RHI payments are available for heat pumps I think, worth checking out.
Metalheart, in he recent cold snap we have seen the heat pump go into defrosting mode only on one day so our system seems to be working well so far.
My energy use now will be higher than last year at home for lots of reasons, no holidays, home at weekends, no meals out, wfh, more hot drinks so the energy reduction is even more impressive to me.

Cvilla, my house is recent build, well insulated 4 bed detached.
We use conventional radiators throughout, larger for use with heat pump.

I agree that heat pumps to replace mains gas will be a hard sell, many will not spend money to increase their costs! We should start with new build, this us happening and other fuels. Ulimately only an increase in cost of gas relative to electricity will drive adoption, CO2 reduction will not do it.

We installed an air source heat pump as ground source ones require either a large land area or a deep borehole.
We do not have the land and don’t fancy a borehole as there are lots of old mines in my area so drilling is risky as well as expensive.

Hi Metalheart, no separate metering, the heat pump is on the regular supply and draws a little over 3kw at max usage for short periods.
WFH is new for me as many others. I would expect the gas use to be higher than last year if we were still using it as the house is kept warmer.
Heat pumps are ideal for WFH as they provide lower amounts of heat for longer periods compared to gas.

Thanks Trail Rat, Somafunk, I am already an Octopus customer and would move to Agile if I do install a battery.
Interesting thoughts on warranty, I had not really considered that you not only need a warranty but also trust in the provider.
Agree that the cost are high, if cost was lower I would have a battery installed already. In Scotland we can obtain interest free loans to cover all or most of the cost so it stings a little less.

Hi Brads, the reasoning behind storage as I understand is is that renewable generation is not in phase with demand.
My pv system exports during a summer day and I then buy power in the evening at a higher rate.
I also have a variable rate tarrif so I can buy power at low cost overnight, currently used mainly for car charging.
PV systems >4kw can be problematic for homes as you require special permission to avoid local grid issues.

Storage batteries do not make sense in most cases on ££ alone. I have cut my winter energy use in half with the heat pump and would be able to use no grid power at all for 3 or 4 months in summer with a battery. That appeals to my sense of humour.

I believe that storage is the big thing required for our energy system.
In Scotland we can generate much of our power needs from renewables but you need storage for it to work.
And I am an engineer who loves tech!

PM sent !

If the snow is good this winter I think that I will likely be spending more days touring than resort skiing.
Travel is the big unknown apart from the normal Scottish weather issues…

It may be worth checking your smart meter with potential suppliers. Not all meters work with all suppliers.
Octopus use ‘Secure’ meters, don’t know about any other companies.

Thanks for the heads up.
I may go out for a cycle round the block instead of my normal walk before heading up to my spare bedroom/ office.

The Joys of working from home nearly 6 months now….

That is strange, I have never experienced issues with multiple road UST set ups.

Are you making sure that the tyre bead is in the central well of the rim.

I confess that I use tyre levers to complete the fit and I am still alive! Maybe use plastic levers with only small force?

I visited my local motorhome sales place recently to get some water tank cleaner and spent most of the time looking at 6m motorhomes with garages!
We currently have a small 5m panel van conversion which is great for weekends but not so good for longer trips.

If you need a garage, toilet and shower then I think that only coachbuilt will suit, I am not aware of any panel van conversions with a garage.

There are several 6m vans with garages however from memory they are mostly 2 berth, maybe 3. Most major manufacturers seem to offer a van of this type, not sure about second hand availability.

Happy hunting 😀

Impressive trip, Edukator.
We have a Zoe 40 and Edinburgh to Glencoe is my idea of a long trip!

One of the many good things about living in Scotland is that the vast majority of car charging points are on a single network, Chargeplace Scotland. The network is expanding fast as well with gdowing numbers of chargers in the Highlands.

Enjoy the new Zoe, we will be running ours for a good few years yet as the range of 150 miles is more than enough since we also have a camper van. The only problem is that the fuel cost of the van seems eye watering when you are used to charging an EV on low cost electricity overnight. 😢

Try Parcelforce, I shipped a frame recently with them.
Hermes etc would not accept due to dimensions but Parcelforce were fine and good value if you take to a Post Office or depot.

Mashr,
The B747 flight deck is ‘upstairs’ to allow for a hinged cargo loading nose. The aircraft was designed for cargo.

I have fond if hazy memories of flying the Atlantic in a B747 in the 70s ss a child. In those innocent days the crew would let children come up to the flight deck and ride the jump seat for a while when established in cruise.

My only other B747 flight wad economy class to Pakistan, not so good when you are a (small) adult.

Lots of recent experience of A380 travel, better than B747 in every way but lacking in character 🙁.

I worked on the engines for both the B787 and A350 but have yet to fly in either type. I hear that they are both good rides and really want to fly in one or both. I avoid personal flying for tree hugging reasons but before C19 did lots of long haul for work, hopefully less in the future. ✈

To get a watt reading the crank must be rotating, static weight will not work.
Turbo may be as good as it gets, or same speed up same hill in still air.

Alternatively just stick to one powermeter and forget all about the possible differences 😃

Differences in crank length should not be an issue as long as you correct for it.
Torque = force x distance

Can the crank arms read out torque only?
Just asking, never checked when I had a Stages powemeter.

Power = torque x angular velocity
The measurement of angular velocity (cadence) will also need to be checked.
Not sure how best to do this.

I have just (yesterdey) sent a frame using Parcelforce 48hr, this service is not suspended in Scotland anyway.
Even an XS frame in a close fitting box was too large for other carriers, Hermes etc.
Basic cost for UK shipment was £16 if you take to a Post Office, more if you ask for collection.

Another vote for Octopus.
I am on Octopus GO since we got an EV and it works fine.
Octopus seem to be doing some interesting and different things with tarrif and supply which I like.
Too late wut8the referral code 🙁

I have always liked the Saab Gripen capable, low cost and developed by a relatively small nation.
I had the good fortune to be working at the Saab factory on the day of the Gripen E first flight, 2016?
Impressive to see and put my customers in a good mood to sign off my work. 😀

Thanks all for the thoughts above.

The boiler fired up this afternoon exactly when I expected it to, the cycle is every 50 hours.

I am pretty certain that this is a boiler test cycle of some sort, not a faulty meter, pilot light, frost protection or similar.

The manual provides no clues do I have asked the manufacturer for assistance.

Unfortunately, as I sad engineer I just can’t let go of things like this, I need to understand…..

Thanks for the ideas, I will sit by the boiler tomorrow when it is expected to fire. (The joys of working from home).
Crikey, thanks for think of my welfare but not sure if that is the answer….

As mentioned by ffej above I heat water with electricity, either diverted from solar PV system or using low cost overnight electricity.
My electricity tarrif is 5p/kwh for 4 hours overnight, making the cost similar to gas.
Electricity demand is generally lower overnight so if there is any wind then it will be high % renewable.
My motivation for electric heating was also CO2 reduction rather than £.

My energy supplier, Octopus, claims fully renewable electricity so apart fron cold showers that is about as good as it gets.

I bought one of the final batch also after a demo ride in 2019.
Just built up and ridden last weekend for first time, see picture in the other Soul thread.
Loving it so far 😀

I took my new Soul for its maiden ride in the sunny Pentland hills today.
Loving it so far 😎
Soul pentlands by David Jones[/url], on Flickr

Sorry Dave,
I have not yet shortened the cables and hoses, need to test ride first ☹☹

My two look right of course, no fancy carbon here.
MTB Cotic Soul
20200603_195050 by David Jones[/url], on Flickr
Road Van Nicholas Zephyr (sorry for the dark side….)
Zephyr by David Jones[/url], on Flickr

One of the last XS Souls built and ready to ride, just some cables to tidy up.
20200603_195050 by David Jones[/url], on Flickr

My better half is 5’2″ on a good day and happily rides a Whyte 806. This has the same frame as the 802.
On the off chance that you are near Edinburgh you are welcome to view / test.
😀

Still waiting for my Soul frame to arrive 🙁. TNT say it should be with me tomorrow. 😀
All the parts to be fitted have been cleaned and lined up…..

Good to hear the Soul love on here.
I demoed one at Glentress last year and loved it.
Since then I have been thinking on and off about ordering a frame .

News of its imminent demise forced matters so I ordered one of the last XS in mercury.

Should arrive next week, all parts are already stripped off my current frame ready for build. Very excited!!

The Newbattle Centre near Dalkeith has 3 Wattbike Atoms I think.
This is not quite Edinburgh one a full fat Wattbike but may help if nothing else is better.
Welcome to the area!!

@Dangerboy. I am on Octopus Go since I got an EV. Very good experience and I like what Octopus do as a business, seems very forward looking.

I can provide a referral code if I can work out how the PM system works..

Dave

I use paramo for hill walking all year round. Velez in Summer, endura in summer.
They are warm but well ventilated, regular care needed as stated above.
I love it as more breathable than membranes and softer, less wrinkly.
If you do get wet then Paramo actively dries you out after the rain stops. In membrane jackets you stay wet.

Hi Garlando,
If you have solar PV or plan to do so then investigate the Myenergi Zappi.
We have been using one for nearly a year.
Very good, charges from solar panels or can be programmed to charge overnight if you have a tarrif with cheap rates at certain times.
Be aware that chargers now need to be ‘smart’ to qualify for grant funding.

Bob”s advice is sound.
We normally go skiing for one week at that time of year.
We have been to Val Thorens, Val DIsere, Tignes and Cervinia. All of these work.
I believe that many Austrian resorts have a good snow record.
Some French resorts can be accessed by no stop Eurostar which is my preferred ski travel method.

Lock and Lock now make containers of recycled plastic. Same sizes as standard containers but green or brown in colour as only new plastics can be white or clear.
Aldi had some in stock last week.
Happy New Year!!

We recently installed an induction hob, very good to use.
Cooker electrical supplies normally seem to be separate, fused at 32 amps. I would be surprised if induction jobs required higher power but it may do.
One matter to check is whether the hob supply is shared with on oven. We had to install a 3kW hob as our 32A supply is shared by hob and oven.
I suggest consulting an electrician regarding fuses, cables etc to be safe.

Glencoe Mountain can be seen from the A82, the main road in West Scotland.
I would expect the road to be quiet but not a surprise that someone was driving at that time.