Gareth J

We don't know the full context. My suggestion is unlikely to be appropriate, or without considerable ability/tools to hand/ability to make appropriate tools required, even work. But it could do. We don't know, the OP might have access to a full machine shop and be able to knock up a carbide tipped, appropriately sized and profiled reamer, with scrap they have lying around and the shower tray might have plenty of meat in it to try. Granted, probably none of those things are the case, but you never know.

I wouldn't throw any significant money at it. But if it were though of as palliative care, to stretch the life of it a bit further, if it were an option to go up a size on the trap, you could try to bore/ream out the hole to suit, into an unbroken bit of material. Probably work hard and result in disaster but if your time is cheap, might be worth a go.

Another thing to consider; you will potentially use a heat pump differently to the gas boiler. Maybe not, but it could make a difference. If you currently run the heating a few times a day (say, first thing in morning, home from work and just before bed) to get the air in the house up to some acceptable temperature, switching to a lower power, but more constantly run setup, could use more energy overall. Or result in the house not getting to the temperatures you'd like at the times you'd like. Or both. Unless your coldest day gas usage was based on running the heating system 24/7. And, ideally, for the best comparison, at the same flow temperature as the heat pump will run at (unless planning to change emitters at the same time)

Hi Susie, no, that's not us, we're the other side of the a39. That one, that's more or less in the forestry, is a curious one. Used to be a little service building (water, electric or something).

Lowering depends on the tower. Some, like those you are maybe recalling, can be done relatively cheaply with a tirfor. Others, like mine, on what iirc is a Hutchinson tower, (or other tower types) need a hydraulic ram, or pair of rams plus brackets to get the tower up and down. Yes, the iskra was the original design, I don't know a lot about the iskra but it looks very similar, maybe just a little less refined. Can't say I see many either. A lot of either Proven and Evance ones around about though.

I've been self maintaining our R9000 for a few years now. Anyone else have one/maintain their own? Not a particularly complex device but there are a few specialist tools that need to be made to make it easier. Not to mention getting the lowering kit. As we approach the end of the FIT period, were I paying someone for maintenance (and it does need some) it would be much less financially viable.

That's one opinion. Many would agree, as is reflected by the relatively low population density here, maybe.

Morwenstow/Kilkhampton

About as far north as you can get without it being Devon! Fortunately the turbine was put up ~10 yrs ago, when planning wasn't impossible. It's only a baby one but glad to have it.

Hello all, Have lurked for a while, absorpting some great information. Currently living in and, room by room, "extreme decorating" an old stone and earth cottage. Trying to allow breathability, seal unwanted draughts, plan for more mindful ventilation and, ultimately, EWI. If we ever get there. Also interested in renewables; most of the hot water and a good chunk of heating is supplied from excess generation from PV and a small wind turbine.