TheMitchells

strangely, i cannot easily find any good sites explaining why to use a continuous bead to prevent convection airflow, though I would/have done so myself. even On the Trowel chap said on one video i watched, that he would only do it on certain walls. Can anyone find a good page to explain? I've been trying to explain it to a friend who's retrofitting but i dont think he believes me. 😔

Mine is Grant. 10kW i think.

Good ideas. have been putting up with the cold from the kitchen cupboards for over 20 years and now we hope to move in a couple of months so I will not bother here. 😀 But i shall certainly look at do this at the next place if needed. The draught from the patio doors was worth doing as we still have 2 months of winter weather to put up with. Its only with the thermal camera that i realised how much of a draught there was. Typically, as soon as I stop the draught, the temperatures are going up! 😁

Success! after trimming the foam, there were hardly any draughts and the temp was much better. I still need to add sealant to the very fine gap alongside the vertical trim. But happy with result. 😁 And it was this cold! Our gorgeous Lab still enjoying her walks at aged 13 1/2!

i think thats the one the window installers used. they left me some when they'd finished. but i used it up on our renovation.

thanks, will get some of that for all future work. i used Polycell expanding foam polyfilla, as I didnt know any different. Did try to find something that didn't expand too much but there was not much choice locally. As usual, the description sounded like it would be ideal.

thats the one. small screen but otherwise, no complaints.

I love my current house but every winter we suffer from cold rooms and draughts. Most of it come from behind fitted units in the kitchen and other places where there is obviously penetrations. But the OH refuses to remove the cupboards so we can insulate (I agree it would be difficult so understand his reluctance). The heating is blown warm air and it is quick to warm up but also quick to lose heat. The build is timber, with some (not much) insulation, membrane then plasterboard on the inside, brick facade on the outside. I have watched the YouTube videos of Mindsparx, and it looks very similar to how he builds his place, but without the second layer of insulation. It was built by Americans for their Air force personal with good sized rooms, but I wish they had added the extra insulation and taped the joins.

For ages I have felt quite cold sitting next to our patio doors🥶, but I love sitting there to watch the birds outside. However, i finally really looked today and after feeling a cold breeze/draught in the corners, i got out the thermal camera and found in the actual corner, it was down to 1oC, its minus 5oC outside. So I pulled back the carpet and trim and found large gaps at the side. I watched the guys instal the doors in 2019 and saw them spraying in expanding foam around the frame itself so thought that should be okay. But it must have left some gaps. I have been out and bought some Polyfilla expanding foam and sprayed it into the gaps. I shall let you know how much of a change it is, after it dries and I get it all trimmed, ready for the carpet and trim. 😁If it works, i may have to look for more areas to fill - dont want to waste the majority of the can and I hate draughts!

If i recall correctly, the system has a 2 year warranty which shuld cover any problems I have. We have noticed water dripping from the inside of the unit most days, with fairly damp concrete below the unit. I have told them and someone is coming ouot sometime to check. the boss said its probably just condensation. there is a pipe which goes to the outside drain from inside.

Our records indicate that your Air Source Heat Pump is due to be serviced in December 2025. Yearly servicing of the heat pump is essential to meet the needs of the warranty and prevent breakdowns. Our maintenance contracts include the below: • Heat Pump annual inspection and service • Hot Water Tank annual inspection and service where applicable • Check System is operating within optimum conditions to maximise efficiency • Check electrical components are wiring • Clean Filters and Coils • Check and lubricate motors and bearings • Telephone support Monday – Friday 09:00 – 16:00 hours The charge of the yearly maintenance contract is £250.00 plus VAT It does seem rther a lot for inspection and a little cleaning of the filters and coils, and lubricating of bearings. As they took nearly 3 weeks to get the settings correct and provide adequate heating and hot water after installation, I just do not have confidence they will do anything correctly. Think I'll go elsewhere. There has to be others around. Thanks for the comments.

After finally getting the ashp system installed and working, I have been sent details of the companies servicing quote - £250 plus vat. Is this a normal cost? I have emailed several local firms asking if they do ashp servicing and how much, but only one replied to say they dont do them. Before I accept the installers price, I'd love to hear if its about right. After all the problems we had getitng the system working properly ( nearly 3 weeks of call outs and promises that it will work fine now - it didnt) - I dont really have much confidence in the company that installed it. I'd rather find anothe local company that could come and do it. cheers.

Just been listening to a podcast with the founder of One Zero Energy company, Howard Johns, who has ideas for making as many houses as possible more energy efficient, quickly without having to pay huge upfront costs. He reckons he can do ashp, battery, solar, cavity and loft insulation in 2 weeks for around £21k (less the BUS grant). But he wants to do lots more, including arranging better finance for those who dont have that money but still need the equipment. Listen hear or read the notes, https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph366-could-a-home-energy-transformation-pay-for-itself/ Sounds a very interesting chap with plenty of experience and a real committment to helping as many people as possible. wish I lived closer to him 🤔would certainly be interested in his ideas.

Are you able to give a rough idea of total cost in building the garage? I think it looks great.