The Home Energy Management System - Silently Saving You Money

Solar power systems offer a great way to reduce your energy bills at the same time as lowering your home's carbon footprint. That said, they don't automatically work at optimal levels simply by being installed. Instead, you need a home energy management system (HEMS) like the EcoFlow PowerInsight.

In order to truly appreciate what technology like this does, you should try to imagine what would happen without a HEMS in place. To begin with, your home solar system might follow inefficient use patterns, have you using grid power during peak times, or leave you missing out on many of the savings this kind of equipment offers.

In this article, we delve into what energy management systems like these offer and how they help you squeeze out every watt available from your solar panels.

What Exactly is a Home Energy Management System?

Essentially, a home energy management system - or HEMS for short - is a smart technology installed alongside your home solar system. Its purpose is to optimise the energy you use while allowing you to monitor the electricity produced. While giving you an overview of everything your system is doing, it also does its own analysis of the data, automatically adjusting how you use energy for the best effect.

Examples of this technology in action might be opting to store excess energy in the batteries for later use or scheduling your washing machine to activate during peak hours. In addition to this automated function, a HEMS allows for remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app for complete convenience.

All the Elements That a HEMS Can Control

You should think of a home energy management system as the central control panel for your property’s power usage. Whether controlled from your palm or a wall panel, this technology regulates every element of your solar setup - and more. Typically, there are many elements that need to be continuously and automatically adjusted, such as:

  • Your Solar System- Your PV solar system is the most obvious element controlled by your HEMS. When using a hybrid system like the EcoFlow PowerOcean, a choice has to be made as to whether the energy being generated is used immediately, stored for later use or sent back to the grid. Your smart home energy management system triggers the solar inverter to achieve the most appropriate result.
  • Your Heat Pump - As part of your home's heating and cooling, an electrically powered heat pump draws warmth from other parts of your property. Your HEMS can control this equipment, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
  • Your Home's Appliances - As we touched upon a moment ago, your washing machine, dishwasher and other white goods can be controlled by this smart hardware, switching them on at times of the day when electricity rates are lower.
  • Your Electric Car - If you're lucky enough to own an electric vehicle (EV), you'll understand the costs involved in running it. Your smart home energy management system can be linked to your EV so that charging occurs at the most cost-effective moment.
  • Your Smart Meter - Your HEMS is connected to your smart meter to give you a real-time view of exactly what your system is producing and what you're using. No matter what time of day it is, this functionality gives you the information you need to make manual adjustments if necessary.

Energy management systems like these can literally mean the difference between a poorly functioning home solar system and one that works optimally. However, the benefits don’t end there, as you'll discover by reading on.

The Wider Benefits of a Home Energy Management System

Simply having a solar home system installed at your property offers advantages over and above national grid users, but when a HEMS is paired with the technology, there are a multitude of benefits that can be enjoyed.

  • Improved Energy Independence: A building energy management system gives homeowners improved control over how they use their energy. This reinforces the resilience solar energy users get against price hikes and grid outages.
  • Even Lower Energy Bills: Solar energy systems can lower your electricity bills by as much as 30%, 40% or even 70% in some cases. However, a smart management device can lower your bills even more by constantly monitoring your consumption.
  • A Greener Household: A welcome side effect of optimal energy usage is a greener and more carbon-neutral home. A HEMS helps reduce your emissions and your property's impact on the environment.
  • Precise Control: You can't overstate the value of convenience and control, and being able to adjust everything in real-time via a mobile app puts the power of your home in your pocket.

When installing these kinds of energy management systems, UK homeowners can enjoy complete control over their home's power. In fact, why would you invest so much money in a home solar energy system and not include a HEMS? It just doesn’t make financial sense.

What's Involved in Having a HEMS Installed?

So, if you've decided to invest in a home energy management system, what's involved? Whether you have an existing home solar system in situ or not, the first step is to have a comprehensive assessment of your home's energy needs. Naturally, if you're starting from scratch, there's quite a bit more involved.

If a complete system needs to be set up, the right components will need to be chosen and installed, such as solar panels, inverters and batteries. These are selected based on aspects like desired energy production, efficiency ratings, and of course, compatibility with HEMS platforms.

Wiring & Configuration

The next step is for a suitably qualified professional to actually integrate your smart home energy management system into your existing or new solar setup. This involves intricate wiring and subsequent configuration and calibration so that it's able to accurately monitor your home.

You’ll get some training on how to properly use your HEMS from your installer, as well as a detailed manual that talks you through all the functions. Also included in this literature are some tips on maintenance, which usually just means regular cleaning and checking for debris.

How to Use Your EcoFlow PowerInsight HEMS

Devices like the EcoFlow PowerInsight are designed to make controlling your home solar energy system nice and easy - even if you're new to the technology. Your installer will usually place it near the main power source in your home and close the electrical panel. Then, it's a simple matter of connecting it to your Wi-Fi network.

This will connect your main panel. If you'd also like to access it with your smartphone, you'll need to download the EcoFlow app. It's a simple process that only takes a few minutes, meaning you'll soon be in possession of all the important info.

Setting Your Energy-Saving Goals

Once you're connected, you'll not only be able to see all of your home's energy performance data but also set your energy-saving goals. This is a key step, as when you exceed your chosen parameters, you'll get alerts sent straight to your handset.

As you become more accustomed to using this functionality, you can access more advanced features such as energy forecasting. Also, by closely monitoring your usage, you'll also gain a good feel for peak and off-peak times, allowing you to make finer optimisations.

Enjoying the Advantages of a Home Energy Management System

If you're someone with an existing home solar system or you're thinking of investing in one, an energy management system like the PowerInsight is a must-have. That's because the insight and control they provide are essential in ensuring that you get the best possible value from the investment you make.

Of course, it's a complex subject, but the EcoFlow team is here to help you make the right decisions in the equipment you invest in, so that you can enjoy all the advantages we’ve spoken about here. From reducing your carbon footprint to gaining energy independence, it’s little wonder why so many are choosing to switch to renewables like solar.

To find out more about benefitting from this energy-saving hardware at your property or to get a tailored quote, visit our website Homebattery.ecoflow.com/uk today. There you’ll find everything you need to know, as well as the 'Order Now’ link, which will put you in touch with our expert team. We very much look forward to hearing from you and discussing your requirements.