The Arbalk morning register!

[maybelateron]

2 hours ago, openspaceman said:

Big step change though, I'm hesitant about moving away from wood heat. A battery and inverter will fit well with the heat pump. Some PV panels too, Xmas day in the past was the day when I bought the most electricity, this year I ran on solar power alone.

Agreed entirely, and heat pump is by no means a definite plan yet. We had PV panels installed early on, so we are on the higher tariff, and our electricity costs us nothing over the year. Also have a storage battery and solar water heating tubes. Wife's car is full electric with good size battery which can be used for the house in an emergency. We even have a well that works, so ready for most problems.

[openspaceman]

35 minutes ago, maybelateron said:

Agreed entirely, and heat pump is by no means a definite plan yet. We had PV panels installed early on, so we are on the higher tariff, and our electricity costs us nothing over the year. Also have a storage battery and solar water heating tubes. Wife's car is full electric with good size battery which can be used for the house in an emergency. We even have a well that works, so ready for most problems.

I am having a quote for an air to air heat pump in January, the complete conversion, heat pump , radiators etc., came in at £11k, £4k net of grant, which I considered ridiculous for this little cottage. I simply do not want the disruption and this house will be gutted and extended when we're gone.

 

If it weren't for regulations I would fit A2A myself, many do. Similarly  I cannot avail myself of an EV tariff, apart from lying, many do. We have 4 cars to wear out first, one gifted 53 years ago, the others inherited. So I doubt I'll ever get an EV.

 

This year I bought £318 of electricity and that is mostly standing charge, I exported £385 ( but expect that to go down as export rates drop) and paid £134 for gas ( only for domestic hot water) I am loathe to give up gas as it may make a house sale less attractive. Plus I still receive about £2k for FIT which goes on for a few years yet.

 

It seems so strange that less than 10% of domestic properties have solar PV, yet on a day when Solar PV in UK only provides 3% of the total energy demand and Gas 40% I am actually self sufficient, and all for about £10k at current prices, which are still falling.

 

I too have a well but only use it for filling the water butts, it ran dry this last summer.

[maybelateron]

I reckon my 1975 Series 3 Land Rover is a very eco friendly vehicle. 50 years old and that has saved a lot of replacement vehicle carbon footprint, even allowing for the new chassis. Sounds like you must have at least one old interesting vehicle.