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Posts
23704 -
Joined
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Days Won
198
Everything posted by SteamyTea
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I have lost the plot about what is going on here.
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What is going to hold your shelves up?
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Starting a 40 year old generator, not ran for 20 years.
SteamyTea replied to ProDave's topic in Boffin's Corner
Squirt with penetrating oil and put back in the shed till 2030. -
Combining an air-water heat pump and solar thermal
SteamyTea replied to Garald's topic in Solar Thermal (ST)
I think they should all be called thermal energy stores, even my storage heaters. Then sub dive them into vented, unvented, direct and indirect. Then the number if coils classed surface area. -
As you will be wanting to sell it once you have done with it, anything that makes it look good, and can be packed up inside it i.e. decking, skirt, EWI, cheap A2AHP should add value.
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Combining an air-water heat pump and solar thermal
SteamyTea replied to Garald's topic in Solar Thermal (ST)
I think that is okay. It is all about overall energy storage and modes of failure. While the water in either a pressurised, or vented system contains the same energy, a pressure vessel fails much more rapidly, seconds rather than months usually. This allows a much greater power delivery. Isn't a vented cylinder with isolation coils a thermal store. Or do you mean an old system boiler type cylinder, the ones with the coil in the base and an immersion element at the top. -
Combining an air-water heat pump and solar thermal
SteamyTea replied to Garald's topic in Solar Thermal (ST)
If it is a pressurised system you need G3 signoff. -
Armature looking for advice hot water options
SteamyTea replied to Calw's topic in Introduce Yourself
Start looking at parasitic loads i.e. old gear on standby, most new stuff is pretty low these days. You are aware of the health risks associated with the poorer internal air quality of timber and coal burning? -
MC quoting high for add-ons
SteamyTea replied to bmj1's topic in General Self Build & DIY Discussion
Too true, some may just totally pointless. -
Armature looking for advice hot water options
SteamyTea replied to Calw's topic in Introduce Yourself
That is not excessive. Your DHW usages seems very reasonable, how many in the house? Space heating is the real challenge, so realistically an ASHP is the way to go. That means getting the building to a better thermal specification. You have 4 months to improve airtightness, insulation and general maintenance. Then take a financial hit on this winters electrical usage, but record usage (get an energy data logger). It is better to spend a £1000 on one winter's usage than an extra £5000 on an incorrectly sized ASHP. Stored hot water usage is really down to three things, the same three things that affect a house. Reduce losses, don't overheat and only heat what is needed. There is no need to store water greater than 48°C, this reduces losses right away, add extra insulation around the cylinder (fill the airing cupboard up with it), and reduce usage if you can, so shorter showers, less baths. Economy 7, or one of the derivatives is an alternative, along with storage heaters. This will require extra wiring, which will be as messy as plumbing, and like a radiator system, you end up with 'boxes' in the rooms. Modern storage heaters are pretty good, they take a bit of getting used to, but work as well as any other system. Main thing is to reduce losses, don't be afraid to post up dimensions/sketches of the house. I am 'all electric' and my current daily usage, over the last 2 full weeks, has been 3.5 kWh/day. DHW is usage (with a bit of washing machine use) is 2.8 kWh/day. There is just me in the house. -
Welcome @Adsibob is the expert at London renovations, he has just about had everything go wrong. Make sure you get on with neighbours, and builders stay solvent. Not to mention getting wine fridges.
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Reducing Energy Bills - How goes it?
SteamyTea replied to Ferdinand's topic in General Self Build & DIY Discussion
Read some of it, and yes, fun describes it nicely. -
We should have installed air conditioning… now what?
SteamyTea replied to Adsibob's topic in Other Heating Systems
I agree, or is that disagree. I had a boss once that liked his office at about 15°C. The production area was at 24°C as it was a temperature dependant curing process. He used to complain about the heating costs. The halving of production would have cost more, and we burned waste timber in the Talbot, that saved in disposal costs. He was just a nob. -
We should have installed air conditioning… now what?
SteamyTea replied to Adsibob's topic in Other Heating Systems
I grew up in the Far East, South of France and the West Indies. I hate the cold. 26°C indoors still requires a jumper. Humidity can make you feel subjectively hotter or colder, depends how much you are perspiring. Being in direct sunlight or no makes a difference as well. If you need air movement, get a fan. -
How does your garden grow?
SteamyTea replied to recoveringbuilder's topic in Landscaping, Decking & Patios
200 m up a hill where I am. North winds are killers. -
How does your garden grow?
SteamyTea replied to recoveringbuilder's topic in Landscaping, Decking & Patios
Nought wrong with that. -
Rookies diving into the passive house deep end
SteamyTea replied to Jake Smith's topic in Introduce Yourself
While I agree with all that, especially when you take the difference in the number of charge/discharge cycles into account, battery storage is useful when it comes to lighting and cooking. There is also the overriding issue of CO2e emissions , of the grid demand is smoothed out, then more efficient generation happens. Nationally the demand peak is at 'tea time', so batteries have had all day to be recharged from excess PV generation. -
How does your garden grow?
SteamyTea replied to recoveringbuilder's topic in Landscaping, Decking & Patios
What we need is a 'standard bean'. Then get every member on BH to plant some and record progress. This could be used to track the climate differences across the country. Or if that is just too much work, look for a pet dandelion and note the date it flowers. -
How does your garden grow?
SteamyTea replied to recoveringbuilder's topic in Landscaping, Decking & Patios
You win that one. Unless when I get home mine are in full bloom. -
We should have installed air conditioning… now what?
SteamyTea replied to Adsibob's topic in Other Heating Systems
Yes, in normal operation you only need a small airflow. This is mainly a noise issue, but a greater amount can be forced though on special occasions. Alternatively, as you have UFH, how about fitting a chiller unit to that. It would look very similar, identical in fact, to an ASHP.
