richo106

Yes I physically had a hard copy of every invoice as when I started my build this was the way i was going to do it, however since being able to do it online you can do it using the spreadsheet template found online. So didn't send any invoices to start with. The spreadsheet needs: Invoice No, Date, Description, Name of Supplier, VAT Reg No, Total amount excl. VAT, VAT amount, Invoice in your name I wouldn't say random but a selection of the higher amount ones. There was none for small amounts. I had 359 invoices and they only asked for 21

Hi All I just thought I would share my VAT reclaim timeline to let other people know current timings etc.. I completed the VAT 431c form using the online method (excel spreadsheet) on 4th September 10th September I received an email asking to submit 21 invoices, i sent these back the same day using the online portal I received a letter on 27th September saying how much they will be paying and queries they had regarding 5 invoices(not enough detail) Money received 1st October Re-sent the queried invoices with additional details on 9th October The remainder of the money received today (4th Nov) In all honesty I found this process very good with no issues, I rang up once to ask a question and got through straight away It certainly helped keeping an up to date record/spreadsheet throughout the build otherwise this would of been a mammoth task at the end and no doubt things would of been missed

Hi @CotswoldDoItUpper We actually went for liniar flush casement windows in the end, worked out a lot cheaper and had a lot wider range of colour. We went for the colour 'claystone' which is a mussel colour which was ideal for our build.

How much are you looking for a DIY battery install including inverter and batteries? How is the best way to size your batteries? I have a 5 bed house and all electric, i have only just switched and last week averaged 12 - 16kwh per day (no heating on) I am not looking to have solar panels at anytime due to my roof layout and which way my house faces so would the cost of installing a battery set up be worth it? I have just switched to cosy tariff and last week average £2.50 - £3 a day with no heating Looking forward to hearing some feedback on this as batteries is not something I have considered before as I ruled out solar straight away Many Thanks

For Info I have 12kw Panosonic Aquarea Monobloc. WH-MXC12J6E5 So any advice regarding weather compensation would be alway welcome

Thank you @JohnMo for this answer very informative/usual. My ASHP is 12kw and truthfully I have no idea what my design heat load is, one guy said he would install an 8kw but guy I went with said he would install a 12kw as he prefers not to run them flat out. I completely understand regarding timings or lack of but currently I pay 20.72p per kWh and the cosy tariff is 10.74p per kWh during the periods stated in my schedule, 21.93p per kWh day rate and then 31.79p per kWh during 16.00- 19.00. So at the minute I am struggling to see how I wouldn’t save a good amount of money if I switched, as we generally do washing and dishwasher during the cheap periods as always I come on this forum for a bit of a sense check so appreciate being corrected on this I really need to read up on weather compensation as this is something I have not heard of until I started this post Many Thanks

Thank you everyone for all the comments regarding this, very much appreciated. Some of it certainly went over my head though! The buffer tank was installed as part of the ASHP install as it was a completely new install, and there is a temp sensor on the buffer tank that feeds back to my ASHP controller After reading these comments my thoughts are now to set all my thermostats in house to the same temperature (20 degrees) and using the Octopus cosy tariff will set up my ASHP the following: 04.00 - 07.00: UFH Buffer tank and & hot water - ON 07.00 - 13.00: OFF 13.00 - 16.00: UFH Buffer tank and & hot water - ON 16.00 - 22.00 OFF 22.00 - 00.00: UFH Buffer tank - ON 00.00 - 04.00: OFF Would this seem sensible? Regarding my thermostats, would you put any time controls on them or is the energy used for the UFH pump negligible? @Andehh Yes please PM regarding octopus, I need to speak to EON first as typically I have just signed up for a year with them so need to talk about leaving etc.. As always as comments/advice must appreciated. I just want to try and make sure my system is set up correctly Many Thanks

Hi All Our renovation project has enabled us to build a well insulated and hopefully quite air tight house (not tested) we have opted for an ASHP that is used for our DHW (300L tank set at 52 degrees) and also UFH both upstairs and downstairs ( 1 manifold upstairs and 1 manifold downstairs) I have set my buffer tank/thermal store to 35 degrees. Each room has its own thermostat which controls an actuator loop. I have never had an ASHP/ UFH before so I have been trying to look at the best way to set this for the winter months My question is how do people who have lived with a setup like this set it up? Speaking to my installer he recommends setting all thermostats to the required / same temp (I.e 20/21) and ignore any time controls and just keep the house at constant temperature at all times? He feels you use a lot of energy warming up the house from cold and better to leave ticking over My wife works from home most days I would love to hear peoples opinions and experiences on this? Many Thanks

I am pretty sure it’s an error on the ASHP energy monitor, it doesn’t seem to tie up with the smart meter I have just installed. I have set a reminder in my phone to make sure I read my meter before and after

Thank you all, I have just spoken to Lawn Smith and they have been very helpful on the phone so i might go with them!

Hi All As you might of seen from my other posts I have just had my patio done, to make my patio work and look right I have had to have a quite large of the garden built up with top soil which i want to turn back into a grass lawn. Could any one recommend some grass seed they have used in the past? Also do i need to fertilise the soil first? Can you buy pre mixed seed and fertiliser mix at all? Any advice/suggestions/information much appreciated

Hi I have attached some pictures of my energy monitor As you can see I normally use around 4kwh per day except on the day my sterilisation where its above 40, it was 47.2 kwh last week Is this normal? Or do i need to speak to my installer about this? It just seems high to me Many Thanks

Also what about some kind of cement/lime plinth? I will speak to BCO but wanted to have some ideas first that would look ok

Cut away 150mm and then fill with gravel?

Bloody hell...I am panicking now! I was really pleased with how the patio was looking until this