garrymartin

Extract from my research notes that might be helpful; Recirculating cooker hood with grease (typically steel/aluminium mesh) and charcoal/carbon filters with a MVHR extract vent nearby but not directly coupled. Boost the MVHR rate while cooking if you want to (current sensor on induction hob cable for automation??) Grease filters need cleaning regularly; every 1-3 months Charcoal/carbon filters have a lifetime (usually 3-12 months; check manufacturer specifications) and should be replaced Try to get a model with grease filters that can go (and fit) in the dishwasher and that will not tarnish, or that can be replaced (should you wish to) SMEG, for example, has a Universal Charcoal filter Stainless Steel AISI 304. The filter can be washed in the dishwasher at 50°C (water and suitable detergent) and to dry, put in the oven 180°C for 25 minutes

It's often a bit more nuanced. Sometimes, permission is only granted *because* they are self-build, especially if the tilted balance in planning can be invoked due to the LA not meeting their targets for Custom and Self-Build housing, or the balance or weighting towards granting permission is tipped because it is self-build. I know of local plots that have been successful with both self-build and live-to-work permissions but the same sites have been refused planning for open-market housing.

Not an answer to your question, but just want to check - do you have planning permission for market housing or is the planning permission for self-build housing? You can't have permission granted for custom or self-build and then develop them and sell them as market housing.

Most of the battery ones are rechargeable by plugging in a USB charger rather than changing the batteries...

In my research notes, I have electric (wired) blinds mostly favouring left-hand side cabling, and for pre-cabling to cover most bases, to run 1.5mm2 Twin and Earth and a CAT6 cable.

Whilst it depends on whether the gap between the window boards and the substrate is sufficient, another option is to sink screws into the bottom of the board so they get enclosed by the adhesive to give it some more strength. As an added plus, they can be screwed in and out at various positions to give you a very solid, level surface; in essence, the screws get used as levellers too.

I don't have any skills to comment on the install, but I can help out with the datasheet. https://eshop.wurth.co.uk/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/3108-B1-Site/en_GB/-/GBP/ViewOfferDetail-GetDocument/08921521__ZTD02.PDF?DocumentId=Y12022052402000005507051e27743ae&ProductRefID=08921521%403108-B1&MimeType=application%2Fpdf 08921521__ZTD02.pdf

It is strange, given our reliance on power for all sorts of things. I'd want to keep at least the Loxone MiniServer up and functional, especially if using it for alarm/security too, but I'd be happy with less/dimmed lighting in that sort of emergency. I'd also want something for powering some of the 230V essentials outside of the Loxone system though, like the CCTV system so that cameras were still recording in the event of a "deliberate" power cut... It needs 36V, so three 12V in series usually.

🤣 Most online "ready-to-go" kits for the Loxone Power Supply & Backup seem to be 12Ah with a couple of 24Ah. I'd note that the 24Ah one weighs 26.5kg, so your potential 145Ah solution is not only going to be expensive, it's going to be bloody heavy too! I'd get the lights in first, then see what the actual draw is when in normal use, and what would be an acceptable dimmed position in the event of a power cut and then go from there.

I have three trains of thought here. Firstly, what's controlling the lighting on Loxone (you mentioned Relay and Dimmer for the mains voltage, what does the 24V?) and what options does that give you to change the characteristics of the lighting in the event of a power cut to reduce the demand? Secondly, as @SteamyTea mentioned above, can you incorporate some emergency lighting components instead? Thirdly, how often do you have a power cut? Would a few portable battery lights not be sufficient if nothing else in the house is powered? The couple of times over the many years that we've lost power for any extended period, we've just used battery work lights and torches as necessary.

It will depend on what the breakdown of the quote is. Can you provide that? Also, what did you ask for?

Easy mistake. It needs power for the internal switch. At least you have a spare now... 😉

How are you providing the USB-C power?

They should reply in time or request an extension. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consultation-and-pre-decision-matters#:~:text=Statutory consultees should be aware,the absence of their advice.

@Temp I've seen it in the notes for VAT431NB and VAT431C but I can't seem to find a link to those notes on a gov.uk website at the moment... However, I do have a copy of VAT431NB saved (extract attached below). I have versions of this guidance from 2015 and from 2022 and they are the same. Therefore this guidance hasn't been updated since the case law I mentioned above (2016), so my contention is that prior to that case, the only detached building allowed was a garage. Following that case, a number of buildings can consist a single dwelling and therefore detached versions of items that are eligible when in the "main house" should now also be allowed and the guidance should be updated accordingly. If a swimming pool is allowed in the "main house" then a detached swimming pool, designed solely for the use of the single-family occupants of a dwelling should also be allowed. There is also case law for "relevant residential purposes" that covers this scenario too, where workshops or administration blocks associated with and built at the same time as residential accommodation blocks have been zero rated.

The same applies to your comments about a workshop at the rear of a detached garage or extra living accommodation above a garage and apportionment. Why would the extra living accommodation as a separate detached building (but single dwelling) be eligible according to the Brief, but not if it was above a detached garage? It just makes no sense - both from a common sense perspective and as I interpret the current VAT legislation and the case law that prompted Brief 13 (2016).

Hi @Andrew Jones - great presentation. I noticed the comment about outbuildings not being eligible in your presentation. I've tried engaging with HMRC on this topic given that it is now accepted that a dwelling can consist of more than one physical building for VAT purposes (see Revenue and Customs Brief 13 (2016)) and yet HMRC still insist in their VAT documentation that a garage is the only "outbuilding" eligible for relief? In VAT431C-form-and-notes_22, Note 19 refers to other buildings. Specifically, it mentions detached workshops and detached swimming pools as two examples where you cannot claim the VAT back. But if a swimming pool was contained within the house, then you could claim the VAT back. So the issue seems to be that they are detached. But this guidance is then contrary to the guidance in Brief 13 (2016) which states that HMRC accepts that the law doesn't require a dwelling to be formed from a single building and that a number of buildings may be combined to form a single dwelling as long as they are designed to function together for that purpose. So why would a workshop/craft/art room/swimming pool in the "main house" be eligible, but if they were in a separate building they would not be? HMRC continue to point to their written guidance but the argument is one of law, not whether what they state in their guidance should be taken as correct. Unfortunately, through the online forums and "after consulting with their DIY team" they say they are unable to provide an answer and that I should instead contact VAT Clearances with a copy of the plans for the development and my specific query. As I'm not at that stage yet, and only want clarity on whether I would be able to reclaim VAT or not for a detached workshop from a budgetary and planning perspective, I'm unable to progress this further. Have you encountered anything like this over the past few years?

Don't forget it doesn't have to be the full amount that's paid on the credit card to be eligible for protection... Section 75 applies if: you paid some or all the cost by credit card, with a point-of-sale loan, or with certain catalogue shopping accounts the cash price of the goods or services is more than £100 but not more than £30,000 It’s important to note that: it's the cash price of the goods or services that matters, not what you paid on your credit card or loan – for example, Section 75 applies even if you only made part of the payment using credit

There were changes to who pays for "network reinforcement" in 2023. For example, in my case, before the changes, for our potential plot to get three-phase at the required loads the DNO was asking for almost £50K for network reinforcements - three-phase cabling was in place, but only a single-phase transformer and so the cost was predominantly for replacing the single-phase transformer for a three-phase one (it was originally an eye-watering £146K but their network asset database was out of date and some cabling they wanted me to pay for was already in place). Now, so long as I'm not *requesting* a three-phase connection, but am instead documenting my load and supply requirements (that would naturally lead to three-phase being the solution), then the DNO should foot the bill for the reinforcements and I'll simply pick up the connection charge. Much more detail here https://ukpowersolutions.co.uk/2023/02/14/changes-to-electricity-connection-charges/

Glass shelf support; you're just using them in a different orientation. Available in lots of different colours and sizes. See https://www.hafele.co.uk/en/product/shelf-support-clamp-design-24-mm-screw-fixing-for-glass-shelves/P-00862003/#SearchParameter=&Category=JE0KAOsFOpgAAAF.vM3iJvmA&checkbox_fs_facet_supports_brackets_product_type=Shelf+Supports&@P.FF.followSearch=10000&PageNumber=3&OriginalPageSize=12&PageSize=12&Position=27&OrigPos=535&ProductListSize=90 for an example

The John Cullen lighting webinars are really good - https://www.johncullenlighting.com/events/#webinars

Hadn't seen that news. Looks like you still have a "free go" if your original withdrawal or refusal was before 6th December 2023 though.

Hence the "good-quality" comment 😉 I use 3M insulation tapes and have never had an issue. Is it a junction box? It doesn't look like you are making any connections in the photo; it appears to be a pass-through of the conductors only. If it is a pass-through, then not required to sleeve them but nothing to stop you from doing it if you so wish.

Just bear in mind that the median time for determination of an appeal (written) at the moment is something like 37 weeks (may be different for different appeal types), and that's from the date they determine it is valid. My appeal took 12 weeks to get to that point, so it could be almost a year before I know the outcome. Talk to the planning officer first and ask what would need to be changed for them to approve another application. Depending on the type of application, you can resubmit another for free, and this doesn't stop you from appealing the first decision at the same time. This is what I have done. I resubmitted for free with information that addressed the reason for refusal (despite the planning officer telling me it would still be refused) and started an appeal against the first decision at the same time. Five weeks after resubmitting, it was refused again, but at least I didn't lose that five weeks by waiting for the second refusal before starting the appeal. Should the second application be successful, you can then just cancel the appeal. Still waiting on the outcome of my own appeal for Permission in Principle, but hopefully not too long now 🤞

Heatshrink would be preferred assuming the conductor itself is not damaged. Good-quality PVC tape at a push. https://engx.theiet.org/f/wiring-and-regulations/24396/repairing-insulation You do need to sleeve the conductors with the correct colour sleeving for their function.