davejura

Would love to use gas. In fact I was hoping we would get away with a gas system with radiators, but that isn't going to happen without major extra insulation and other measures which could end up dearer than a PV or ASHP. Can't afford both unfortunately. If our house wasn't upside down, we would go with a heat pump and underfloor heating. We actually have plenty of room for a GSHP, but again cost could be prohibitive. Regarding PV, I balk at paying out £5000 or so to save £100 per year now there is no FIT. Decisions, decisions!

Evening all. Trying to decide on the best route to take and am hoping for advice! We have been told we need either a 2.5KW PV system or an air source heat pump to pass the SAPS test. Our CO2 estimate is currently 50% above the maximum on our current build make up. To complicate things slightly, we are building an upside down house in the West of Scotland, approx 160 sq M. We have mains gas right outside the property. Any thoughts or other solutions please?

Brilliant! Think I'll give that a miss though! I'm wanting to do a lot of the work myself, hence wanting to go down the cladding route, but I hear what you are saying.

Still looking for help / advice on this. The ECAP system is proving complicated due to the ventilated gap being inside the insulation, so will gain no benefit from it (it will just basically be a carrier board). Architect isn't happy with an unventilated gap or no gap at all, unless we use a cement board under the ECAP. Now looking at using Cedral for exterior cladding. Could anyone recommend a build make up using this system? At the moment, my architect says we will need a 2.5kw solar PV system which we are trying to avoid. Was thinking 140mm frame with 120mm Kingspan, and another external layer of insulation outside the OSB board. This can then be battened for the Cedral boards (or cement boards if planning don't accept Cedral). Any input much appreciated as this is starting to do my head in! A concrete block skin is looking more likely!

Hi folks. We are building an "upside down" house, timber frame with cement render cladding. We were planning on beam and block on the ground floor (there is quite a lot of under build), but not planning on underfloor heating as it will be the bedrooms downstairs. Our architect is suggesting timber ground floor joists as they will be cheaper, quicker and with not having underfloor heating, all we need. My idea was to get the foundations, under build and beam and block done before the winter, with a solid base ready for the kit in the spring. Anyone have any thoughts and ideas of price difference? Our footprint is approx 80 square metres, maximum 7m width. Mrs is still keen on underfloor heating. Is there a good way of fitting this upstairs in the living area when we have timber joists? So many decisions to make ... Thanks.

Hi folks. Looking for advice / opinion on exterior cladding systems for a 2 storey timber frame house on the west coast of Scotland. I know someone who is using this http://www.gti-direct.com/category-details.php?id=698 on top of sarking which is fixed on 50mm battens to give a cavity. They will then render directly on to the board. I like the look of this as it is something I could do a lot of the work on, plus you get an extra layer of insulation so hopefully should need less in the kit. Just waiting to hear back from the mortgage company as to whether they will lend on it! Another option I have been looking at is the Knauf Aquapanel system, but this looks expensive. Has anyone had experience with either of these systems or similar? Really looking for comparisons with a standard concrete block and render system and to whether the figures will stack up. Thanks!