Marvin

Again I was advised by our DNO that they did there calculations by using the maximum the inverter would allow to the grid, and not the amount of panels or what the limiter had been set to, hence we are allowed a 6.0kW inverter.

Hmm. I had to apply to install a 5.12kW system before commencing and SSE (our DNO) had to check that the existing local network would take the supply. 4 5kW more than 16amp??? so G99????

Well that would be interesting because house selfbuilders can apply for exemption.

Yes. Have tested one crispy chips.

He absolutely won't as that would make sense.

Sadly unless something is done we will all suffer. Unlike global warming discussions, this is an indisputable problem. However, penalising the new builds because everyone else got their first doesn't seem right, and I can't see a 'catchment tax' being levied on all homes in the affected catchment area being a vote winner either. So it looks like a central government funding issue... so up go the taxes....

With no leaks it would mean a valve has been turned off somewhere presumably in the home. Is the softener in a cupboard or in a position where the isolating valves could be accidently closed. The other one is the mains valve in the house is off presumably in the kitchen? Or finally, have you paid the bill. Why does the always happen last thing at night????

Looking at your picture of the meter, the blue lever is in the on position. If the meter numbers are not increasing with the valve open you have no leaks.

We're the numbers changing when you looked at the meter?

Yes. 10mm Hammerfix = 10mm drilled hole. When drilling the hole through the frame you need to avoid the cavity. If your frame is set well in from the outside wall face this may be tricky may be an angle job. Be careful not to push the drill in so far that the drill (not the Drill bit) rubs on the gasket or frame marking it. I used window fixing clips: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194404674704?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB61532596& These knock into the grooves in the side of the window frame and you have to chistel a groove for them in the window reveals to be fixed in. Youll get the idea from this: Good luck

It worth considering all the AIM and APE elements before making decisions. That is Airtightness, Insulation, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, and Air Source Heat Pump, Photovoltaics and Electric Vehicle. Some of these will not work properly without the others: A MVHR will not work properly without Airtightness. An Air Source Heat Pump will have to compensate for the lack of Airtightness and Insulation to the degree that the benefits become questionable, especially during winter, without them. An ASHP uses electricity and Photovoltaics can supply a little during winter and a lot during summer when cooling can be a problem and an ASHP can supply cooling. PV can supply a little to an Electric Vehicle during winter and plenty during summer if your vehicle is at home during sunny days. Extending a property and only doing AIM works to the extension will be no good, you have to do all the property within the thermal envelope. So if finances cause you to have to consider only a few in my humble opinion AIM first and go APE later. (but prepare the property for the APE works as much as you can). Best of Luck Marvin

Hi @ProDave, @markc, @Miek re green energy after dark, as I understand it Drax B uses wood pellets (delivered from USA) I think its defined as a renewable energy source.....

Yes but we use PV in the EV 95% of the time.

I think your missing the point. We ordered our new EV car last Xmas and there is still no sign of it appearing before next year, so no second hand EV from us! You try buying a new EV from a dealer right now and you will be on a waiting list. So no new ones, no secondhand ones.

BP pulse EV charging rate now 55p/kWh . That would cost about 12p a mile for us.

Sounds like a melt down....

Library, hospital, shopping mall, garden centres, huge DIY stores, and so on.

My thought would be that having mentioned that you are awaiting planning permission, a discussion with the builders about the type of project and if this sort of thing is of interest to them and have they completed similar projects would be a start, and commenting about when you hope to start on site. I would first want to find out if I could work with the builders, then how much and when. I'm with @Canski building plans show the complexity of the building. Site location the logistics. Bill of quants the amount of work. Given a set of plans, location and a specification that's a days work to figure out the quantities and price them up. (Not so on new build because there's more "standard" work) Good luck M

Small number of vehicles? 1.35 million in the UK.

Batteries in base of vehicle makes lowering the floor for wheelchairs a pain.

Yes I can see that some would find it almost impossible. It works differently for different lifestyles. Just because it works for us doesn't mean it would work for the next person down the road. You have to evaluate the situation. As with @Kelvin we would not go back to an ICE. The real p***off for us is nonexistent disabled EVs.

Not being one of the wealthy of the parish, I think it does matter. However, we take the view in attempting to measure the typical cost, that if the system lasts 7 years it will have cost us £1.50 a day. How much of what we produce we use, we are not sure, but I bet its more than 3kWh a day.

Another layer of plasterboard to bring the wall out?

Thanks for all the info. Yes were really looking at background warmth and SWMBO has already commented about controls which we will be experimenting with. (as SWMBO says I cant help myself!)

I didn't want to mention until tested.