TheMitchells

Personally, i love the ramblings! Carry on, i cant wait to hear the rest😄

The renewable heating industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation, and the Flexi-Orb Heat Pump Scheme is at the heart of this change. As we’ve reported previously, this initiative aims to address the shortcomings of the existing Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) by offering a more practical, installer-friendly approach while maintaining rigorous standards. Today, we bring you the latest updates on the scheme’s progress, including its submission to UKAS, the development of a comprehensive Heat Pump Code of Practice, and plans for a pilot validation process ahead of its anticipated launch later this year. But beyond the technical details, this update also explores why this new scheme matters – not just for installers and manufacturers, but for homeowners too. Flexi-Orb Scheme Submitted to UKAS for Assessment As of last week, the Flexi-Orb Heat Pump Scheme has been formally submitted to the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for assessment. This assessment will be conducted against the ISO IEC 17067:2013 standard, which ensures that certification schemes meet rigorous international benchmarks for conformity assessment. This is a significant step forward, as UKAS accreditation will provide the scheme with the credibility and recognition needed to operate alongside existing standards like MCS. David Lindsay, Director at Certi-fi Schemes Limited (Flexi-Orb and EPVS), commented on this milestone: “I’m pleased that we’ve submitted the scheme to UKAS, but it’s just one step forward. There’s still a lot of work for us to do, none of which we’re taking for granted. Thankfully, we’ve had some great input from a wide range of stakeholders, and this has to continue if we’re going to meet industry needs. We’re an open door. If anyone wants to work with us to improve the outcomes for consumers, which is where we start, then we’re interested.” For homeowners, this means greater choice and confidence. A second accredited scheme introduces healthy competition into the market, driving up standards and encouraging innovation. It also provides an alternative pathway for installers, which could lead to more competitive pricing and better service as companies vie for business under both schemes. Heat Pump Code of Practice: Refinements and External Input The development of the Heat Pump Code of Practice, a cornerstone of the Flexi-Orb scheme, is continuing to progress through its working group. Recently, the working group received additional input from external verification companies, particularly around two critical areas: noise calculations and heat loss calculations. These refinements will ensure that the Code of Practice addresses key technical challenges faced by installers, providing clear and actionable guidance to achieve optimal system performance. For homeowners, this translates to better-performing systems. By focusing on practical, real-world issues like noise and heat loss, the Flexi-Orb scheme ensures that heat pump installations are not only compliant but also optimised for comfort and efficiency. This means lower running costs, quieter systems, and homes that stay warm without excessive energy use – key benefits that directly impact the homeowner experience. Once finalised, the Code of Practice will be accompanied by a Heat Pump Design and Installation Guide, which will be made available to all scheme applicants. This guide will serve as a comprehensive resource for installers, offering step-by-step instructions to streamline the installation process. Additionally, an assessment checklist will be provided, outlining exactly what assessors will evaluate during inspections. This transparency has already proven popular in Flexi-Orb’s existing certification schemes, as it eliminates guesswork and ensures both installers and assessors are aligned on expectations. Pilot Validation Process Set for April 2025 Flexi-Orb has announced plans to begin a pilot validation process next month (April 2025). This pilot phase will test the scheme’s practical application, allowing Flexi-Orb to gather feedback and make any necessary adjustments before the full launch. The pilot will also mark the final steps towards adding the heat pump scheme to the scope of Flexi-Orb’s Certification Bodies, which operate under the ISO IEC 17065:2012 standard. For homeowners, the pilot phase is a reassurance that the scheme has been rigorously tested before being rolled out. It means that when the scheme launches, it will have been tried and tested in real-world scenarios, reducing the risk of teething problems and ensuring a smoother experience for those investing in heat pump technology. Launch Plans: Targeting June/July 2025 Flexi-Orb is targeting a full launch of the heat pump scheme in June or July 2025, though this timeline is dependent on external factors, particularly the completion of the UKAS assessment process. Regardless of the exact launch date, Flexi-Orb has confirmed that it will provide detailed information about the scheme and announce a firm launch date at the Installer Show in June 2025. This announcement will be a major moment for the renewable heating industry, as it will mark the culmination of years of effort to create a more practical and effective alternative to MCS. With its focus on installer-friendly tools, clear compliance, and robust quality assurance, the Flexi-Orb scheme is poised to raise standards and deliver better outcomes for everyone involved. Why a Second Scheme Matters for Homeowners The introduction of a second accredited scheme like Flexi-Orb is not just a win for installers and manufacturers – it’s a win for homeowners too. Here’s why: 1. Increased Competition Drives Better Outcomes Competition is a powerful motivator. With Flexi-Orb providing an alternative to MCS, both schemes will need to continually improve their offerings to attract installers and manufacturers. This could lead to better training, more innovative products and higher standards across the board; all of which benefit homeowners. 2. Higher Standards for Performance and Comfort Flexi-Orb’s focus on practical guidance (such as noise and heat loss calculations) means that installations under this scheme are likely to perform better in real-world conditions. For homeowners, this means systems that are quieter, more efficient and better suited to their specific needs. 3. Greater Accountability and Consumer Protection Flexi-Orb’s proactive approach to quality assurance, including instant feedback mechanisms, ensures that any issues with installations can be addressed quickly. This reduces the risk of subpar installations and gives homeowners peace of mind that their investment is protected. A Scheme That’s Installer-Friendly but Challenging While Flexi-Orb is designed to be installer-friendly, it’s important to note that the scheme is already more challenging to achieve than MCS in some respects. A key difference is Flexi-Orb’s emphasis on office assessments, which ensure that the administrative and logistical aspects of an installation (such as DNO approval and aftercare infrastructure) are handled correctly. This approach not only raises the bar for installers but also provides homeowners with greater confidence that their installation is backed by a robust and efficient support system. As Flexi-Orb has pointed out, this contrasts with the revised MCS approach, which has moved away from office assessments. Flexi-Orb believes that ensuring the supply chain and administrative processes are in place is critical to delivering high-quality installations and reliable aftercare, something that ultimately benefits the homeowner. What’s Next? The Flexi-Orb scheme represents an evolution in heat pump certification, offering a fresh approach within the framework of ISO standards. By focusing on clear compliance, practical guidance, and robust quality assurance, Flexi-Orb aims to raise standards and deliver better outcomes for installers and homeowners alike. We will continue to monitor the progress of the scheme closely and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the Flexi-Orb Heat Pump Scheme, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We’ll do our best to address them in future updates. Stay tuned for more news as we approach the highly anticipated launch of this important initiative!

Illbruck items ordered. 😁

Thanks for all that info. will give it all a go! certainly worth a try. 😁

We have a very poorly fitting UPVC door which leaks lots of heat,mainly at the top and bottom, we can see daylight through the top! It was built in 2002 when we had the garage and utility built on the side of the house. I dont think it was a very good one but was okay initially. We dont heat the utility room as it would be a waste of time, but we are trying to make changes to improve the temperatures in there. Would the recommended advice be to repair/mend or replace witha new one. Is there something we can do to improve the seals? If so, what? thanks.

Hoping you dont mind a similar question on your post. We have a very poorly fitting UPVC door which leaks lots of heat,mainly at the top and bottom, we can see daylight through the top! It was built in 2002 when we had the garage and utility built on the side of the house. I dont think it was a very good one but was okay initially. We dont heat the utility room as it would be a waste of time, but we are trying to make changes to improve the temperatures in there. Would the recommended advice be to repair/mend or replace witha new one. Is there something we can do to improve the seals? If so, what? thanks.

Me too - we had some initial problems but they are all sorted now and the house is lovely and toasty. not sure i am saving any money but the elderly parents are happy. 😁

Great information again from BuildHub! Can we all get an invite to come and look? I think 'Open days' at builds taking place with discussions about methods, would be fantastic learning opportunity. 😀

No, I dont think i am confusing them. the last heating system was very drying, being warm air blown round. now they just have radiators and it has certainly made a difference. After 7 years of no mould at all, the only thing that has changed is the heating system. and yes, a purge would help but these are 85 yr olds and i have suggested it but they hate being cold and will not consider opening doors or windows until it is noticeably warmer than now. yes, CO2 levels are not going to be ideal but again, they will not change.🙄 The dehumidifier had already collected some water overnight so will definately help.

Hopefully the last update regrding the heat pump. It is all working fine now. the place is warm and water is hot. the elderly parents are happy -ish though I doubt dad will ever like a system that he cannot tweak. The intstaller chap came back last week to level the HP unit, and there are no drops of water falling underneath now. (it was always wet beneath before, caused by a small amount of water escaping down the inside of the unit, rather than down the drain). However, i have two complaints/irritations about the system as a whole. 1. The Servicing costs are way too high and completely negates any savings we may have had from using a more efficient system. I can ony find the installer prepared to service the system, at a cost of £300 so £25 every month. That feels like way too much for what is basically a clean and look over every year. 2. It has caused the rooms to be far more damp with mould now forming on the surrounds to the windows and lots of condensation on the windows in the morning. There is no ventilation in their house and, i assume, before the blown warm air, helped keep the moisture levels down. But now, all their cooking/drying clothes and normal living, is proucing moisture which has no way to escape. And being winter, and both elderly, they are not going to be opening windows to let moisture escape. I have put a small dehumidifier in the lounge and will see if that helps.

that would be nice but the lean is getting worse and worsening. So it may stay there till we need to remove it. But unlikely. however, waiting tosee what happens - thats another option. And at the moment, it is likely to be the best option. 😃

what about a vertical concrete lintel, 5 ft, against the wall and buried 2 ft into the ground with concrete around it, simialr to a fence post? https://www.diy.com/departments/expamet-concrete-lintel-l-1500mm-w-100mm/150794_BQ.prd

The soil level is probably about the same on both sides and I doubt the foundations are that good. Its on clay with the shrubs affecting one side so i doubt that helps. The chap who came to take a look has quoted nearly £3k to build two buttresses, digging out the foundations and tying it into the wall. Eek! 😬 Not something we plan to pay. not for something we intend to knock down in a few years time. So i am now thinking of getting someone in to dig out a couple of holes (where I planned to put the buttresses) and I shall build myself a diy buttress with some heavy concrete blocks just to help stop any more leaning. I can do basic bricklaying (block laying) and it may be enough for the time we need. I'm too old and knackered to dig the holes myself, especially in clay🙁 Hubby was thinking of digging a hole and bracing the wall with a sleeper we have but i dont think we could attach anything to it without the wall cracking further - so what would stop the sleeper sliding up and off the top? Unless it went in quite a way into the soil? We shall think of something.

Is it a regular occurance - moths caused by sheeps wool?? I had not heard of it before.

thank you. will give these suggestions a try. we are selling up hopefully so would like it to look nicer. But yes, definately need slippers!

I have a longish (20m?) wall alongside our garden. Its 50 years old, and we have noticed it is starting to lean - actually, it started a few years ago but it is noticably worse now. The soil is clay and there are some largish shrubs on the outside, mainly small stuff on the inside. so movement is likely and i am thinking of removing a couple of the larger trees/shrubs (self sown buddleja) As you can see from the photos the bottom half is full brick and the top is half brick (garage end) and cement holey blocks (gate end). The holey blocks end are not too bad, though there are cracks in alot of the mortar. But the brick top half is really bad and also full of cracks. This last photo above is on the outside fo the wall, where it has come away from the garage. its almost 2 inches at the top. It only needs to last another few years as i have planted a hornbeam hedge on the outer perimeter of the garden so once that has grown enough to forma screen, we can take the wall out. Also the blocky end is likely to go once we do the kitchen extension, again in a few years time. up to the yellow arrow. The photo below shows the outside of the garden before i replaced the box hedge with a hornbeam one. But it is only 2-3 ft high at the moment so will take a few more eyars to enclose the whole side garden. hope the photo's help give the idea. The shrubs have been kept a similar size but on clay, maybe we need remove them? I have asked for a quote from a local brickie to build 2 supports, in the worst parts, a third in from each end of the brick top. He suggsted 2 brick pillar, similar to this, i think. Would this be enough to support it? He said it would need at least 2 foot hole for foundation to avaoid any movement, which sounds reasonable.

wondering if this works or if you know anything else to use? I really need to put somehthing under the feet - any suggestions? In the front garden.

Udate - we called the installer out on Monday as we found there was a drip from one of the taps/joints at theback of the cupboard, as well as the pressure dropping. it must have been going on for a while as there was limescale on the insulation below. Seems the join between the filter and pipework was dripping slightly so he replaced the seal and it has now stopped dripping. Hoepfully the pressure will stay constant too. in regard to the water under the heat pump outside, after examining it for quite a while (in the cold) he spotted that when it goes into defrost mode, there is a drop of water coming from one point, along and around the unit, dropping down the front to where we can see it. he reckons by lifting one side of the unit fractionally, that drop will go where it is supposed to go, into the drain. So he will be coming back out with something appropriate on Wednesday (today) and fitting that.

I have two questions. 1. Since having the ashp installed at my parents, and once it was up and running okay, we have noticed the ground beneath the unit is usually wet with drops coming from the unit. should i be concerned and is this condensation, forming on the metal unit itself and dripping down? 2. The pressure guage was showing low yesterday, and for the last couple of weeks i noticed the top of the tall vertical radiator was cold. yesterday i bleed the air out of the radiator and it soon warmed up again. I hoped that would fix the low pressure but it did not, so today i opened the two black valves seen on the photo and the pressure went up to 1.5 which i gather is what it should be. Is it the air in the sysytem causing the pressure to drop? and is it normal for the pressure to drop occasionally? Ok - 3 questions! thanks in advance.

those prices look very good. it may be something i look at, if they stay good. Just watched the Youtube below. And certainly had not thought of the idea of just installing batteries. I always thought of them as purely as support to solar. But with the low cost of night time energy, i can see the benefit of installing batteries and using them to run the house while prices are high. And cheaper than solar currently.

ours only comes in 2 fanspeeds so not much to choose from. we keep then on low and only put one of the two fitted turned on, as they keep the room warm enough.

These have been added to parents kitchen as there was no room for a radiator. They certainly pump out the heat but they are quite noisy. however, as it works, i dont mind. And Dad's deaf anyway! 😄

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! 😁