EverHopefull

This may be a completely stupid question as I do not currently have an ASHP but it is factored to be used in my build. Ok, be gentle with your replies. If the ASHP external unit is happy to operate within a range of temperature and it starts to struggle in the recent spells of -7 or below which is when you require it to work for comfort more than ever. Would it not be possible to have the unit itself one stage removed from being outdoors and take advantage of a warmer environment to boost performance. Maybe in a slightly insulated out building? Only a thought!

You know how things come to mind at odd moments? I was shoveling snow off the drive this morning and suddenly I was thinking about the drainage from my planned heat pump tumble dryer going into the utility room. In general what route do the drains for anything like washing machine, tumble dryer and indeed sinks, showers etc take out of the building to ensure air-tightness? I was thinking just tapping the drain of the tumble dryer into the washing machine waste but then got to thinking how does that waste get handed in such things as Passive house designs? Back to shoveling snow again....

Ok, so this week will be exchange of contracts and completion so I am promised.... My thoughts are churning now on the next important moves. Straight after completion we will be getting meter readings and submitting them as normal. The house is unfit for habitation and will ultimately be demolished. My first thoughts are as follows, feel free to give the benefit of experience to this novice. 1. Probably get the electricity supply switched to zero standing charge tariff or even disconnected by supplier. (EBICO still seem to have one tariff available) 2. Make the same arrangements for the water suply. Not sure about drainage proportion of water bill? 3. Arrange for 3rd party insurance on the risk of anyone harming themselves within the property boundaries. 4. Approach the council re Council Tax liability during the current phase of development. The local council seems to favour 100% discount for 1 month but I would like to work along the idea that it can be "made" inhabitable to the specification they desire to negate the CT maybe.... 5. Look into the CIL situation. It reads as if a new build is exempt from CIL. 6. Get our chosen architect out to the site to get a "feel" for the plot. 7. Get the environmental/wildlife surveys penciled in (as advised by the architect due to location) 8. Take a deep breath and get on with something practical too!

I have a similar situation approaching. I only need liability insurance until the project kicks off with a main contractor. I was thinking of going to a broker just for that as well. Not sure if that insurance type is available from the main named companies.

Ok thanks for the heads up. Did anyone come out to see the property? I will search for the details of the VOA for West Sussex and line up some photography.

Ok, so contracts exchanged on our dilapidated bungalow fairly soon. As we are then going to be sitting around whilst architects, planners etc do their thing I am wondering if there is a way to stop the liability of council tax on the property? It will initially be classed as a "holiday home" and taxed at the applicable rate as a second dwelling, which it is not. Is there a department that can be approached for reassessment or a method of rendering the property unclassified? It is bad enough having to pay double stamp duty for the same reasons!!

Currently the property is weather tight and locked and secured. I am lucky as it is the plot next to my own house. I know the self build insurance covers everything but at this stage I need something just to protect it whilst I just sit and wait. Which reminds me, I need to look into what makes the building exempt from council tax pretty soon too!

My recently acquired property will be subject to demolition within a year hopefully and the departing seller has given meter readings on exit to the provider. I have been looking at changing to a supplier with a "no standing charge" tariff to keep costs down whilst awaiting the project to start. Have any of you experienced a tariff like this that can comment on it's worthiness? I will not need power to the property until the main contractor is in situ and my plan is to change suppliers just prior to that to get a point placed on the edge of the plot as a temporary fix whilst the build commences. Any thoughts?

Hi, I am about to complete on my purchase of a near derelict bungalow and I am trying to establish what kind of insurance I need initially to cover third party injuries/accidents? The property will be demolished eventually. Once the architect/planners etc have been involved. At this stage all i want to do is protect the risks leading up to a main contractor taking over the whole build as a project. Would I be right in thinking that a "third party liablility" insurance is all that is required at this stage and has anyone had experience of such things? Ian

Planning permission has not been granted as yet and the new house will sit in the same area of the plot and hence be totally demolished to allow for foundation works to commence. The Valuation Office Agency appears to have an office actually in Worthing which seems almost like too much of a coincidence but it does not have a contact number other than a main GOV.UK website displayed UK switchboard number. I guess that Planning Approval will give the zero rated trigger to demolish asap and then de-listing from VOA and CT should be possible....

Hi, I am ok with the new build property stages and the liability CT wise but I am trying to reduce the CT burden of the current property on the plot that we are going to demolish. The changes in CT in the last year or so make the old property class as a "Second Home" which actually is just pending demolition. I guess the obvious choice would be to demolish it and then get it scrubbed from the Valuation?

I am mid purchase of a bungalow that I will be demolishing to make way for a new dwelling. The property will attract a 2nd home rate of CT rating initially on the purchase completion. I read with interest that new builds have to reach a point in development that qualifies them for Valuation and subsequent CT. Based on me planning to demolish, is there a like for like level of services I could remove from the property to make it fall below the requirements for Valuation? This would be a stop gap until demolishing when I presume the CT liability will cease anyway? Anyone had a similar situation?

I also discovered that the filters were original items! ?

My only experience of UFH so far is with a 20 year old ScandiaHus. It had a floating solid wood floor which seemed to be very "bouncy" and a heat recovery system that was either badly commissioned or designed that spent most of it's time switched off. It's main feature was to make every obnoxious smell available in every room of the house! Hoping that these days things have improved greatly with both systems.

Thanks guys for your input. I knew it was the forum to be joining! Once I have the architect back on reigns i will see what budget is left for the fabric first approach.

Hello Jack, I take your point about the "dryness" of aircon supplied heat and yes it can be very uncomfortable. I guess the MVHR with built in heater is an option. There does seem to be a very high level of satisfaction with the capability of MVHR combined with UFH with ASHP combinations to provide a background level of heat for the whole house. I think it boils down to having a source of instant heat that is not overkill in KW to allow for those occasions where temp drop externally and occupants allowing heat to leach out cause an uncomfortable lowering of room temp. I also imagine that if such a perfect device existed it would be a "golden egg" invention.

Cheers Dave. In my scenario the aircon unit would be quite a small unit that would probably sit in the main open plan lounge/reception area to address the "chill" that maybe some would sort out with a wood burner or similar. The MHRC would then distribute and balance things. It would not be excessive heat required, just localised instant gratification. I was myself quite keen on the wood burner from an asthetic stance but also now realise that there is overkill in such insulated buildings.

Hi I am currently at the purchased land stage of a build and just starting secondary talks with architects, so just getting started I guess. I read through the many articles on this and other forums and have jumped in with both feet and signed up to this one as it feels honest and varied enough for most outcomes of build choices. I have a simple question to kick off with and that is "Has anyone here ever used/considered using a traditional split aircon unit with heating capability as a "top up" heating source for a highly insulated new build". I have not seen anything on my ride around the internet so far but as heat pumps are being touted as a great core heating source it seems odd that the smaller devices that have been around for many years and presumably having a great COP spec have been largely ignored. They are instant and do not punch great holes in the air tight envelope of a building and would on the face of it, appear a great solution to what I read is a fairly regular issue with supplementary space heating? Interested to hear your thoughts/experiences as I am at this point considering their use in my build.