Carrabaun House B&B, Westport

Genius Hub helps Carrabaun House achieve convenient room-by-room heating control and exceptionally low energy costs

Carrabaun House is a five-bedroom bed and breakfast on the Wild Atlantic Way in Westport, County Mayo, with views across Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.

Around ten years ago, owners Angela and Francis Gavin replaced their traditional oil heating system with an integrated energy solution: a Daikin heat pump, solar PV, battery storage and Genius Hub smart heating controls.

In May 2025, Gaia Smart Energy upgraded the original Genius Hub controls, giving the owners a modern, reliable system with continued room-by-room control and remote access.

Moving Away from Manual Oil Heating

Before installing the heat pump and Genius Hub, the heating at Carrabaun House was provided by an oil-fired system with manual controls.

When the owners decided to move away from oil, their plumber recommended Genius Hub. He had first-hand experience of the controls because he used the system in his own home, which was also run as a B&B.

The main attraction was convenience. The owners wanted a heating system that would be easy to manage while giving them precise control over individual guest bedrooms.

Heating Only the Rooms That Need It

Genius Hub is used to control both the hot water cylinder and the heating throughout the property.

Hot water can be heated when required, while individual bedrooms can be brought up to temperature according to bookings and occupancy. This is particularly valuable during the colder months, when heating unoccupied rooms would waste energy.

The owners can manage temperatures and schedules through the Genius Hub app, whether they are at the property or away from it. If a late booking arrives while nobody is at home, the right bedroom can be heated remotely before the guest arrives.

"If I get a late booking and I'm not at home, I can put on the heat from my phone. It's very easy to use and gives me great control."

An Annual Electricity Bill of Just €235

Carrabaun House reports an electricity bill of only €235 for the entire year. This covers the property's heating, hot water and all other electricity use for a five-bedroom B&B.

The combination of a heat pump, solar PV, battery storage and Genius Hub controls helps the property make efficient use of the energy it generates. By heating rooms according to occupancy, Carrabaun House avoids wasting energy on bedrooms that are not in use.

"Our electricity bill for the entire year, for heating, hot water and all other power, is €235 for a 5 bed B&B. Genius Hub's controls are part of helping us achieve these running costs."

Simple to Use and Manage Remotely

The Genius Hub app makes heating management straightforward, even for people who are not comfortable with technology. The owners and staff can monitor the system and manage the heating without complicated controls, and the staff were very happy with it once they got used to it.

"The app is very easy to follow, and I am not familiar with tech."

Upgrading the Original Genius Hub Controls

After around ten years of service, the original Genius Hub equipment had begun to have reliability issues. Some newer replacement parts were not compatible with the older system, which made it difficult for the owner to identify exactly what was needed.

With a full house of guests, any loss of heating or hot water needs an immediate response. The owner contacted Joe McKee at Gaia Smart Energy and explained the situation. Joe attended the property within a few days, restored the system and recommended upgrading the original controls.

The upgrade was completed in May 2025, bringing the system up to date and giving Carrabaun House dependable local support.

"He was very understanding and said that he would be with me within a few days. He was true to his word, got me out of a hole and suggested a system upgrade."

The Results

Following the upgrade, Carrabaun House benefits from:

• Individual control of guest bedrooms
• Remote heating management through the Genius Hub app
• Convenient control of the hot water cylinder
• The ability to respond quickly to late bookings
• Less energy wasted in unoccupied rooms
• Integration with the property's heat pump, solar PV and battery system
• Reliable support from Gaia Smart Energy
• Greater confidence that heating and hot water will be there for guests

Customer's Verdict

The upgraded controls have given the owners renewed confidence in their heating system and removed the worry of managing an older installation.

"The upgraded system is working like a dream, and I can sleep without any worries knowing that Joe is at the other end of the phone whenever I need him. What a relief."

When asked whether Genius Hub had lived up to expectations, the answer was clear:

"I couldn't work without it at this stage. It surpassed all my expectations. I am very happy with the system and would highly recommend it."

Smart Heating Controls for Hotels and B&Bs

Genius Hub lets hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs heat individual rooms according to occupancy instead of heating the whole property. With room-by-room control, scheduling and remote access, owners can keep guests comfortable while cutting energy waste and staying in control from anywhere.

See smart heating for hotels and B&Bs or contact Gaia Smart Energy to discuss a Genius Hub installation or upgrade for your hotel, guesthouse or B&B.

Questions and Answers with the Owner

How did you control your heating before?

We had an oil system with manual controls.

What was your main consideration before purchasing?

Convenience of operation.

How did you hear about Genius Hub?

When we changed from oil to a Daikin system, the plumber mentioned it.

What attracted you to Genius Hub?

The plumber had the system, and his wife ran a B&B.

Why did you choose Genius Hub as the controls package?

Convenience of operation, and the fact that it can be operated on my phone.

How do you use the system?

I use it firstly to heat the hot water cylinder, and secondly to heat individual rooms, particularly in the colder months.

How much can Genius Hub save on your bill?

Our electricity bill for the entire year, for heating, hot water and all other power, is €235 for a 5 bed B&B. Genius Hub's controls are part of helping us achieve these running costs.

Would you recommend Genius Hub?

I am very happy with the system and would highly recommend it.

Have you benefited in any other way?

If I get a late booking and I'm not at home, I can put on the heat from my phone.

What do you like about the system?

It's very easy to use and gives me great control.

What impression have your staff had of Genius Hub?

Very happy once they got used to it.

How have you found using the app?

The app is very easy to follow, and I am not familiar with tech.

Do you have any difficulties with Genius Hub?

No difficulties.

Has Genius Hub cut your energy bills?

Most definitely.

Has Genius Hub lived up to your expectations?

I couldn't work without it at this stage. It surpassed all my expectations.

Any final remarks?

My system was getting old and starting to give trouble. I needed immediate assistance, as I may have had a house full of guests and no hot water. I was desperate to get an engineer in Ireland to assist.

Eventually I made contact with Joe McKee and relayed my situation. He was very understanding and said that he would be with me within a few days. He was true to his word, got me out of a hole and suggested a system upgrade. I was delighted to have someone to assist me and take the pressure away.

The upgraded system is working like a dream, and I can sleep without any worries knowing that Joe is at the other end of the phone whenever I need him. What a relief.

Energy costs and savings will vary depending on occupancy, energy tariffs, building performance, system configuration and renewable energy generation. The €235 annual figure was reported by the customer and reflects the property's complete heat pump, solar PV, battery storage and smart control installation.