Tony K

Both in terms of volume and pitch, I would describe the noise from my ASHP in the very cold evening as more than enough to scare most people away from buying one. It's certainly not something I'd be happy to live with moving forward. Thanks for your comments all, general view seems to be that the reflective surfaces are a key issue. They will all be addressed as part of the landscaping etc anyway. Has anyone experimented with home made acoustic enclosures, acoustic mats etc? I should probably think about them before I finish the landscaping, rather than after.

Thanks, I think I've found the discussion in question. Something I've never been clear about is which part of the ASHP unit the noise emerges from (if it comes from one part in particular). If the noise comes from the front then would I achieve anything by adding acoustic matt to the wall behind the unit?

Standard cavity walls, block, insulation, block. Double glazed windows.

Evening all. Having researched it to death in advance, after one month living in the SB I've now got a better idea of noise levels from my ASHP. As can be seen in the photo, my garden is small, includes a tiny office (to the left of the photo) and is unfinished, as is the external wall of the house (summer jobs). I was extremely limited as to where I could put the ASHP. It is near bedroom windows, and perhaps closer to the wall than is ideal in terms of rebound echo. Anyway, up until this week the noise has been fine. Obviously, the windows are closed in the evening, which helps. I have always intended to apply various noise mitigations as appropriate once living with it. This week, once the temperature dropped close to, and then below, zero, the ASHP became really, really noisy. It is quite noticeable indoors, and almost overpowering outdoors. I have seen it complete its defrost cycle (I presume. It kicks out a load of steam) and there is little or no ice settling on it, and I've no reason to think it's faulty. When the temperature returned to normal briefly one night, the noise from the ASHP reduced considerably, only to increase again when the cold snap returned. I am thinking of pinning some sort of sound proofing to the wall behind the unit, partly to lessen noise inside the house but mostly to affect echo. The garden will have six to eight inches of topsoil and then grass on it in due course, and the office will be clad in timber, all of which I think might help. I have considered building some sort of acoustic enclosure, but not yet researched any details. Does anyone have any experience of attempting these things, and/or other suggestions? Cheers

Is there such a thing? I recently moved in to my SB, and whilst it is a joy, I am of course experiencing a raft of small teething issues related to actually living here with the family. Chief among these is the best configuration of the ASHP, mhvr, underfloor heating, water heating, and suchlike. Each constituent part has a range of possible settings, and my knowledge on each is basic. If I've learned anything from the many insightful and detailed discussions on this forum, and also from the many YouTube channels from people sharing thier experiences, it's that a reasonably detailed level of knowledge is required (more than I currently have, despite having learned the basic principles), and also that there seems to be an element of trial and error over time. Has anyone ever engaged a consultant to assess their overall domestic apparatus, and advise on the options to achieve greatest efficiency? If so, who, and did you gain much from it?

Thanks @ProDave. If it's not too personal a question, what was it about the whole thing that makes you say you would not want to do it again?

Thanks all. I am aware that renting is not necessarily easy (particularly given that we will be living next door at House B, and so be contactable by tenants morning, noon and night, even if I use an agent, and also will be constantly looking to see if the House A is getting well looked after or not). I am also aware renting out is nor always lucrative in the short term. I have undertaken my SB on the basis that House A will be sold, therefore. Now that I actually come to it though, I want to be sure. I have made contact with an accountant and am awaiting a reply. If anyone knows of one that is good on this sort of thing, please let me know.

Thanks @nod and @Alan Ambrose. I am aware that CIL regs are a little unclear, hence my asking on here. As you say I must, if nothing else, consider whether I am comfortable with that uncertainty. One question on your responses above - I am aware that I avoid CGT if I sell House A, but I am thinking of renting it out. Do you mean to say that I would then be liable to CGT later on down the line if/when I ever sell House A, or that I would be liable to CGT once I start renting it out?

Happy new year all. As per the question above, we own and live in House A. We built House B to live in. Not long after getting planning permission for House B I also got a CIL exemption certificate from the local Council. Obviously, the exemption is based on House B being a self build, and also (from memory) that it would be our main home or only property. It is the last bit that I am interested in. I always intended to sell House A once we moved into House B, but am not thinking about whether to explore renting it out instead. Would I be liable to pay the CIL on House B if I kept House A and rented it out? Cheers

Hi all. My SB uses a cold deck flat roof made with posijoists. To keep building heights down but ceilings high I generally stuffed fluffy insulation into the void of each joist, before fixing solid PIR between them. Then, I attached further 50mm underneath throughout. Services run through the joists. My small plant room is where they all terminate, and is a busy place, therefore! I now need to close off the plant room ceiling. I cannot use the same method as in the rest of the house due to the mhvr duct runs. So, how best to do it? I am considering a suspended plasterboard ceiling where possible, but I cannot fit one throughout as the mhvr junction is lower than the highest bits of kit attached to the walls. I have considered a net ceiling which I could perhaps cut around all the ducting and pipies, but don't know how or where to start looking for a suitable product. Any ideas?! Thanks

On to the next question! How best to pin the membrane in place before I fix horizontal batons over it? I've tried copper clout nails, staples, and various screws, but they all buckle against the dense blocks.

Well, my presumption is breathable, but I'm open to advice! From what you say, a breathable roof membrane will do a fine job on my walls?

Evening all. I've built a single skin block work garden office using dense blocks. I plan to clad the outside in strip timber. I am considering putting some sort of membrane around the walls before applying the cladding, just to ensure protection from the rain. have seen different housewrap products online. 1. Is there a particular type of wrap anyone would recommend or avoid in these circumstances? 2. Is roofing underlay any good for the job? Thanks

Do the drains in your floors serve much purpose then?

Hi all. I have included a wetroom floor drain in our bathroom. It's not a wetroom at all, the drain exists only to handle stray shower spray and drips from wet feet. The drain is set into the slab, which of course is flat and level. A couple of tilers have ummed and ahhed about how best to create a slight fall. It's a tiny area, and only needs the tiniest fall to do the job. Does anyone have any experience or ideas when it comes to this type of thing? Thanks