NPR

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:37 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:30 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 4:49 pm

It's gone south a lot more quickly than I'd have thought. The way I'm consoling myself is that we've had a good few years of dirt-chap mortgages and we're a bit closer to normalcy - but annoying nonetheless.

(I caught you'd moved earlier in thread, you still Stockbridge way?)

Moved to Portobello, have to say we are all loving it.

Nice - we had a look there when we moved 2 years back but nothing in our price range. The front at weekends is just a nice place to be.

We're down there a fair old bit, took the kids for lunch in the espy and marvelled at the awesome kiddie menu

By the way, I think our kids are similar ages, so if you ever fancy meeting up on the front on a Sunday for a bit of chat just let me know.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:27 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:37 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:30 am

Moved to Portobello, have to say we are all loving it.

Nice - we had a look there when we moved 2 years back but nothing in our price range. The front at weekends is just a nice place to be.

We're down there a fair old bit, took the kids for lunch in the espy and marvelled at the awesome kiddie menu

By the way, I think our kids are similar ages, so if you ever fancy meeting up on the front on a Sunday for a bit of chat just let me know.

Will do - we're away for half term but we're usually down that way a fair bit. There's sod all to do in Liberton.

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:54 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:37 am

Slick wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:30 am

Moved to Portobello, have to say we are all loving it.

Nice - we had a look there when we moved 2 years back but nothing in our price range. The front at weekends is just a nice place to be.

We're down there a fair old bit, took the kids for lunch in the espy and marvelled at the awesome kiddie menu

, must say I hadn't spotted that. It's a great place for the kids, they spend almost all their time on the beach. Sunday morning on the front is just brilliant, so many groups meeting up for various reasons and a great atmosphere.

We got lucky with our place, heard loads of horror stories about how much over the odds we would have to pay and would end up putting in 10's of offers before we got one. As it turned out we put in 2 offers, one at valuation and one just over "offers over" and both came back in minutes accepting.... not really sure how that happened

Sometimes the seller just really wants to move for one reason or the other, and they love first time buyers!

The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

Thought you were only allowed smokeless fuel in Edinburgh city centre?

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 9:45 pm

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

Thought you were only allowed smokeless fuel in Edinburgh city centre?

New DEFRA approved wood burners are fine.

https://www.directstoves.com/resources/ ... trol-area/

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

I take it these people don't have a clue about the cost of wood.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:20 am

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

I take it these people don't have a clue about the cost of wood.

If they buy cheap there is a chance they are buying imported wood, and that can carry the risk of pests and disease that can cause serious harm to native woodlands

We don't have the habit of using wood fires in this country, in the Pyrenees you'll see huge long walls of firewood drying for a year or two before it's burned.

A couple of my neighbours have log burners, I have no idea what they pay but a quick google suggests a cubic metre costs around £150, but these are kiln-dried logs.
That doesn't seem particularly practical to me, to use energy to dry wood before you burn it is just plain daft.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:20 am

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

I take it these people don't have a clue.

Fixed.

My brother in law is an interest in a firewood supply business. They are sold out for months ahead. Even they think many of their customers are daft. They used to supply mostly unseasoned wood, but now about 75% is kiln dried as new customers do not have the space to store the wood to dry so they had to install a kiln.

When I came home from France for Christmases, I used to spend January cutting firewood with an old guy who did it year-round. His supply was from a local estate.

He'd sell green wood logs off the back of his truck and the customers would try to burn it straight away.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:39 am

Blackmac wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:20 am

weegie01 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:55 pm The chap who has just done our Aga service told us that he is spending most of his time just now taking Agas out of Edinburgh New Town flats for people panicking about the running costs. He now has 8 in a shed, and more removals booked.

It was a throw away line, but he reckoned that even on current costs they were spending on average several years of running costs for the removal and replacement with a conventional cooker. What he really struggled with was that several were planning to replace the Aga as a heat source with log burners. In flats, in the city centre, with nowhere to store logs.

I take it these people don't have a clue about the cost of wood.

If they buy cheap there is a chance they are buying imported wood, and that can carry the risk of pests and disease that can cause serious harm to native woodlands

We don't have the habit of using wood fires in this country, in the Pyrenees you'll see huge long walls of firewood drying for a year or two before it's burned.

A couple of my neighbours have log burners, I have no idea what they pay but a quick google suggests a cubic metre costs around £150, but these are kiln-dried logs.
That doesn't seem particularly practical to me, to use energy to dry wood before you burn it is just plain daft.

Not to mention that a lot of imported cheap wood comes from non sustainable sources.

No one cares

A friend has just moved in to a Grade 1 listed house. It has an Aga (obviously) He says the electricity bill is 70 quid a week!

My wood comes from a local estate, classed as semi seasoned, as it's mostly windfall/standing seasoned. £50 a tonne..Got it in early this year and been stored under a tarp, with plenty of ventilation. Also building a rocket stove for the shed to replace current burner, should be good to burn bloody everything I throw at it!.

Dinsdale Piranha wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:14 am A friend has just moved in to a Grade 1 listed house. It has an Aga (obviously) He says the electricity bill is 70 quid a week!

If you have to ask how much your Aga costs to run, you can't afford it.

So what has Hunt announced?
A review on April?

Have had a somewhat major leak in the house, insurers demanding we have an industrial level fan/dehumidifier on for 10 days, but will only reimburse us for the energy if the whole claim is successful. But if we don’t use their kit we won’t get any of our claim at all. Dreading the energy bill coming up.

Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Yes, with an inverter to convert back to 50Hz..

TB63 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:20 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Yes, with an inverter to convert back to 50Hz..

Cheers.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

What size are the systems on these new builds. Around here, large detached houses only seem to have 4 to 6 panels. I would imagine you will use all the energy it produces rather than be able to store it. I take it you are thinking of having an emergency back up in case of power cuts.

Just been onto my provider's website and checked my bill. I am using less energy than ever before (kids gone to Uni) and since I kept on variable tarrif, seem to be OK. Significantly reduce consumption which costs less than 2 quid per day and paying 3 quid per day standing order. My credit is in 100's of pounds. Now I know this can change dramatically and swiftly, but turning things off and wearing a big jersey seems to be helping ..... at least until Christmas when the kids come back and the energy consumption rockets.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:33 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

What size are the systems on these new builds. Around here, large detached houses only seem to have 4 to 6 panels. I would imagine you will use all the energy it produces rather than be able to store it. I take it you are thinking of having an emergency back up in case of power cuts.

We've got 7 (4 bed detached), I think it's between 5 and 8 round here.

We can currently only use what we capture at the time so obviously we do laundry etc during the day. What I need to find out is how efficient it would be to store, use and replen the battery. We've no frame of reference about how much we save with them installed as they were in place for us moving in. I know trout about solar panels but I assume we're wasting energy, particularly on sunny days.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 11:40 am

Blackmac wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:33 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

What size are the systems on these new builds. Around here, large detached houses only seem to have 4 to 6 panels. I would imagine you will use all the energy it produces rather than be able to store it. I take it you are thinking of having an emergency back up in case of power cuts.

We've got 7 (4 bed detached), I think it's between 5 and 8 round here.

We can currently only use what we capture at the time so obviously we do laundry etc during the day. What I need to find out is how efficient it would be to store, use and replen the battery. We've no frame of reference about how much we save with them installed as they were in place for us moving in. I know trout about solar panels but I assume we're wasting energy, particularly on sunny days.

Do you have a hot water tank and immersion heater? I would guess probably not if it's a new build, but if you do, you can use a smart switch to divert all your excess solar PV generation to the immersion heater. I use this:

https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/pro ... -wireless/

Much cheaper than a battery (which can be thousands, from what I can see)

S/Lt_Phillips wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 12:18 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 11:40 am

Blackmac wrote: ↑Thu Oct 20, 2022 9:33 am

What size are the systems on these new builds. Around here, large detached houses only seem to have 4 to 6 panels. I would imagine you will use all the energy it produces rather than be able to store it. I take it you are thinking of having an emergency back up in case of power cuts.

We've got 7 (4 bed detached), I think it's between 5 and 8 round here.

We can currently only use what we capture at the time so obviously we do laundry etc during the day. What I need to find out is how efficient it would be to store, use and replen the battery. We've no frame of reference about how much we save with them installed as they were in place for us moving in. I know trout about solar panels but I assume we're wasting energy, particularly on sunny days.

Do you have a hot water tank and immersion heater? I would guess probably not if it's a new build, but if you do, you can use a smart switch to divert all your excess solar PV generation to the immersion heater. I use this:

https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/pro ... -wireless/

Much cheaper than a battery (which can be thousands, from what I can see)

Cheers but no. That would have been a good use.

Wholesale gas prices have tumbled, thanks to mild weather and lower than expected demand. If only we could store more than 6 days worth...

So every month my statement shows how much I used in total for the last 12 months.

I averaged them all out from the last 15 months to get my estimated usage, used this with the new prices, deducted the £350 they owe me, divided by 12 and came to a calculation of 10,500 and 5600 (both below my last 4 months average) and will be lower since my son is at Uni so 1 less person with the TV/PS5 and showers/washing/cooking. So £256 per month.

Their "recommended DD" calc is £290.32! That seem odd, and a bit weird, so how, do you ask, did they come to this conclusion?

Well... it's all about an arbitrary 'review date' which, at 5 months away, is too close to make reasonable guestimate, so they've had to push it out by 12 months to the next arbitrary review date!!! FUCK OFF


So I've rolled the dice and dropped it to £260, I expect the thought police to arrive at my door any day now.

My DD was £150 a month. Is now £388 a month (which includes the govt discount). Guess it could have been worse. I was fearing closer to £500 /month.

Our British Gas app only goes back to June last year because that is when we moved to them. It's a decent app and easy to compare usage. Between June and now we have dropped our electricity usage by 40% and gas usage by 27% compared to last year. Most of the electricity drop is down to mothballing the hot tub but there has been obvious benefits from the other changes we have made. Our DD estimate based on last year was £330 but that has already dropped to £262.

Blackmac wrote: ↑Wed Oct 26, 2022 8:27 am Our British Gas app only goes back to June last year because that is when we moved to them. It's a decent app and easy to compare usage. Between June and now we have dropped our electricity usage by 40% and gas usage by 27% compared to last year. Most of the electricity drop is down to mothballing the hot tub but there has been obvious benefits from the other changes we have made. Our DD estimate based on last year was £330 but that has already dropped to £262.

DD is £248 before Gov discount and have built up a sizeable balance. Estimate I will average £140 /month over the year, up from £110 /month last year. The estimated costs are not yet being seen.

My DD is £180 (actually £115 with the government support) but energy company have never managed to balance out the tiny energy usage during the summer in the billing on average it used to be about £60.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Similar kind of question in a way.

Does anyone know if an air source heat pump can be easily added to an existing gas fired combi boiler system to make a hybrid system?

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:03 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Similar kind of question in a way.

Does anyone know if an air source heat pump can be easily added to an existing gas fired combi boiler system to make a hybrid system?

It seems an unlikely pairing. Heat pumps work with lower temperature water, hence they run all day, & if your using rads, you need to change them; while the combi boiler uses higher temperature water.

I imagne you might be able to use the combi, to charge up the buffer tank, & then top up with heat pump, but it seems like added cost, & complexity, by trying to ride two horses ?

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 2:44 pm

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 1:03 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 9:17 am Anyone any experience/knowledge of battery storage for solar panels? We've a new build so the panels aren't connected to the grid but I assume we could still retrofit them with a battery.

Similar kind of question in a way.

Does anyone know if an air source heat pump can be easily added to an existing gas fired combi boiler system to make a hybrid system?

It seems an unlikely pairing. Heat pumps work with lower temperature water, hence they run all day, & if your using rads, you need to change them; while the combi boiler uses higher temperature water.

I imagne you might be able to use the combi, to charge up the buffer tank, & then top up with heat pump, but it seems like added cost, & complexity, by trying to ride two horses ?

Combi's feed direct off the mains water so no hot water tank or heat store. Solar water and heat pumps is a more logical combination. Immersion heaters are included in water tanks for heat pumps to get it hot enough to kill off legionella.

petej wrote: ↑Wed Oct 26, 2022 11:46 am My DD is £180 (actually £115 with the government support) but energy company have never managed to balance out the tiny energy usage during the summer in the billing on average it used to be about £60.

Ours was £142 until April and we’re currently paying £200, soon to rise to £270 (against Scottish Power’s recommended £298). Current use averages fractionally over a fiver a day against the £10 they want. Mild Autumn and a couple of open fireplaces (and more than a ton of coal / logs) helps. Add the £66 a month and I’m sure we’ll be paying less than last winter.

Well due to lower than expected wind power generation and "the world cup effect" this warning went out earlier but was later cancelled. The warning was actually aimed at the suppliers to the National Grid to ensure they met their obligations but allegedly we've been able to buy in supply from across the Channel and they expect to meet demand....

The England v Wales match next week is apparently a time of concern if too many people decide to make a cup of tea at half time.

Doesn't really bode too well for the cold and dark months ahead...

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Tue Nov 22, 2022 6:47 pm Well due to lower than expected wind power generation and "the world cup effect" this warning went out earlier but was later cancelled. The warning was actually aimed at the suppliers to the National Grid to ensure they met their obligations but allegedly we've been able to buy in supply from across the Channel and they expect to meet demand....

The England v Wales match next week is apparently a time of concern if too many people decide to make a cup of tea at half time.

Doesn't really bode too well for the cold and dark months ahead...

We need an outtage to ensure the government get the kicking they deserve otherwise too many people won't realise the extent of the failure.

If England get to the quarter final prepare for blackouts.

Anyone know how much the national grid in the uk would localise blackouts?

Just had a Air source heat pump quote back.

The running costs are higher than gas.

I am finding it difficult to justify the massive outlay on getting one fitted. (£10000 with the grant)

If the grants etc covered a greater amount of the outlay I would suck up the higher costs of running. As I could swan around with a smug holier than thou attitude and feel very pleased with myself.

However mother earth can go fuck herself for now as I don't have ten large sitting around just to allow myself to one up the neighbours.

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:22 pm If England get to the quarter final prepare for blackouts.

Anyone know how much the national grid in the uk would localise blackouts?

Ideally just in Scotland as they won't be needing half time cups of tea. (I'm here all week folks.)