Onoff

@Spangles, depending on what materials you can score on the cheap/for nothing then DIY solar water heating might be a option. The lower efficiency possibly offset by the abundance of well, Sun! Loads of project ideas here: http://simplysolar.supporttopics.com

How about just using the Deta ones for the tv/data plate and better stuff elsewhere. Can't see that "matching" with other white accessories is a huge issue if using these as they're covered in "gubbins" anyway. Edit: Btw I used that manomano site the other day for paint of all things. They seem to do all sorts.

Deta are favoured by the bulk buying house builders. Sort of the contract emulsion of accessories imo. Maybe a bit more than that. Go to your local CEF and ask to look at say a Deta 2G switched socket compared to an MK or Scolmore Click. See what you think as to ease of switching and noise (dead of night). http://www.detaelectrical.co.uk/about

Our kitchen was from Homebase. Couldn't deliver first attempt as the truck couldn't get down the lane. When it did arrive all that was (slightly) damaged was one 3m worktop that I got to keep anyway and made good use of!

Getting the feeling the LPG joke tanked....

Page 1 of the article says 60-70%

Was thinking about LPG at one time but I didn't have the bottle...

Magnet kitchens...very attractive...

Found this: http://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/DIYHRV/DIYHRV.htm

How about a Deta S1342 and add modules? Manomano cheapest I could find it. £9.62ea. Pages 14 & 17: Slimline Deta Specification 2017.pdf

LibreCAD looks much, much more basic compared to Draftsight. Tbh even using Draftsight I find myself wanting to do 3D and it's very limited. You can for example EXTRUDE but then can't SUBTRACT solids etc. If you import a drawing created in Draftsight into AutoCAD the latter throws a hissy fit. Can't remember if it's Solid Edge or Works I want to look at as it can generate interactive PDFs.

Is LibreCAD as close a clone to AutoCAD as Draftsight is? Coming from AutoCAD I was using Draftsight in literally seconds.

Out of interest I looked up the spec of my old 12V Makita. 10Nm maximum torque! No wonder it feels so gutless up against my modern 18V Li-ion drill. Even more amazed the amount of work the 12V one did back in the day.

Interesting links if you Google "Passivhaus tropics". The Austrian embassy in Jakarta for instance. Also a good PDF on passive building in Australia.

I liked going through Dubai on Emirates business class. Normal albeit plush showers and wcs in the business lounge. I never ventured to the main concourse really with the peasants! Weird double glazed windows on the shuttle bus I remember with condensation streaming down the inside. Sadly that gravy train has now stopped running!

Draftsight is a 2D AutoCAD clone:

IoW, Anglesey?

@SteamyTea, seem to remember you were going to post up some images of your home brew MVHR/heat exchanger a while back?

I'd be doing whatever it takes but keeping them on side. You never know when you might want a bit of extra security as in keeping an eye on the place or taking a delivery etc! Dunno about you but I get on alright with my neighbours!

Mine's content if it's out of a skip!

Where to get LED replacement? This one's 12V/0.7A. I'm seeing Cree ones at a tenner a pop! Anyone else upgraded their old torches? Cheap Chinese ones by the bucket load on eBay but SO many sellers!

Think of the "action" that couch might have seen! Fella I know has just moved into a place where they left a big, decent leather couch. He's gone over it with some sanitising wipes and is more than happy but his missus wants new!

There's enough been sold of the one's I bought: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-3-0AH-12V-Battery-for-Makita-PA12-1220-1222-1234-1235A-192598-2-1050D-5093DWD/182769389798?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Seem to all be gone at that price though!

On the back of this thread & another forum I was looking at cheap batteries on eBay and came across some 3.0Ah NimH batteries for my old Makita 12V drills. I gave up on the drills when the original batteries died and made the jump to 18V Makita L-ion. Haven't tried them yet but for £4.99 the pair? Can't see they'll be cr@p if they've taken this much care etc over the packing. Really not sure what I'll do with the working 12V drill. Give to SWMBO for Xmas?

I was just thinking the architect will likely be on site more often then the SE. Architect comes to site, neighbour collars them with a "You're the one then are you!". It'll only pee the architect off imo. Steer it'd towards the SE, the architect will jump at the chance to defer "blame". Does smack of inexperience all round sadly.