joe90

To reduce noise in my vortex I glued acoustic foam to the underside of the lid and on the inside of the pump housing which reduced the noise a lot.

However, it states several times that forest fires there have impacted on utility costs which is a factor in the price rises and if they are not delivering as much “lecky” they need to generate less surely which must reduce their cost somewhat?

If you can afford that you can afford a cleaner (or two and maybe a butler 🤷‍♂️).

Oh yes, my original idea was straw bale build and i would have if I was much younger. I will be following the other straw bale thread. I wrote to channel 4 years ago suggesting they start a programme called “green designs” but they did not reply 🤷‍♂️

If I remember correctly our Jeremy even had his council tax paid for by incoming PV payments over and above his outgoings.

Is it bundied? (Double skin) which I believe is mandatory now

The European Commission has listed straw as waste that can be used to produce “advanced biofuel” to decarbonise the transport sector. But the EU farmers’ association begs to differ. It says straw is an agricultural co-product and not waste.

burning straw in the fields was banned and straw is a waste product (although used as bedding etc) so why not use it in building if it works. Most people think it’s flammable but when coated in lime (which in effect is limestone) it becomes fire proof. I once saw a photo of houses burnt down in forest fires in the USA but the only structure still standing (minus its timber parts) was a straw bake house.

I have been on two straw bale builds as a volunteer as that was my first intended build medium. I think it’s way under estimated and very doable. The ones I was on plastered (with lime) by hand which is very slow, I was planning spraying the lime. I prefer using the bales like bricks and spiking rather than timber cassettes but they both have merit. I studied this for about a year, best of luck and keep us updated.

Only if someone dies!!! I have installed a socket in my bathroom to run a de humidifier (washing dryer in winter) run from an RCD socket in the cupboard next door. When/if I sell I will disconnect it.

Perhaps soak it with a hose pipe (pretend to be severe weather) and see if it re appears.

Very well done you 👍

I had them in double glazing and virtually impossible to tell.

I think that suggests that ASHP was not designed properly or installed correctly, (unless additional heating was part of the remit) there are lots of examples where this has happened which is why they can get a bad press but there are good examples here where instals work perfectly well (as mine did in my previous build . )

See if you can get the planners to change their consent to new build because THEIR building regs have stated that’s what it is (then you can claim 20%) 👍

As was pointed out on Kuenssburg this morning the UK has done very well so far cleaning up its act (more than a lot) but things like “just stop oil” cannot be done overnight. I believe we are heading in the right direction but it will take time. It was pointed out that to move more quickly will put a bigger burden on the poor, not the well off (who can afford an EV).

However, being devils advocate (with a WBS in the middle of a forest) I use less electricity that may be produced by Drax 🤷‍♂️

I believe the 45’ rule does apply to permitted development but your neighbour may not object! My brothers neighbour built an extension within the 45’ but my brother did not object and it was ok. Some bedtime reading….https://www.jabdesign.co.uk/blog-2/what-is-the-45-degree-rule-and-why-is-it-important

I agree and you need to take into account how happy you are living where you are? Also the risk in finding another place that suits you 🤷‍♂️

Why not speak to your immediate neighbour and you will get a feel for their view on this, tell them it’s PD (which we feel it is) yes they may complain but the complaint has to be justified, not just “we don’t like it”. Drawings don’t have to cost £000,s, I did my own initially, find an architectural technician rather than an architect (if you know what you want) .

Welcome, I am sure many face the same dilemma so bring on the the questions, Oodles of good advise and real world knowledge here 👍

This is my clock in my workshop……… (its no wonder @Pocster has not finished his build)

Many many years ago I dismantled my brother asbestos (we think) garage, no PPE but my brother stood there with a hose soaking me and the garage whilst I put it in my trailer. No chance of dust or fibres.

Yes I agree, but the new “repairable “ was brought in more recently than her car was made, plus I am sure the manufacturer would say replacing JUST the headlight is a repair 🤷‍♂️

Slightly different but a relative has had her LED headlight fail on her car the LED,s are built in it and just the headlight unit is over £800 (I am glad I drive an old banger with halogen bulbs 🤷‍♂️).