Mixergy iHP cylinder - is it noisy?

[@mixergyltd6286]

As always thanks for sharing this feedback Tim! Great to see that the garage location isn't affecting the performance 🙌

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

It's been great so far! I'll be showing more of the app/web portal controls in a future video too, so folks can see how easy it is to use.

[@UpsideDownFork]

Best spreadsheets on youtube!

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Darn tootin'!

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Thanks Richard, I do try! Maybe I should do a live streamed spreadsheet video one day...

[@jimmcadam6860]

Hi @TimAndKatsGreenWalk, I’ve just purchased the Mixergy iHP too just about to get it installed in my garage. Did you think about getting the air intake to come from inside the garage rather than external air?

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

@jimmcadam6860 I didn't want to cool down the garage by using up all the warm air in there (which would then pull air in from outside to replace it), so no, my preference was to draw from outside. If your garage is very leaky anyway and not part of the thermal envelope of your house, then it wouldn't make as much difference, but since our garage is part of the house I didn't want to cool it down.

[@barrydonaldson]

I've been following your vids for a while - thanks for them! I've a quick couple of questions for you...I've got a battery system & I'm getting a heat pump installed (mine's air to water). Do you run your heat pump from the battery or from grid only? What sort of kWh draw per day to they use (in the winter). I'm sure you've covered this, but I can't quite remember...

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Take a look at any of my recent solar stats videos and you'll see our monthly heating load over the last year, so that should help give you an idea of typical demand. We tried a new strategy last Winter where we boost the heating overnight during the cheap Go period while the battery charges at the same time, which means that bit comes from the grid (at a cheap rate). We then run from the fully charged battery for as long as we can until it runs out. On all but the coldest days that means we can run the heating using effectively off-peak power, with only a small amount of peak grid power used. I'll find the relevant videos for you, one sec...

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

The original concept for boosting overnight: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2LXinabo92VaK8

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

The result of switching to overnight boosting can be seen from mid Jan onwards in this vid (prior to that we only heated during the day): kzbin.info/www/bejne/laLcpKiio8ponZI

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

My latest stats video, take a look at the A2A values for the Winter to see the heating load: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5a4iaqCZr-Mqtk

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Actually, this stats video from January shows the heating in a bit more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jobJoqWJp9V3is0

[@colingoode3702]

Interesting Tim. I'd be looking at a way to utilize some of that cold discharge air in summer for some free A/C in your kitchen via a diverter damper & bit extra ducting. Just a thought.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

It's really not worth the extra complexity and expense of the more complicated install that would be required. The simpler the install the better, really.

[@paddyeason9677]

I’m thinking the same thing. Given the right part, it should be very simple, and as you say - lovely cool air in the middle of the house in the summer. We need a spreadsheet to tell us how effective that cooling would be for an average sized house in mid summer!

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

@@paddyeason9677 it really isn't worth it. The extra cost of install would never be recouped.

[@paddyeason9677]

@@TimAndKatsGreenWalkbut it’s not always just about the cost, is it? I’m not even sure how one would quantify it, if (as is usual in UK houses) there is no other source of cooling in summer.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

@@paddyeason9677 we have AC (it also runs our heating). The amount of cooling you'd get from the iHP would amount to a few pence per day for a few weeks a year. You also lose efficiency with more complicated ducting, so what you gain with cooling the house you'd lose in lower hot water efficiency throughout the year. You'd also need to deal with a very fast moving jet of cold air coming into your house with some sort of diffuser, which would add more complexity and cost, and further reduce the efficiency. I know it sounds like a good idea on paper but in practical terms it really isn't worth it. The simpler the install the better. Then use proper AC for your cooling, which you can then also use for efficient space heating in the Winter.

[@agilebase]

By any chance to you know if there's a good public forum for owners? I've been running one for a few weeks (good so far) and have lots of questions

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

I don't, I'm afraid, I tend to avoid those sort of forums. You can always get in touch with Mixergy if you have any questions about it, I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

[@Sam-mb1yk]

Does the iHP need a condensate drain?

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Yes, we reused the one that was already there for the old gas boiler.

[@JohnR31415]

The other factor is that heat “lost” inside the thermal envelope of the house isn’t lost… at least not in winter.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

True, although we don't tend to make much use of that in the garage. It'd help keep the batteries a bit warmer, I suppose.

[@JohnR31415]

It’s also not a huge effect since the loss is relatively small in any case.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

@@JohnR31415 indeed. Modern cylinders are pretty good nowadays.

[@jimmcadam6860]

Hi @TimAndKatsGreenWalk, I’ve just purchased the Mixergy iHP too just about to get it installed in my garage. Did you think about getting the air intake to come from inside the garage rather than external air?

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

@jimmcadam6860 I didn't want to cool down the garage by using up all the warm air in there (which would then pull air in from outside to replace it), so no, my preference was to draw from outside. If your garage is very leaky anyway and not part of the thermal envelope of your house, then it wouldn't make as much difference, but since our garage is part of the house I didn't want to cool it down.

[@Glyn001]

👍👍👍

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Cool

[@barriedear5990]

Would this cylinder take the chill off an unheated utility room?

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Quite possibly, it depends how big the utility room is, I guess.

[@devjon123]

For effect I was half expecting you to casually reach for and don a pair of Ear Defenders as you prepared to switch on boost mode 😉

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Haha! Yeah, that would have been overly dramatic! I'm annoyed I didn't think of that now.

[@humphreybradley3060]

Hi Tim sorry to be a pedant but what’s the db value?

[@colingoode3702]

Mixergy Tech data sheet states iHP SPL is 50dBA. No distance stated but I would assume that is at source or at 1m.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

I deliberately avoided mentioning db values because it doesn't mean much to most people, opting to relate it to other similar noise levels instead. But it seems someone else has provided the answer from the data sheet, I hope that answers your question.

[@aidandillon9520]

🙂🙂🙂

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Happy to help.

[@Leo99929]

Yeah, the red lights should be top down. Wouldn't be expensive for them to change that, or have it as a toggle option.

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

I suggested the same thing. Have it as an option in the app, or something. You never know they might add that!

[@TheMiserableMoan]

I’ll show you how loud it is. Proceeds to talk over the noise

[@TimAndKatsGreenWalk]

Thanks for the cryptic passive aggressive feedback, I guess.

[@Sam-mb1yk]

​@@TimAndKatsGreenWalkthe explanations (talking) really helped. Having you compare to common household appliances gave me a clear feel for the noise level 😊