08-04-2019 5:44pm

I saw these units for sale in woodies at the weekend, they were selling them for about €200 i think. So the free offer these guys have might not be all that bad depending on what set up you were looking for

Ph3arTh35k1llz · 20-05-2019 2:42pm

Anyone know if the HUB Controller works with a Combi Boiler?
Thanks

The hub controller

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