However, it turns out there are significant benefits to this invention, which go well beyond simple convenience. The constant tracking from the device has revealed that the temperature setting of the building’s frost stat had been set far too high. Although the frost stat is meant to help preserve the boiler, being set so high was doing this rather too effectively, and generating excessive and unnecessary heating during down times. As well as helping St Mary’s cut their heating bill, the first generation of this device also has a built-in LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) which helps alerts those monitoring that a light has been left on at an unintended time. The wider implications are manifold and are sure to continue to help keep those energy bills on a downward trend!
St Mary's Rector, Revd John McCabe, says, ‘I'm completely thrilled that St Mary’s has this technology in place - and also excited about the environmental benefits!’
The inventor of this useful monitoring device, Chris, is just pleased that his skills are being put to good use, ‘That’s what it’s about - everyone bringing whatever skillsets they have, in the service of others’. Perhaps, even in this instance, an invention spawned out of generosity (and lockdown) can be of still wider service.