CADjockey

Afternoon, I could do with some help if you brains out there might be willing. I've got a newbuild underway, there are a raft of windows and a couple of bifolds, all in aluminium. and have just been informed that the whole house windos U value is calculating at 1.7. I gather the 2023 Part L requires 1.6 min ( or max if you like) but I don't know what the previous part L required to know if I'm in regs or not, I just can't find the prior documentation. We commenced building May 2022. Add to this picture the fact we are currently installing an MVHR system so will have no holes in the windows for the heat to leak out unfettered (trickle vents). Do I need to meet 1.6 legally or can you offset against the whole fabric of the building with the additional insulation under the floor screed or in the loft for example? Help!

Installed the two boreholes of 108m each, and have committed to UFH & GSHP system with MVHR for fresh air distribution. However, given this summer and the future that we are all being told is going to see more of that, I asked our system provider & fitter about reversing the system to cool the house, or such the warm out of the slab. I need an additional bit of kit as far as I grasp it, but he tells us that it can put the heat back into the ground. The slightly astounding bit is that the heat doesn't dissipate but hangs around to some degree until you switch to forward operation in the autumn and pull it back out of the ground again. Anyone got any exsperience of running in reverse for cooling a GSHP system? A bit of a longshot maybe, but you guys are a font of interesting information 🤣

This seems like the simplest bit we are installing what with the GSHP & MVHR ! They call it recycling but yes I think it means recirculating the header tank. https://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/product/rain-director/

It's filtered before it goes into the tank, and I think it's filtered before it's pumped to the header tank. Therafter it's only used in the, garden, toilets and the washing machine. The system control provides for recycling to prevent stagnation in the header tank, but it's not being used where mains quality water is required (taps & showers).

Got a Brinno, set up from 8am to 4pm at five minute intervals. Batteries last a good month. Here's a typical recording... but I did discover that I'd left the protective film on the waterproof case, doh! So am expecting the latest output to be better. TLC00035_JUL22_ 27.mp4

By Michael Jacksons ex bodyguard if the tabloids are to be believed, who is going to turn it into flats!

Just installed a 7500L tank for toilet flushing, washing machine and watering the garden. Calculations tell me that our usage could be ~71kL and the capture could be ~62kL. Currently not on a water meter, but should significantly reduce our fresh water requirement, and thgeoretically provide 38 days of drought resistance.

And there's the rub, if there is no jeapardy or story arc it makes for dull viewing. They must vet the participants like they do for game shows and reality tv, so if you are financially realistic, timescale realistic, not living in a cloud or are planning a dwelling of reasonable proportions, you just don't cut it. And it's a televisual bonus for McCloud to show up and the protagonists be with child while living in a shed, onsite, in the winter, with no heating, having been made redundant, one of whom has a near death experience. 🤣

We had a Cedar clad house built in 1956. Now demolished but some idiot had put wood preservative on it and it looked rubbish. We are rebuilding from the ground up and are required to also clad in Cedar. I know if you oil it it will require a recoat every X years, and obviously if you leave it to silver it will do just that. Talking to the builder yesterday he said that the microporus treatment was a one time deal and kept it looking coloured. I've looked at a house he clad a couple of years ago that had the microporus treatment and it looks fresh as new. Does anyone know how long it will actually last as that statement seems too good to be true. Fankly with 200m2+ of Cedar cladding we were not planning on any coating and letting God have his way! He did say it had to be a microporus treatment that was specifically formulated with and for Cedar, not some generic coating. Any useful info appreciated.

We are about to kick off demolition, finally. This morning I purchsed a time-lapse camera for the project. I was wondering what capture interval might be best over the 9 months build. I've seen some of you guys have done this. I'm guessing I'll reposition to inside once the shell is up. Thanks

I'm no expert, but reading the self build magazines indicates that although there's no law that requires it lenders won't or are unlikely to lend against a new build without one in place by at least the end of the build. Someone on this forum may know or have experience that differs. I asked for a list of lenders that would accept a warranty from SelfBuildZone yesterday, for which they directed me to their website which lists all the usual suspects and a plethora more, so I suspect it's required.

We don't intend selling, it's a house for us, so on that level it's unnecessary. I'm only really looking at the Structural Warranty in case we need to get a mortgage to finish the build tbh and I understand it's both easier and cheaper to buy it from the outset.

Morning all, I've just had a 10yr Structural Warranty quote from both Protek and SelfBuildZone, both with same new works reinstatement cost. The Protek quote is about 30% more. Has anyone here had any bad experiences with either provider? I'm obviously leaning to the 30% less! I guess the only proof of the pudding is at a point that no one wants to find out...

@WWilts how did it pan out for you? We have just sent drawings and structural calcs to estimators-onilne and just awaiting numbers back.

@DevilDamo Yes I have seen this, but it's a very short list so my assumption was that this is just the big regional/national corporates. I maybe also mistakenly thought that the ACAI list would be broarder in that respect. I have subsequently seen the CICAIR register as well. @Forum What's the concensus on using an AI vs Local Authority BC. My understanding is that there is no comeback with BC if there are any issues down the line.

Hi all, Based in North Worcestershire (DY9), we have planning approval to replace our house, we have just had build drawings as opposed to planning drawings completed. I need to find an Approved Inspector as I'm leaning away from the Building Control Department of the local authority. I tried to go on the ACAI website, but it's basically all down or unlinkable so I can't get to a list of potential consultant inspectors. If the ACAI sees this, please fix it and let me know, failing that I'd be grateful for any AI suggestions from the forum... you lot know everything ? Many Thanks

Hi All, Anyone got any experience with Lutron Caseta? I'm only just begining to think about lights and switch placement. Anyone got an opinion on wireless Lutron vs traditional analogue full cable to switch? A

Afternoon all, We finally achieved planning approval after 4 years, but that's another whole story of abuse of power (imho)... So I'm now into the pre build stuff, including self-build mortgage applications. I've seen that ecology.co.uk require a minimum SAP rating of 88 which I kind of assume should be achievable with reasonable modern build. I need someone to make this calculation. Has anyone here got any recomendations. I won't have build drawings (not just planning drawings) until mid November, but I'd like to find someone for when I do. Help appreciated. A

Have looked at it, but it's a toss up as far as I can see. On the one hand ASHP cheaper to install but on the other hand it's most efficient in the Spring and Autumn, unless I missed something on that. Whereas GSHP is more expensive but a more uniform source all year round? KInda why adding the logburner as backup and obviously for effect. But I'd rather not also fit something like a secondary gas boiler which I have seen advocated with ASHP. We also have an acre of land so GSHP seems easy to achieve.

Hi everyone, It's been a while, planning are an utter bunch of... Anyway 2 questions... 1/ Have considered a log burner, external air feed obviously, just because we have one now and a lot of logs to hand anyway. Is it conterproductive when we will be fitting GSHP & Underfloor Heating. I'd add, we don't have it on a lot at all. 2/ Assuming modern insulating materials, but we are not talking passive, will we need heating upstairs at all? I have read somewhere that it can be virtually redundant. Your help most appreciated.

Thanks @laurenco and @Mr Punter NMA. That’s a new one on me, but handy to know. Ours is is a bit of a saga... put in full application, then withdrew after planning comment in favour of PD as a first step. PD now under appeal, but having discovered the lead time is now another 20 weeks away possibly, we may put our original plan back in but there’s a window I was thinking of changing, but am of two minds. So was just wondering about post approval mods which you have now answered. Think I’ll change the plans before resubmitting anyway.

OK, so we don't yet have approval, in fact I just found out that current appeal lead time is 28 weeks, but lets skip that joke! We have a plan where the GF window at the rear of the front to back entrance hall is effectively three vertical panes. If we were to change our minds about that and want to opt for a single wide landscape window, how much hassle would that be after planning approval? Given that the window would be no wider than the current three planned and have about half the glass surface area. Any knowledge appreciated...

Ditto, I knocked up a temperature logger for the office last summer as it got stupidly hot. Raspberry Pi, Enviro Phat, and 25 lines of code. Timestamps and logs to text file.

Just don't fall off! That's my only advice lol! I did just before Christmas, lost 20 minutes of my memory that I'll never get back, 6 hours in A&E and more scans than the NHS can afford. To cap it all a months no driving advisory from the doctor.