Getting the most out of Homely with Smart+

If you’ve switched to a heat pump, then you’re already ahead when it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability. But if you’re on a time-of-use electricity tariff, or thinking about switching to one, there’s an easy way to unlock even more value from your system:

Pair your Homely controller with a Smart+ subscription

In this post we’ll explain why Smart+ is designed specifically for these tariffs, how it works behind the scenes and how it could help you save even more – without sacrificing comfort.

So, what's a time-of-use tariff?

With a time-of-use (ToU) tariff, the price you pay for electricity changes throughout the day. You’ll pay less during off-peak times (e.g. overnight) and more during peak hours (usually late afternoon and early evening).

ToU tariffs supported with Smart+ include:

  • Octopus Agile – prices change every 30 minutes based on wholesale energy costs
  • E.ON Next Pumped – with 3 different price periods for electricity throughout the day
  • EDF Heat Pump Tracker – twice daily discounts and no peak pricing
  • Other smart tariffs – offered by suppliers like Ovo, British Gas and 100Green

 

To really make the most of these tariffs, it’s best to have a smart system which knows when to heat up and when to hold back.

Here's where Homely's Smart+ comes in

Homely’s Smart+ mode is specially designed to take advantage of ToU tariffs. Here’s how:

  • 🔁 Pre-heats your home when electricity is cheap
  • 🕒 Reduces or avoids usage during peak-priced hours
  • 💧Uses off-peak energy to heat your hot water

 

With Smart+, your heat pump works harder when it’s cheaper, and rests when it’s expensive. All fully automated.

Real results: lower bills, smaller carbon footprint​

Independent testing at the Energy House Labs at Salford University showed that teaming Homely with Smart+ and a ToU tariff saved homeowners up to £444 per year on their heat pump bills.

  • Saving money by shifting demand
  • Staying warm thanks to controlled flexibility
  • Reducing grid strain and emissions by avoiding peak hours

Plus, it’s all managed automatically in the Homely app. You stay in control, but the system does the heavy lifting.

Will it work for me?​

You’ll get the biggest benefit from Smart+ if:

✅ You’re on a flexible, dynamic or time-of-use energy tariff

✅ You’re happy to heat your home slightly higher, storing warmth for later use

✅ You want your heat pump to work smarter, not harder

What does it cost?​

Smart+ costs £25 per year and it’s easy to upgrade when you log into your Homely account. If Smart+ is right for you there’s never a bad time to make the switch. Even if you’re not using your heating right now you can use Smart+ to save money on your hot water.

Don’t forget, your heat pump is already efficient. But with Smart+ and the right tariff, it becomes intelligent – heating your home and water in the cheapest, greenest way possible.

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