Loop Energy Saver Gas Monitor

I took advantage of the introductory price although we're only using gas for hot water at the mo.It would help if Navetas made it clear whether you must calibrate while setting up (i.e. put your heating on for half an hour), or whether you can simply wait until the boiler comes on in the normal course of events. Our boiler will usually fire up for at least half an hour first thing in the morning for example.Either way, it's too early for a thorough review but the gas monitor does look promising.Be aware, you will need to have the Navetas electricity monitor installed.You then need to fix a small sensor on the outside of your meter (it won't work on electronic meters), input your current meter reading in My Devices and run your heating half an hour.The installation is a bit more fiddly than the electricity monitor. It works by "watching" your numbers or dials rotate. A small photoelectric sensor sticks into a see-through plate that sticks onto the glass over the right place on your gas meter. (The Loop comes with 4 stick-on "templates" for different meter layouts, a cleaning pad, and a sensor connected to a transmitter which is similar to the electricity monitor. Detailed instructions are given on your Loop web page.)Here's a tip... when you're planning to stick the template and the sensor on your meter think about where the cable will go. Mine goes right in front of the main reading which I would have avoided if I'd thought of it. I'm not sure how unstickable or re-stickable these parts are.One benefit of this approach is that your meter reading (in My Devices) updates in step with your actual gas meter. So your gas reading is available online. You can't do this with the electricity readings. I can't say how accurate this will be over time, I'll add a note later.Gas is probably your biggest energy expense, it certainly is ours, so this monitor is very welcome. It has already been useful in showing where the peak usage is, and how high, at different times of day. Our gas timer allows 3 different slots in each 24 hour cycle so I'll be able to fine tune them to avoid heating water we won't use.I still have some reservations about the Loop software. The app has limited information and both the app and web pages log you out in between visits (there's no "remember me" function). The web site has the basic information I need but could be improved. The gas chart is shown as a comparison with electricity, so you can see your usage of both together. You can compare different electricity periods for example (Explore, electricity usage against myself) or compare electricity usage against others with a similar profile. You can't currently do either with gas.My gas charts also show small ghost blips of gas use when my timer is off, which means I didn't quite get the sensor in the right place or I'm losing some gas overnight. This should show up in the meter readings over time, if it's an artefact.So, overall, so far... no hesitation in giving 4 stars. There are differences in the way the gas and electricity monitors work, each has features the other doesn't. Hopefully some software improvements will be made but in the mean time the gas monitor is proving to be a useful addition.EDIT: comment on the "blips" after one month.I've now had about a month's use and the Loop monitor is recording slightly more gas usage than the meter, so it looks like the monitor is over-recording. The blips don't seem to follow any pattern, so I guess they are false signals from some part of the system, and I guess the blips show the extra readings.That said, the blips are tiny overall and the monitor is still giving useful information about peaks and gas use. I should add that my meter dial is a rotating needle type and tumbler digits will work differently.ANOTHER EDIT: about the blipsI have investigated these at some length and they are definitely caused by my boiler firing up for a few minutes when it's off. Separately I have had most of my GCH system replaced and they still happen. It's a mystery. The Loop is still going strong and worth every penny. I rather dread getting a compulsory "smart meter" which I fear won't be nearly as useful.

Product failed after a couple of years, replacement purchased did t work, customer services in attempting to fix broke the electric reader and then took off for a long weekend, apparently replacing devices necessitates “a complicated manual fix” that takes days. There are better products out there that work properly, avoid this dated legacy product.

Amazing product. It is so hard to keep control of energy and this device does it perfectly AND FOR GAS! Until energy meters come in (which is a long way away) this is perfect DIY solution. Does not require the services to be turned of etc.

Fantastic money well spent very easy to set up works really well thank you would recommend

I've found the set of this and the Loop electricity monitor to be invaluable. After several months I still check these almost daily - they've really helped me to identify and reduce wastage and save costs.

Brilliant value for money gas & electricity monitors. I can't rate these products highly enough. Simple to install and very useful and informative web monitor.The only downside is that it is a software only monitor i.e. there is no in room display device which some people prefer. it will run on ansmartphone

Excellent monitor or gas usage. Well designed website shows current usage rates and costs. I hope to get the purchase price back over the next winter.

Very handy way to monitor your energy use and far less intrusive compared to a Smart Meter!