thehog2
16 Jan 2017
Re: Gossip update Update as promised.My FBA called around on Friday as agreed. One hour later than planned, but given weather conditions, and Friday afternoon London traffic, that is hardly surprising. Their office did call me with an updated time which proved to be just 10mins wrong.The guy who came was great. He was chosen out of the three available guys as he had actually worked on sites with hot water producing AGAs before, and he wasn't phased by my plans for alterations. For comparison, the normal default position when asking companies like BG to quote, is to be quoted a ridiculous sum so you do not actually order.Because my home is far from standard we agreed what parts I would undertake to assist. For example, the existing central heating pump is under the family bathroom floor. This will need a break out pipe fitted to remove it, as the pump on any new boiler is part of the boiler. The floor is a 3/4" painted pine floor laid over the original floor. I could hardly expect a plumber to know it's location or how to dismantle the floor without damage, and it would be for me to expose it so they can work.All the measurements needed for the heat loss calculation were taken and by now would be back at his firm. Apparently they do the calculations then send them to Flow with a bill of other works needed,who then revert to the client. I have already had two courtesy calls from Flow and await figures.As we know, this boiler produces 14kwh, so ideally no installation should take place that fails to leave a margin of error. This calculation has to ignore all the other sources of heat, for the obvious reason that they may not be available. So obviously I have to wait and see how the figures stack up. I have already taken up with the company the impression given on their website that it is suitable 'larger 4/5 bedroom properties' as the term is meaningless as many 5 bed houses built in the last few years are actually smaller than older 3 bed ones. I'm told the website is currently being revised, so will look at the new one with interest.Siting. I would ideally have like the new boiler fitted inside the existing boiler cupboard in the kitchen. Physically this would be doable, but a tight squeeze. However the engineer told me that it would be too noisy for us if sited there. Our kitchen has very quiet appliances and it is actually possible to hear the grandfather clock ticking in the sitting room, so he probably has a point.The website states:"Is the Flow boiler noisy?Most modern boilers are relatively quiet. The Flow boiler is no exception although it does produce slightly more noise than a standard boiler due to the process involved in generating electricity."It does not actually state the noise level in decibels, so I have to be guided by the engineer. In my case the solution would be obvious, if we go ahead it would be sited in a boiler housing outside, where I would in any case have sited the air sourced heat pump that is part of the Hybid package. I suspect that for those planning to fit the unit inside an airing cupboard the problem would not even arise, but worth an ask if your getting a survey.I'm still awaiting confirmation of the package that would be offered with the Hybrid so cant compare directly. But it looks like, if fitting a Flow boiler, I would be looking at circa £2k fitting, including new tank etc. So after receiving the £4,800 energy rebate, the the net cost should be in that region. The Daikin heat pump package that is the basis of the Hybid costs around £6500 on line. So assuming the same sort of installation cost and rebate it's easy to guess at the net cost, but it is only a guess.Of course, if all the mucking about, and costs, negates the installation of either the Flow or the Hybrid we could always fall back on a Eco RF, with it's minimal installation costs and guaranteed reliability. To quote the website again: "We’re talking jaw-dropping reliability, ultr
PIE-EATER
16 Jan 2017
Well.... Unfortunately it's hit the low of 6p - 6.5p I suggested recently, but I can't particularly see why really after having had a bit of a bounce and stabilisation.Looking forward to thehog2 coming back with details of the assessment made on Friday re the boiler options.PE
IB Investor
13 Jan 2017
supplier Last switch i made was to flow - been good after 4 months - no problems - have any other shareholders done the same thing?
shadow22
13 Jan 2017
Re: Flow The Energy Supplier Does seem seriously undervalued on energy side alone but I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see, at the very least, energy customer stability though customer growth is very definitely needed for the share to move up. They do seem to have a nice business model but FIT/Decc issue in regard to theMchp boiler seems to be hanging on indefinitely. Again, some sort of statement would be good.
nickimo1
13 Jan 2017
Flow The Energy Supplier It seems to me that much focus was put on the boiler market 2015 and early 2016 but this has now changed and it looks like Flow are primarily an energy supplier. The update in November 2016 stating that they are achieving over £127 million revenue in annualised sales is particularly encouraging.May be nothing, but I noticed if you download the spreadsheet list of all companies from the LSE website, Flowgroup is categorised as "Electronic & Electrical Equipment" this seems somewhat out of date, perhaps it keeps them off the radar for some investors?With the growth in revenues from energy supply, I would expect the profit after tax to show a much improved position in the next results release.
shadow22
11 Jan 2017
Re: Gossip update Interested to know how it goes. Thanks.
thehog2
11 Jan 2017
Re: Gossip update "Is your preference the hybrid still?"The answer to that is, I'm afraid, yes and no. My house has a mixed heating system, a 43 year old gas central heating boiler used for background warmth when needed, an AGA, plus coal and wood burning fires/stoves. So not a typical house.Initially my interest was solely in mchp (c8yrs waiting), as I believed they made good sense, and that if every new house/flat had been equipped with that sort of device, it would have made the need for building of new power stations rather less urgent. The FIT would of course be a bonus.Over the intervening years, air sourced heat pumps have made considerable advances. The reason I do not have one currently, is the problems of mating it to the central heating system. Frankly most on the market are really best used for underfloor heating which is not practical in my home. Nor do I care for it.Flows hybrid has the big advantage of coming mated to a gas boiler and the technology to auto switch between fuels based on the cheapest at that moment. This qualifies for the RHI which is actually going up this year, so an obvious bonus.Heat pumps are also ideal for background warmth and are suitable for constant low temp running as opposed to the way most homes use gas boilers, ie on or off.The cons are Flow still haven't published the package costs, (for example will they pass on the full value of the RHI?), and I have no idea what their FBA, (God I hate that name, it makes me cringe like 'personal banking advisor') will want for the installation as some radiators will need changing as they don't have a suitable surface area for heat pump use and possibly the tank.Let us see what I learn as an investor/potential client.TH2
shadow22
09 Jan 2017
Re: Gossip update Hopefully you can get some useful info on the mchp. Is your preference the hybrid still?
thehog2
08 Jan 2017
Re: Gossip update Friday 13th, not perhaps the best choice of dates, but that is the day my FBA is coming to discuss the Hybrid and the Flow boiler.Will report back on what happens.TH2
46Gillingham
03 Jan 2017
Re: Future Time will tell
shadow22
03 Jan 2017
Re: Future Pretty categorical about no fund raise however at last results because of energy account revenues.
46Gillingham
03 Jan 2017
Re: Future Look at my link on the BB just below yours" FLOW defends by saying it doesn’t have to be the cheapest due to increasing brand awareness and its award-winning customer service. The company expects to be operationally profitable in 2017; however, the analysts’ projections indicate net-profits to remain elusive at least up to 2019."This company has a large cash burn rate so expect additional funding....I'm now out as I also think 2016 losses will be very big again followed by a funding....I will be back in however not at 8p
shadow22
01 Jan 2017
Future Tempted to buy at current prices. Would like to see upward movement on both supply customers and Intergas installs though. Any views?
marcher
11 Dec 2016
Re: Will Flow Survive - Link I'm currently signed up with Flow Energy Connect 6 and just out of interest went to The Big Deal website to see how the latest tariffs compared.Flow was joint cheapest along with Avro Energy (not available in my area). Octopus Energy was slightly higher (this was on a special 12month promotion by The Big Deal).My small Flow holding is running at a slight loss that is more than offset by my energy bill savings!I just hope that the Government will maintain the generous FITs and Flow can make a success of their low pricing strategy!
46Gillingham
06 Dec 2016
Will Flow Survive - Link [link]
