bikerchris

Hi all, Just a little update, my current method is a bit odd - not sure it works. I use a combination of fan heater and oil filled radiator - I let the fan heater blow through the rad, in theory it'll push warm air around a bit quicker. Once the building has some heat stored, I switch off the fan heater and just leave the rad running for peace and quiet! On another subject, I've got all the external wall insulation on now, getting some for complete floor coverage this week hopefully (around 20% missing). There is a strip around the perimeter that isn't insulated (around 12cm high), but I've done 40% of that, just need to finish that awkward job. I'd really like to find a cheaper way to heat, but as you've all kindly said, cold days (0-5C) costs around £2 a day. So that perhaps around £400-600 a year, I wonder if I can get a combined solar / battery setup that would be around that? I could then save money by having it on a constant may be.

You are right I'm sure. It's just the noise of the thing that's really distracting. I could put it at the other end, but I've not got lecky over there yet.

Sorry for my delay, work, like everyone else! Well, I did temporarily use a 2K fan heater the other day, when it got quite cold in there. My current bodge is to have 2 oil filled rad's, as I'm getting close to putting the external wall insulation on soon. I have one timed to come on at night, when the temp gets low enough (so far it hasn't turned on), and then another during the day that doesn't use the thermostat on the rad, but instead I've got a plug in thermostat/timer that only works during the day. So far so good, ish. I've plugged both into an energy monitor so I can keep an eye on usage.

Thanks for that @saveasteading That's pretty cheap and must work well. It might be a bit too juicy for my liking. Mind you, the current oil filled radiator I'm using for the whole space is using 8KWh at worst - at 23p a unit, that's gonna rack up pretty quick!

Just a little update, I asked a plumbing resource this same question, and they said don't bother with the tubes...so lecky it is!

Wow, thank you all so much for quickly answering, really appreciated! ? Looks like the heat pipe idea, isn't that popular - it was only a thought because of rising heat costs and all that, and because I only use the space during the day mostly. Also, once the insulation is on, the walls should absorb and retain the heat to an extent (thermalites). That looks like a good idea, low wattage and fairly cheap to buy, cheers! I did look at that site a while back and do a DIY job of it. Like @Richi said though, that's a fair amount of noise - I had originally thought of split unit to get the sound outside...though only if it weren't too loud (high'ish density urban area). You're not wrong there, though saying that I did experiment with temperatures in the peak heat we just had. By leaning the insulation against the building AND glazed areas, I saw a 10C difference in temp (30+ outside). I really like the idea of spending no electric on cooling. Like you said though, just a 13A spur and it's done for those extreme days!

Hey all, Hope you're all well. Soooooo, I'd quite like some heat in my new outbuilding, temporarily I'm using an oil filled heater to get me by...it's not a good time to be using this much lecky. I remember when I helped a friend install {evacuated) heat pipes on his roof, and the output the produce, and I'm toying with the idea of doing some research for popping some on the roof (in the right orientation), getting a rad inside and a small pump. I've got no high electric needs, just a computer, lights, etc., which are happily being fed from the house (upgrade is due though). Originally I was going to get an air source heat pump, a builder friend 'knows a guy' that installs them at the weekend and it's £1100 all in...though that would mean I'd have to upgrade the electric supply sooner rather than later. Is this silly? The space is around 3 x 6, so around 18 sq. m. It has 100mm floor and roof insulation (warm deck), and will have 100mm external wall insulation. Look forward to any comments!

Ah, meant to update this, block done, as well as roof, roof/ground drainage, temporary electric and the basic essentials so I could move in and use the space! This is slightly out of date, the fascia is on now, I'll take another pic sometime.

I'll certainly do my best @SteamyTea, there's a bit of a time pressure with getting it done, but I'll give it a shot

Just if interested, I've started a new thread about the build

Only if anyone's interested following a post HERE, blockwork going up

Hi all, Might be the wrong thing to do, and may be I should create another post, but I finished the slab today (with a little..well, a lot of help from my friends).

Thank you for that, as we think alike, that has been considered already Fortunately I'm intending to vertical timber clad the inside, so the wall battens will be horizontal and allow for pipework concealed behind the finishing surface. Luckily that work will be at the 'non working' end of the building, so it should be OK for me to do bits and pieces when I have time. ? Here's one of my initial concepts, it's changed now as the loo will be on the left, and where that loo door is, it'll be a cupboard/mini kitchen/NAS storage.

Awww, I feel all warm and fuzzy, which is needed after the day I've had! I think you're right, there is a walk in accountant/tax company just down the road from me, I'll chat to them once I've moved into the new orifice. I'm also risk adverse, so I like to play it safe when the opposite can just cause me grief! Thank you again sir! ?

At the moment, I'm kinda being shoved out my current office, so priority is just getting it sealed up. So far I'm mulling over things, I might paint walls white just to see me through summer, and research ASHP's or something that'll ideally do both. Here's a very bad night time video I just did, showing where I want to put the unit - figured better to floor mount (sorry about the voice, quite tired) Youtube Linkie: https://youtu.be/oGJ7pQl05CY ? Those Scottish heat waves must be killers! (Scotland a place I still really want to visit, on two wheels or four!). That is really REALLY helpful to know, thank you very very much. I was going to claim all costs (as that's what book keeper suggested - note not a proper accountant), but I'm going to think twice now. Really grateful to you @joth ? Thank you too @Bitpipe ?I'm a humble sole trader, not a director/company at all, seemed like too much work to set up. Hmm, you seem to second NOT putting the costs of the build through my business, thank you very much....it's a shame, but thank you! You are a veritable wealth of knowledge, thank you for chiming in! I think I'll call it a storage room perhaps, I guess worst case if one way or another it would cost me £10k some sort of tax or cost when selling the house, I might just knock it down and patio over a very very solid base. It would make me a bit sad to do that though! You're a bit weird Tony, how you read my mind That was the original plan, blimey! I'm avoiding hot water, though I guess it depends if I start using the building and feel like having some I'd put it in. We'll see! That really did cross my mind as it'll be super-dupa insulated (external on wall and warm deck roof). I might just see how I get on like you say, use a little electric heater and see if it can cope. I just don't want a stuffy room, so that'll be the clincher. I've worked in enough dry horrible places, now I've gotta chance to change that, I'd like to take it! (caviate: unless it costs too much of course!). Thank you everyone for your comments, such a surprise as I thought my post would just get buried, what a nice bunch you all are ?????

Yeah it does, but I'm just doing what I can with what I've got!

Thank you, I've tried. The white pipe is just something for me to get the water supply in. When I have time, I'll dig under slab, then dig a trench 750mm deep to house and lay MDPE. The gradient is bad so I have to get a maserator ?

Hello all, I thought it had been a while, and it had! As you were all so helpful, I just wanted to give an update. I've finally gotten round to starting the office build. Here's a pic of the final design...it changed quite a bit: I've removed the shed, dug out and shuttered as of a few days ago, concrete pour happening next week.

I know a guy who wanted to use rain water storage to flush his loo with. I helped him re-roof and fit heat pipes, exceedingly environmental.

For another thread perhaps? ?

Definitely something I'd have if budget and garden would make use of it...oh and have somewhere secure for it to be kept. Will definitely get one for the next property if there's something that needs knocking about ?

Apologies - didn't check for typos, had meant to write, "I CAN quite believe that", my bad.

I've not heard about any extension yet. Depending on your budget and looking on the bright side, it will 'only' involve a cost of around £236'ish in fees and in theory you've got some drawings already. Then there's the longer determination of around 6-8 weeks, though some councils are having a hard time achieving that (I can only speak for outer London and the South East).

That's an issue a lot of people are facing, as they thought the application only had to be in by that date. It'll be interesting to see how the industry reacts to this, though if anything, Councils won't be glad that they have to have more formal applications coming through - most of them run a skeleton crew in the Planning Dept as it is ? Every one that I speak to quietly complains about the turnover of staff and the under staffing levels.

Hi all, I got this following a recent enquiry, thought it might save someone some time. Not going to be something I'll be using sadly ? Enjoy! Factsheet - Slinky Installation.pdf