Random Renewables Thread

I think you're right about the door fitting, the seals are in good condition but from the outside there are some small gaps around the edges and there does seem to be a bit if a draft coming in

The door itself also seems cold. I know it's insulated but there's only so much you can pack into a door that's a few centimetres thick

I might see if I can get the door adjusted for a better fit, I know mine also has some degree of adjustment because it was scraping before and the fitter came out and fixed it by adjusting the hinges

Wasn't sure if such links were allowed.

Anyway con747 has it linked above.

Will do. It's due on Thursday so will try and fit it on Friday.

Just remembered I have an outdoor one of these * that I fitted late November to run the Xmas lights off. Connected easily to the Tuya app and works well with Home Assistant. I've good wifi coverage where it is and the new one will be going so don't expect any issues.

* Smart WiFi Waterproof Outdoor Double Socket - Certified Works with Alexa + Certified Works with Google Assistant https://amzn.eu/d/5iH8iWq

I watched a few documentaries recently about them being transported in Australia and America and the logistics was a nightmare.

Haven't considered external insulation to the house due to the cost involved, but I do know it is by far the most effective way of improving heat retention.

We did however get the wall cavities pumped a year after we moved in, there was none what so ever in the walls as it was built in the fifties. It made a huge difference for relatively low money ~€1K.

Like everything it’s a matter of opinion and what matters to someone. Can you pump the cavity walls or is it solid construction? A bungalow should be cheaper as you’ve a lot less scaffolding for external insulation. External insulation and new windows while not cheap will transform the house and get it ready for a heat pump when the time eventually comes.

Well said @DrPhilG

In general deep retrofitting or any super expensive job to insulate a house is a very bad idea as it is poor value for money. Unless you do it yourself or get a huge subsidy - which by definition is poor use of tax payer's money.

€25k Jaysus. That would pay for nearly 25 years of my gas bill. Spent €10k on renewables and you will have a far better return. And use the tax payer's gift on that in a more efficient way

It's a interesting one this. There's the simple on the surface ROI on money spent. For sure, the likelihood of a good break even point is going to be ~20 years - if not more! For many this is a poor deal, if not a terrible deal. That money could be better well spent on other renewables. Even things like increasing your attic insulation, triple glazing, etc.

However, houses typically last for 60-80 years. There are estates in Dublin which are 100+ year old around cabra for example (although they are probably "listed" and your ability to add insulation externally could be limited)...... and in that context of fixing something now that will save energy for 50+ years going forward, that's probably a good investment (for the government) albeit the current owners wouldn't seem to do well out of it, if you know what I mean. One positive thing though, it might open the door to installing a heat pump as your losses will be improved, so it might have other advantages.

I think though really you would have to have an E rated house (or worse) to make it worthwhile.

Imagine the solar installation you could get for €25K :-)

Yeah, I'd also agree that it's not entirely about ROI. Comfort being the main thing with heating, but also, if you can afford it, your doing your bit for the environment.

Picked up this to help cut down on the cooking costs last night, an instant pot on offer on Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OP26T4K?psc=1

Nice day today. Only 2C here in Lucan at the moment (real feel -1C), yet I am heating my entire house + shed directly with electricity from solar PV (mining rig + infra red panels), my battery is full and I am heating my water with the excess PV. Plus heating water from the 40 thermal tubes that have just about been defrosted about an hour now

Who said solar doesn't work in winter?

Good tips there. We will replace the gas cooker with an electric oven and induction hob. We use 1kWh of gas a day for cooking on average per year. And it's not good in terms of fumes that cooking on gas creates. Problem is the kitchen is tiny so will need an oven below the induction hob - likely costs more to have both together. In terms of gas usage, cooking is about 7% and 93% is heating (which we reduced a huge amount this year with a few electric rads). So we'll reduce gas much more quickly with electric heating than moving to an electric cooker (and use air fryer at times too).

I did see portable induction hobs for use in small spaces. Clips onto wall wen not in use and you then put onto the worktop when needed. Can get 1 or 2 rings. Great for a couple maybe, but wouldn't be safe to cook family dinners on it when kitchen was busy with kids about. The rings aren't secured to anything, they just sit on the worktop.

We have a little robot vacuum and means we use the plugin vacuum much less. 1st one died as the brush motor died. They aren't designed to pick up anything heavy. We've pets in a cage so bits of long grass that feel out killed the motor. It slowed the brush from spinning I guess. I did try replace the motor myself but got a motor online and turns out it's for a drill. A drill does 1000s of RPMs a minute. A robot hoover muchhhhhhh less so. So that was a fail :)