If European-Russian relations sour, the fossil fuel supply can be cut off and you’re just fucked by that.
If European-Chinese relations sour, the Chinese can cut off supply of new heat pumps, but all your existing heat pumps will still be there and will still work.
Losing fossil fuel supply is an immediate and urgent problem; losing heat pump supply is a much less pressing issue and leaves you much more time to spin up alternate supply lines.
In every heat pump I’ve ever seen, internet connectivity is optional.
And even if you did connect it and the Chinese server told the thing to shut off … I’m betting it’s nothing a decent appliance/electronics technician couldn’t undo by resetting the board. Or, in the very worst case scenario, the heat pumps would require replacement logic boards, but all the actual heating/cooling hardware could still be used once that board was replaced.
Why do people connect their home security, thermostats, or refrigerators to the internet? Because they’re designed, first and foremost, as data collectors. Users discover after the fact that they don’t actually own anything, and the company hides behind software licenses to maintain their control.
the Chinese can cut off supply of new heat pumps, but all your existing heat pumps will still be there and will still work.
No. As someone already said, a remote control with the data on servers in China is apparently a bad idea. In addition, Europe must produce the pumps and its components on the continent where we have better labour rights and social welfare systems. We don’t need cheap products made by slave labour with intransparent supply chains under a dictatorial regime.
There is a bit of a difference there, though.
If European-Russian relations sour, the fossil fuel supply can be cut off and you’re just fucked by that.
If European-Chinese relations sour, the Chinese can cut off supply of new heat pumps, but all your existing heat pumps will still be there and will still work.
Losing fossil fuel supply is an immediate and urgent problem; losing heat pump supply is a much less pressing issue and leaves you much more time to spin up alternate supply lines.
Well, if the said heat pumps are connected to chinese servers over the internet so they can be remotely controlled…
In every heat pump I’ve ever seen, internet connectivity is optional.
And even if you did connect it and the Chinese server told the thing to shut off … I’m betting it’s nothing a decent appliance/electronics technician couldn’t undo by resetting the board. Or, in the very worst case scenario, the heat pumps would require replacement logic boards, but all the actual heating/cooling hardware could still be used once that board was replaced.
Why would you connect your heat pump to the internet
Why do people connect their home security, thermostats, or refrigerators to the internet? Because they’re designed, first and foremost, as data collectors. Users discover after the fact that they don’t actually own anything, and the company hides behind software licenses to maintain their control.
Likely so you can control it when you’re away from home.
No. As someone already said, a remote control with the data on servers in China is apparently a bad idea. In addition, Europe must produce the pumps and its components on the continent where we have better labour rights and social welfare systems. We don’t need cheap products made by slave labour with intransparent supply chains under a dictatorial regime.
@calavera@lemmy.zip
Goodluck setting up an afordable heat pump production line after years of outsourcing