NSS

Yes, but ProDave (please correct me if I'm wrong, Dave) chose his wall make up for reasons that were not solely to do with achieving that U-value, but also for cost, ease of self installation and the nature of the external finish desired (and he's hardly constrained by plot size). I was referring to a more typical 147mm stud frame and wall U-value circa to 0.16 such as (claimed for) mine - and no I'm not reopening the debate around the the insulation in my build - but also, I would guess, perfectly achievable with alternative insulation types/layers and a resulting overall wall thickness significantly thinner than yours. It goes back to something I mentioned months ago, and your self-admitted (earlier in this thread) attention to detail. I'm sure we all admire the forensic approach that you and Jeremy (for example) have applied to your builds, but it's unrealistic (and I'd contend unnecessary) to expect every self builder, never mind the volume builders, to adopt such targets anytime soon. Even if costs were comparable to the way the Persimmons of this world currently build, the skill base simply doesn't exist to execute the required attention to detail in their volumes. My point is, we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that it would (I'd hope you would agree) be better to build many houses that are circa 35% more energy efficient than current regs dictate, than just a select few that are 50% better.

Hi Terry, I understand all that. The point of my query was that you infer in your previous post that twin wall construction such as yours is at least twice as good as single wall. As I'm sure you would agree, comparing the system you've chosen with what may be the norm for the big volume house builders is at best misleading in the context of this forum, where I doubt any of us would settle for insulation values that barely meet building regs. I just feel we have to be careful not to mislead new readers and/or budding self builders that single wall construction cannot be better than that, even if it may be difficult to replicate the levels of a twin wall construction. It is also, I believe, worth mentioning that the sheer breadth of a twin wall construction may make it less attractive to some, particularly where site constraints may restrict the footprint of the property that can be built and, hence, impact on the internal space that would result from its use.

Sorry Terry, but can you qualify what you mean by a "typical" single wall construction? The way you have worded this comparison gives the impression that using the system you and JSH employed produces a house that will be twice as good on u values and at least 8 times better on decrement delay than a single wall system. Some reading this forum might get the impression that you are saying any single wall construction will as poor as you suggest.

Wow, lots of BS involved then

With so much hot air in circulation I wonder that any insulation is needed

Sorry, I missed this reply. I guess I just feel the grey would take less to keep it looking clean than the blanco, but as suspected I lost that discussion so blanco it will be, though not ordered yet so still time to chip away at her ;-)

We've ordered a Schuller kitchen from our local independent. Total of 25 units including 7 X full height towers (4 for appliance plus pull out larder and two fixed larder), 2 X 900 drawer units, 1 X 800 drawer unit and only two wall cupboards. Top of their range true handleless (not J handles) satin finish doors. Total price excluding worktops and appliances is £10k (which was less than Magnet quoted for a lesser spec in their January sale!). What we really liked was that they do two base unit heights and 5 different plinth heights so we've been able to select a combination that will allow the petit Mrs NSS to have a comfortable height worktop level.

I briefly owned a Vitesse convertible in my youth, and my brother had one of the last GT6s for many years.

I once had the responsibility of getting an electronics company through BS 5750 and the best piece of advice I had from the inspectors was to provide the minimum info necessary to meet the requirements. Anything more detailed just boxes you into a corner you may struggle to get out of.

Before I order a shedload of JCC FGLED6 downlights, should I be considering any similar offerings?

Decision made, we're going for Silestone. Now all we need to do is settle the disagreement as to whether it's Blanco Stellar (wife's preference) or the far more practical option of Stellar Grey. No prizes for guessing who's likely to win that one!

If those ovens are £3k each then the £20k that she said the kitchen cost must have excluded the appliances! Got the distinct feeling they were just on an ego trip.

Trouble with tonight's episode was that it should have been titled 'Having the dream built for you'. £420k build cost for a 120m2 house (excluding land) is obscene!

As you said in your original post, it's 45m to ALL points of the building, and the furthest point appears to be the back of the section protruding rearwards on the driveway side of the new house. Incidentally, just checked and those sprinkler prices included provision of water storage and automatic fire pump (@ circa £1.500) on the assumption that there may not be sufficient mains pressure, so the lower price was £4,800 if you exclude that. Our house is circa 165m2 so not much bigger than what you're proposing. By the way, my understanding is that the 45m is measured from the rear of the appliance and the brigade assume forward entry into the site. That effectively adds the length of the appliance to that 45m measurement. Not trying to be difficult, just passing on the lessons learned from our own experience. Thankfully we found an alternative solution!

We faced a similar issue over fire appliance access. Fortunately we managed to resolve it through negotiation with the fire service to the satisfaction of our BCO, but not before getting two quotes for a sprinkler system.... One was just over £6,000 and the other was well over £7,000. Am I missing something ref the gate suggestion? Access looks narrower to the opposite side of the bungalow than it does on the proposed access side.

You may also want to check out the CIL liability as this also is only exempt for self build and retrospective if you claim exemption and then live in it for less than 3 years.

Hi Terry, the PVGIS predicted output was 3,276 so we've actually done very slightly better than projected in the first year.

Probably a dumb idea, but I was actually wondering whether I could do a rough test for leaks by running the MVHR with the main inlet covered? Concern is whether this could potentially damage the unit?

Cheers Dave. I should have mentioned we're on the South Coast.

Our 4k solar PV went live in mid-January 2016 so I now have the total kWh generated in the first year @ 3,340 kWH. Our system has 2kW @ 084o, 0.855kW @ 174o and 1.14kW @ 264o (roof angle is 42o ) so we get a reasonably good yield across daylight hours, the aim being to generate power when we're most likely to be at home using it rather than generating the max possible (by having it all south-facing) but using much less of it. This is particularly important given the comparatively low FiT rate we get (we only get the lower rate as there was no EPC when the system was commisioned). Anyway, the reason for this post is that I am wondering how our output compares to that of others with 4kW installations? I know location will influence others' results, but would appreciate if some of you could post your total kWh generation (and array size/orientation) for the last 12 months, please.

Don't think offcuts of our Karndean flooring would be as effective

Which is precisely my worry!

Yep, I appreciate that, but my concern is what happens when you've forgotten to get a trivet out before opening the oven to baste the roast. Oh, it'll be okay this once.... too late.

Surely there's more danger of that machine floating skywards than sinking into the ground

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.