Inside The EV Puzzle: Using Mixergy and Solar PV to Boost Home Energy Efficiency

November 7, 2024

Meet Nigel, the creator behind The EV Puzzle, a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring the latest in green home energy solutions. Known for his deep dives into green home tech, Nigel is passionate about making energy-efficient technology easier to understand.

After maximising his energy capture with solar PV panels on the exterior of his house, Nigel turns to the inside of his home to make sure he is using this energy efficiently. The Mixergy X smart hot water cylinder was an obvious choice to use as his smart hot water solution. 

Why does Mixergy work for Nigel? 

Mixergy isn’t anything like your average hot water cylinder. Unlike traditional cylinders, which heat the whole volume of water, the Mixergy system heats water from the top down. This method allows users to heat only the water they need saving energy, and money. It also integrates seamlessly with solar PV panels and electric heating methods.  

In Nigel’s setup, the Mixergy water cylinder works in perfect harmony with his solar PV panels. When the sun is shining and Nigel is creating more energy than he needs, he can heat his Mixergy cylinder up to 100% and store the hot water for when he needs it. When Nigel is not creating excess energy, he can heat only the hot water he needs (not the whole cylinder), which again saves on energy and bills. 

How Mixergy works with Solar PV  

Nigel’s hot water Energy Efficiency  

The chart below shows Nigel’s hot water energy consumption. The left hand side of the chart provides us with a view of Nigel’s old water cylinder, the right hand side shows the consumption after a Mixergy Cylinder was installed. As we can see, after the installation of a Mixergy smart hot water cylinder the amount of energy (kWh) that Nigel is using has been significantly reduced.  

Maximising home energy efficiency: A graph showing how the introduction of a Mixergy smart hot water cylinder significantly reduced home energy use (kWh).  

Nigel’s experience with Mixergy highlights why so many homeowners are switching to smart water heating. The cylinder’s compatibility with renewable energy sources, user-friendly controls, and energy saving capabilities set it apart in the world of decarbonisation. For Nigel, this isn’t just a way to save on bills, it’s a step toward a greener, more energy efficient future.  

After two years, I can confidently say that the Mixergy cylinder has been a game-changer. It’s cut down my energy usage significantly, and being able to sync it with my solar panels means I’m getting the most out of the energy I generate” 

Nigel, The EV Puzzle

Conclusion  

Nigel’s journey with the Mixergy water cylinder showcases the potential of smart home technology to revolutionize energy usage. By integrating his Mixergy cylinder with solar PV panels, he’s able to maximise his renewable energy capture, reduce waste, and lower his energy bills, all while maintaining a steady supply of hot water.