5 practical examples: where predictive control (MPC) + Shelly save the most at home

Introduction

Predictive control (MPC) and Shelly devices can sound abstract until you see them in everyday scenarios. Here are five practical use cases where smart control typically provides the most value.

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1. Water heater — the home’s “hidden battery”

A water heater is one of the best targets for flexibility:

• it stores energy as hot water
• small temperature variation is usually fine as long as you don’t run out of hot water
• annual consumption is often hundreds or thousands of kWh

Predictive control (MPC) + Shelly:

• predicts demand (mornings, evenings)
• heats mostly during cheap hours
• keeps temperature above your minimum comfort limit

In practice:

• the electricity bill drops
• consumption matches cleaner production more often
• control reduces unnecessary on/off cycling

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2. Underfloor heating and electric radiators — comfort without overheating

In many homes, underfloor heating or electric radiators are:

• set “a bit too warm” for safety
• slow to react to outdoor temperature changes

Predictive control (MPC) can anticipate:

• weather forecast changes
• how “slow” the building is to heat up and cool down (thermal inertia)
• market price changes

Shelly control can:

• keep indoor temperature within the comfort band
• reduce unnecessary overheating
• shift heating to cheap hours when it makes physical sense

Result:

• more stable temperature
• less waste
• clear savings especially in electric-heated homes

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3. Electric sauna — a smarter Friday routine

An electric sauna uses a lot of power in a short time:

• 6–9 kW during heating
• if it hits the evening peak, it increases both your own peak and grid stress

Predictive control (MPC) + Shelly can:

• pre-heat earlier during cheaper hours (if the desired time is known)
• limit peak power by spreading load
• avoid running the water heater, EV charging and other big loads simultaneously

For you:

• the sauna is hot when you want it
• the main fuse doesn’t trip
• your peak demand is lower

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4. EV charging — cheapest and cleanest electricity into the battery

EV charging is naturally flexible:

• the battery has large capacity
• the car is parked for long periods (overnight)

Predictive control (MPC) + Shelly enable:

• you only specify the target time and state of charge
• the system chooses the best hours for cost/emissions
• charging power is limited if other loads are running

This often provides:

• clear annual savings
• significant emission benefits when charging shifts to windy/solar-rich hours

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5. Other large loads — dryer, space heaters, etc.

Even scattered high-power devices can be worth controlling:

• dryer / drying cabinet
• portable heaters
• pool or hot tub heating (if applicable)

Shelly plugs/relays can:

• bring them under smart control
• prioritize operation during cheap hours when timing is not critical

Examples:

• run laundry overnight with cheap power
• maintain pool temperature flexibly without large swings

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Summary: start with one device

You don’t need to automate everything at once. A good order is often:

1. Water heater — biggest and easiest target.
2. Underfloor heating / radiators — comfort and savings balance.
3. EV charging — large and naturally flexible.
4. Sauna and other loads — refinement.

Predictive control (MPC) optimizes in the background and Shelly executes. You simply see a lower bill and more controlled consumption.