Green Building Forum - Discussion Feed (tony builds his house) 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/ Lussumo Vanilla & Feed Publisher tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84904#Comment_84904 2010-07-06T15:27:09+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 It does not look great, some patches and swirls, some small fracturing of tiny edge pieces next to the green oak framing. -- all my fault but will never need touching and it will weather in ... tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84897#Comment_84897 2010-07-06T13:15:20+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 StuartB http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=1149 Certainly appears to be more positives than negatives, what was the problem with the lime render Tony? tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84888#Comment_84888 2010-07-06T10:40:50+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 Passive solar is the best!!!solar thermal is good, inter-seasonal is looking better every day, veggies in the garden are nice, triple glazing makes it very quiet which is nice, recycled rainwater is ...
solar thermal is good, inter-seasonal is looking better every day, veggies in the garden are nice, triple glazing makes it very quiet which is nice, recycled rainwater is nice to flush with.

Least pleasing is that I wish that I had done the lime render better. I m struggling to hook the roller shutters to my computer and these are needed for summer shading of the windows -- manual operation at present]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84880#Comment_84880 2010-07-06T09:07:58+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 StuartB http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=1149 Tony,What has been the best performing/most pleasing part of the green technology you have used and what has been the most disappointing so far?
What has been the best performing/most pleasing part of the green technology you have used and what has been the most disappointing so far?]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84693#Comment_84693 2010-07-02T09:52:47+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 MarkBennett http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4768 . tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=84689#Comment_84689 2010-07-02T07:40:25+01:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 . tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=77357#Comment_77357 2010-03-10T08:07:32+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 Jeff Norton (NZ) http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=36 Posted By: Viking HousePosted By: tonyI have installed a MHRV system to the whole house, it has two small dc fans with a very efficient heat exchanger and a small heat pump.What make/model is that?I ... Posted By: Viking House
Posted By: tonyI have installed a MHRV system to the whole house, it has two small dc fans with a very efficient heat exchanger and a small heat pump.

What make/model is that?

I would be keen to know what MHRV system you are using Tony?]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76984#Comment_76984 2010-03-06T07:46:06+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 Viking House http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4212 Posted By: tonyI have installed a MHRV system to the whole house, it has two small dc fans with a very efficient heat exchanger and a small heat pump.What make/model is that? Posted By: tonyI have installed a MHRV system to the whole house, it has two small dc fans with a very efficient heat exchanger and a small heat pump.
What make/model is that?]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76973#Comment_76973 2010-03-05T22:48:44+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 Sorry -- lost it for a moment there I have installed a MHRV system to the whole house, it has two small dc fans with a very efficient heat exchanger and a small heat pump that can steal some ... tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76972#Comment_76972 2010-03-05T22:34:21+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 Viking House http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4212 Hi TonyWhat's your ventilation method?
What's your ventilation method?]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76925#Comment_76925 2010-03-05T16:03:32+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 I could put a thermometer on it -- it ain't that warm though I was going to do a platform floor but the platforms were so dead expensive that I did a floating floor 25 eps, poly, 19 t & g ...
I was going to do a platform floor but the platforms were so dead expensive that I did a floating floor 25 eps, poly, 19 t & g flooring and dreadful cheap laminate on top 8mm.

Air temp is cooler than the rest of the house but still 20.5]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76921#Comment_76921 2010-03-05T15:58:56+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 Paul in Montreal http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=12 hot2000 has quite a good foundation/basement model. It's interesting to see that your real-world measured figures stack up well against the model.Out of interest, have you any means of measuring the ...
Out of interest, have you any means of measuring the floor temperature in your basement? What floor coverings do you have?

Paul in Montreal.]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76918#Comment_76918 2010-03-05T15:39:22+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 I wouldn't have thought that Hot 2000 could come up with a temp 1m below my basement floor could it? Very impressive if it does. tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76912#Comment_76912 2010-03-05T15:29:15+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 Paul -- yes I would expect it to follow hot 2000 as hardly any heat got dumped down there last year temp today is 14.4 and I have started dumping excess solar hot water down there this week too ...
temp today is 14.4 and I have started dumping excess solar hot water down there this week too --- thinking of sending it to a rad -- dreaded thought but my heated towel rails are joined to the solar system already so I can use them.

Off to switch them in right now]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76911#Comment_76911 2010-03-05T15:22:11+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 SteamyTea http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4864 AdamI think the maths have been done to death and running costs come out higher each time (for an ordinary house and excluding extremes). The refurbishment is a bit harder and I did attempt this a ...
I think the maths have been done to death and running costs come out higher each time (for an ordinary house and excluding extremes). The refurbishment is a bit harder and I did attempt this a few weeks back and they are more marginal. Depends if you include the energy to build the old house of not (should really from CC perspective). See http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5436&page=2#Item_3 for my views on reducing too fast.]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76906#Comment_76906 2010-03-05T15:14:27+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 adwindrum http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=1273 Cant surely have a most emphasis situation, it has to be overall. ie the house needs to have a long lifespan if high embodied energy (or recylable like the plastic ones!) with low running costs. A ...
Someone needs to do the maths :confused:]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76904#Comment_76904 2010-03-05T15:05:27+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 Paul in Montreal http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=12 Tony,do you have any more data on the temperature of the ground under your basement? From what I've seen so far the temperatures you've indicated are tracking the hot2000 model (which doesn't take ...
do you have any more data on the temperature of the ground under your basement? From what I've seen so far the temperatures you've indicated are tracking the hot2000 model (which doesn't take into account the dumping of heat into the ground) very closely

hot2000 figures:

Nov 16.078
Dec 15.281
Jan 14.454

From your website:

At the end of October the temp 1m down under the middle was 16C and at the end of Nov 15.5. End Dec 15C and end Jan 14.5C

Just curious.

Paul in Montreal.]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76900#Comment_76900 2010-03-05T14:56:45+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 Running costs tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76897#Comment_76897 2010-03-05T14:42:49+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 SteamyTea http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4864 Which do we put most emphasis on, embodied energy or running energy? tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76895#Comment_76895 2010-03-05T14:37:09+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=11 There are an awful lot of houses that are called Eco houses that are nothing of the sort tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76891#Comment_76891 2010-03-05T13:50:19+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 adwindrum http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=1273 Cripes, some of these numbers scare me a little....140kWh/day in an eco house??I have just looked at my figures and for the last 20 months we have been on 13kWh/day. 4 bed, wood heated house with 3 ...
I have just looked at my figures and for the last 20 months we have been on 13kWh/day. 4 bed, wood heated house with 3 kids. But have a small holding with electric fencers, heat lamps and all cooking [bread maker coffee machine every day] done on electric (most now done on an induction hob which will save loads and is also a million times better!).

Also just got given a higher efficiency chest freezer (we run a big one all the time to store our produce) which should save a fair bit. We had put off buying one due to the high initial cost, but I think that it would have paid itself off after a few years. Luckily this one was free.

We dont tumble dry but do have damp winddows in house!

Reckon we should all have those electricity monitors....scare the life out of you they do. Dad has water pumps to boost pressure...just on standby they were using heaps of electricity. My induction hob on standby was using 220watts alone!]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76889#Comment_76889 2010-03-05T13:43:30+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 djh http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=2698 Posted By: davidfreeboroughyou could use the heat pump to charge a large thermal store which in turn feeds low temperature water under a floor with a large thermal mass.Indeed and if you didn't need ... Posted By: davidfreeboroughyou could use the heat pump to charge a large thermal store which in turn feeds low temperature water under a floor with a large thermal mass.
Indeed and if you didn't need the heat because it was sunny, you'd stand a better chance of keeping it until the next day in the buffer tank.]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76831#Comment_76831 2010-03-04T20:09:06+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 CarneyC http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=5020 SteamyteaYes, I'm sure that summer gas use is mostly for hot water. I've a young family, so space heating during the winter day is high(ish). My main roof pitch points NE, so not much potential for ...
Yes, I'm sure that summer gas use is mostly for hot water.

I've a young family, so space heating during the winter day is high(ish). My main roof pitch points NE, so not much potential for solar HW. Perhaps I'll just bath the kids less often ;-)

We've got TRV's on all radiators & a thermostat in the hallway. We tend to run the heating at 19C so jumpers are often the order of the day. Pushing the heating up to 22C would probably cost a heck of a lot more.

Can't wait for the Jetmaster to be installed so we can cut back on evening heating further...]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76821#Comment_76821 2010-03-04T19:04:36+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 davidfreeborough http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=5888 Posted By: SteamyTeaI would love to be able to control my heating better as the only viable option I have is to overheat and then ventilate if the sun comes out. I often read on hear about people ... Posted By: SteamyTeaI would love to be able to control my heating better as the only viable option I have is to overheat and then ventilate if the sun comes out. I often read on hear about people using cheap night time electricity to run heat pumps, but surely this would amount to the same problem that I have and is only a cheaper method of running their heating/hot water and not really a low energy alternative.
It can be done, but only if you have enough thermal mass/storage & sufficient insulation.

The problem with typical Economy 7 storage heaters is that they heat a relatively small mass to a relatively high temperature. If instead you heat a relatively large mass to a relatively lower temperature the risk of overheating is reduced & your chances of retaining the heat through the day are greatly increased.

For example, you could use the heat pump to charge a large thermal store which in turn feeds low temperature water under a floor with a large thermal mass. The underfloor heating could be controlled with room & floor thermostats to minimise overheating & if necessary split into zones.

David]]> tony builds his house http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=3321&page=tony-builds-his-house&Focus=76809#Comment_76809 2010-03-04T17:55:22+00:00 2010-09-10T15:19:56+01:00 SteamyTea http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/account.php?u=4864 So does mine, but it is a condensing washer dryer and not too bad, though I usually hang the washing out (remember I am in the second wettest county). Shall try and dig out some other bills to work ...