Hot water cylinder automation and remote control

Hello,

Due to work, I travel a lot and stay away from home for 2-3 weeks in some cases.

I would like to have a solution that can help me do 2 things:

Allow me to activate my water heater while I am away (eg just landed at the airport), so that by the time I am back home, I can have hot water waiting for me.

Allow me to program my water heater using Hubitat and not the in wall hardware.

I was wondering if someone is familar with this model and how to go about this.

I am in the UK and my place uses this for hot water:

Direct 20 RD OSO Unvented Water Heater (switches have 13A fuses).



Many thanks!

What is required for you to activate it? If it involves pushing those switches maybe a switchbot would work? SwitchBot Bot | Smart Switch Pusher, Automated Button Pushing – SwitchBot US (They do have a EU page but it is forcing me to the US one so I cannot see what they have for EU).

I think there is a user created integration for Hubitat, you may need the switchbot hub for it to work.

If you have to do something with that time clock I have no idea.

In the alternative, there are a small number of conversion kits that will allow you to create a smart interface to a traditional water heater. Is your tank gas or electric? Or hybrid?

It is activated by a program set up in that clock time programming unit unfortunately.

The boost is when I manually allow ask it to heat water, but even that is control by pressing the boost button on the programming unit (1/2 hr increments). The fused switch is to on/off for the option of using the boost and the boost is the activator.

@mluk - what would be these conversation kits? My tank is fully electric. Building does not have Gas option :frowning:

I use a Rheem EcoNet hybrid with a community integration. For someone who can’t change their hot water heater, here are the options I’m aware of.

  • Sinope but for electric only
  • Aquanta - don’t know much
  • A simple solution, but for gas, is here. You’d use a smart outlet to activate.

Then there are many that are specific to the boiler make and model.

What is the reason for turning it off while away? To save on energy costs? Modern water heaters are very efficient and aren't going to use a lot of electricity/gas to maintain temperature while you're away.

On the other hand, lukewarm temperatures are a breeding ground for bacteria unless you are fully draining the tank after turning it off. I don't think the marginal cost savings of turning off the water tank while you're away is worth the risk of Legionnaires disease. You would need to bring the water tank water to boiling and flush the system a couple times before using the hot water, eliminating/minimizing the cost savings.

Thank you mluck. They look interesting but the 1st two dont appear to support Europe.

wd5008 - It is a good and valid point. The issue is that a few times a quarter, I can take a 2-3 weeks business trip and then when I come back, I have to wait for a long time. But if I were to activate the heater prior to boarding the plane and 5 hrs later I can be at home at boiled water, I find this an attractive proposition.

Unfortunately, the water tank is I believe 15 years old or thereabout... So it is not the epitome of efficiency...

Switchbot or another robot-finger looks right to me. I can't tell from your explanation, if one or two switches are required - looks like two.

I would not count on remotely changing setpoint, if you are happy with the normal operating temperature.

Does anyone ever replace the anode? That will override all other concerns.

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