readiescards

Do they have to be mounted vertically?

It's March, sunny but cold. Yesterday my PV report shows: System Production: 41.7 kWh Self-consumption: 25.74 kWh Export: 15.97 kWh So I'm exporting lots of unused electric (once my UVC is satisfied) and then late afternoon we fire up the log burner and the central heating comes on. Daft this when I could use the PV electric excess to warm up the UFH instead of expensive LPG via a Viessmann boiler. Looking through old threads I notice a reference to a 'Willis' external immersion device, never heard of that but a quick Google and it looks the ideal device especially as my SolarEdge PV control system can handle a 3kW immersion element. My local plumber knows nothing about an external immersion device, so hence some questions: 1. does it need an additional expansion vessel adding to the system? 2. if I install the device just before the ufh manifold, would extra valving be ESSENTIAL to prevent the ufh pump running the return water through the boiler circuit all the time? 3. I have a BS1820 temp sensor buried in the slab, the control circuit seems simple: if (slab temp < desired slab temp and solar PV excess exists) { run ufh pump willis unit on & powered by SolarEdge PV diverter wall socket } since the boiler will auto control itself and will back off if the returned ufh water is up to temp Failure points: * if the ufh pump failed the Willis unit dual thermostats will cut in and switch it off * if the slab temp sensor fails the floor could get too hot so an extra temp sensor on the manifold could verify the return ufh water remains within acceptable limits. Have I missed something? Or should I just stick to running round the house when the sun comes out switching on electric towel rails and fan heaters

I've got that on vinyl somewhere!

So legally it does NOT have to go through the sewage treatment plant? Which would be great news

Busy getting on with our new holiday cottage, trying to work out best sewage treatment solution, lady from holiday cottage booking company just been, she says normally holiday cottage owners are refreshing the hot tub water every week! Woa thats a lot of waste water. Where can I discharge that too? Does it have to go through the sewage treatment plant or can it go into local dyke? Thanks

Awesome thank you! Would never have guessed that.

What is the lead time?

Following on from: I purchased a Gunsan sauna single pole switch from: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Surface-mounted-Sauna-Toggle-Switch-IP54-All-in-one-Frame-Insert-Cover-/122932662577 But I can't get it apart to access the connections and screw it to the wall without what feels like I'll destroy it - making me feel pretty stupid Any tips on how to open a Gunsan switch please?

ASHP -> (SA & UFH) If the SA is fully charged and the UFH only needs a trickle of heat so a blending valve might be partially open only - is that an issue with no buffer tank? Reason for asking my local plumber tells me the ASHP would need a buffer tank (and I'm assuming a buffer tank needs the yearly servicing that I'm trying to avoid - does it?)

Does an ASHP require a buffer tank if used with Sunamps? What would be the pros and cons? ta

Brought a little Wellco ash vacuum, seems to work fine and no electric shock :-) Even got a useful blow feature that will help me fix a broken drawn cord in a duct without resorting to my car exhaust

Any specific info needed? As would be great to have your thoughts before meeting the plumbers on site tomorrow morning

Netgear powerlines worked great in my two previous sub 20 year old houses but no matter what I did or where I placed them the exact same units would not work at all in my parents 150 year old farm house. So they seem property dependent to me.

That's seems at odds with all the other advice and comments so great to read! England?

Spent the morning cutting some channels in the top soil slop to help water drain away (plot on a slope so works well). As you can see where my welly has been the top soil is turning into solid mud. I'm fairly sure it is not a water table issue as the plot is higher than the surrounding land. If I can get the top soil drained and dry with some sub soil drainage, will a run over with a rotavator revive it?

Doh should have thought of that, brilliant thanks

Thinking about it so have I, using two massive stationary steam engines...not sure I have the room

Share your slop pics please!

This is a photo of my 'front lawn' as you can see it has a lot of standing water and if you look in the background you can see standing water in the fields too. When I walk on my lawn my wellies sink a good 4-5" inch into the top soil as it is sodden and little more than a brown sloopy soup with a crust on top. The sub soil is clay that, I reckon, has been badly compressed by the build process. The site has a distinct slope so I think some sub-surface drainage would help prevent this issue in the future. However the only solution I know is to scrape off the top soil and run a mole plough through the sub soil to break it up and open up some drainage channels. This would be quite tricky as it would need a big tractor to pull the mole plough and that would be tricky within the confines of the site. Would like some advice on other drainage ideas, I'm reluctant to just accept that 3 months of the year the lawn will be underwater...

Great, ordered. Ta Intend to wiring using, immersion flex which is good for 85 deg : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IMMERSION-HEATER-FLEX-1-5MM-BUTRYL-RUBBER-CORD-BUTYL-3-CORE-STORAGE-HEATER-FLEX/172009242733?hash=item280c8cc06d:g:PpcAAOxy3JtRe-Se FYI I've only seen temps in 50deg range when I've been checking so immersion flex seems ok, unless any better suggestions

Plans: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7njj95savxlawso/LDC2025_BR01 Plans Elevs A1.pdf?dl=0 Note utility no longer in plan

No PV since the building is wrongly orientated and is heavily shaded by trees. Bathing (outside hottub) but just one bath and one shower - so not swanky ensuite double headers. Sunamp could be located in the pantry area but that is a long way from the bathroom/master bed ensuite Should have decent pressure and flow since we are putting in 38mm pipe to the barn to help.

Starting a new thread, as I'm struggling to understand everything in the big Sunamp thread. Doing a barn conversion for a 3 double bedroom holiday cottage. Intention is to have a Panasonic 9kW ASHP feeding UFH and immersion tank (in loft space and maybe horizontal) but I'm just wondering if a Sunamp solution is better than an immersion tank - since no servicing contract, better fit in the tight space, better heat retention (no point heating the loft) - downside it will be outside my plumbers comfort zone and presumably higher capital expense. Sunamp with ASHP good idea for a holiday cottage barn conversion Yes/no? FYI We are intentionally avoiding gas (LPG) since means need a boiler, extra risk (if we have gas hob), extra servicing costs, and requires tank space or a big expensive hole digging. Ditto oil needing a tank, boiler, big hole etc. Rhi is payable for a holiday cottage on a ASHP just requires metering but as barn won't be super insulation it will need a decent amount of heat (which perversely makes a ASHP better as it means faster Rhi payback if I understand correctly) Thanks Paul

Following on from: I need to hide a single pole 240vac switch in the chimney breast where temperatures around 50deg C have been recorded. Any suggestions on a suitable switch - or even a regular light witch in a surface box if anyone knows their temperature rating please?

Do the Sunamps have any service/maintenance cost? I was shocked to find my immersion tank requires an 'annual service' visit just to keep its 10 year warrenty - seems like an excuse for the plumber to visit, tap the tank a couple of times, have a cup of tea and charge me £150 every year :-(