Tue, 19 Dec 2023 06:43:28 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301516#Comment_301516 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301516#Comment_301516 Thu, 11 May 2023 14:18:12 +0100 JayC
Can anyone recommend a professional close to the Cambridge are?
I'm specifically looking for someone who can inspect a 'green' new build and report on its design and any failings/strengths.

Some background: My son has recently moved into a new build c/w ASHP, solar PV and MVHR.
The house is constructed using, what looks like, a type of SIP panel with an additional 50mm of graphite EPS; to take render. Marketing material claimed 50% more air tightness than a traditional build, but his permeability test shows 5.41m3h @50Pa. (Technically better than BS but not really in the spirit of the development) EPC is A (for what its worth)

1st issue: His electricity bills, for hot water, seem quite high @£200 per month (2 people) He has been advised to leave the HWS flow temp at 44degc
2nd issue: The house is hot on the West side and rarely drops below 24degc and were not even close to the hottest part of the year -I feel it should have had some shading?
3rd issue: The controls are a mess - Its all based on Samsung Smart Things but none of the devices seem to communicate. He has no idea what, and when, his solar PV is generating the room thermostats are basic with no comms back to the hub, and they have installed some standalone sensors to track temp/humidity etc.

Many thanks,]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301518#Comment_301518 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301518#Comment_301518 Thu, 11 May 2023 15:54:55 +0100 djh Posted By: JayCCan anyone recommend a professional close to the Cambridge are?
I'm specifically looking for someone who can inspect a 'green' new build and report on its design and any failings/strengths.You won't find all the expertise you need in a single person. Indeed, until you can find out more it's difficult to know exactly what expertise you need.

What else do you know about the house? Is it a one-off or part of an estate? Are there plans available anywhere (planning department, builder, architect etc etc)? How old is it?

(1) The electricity bills do seem quite high. Our house is all electric and has bills considerably less than that. But it would be more useful to know the number of kWh rather than £. How is the hot water heated - on demand or stored, by the ASHP or immersion etc? Does the solar PV contribute to the water heating? (if not then that's an obvious thing to do)

(2) Plans (with north shown) and elevation drawings would be helpful in diagnosing this. Is it just the west side that gets hot? What temperature is the rest of the house? Our house is about 24°C now (it's a PH) but it's a fairly uniform temperature and very shortly now the automatic bypass on our MVHR will decide to open (it's set to do so when the internal temperature it registers reaches 24°C). What kind of MVHR does he have, and in particular does it have a (automatic?) summer bypass? Shading on the west is difficult depending on the exact geometry. Deciduous plants can be helpful or external vertical shades set at the 'correct' angle.

(3) Is very specialist. A complete description of what is actually there (marked on the plans etc), together with whatever he was told was going to be there and operations manuals etc would be a good starting point. A system such as OpenEnergyMonitor can monitor most of the things you mention and there are various other possibilities.

How much PV is there? Is there a generation meter? Does the house have a dumb electricity meter or a 'smart' one?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301520#Comment_301520 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301520#Comment_301520 Thu, 11 May 2023 16:09:48 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: JayC1st issue: His electricity bills, for hot water, seem quite high @£200 per month (2 people) He has been advised to leave the HWS flow temp at 44degc
How much hot water is being used? It would be difficult to comment on the cost without knowing usage. Can a meter be put on the outflow of the hot water tank (or what ever produces hot water)]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301522#Comment_301522 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301522#Comment_301522 Thu, 11 May 2023 16:25:45 +0100 djh http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301572#Comment_301572 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17835&Focus=301572#Comment_301572 Sun, 14 May 2023 07:19:21 +0100 Dominic Cooney Posted By: JayCthe room thermostats are basic with no comms back to the hub,

Are they wireless? If so check the batteries - I had a wireless TS in a previous house that was still showing a readout but not enough juice in the batteries to send a signal]]>