[OpenTRV-interest] Evohome like system

Tue Feb 3 10:41:01 GMT 2015

Hi,

Sorry for the delayed response, I have been out of commission for a few days and I am not really back with it yet…

A problem with (say) a 7-day cycle is that it may take a multiple of that to ‘learn’ or to relearn if you move it to another room or have guest or (as suggested elsewhere on this thread) a holiday such as Christmas or sick days.

And 365 days even more so and getting very difficult to accommodate in the memory of a typical MCU.  Never mind accounting for leap years, etc!

I think that the valve can reasonably learn (and does for us) the common elements of a daily cycle over a week (effectively weighting week/weekend patterns) and any further smartness should be provided by overrides (learned, or manual for example) via a hub and/or Web interface.  The storage at that point is indeed trivial.

Yes, there is no need to send your occupancy data to the NSA, GCHQ, etc via your favourite cloud service provider: all this can be done locally.

(There *is* an advantage in pulling in ‘predictive’ data such as holiday calendars and weather forecasts to help the system act pro-actively rather than reactively: I already do a tiny bit of this in one of my non-heating systems.)

Rgds

Damon

> On 30 Jan 2015, at 10:58, Nigel <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN> wrote:
> 
> Totally off-topic, but there was an experiment in Edinburgh many years ago where they used the Uni supercomputer to model the traffic flow in real time. This controlled the traffic lights. For the four weeks of the experiment there were no jams. Then it all went back to normal, & the jams returned. 
> 
> Yes, a learning system with a 7 day cycle would be quite neat. However, it would get confused every bank holiday, need overridden, & then need overridden again the next week. A sick day or a holiday likewise. 
> 
> There is little overhead going for a 365 day memory vs a 7 day one these days. It is what you can gain in insight from the data that is the hard part. 
> 
> I'd like to be able to simply scan a QR code, NFC or whatever as I leave the house, that would tell the system I've gone out. Or wire it to the house alarm - it has extra outputs - so it can tell the place is empty. Then I can have a second scan at the office so as I leave the heating at home kicks on for my return. 
> 
> Obviously some will want to do a GPS geo fence, others will want a webpage or app.
> 
> What I don't want is for all this data to be streaming to Amazon or Google - I'll process it at home thanks. 
> 
> N
> 
> Sent from mobile
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Chris Skerry <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN>
> Date:30/01/2015 09:47 (GMT+00:00)
> To: "Open, non-developer list for interested parties" <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN>
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [OpenTRV-interest] Evohome like system
> 
> Damon,
> 
> I don’t know what I am talking about, but your '10% if ignored and 50% if utilised', gave me a thought.
> 
> Why not develop a learning system?  Most people have a 7 day cycle of heating need.  Even retired old geezers like me behave differently on Sat/Sunday.  Most day’s activity will be a repeat of the day before.  The computer can tweak the zones/temperature/timing according to a 365 day calendar, the older the system gets the more accurate will be its predictions.  You will need a sensor to record when people move into a zone.
> 
> A brilliant little iPhone App will enable the user to help the programme learn too.
> 
> There is a roundabout near me with lights.  It has a learning system with a 365 day calendar that varies the lights timing according to what it has learned.  I still hate the lights, but it is much better than it was.
> 
> Regards,………Chris
> 
> 
> > On 30 Jan 2015, at 08:55, Damon Hart-Davis <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN> wrote:
> > 
> > Hi
> > 
> > OpenTRV is about zoned occupancy-sensitive space heating that can give up to 50% energy savings if fully interacted with, and ~10% if you ignore it!
> > 
> > The current engineering ‘split’ solution uses a hand-held controller third-party valve driver; our all-in-one solution going through production engineering right now has our own mechanics also.
> > 
> > In either case these can operate stand-alone, or also control the boiler to maximise savings.
> > 
> > If you want to use the engineering ‘split’ solution based on the REV2 board then I can sell you one of those at cost and point you to the Conrad Web site for the matching valve controller.
> > 
> > There are other possibilities, but not instantly available.
> > 
> > Rgds
> > 
> > Damon
> > 
> > 
> >> On 29 Jan 2015, at 18:14, Perry Ismangil <EMAIL ADDRESS HIDDEN> wrote:
> >> 
> >> Hi all,
> >> 
> >> I was looking to see whether I can build an evohome like system but more open.
> >> 
> >> Is this what OpenTRV all about?
> >> 
> >> It seems, CMIIW, this is the controller only, and the TRVs are already out there (not needing manufactured)?
> >> 
> >> If I want to make an experiment now, which TRV is recommended?
> >> 
> >> -- 
> >> Perry Ismangil
> >> me.ismangil.com
> >> 
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