the daydream fund challenge thread

rhiwfield

Wonder if my back garden qualifies for a higher level stewardship scheme. After all I've got slowworms, grass snakes, bullfinches, breeding tits, pond, song thrush, chickens....

Not to worry, DW is making Tarte Tatin tonight from the ripening Williams pears and a little insulation experiment looks like it might work. Used clear bubblewrap to cover the opaque patterned double glazed windows in the cloakroom. Almost invisible and window feels much warmer so will prob do the same in the upstairs bathrooms.

Skip dived at Ikea for a 4'x2' board, one more and I'll have sourced the backboard for the heater

Incredibly gloomy here all day, heavy rain and thunder rolling around so have to keep disconnecting electricals, especially router and computer.

Davesnave

rhiwfield wrote: »

Skip dived at Ikea for a 4'x2' board, one more and I'll have sourced the backboard for the heater

Sounds interesting, this solar heater.

Is this the sort of thing you mean?

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Make-a-Simple-Solar-Air-Heater.htm

Somehow, I think I'd have a job on persuading DW to swap her Aga for one of those, but I can see the potential, particularly for the rooms we don't use when the kids/relatives aren't here.

rhiwfield

Davesnave wrote: »

Sounds interesting, this solar heater.

Is this the sort of thing you mean?

http://www.reuk.co.uk/Make-a-Simple-Solar-Air-Heater.htm

Somehow, I think I'd have a job on persuading DW to swap her Aga for one of those, but I can see the potential, particularly for the rooms we don't use when the kids/relatives aren't here.

Thats the kind of thing. It can only be useful for supplemental heat but if it kicks in with a 500/1000 useful kWh pa, and costs next to nowt, why not? There are quite a few different designs, and one or two commercial ones just hitting the market, but I'll prob go with the recycled can design and scrap materials to save money this time around. Google cansolair for a better looking design.

Nx week taking time off (and away) with DW to evaluate options and chat with solar experts. Would love to use our SSW gable end to full potential, and wouldnt mind another look at ASHP variants.

John_Pierpoint

Don't forget that windows facing in a southerly direction are "U" positive: They gain more heat through the glass than they lose because of the freezing temperatures outside.
Just remember to fit them with nice thick curtains and draw them at night.

We've got glow worms in our garden - that must be worth Higher Level Payments.

rhiwfield

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Don't forget that windows facing in a southerly direction are "U" positive:
We've got glow worms in our garden - that must be worth Higher Level Payments.

If only our house had been built with solar in mind

Retrofitting south facing windows in gable end would be the most expensive option going :eek:

Glow worms? Impressed and saves on lighting bills

COOLTRIKERCHICK

that is def the type of cottage i would like..think i was born in the wrong centuary:rotfl:

I like really old properties that havent been restored to within an inch of its life.

Was just wondering how you are managing with the increase in price on animal feeds? this year i havent gone through the amount of chicken food that i normally do, as i havent hatched out a single egg this year, but it is getting noticeable now...even the tinned dog food seems to be going up every few weeks....

kazschow

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

that is def the type of cottage i would like..think i was born in the wrong centuary:rotfl:

I like really old properties that havent been restored to within an inch of its life.

Was just wondering how you are managing with the increase in price on animal feeds? this year i havent gone through the amount of chicken food that i normally do, as i havent hatched out a single egg this year, but it is getting noticeable now...even the tinned dog food seems to be going up every few weeks....

if youhave a batleys cash and carry near you with a best pets outlet, try to get yourself a card, or pal up to someone who has one. That will get you hefty savings on all you need pet and animal feeds wise

COOLTRIKERCHICK

kazschow wrote: »

if youhave a batleys cash and carry near you with a best pets outlet, try to get yourself a card, or pal up to someone who has one. That will get you hefty savings on all you need pet and animal feeds wise

we used to use Batleys when we had a pet/repile shop, the nearest one to us is just under an hour away so we wouldnt have any true savings by the time we added our fuel/time etc to get there... as if we bought in bulk to make it worth while, the food would have gone off or get mite by the time we used it up..

I think i will have to seriously keep on stock levels i have in the future, and only keep productive animals, not have about 8 male ducks are cross breeds.... ( yep i am a sucker for a cute face...lol..)

Davesnave

Our source of free chook food has just dried-up, as the person concerned has a new job, which doesn't include 're-homing' of split or near-date bags. That's saved us a minor fortune.

We still have access to plenty of wood shavings, fortunately, and enough of those stored to last a fair while.

I agree, it's not going to be too much of a 'hobby,' and our original plans to expand egg production are firmly on hold. Wouldn't be without them though.

kazschow

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

that is def the type of cottage i would like..think i was born in the wrong centuary:rotfl:

I like really old properties that havent been restored to within an inch of its life.

Was just wondering how you are managing with the increase in price on animal feeds? this year i havent gone through the amount of chicken food that i normally do, as i havent hatched out a single egg this year, but it is getting noticeable now...even the tinned dog food seems to be going up every few weeks....

if youhave a batleys cash and carry near you with a best pets outlet, try to get yourself a card, or pal up to someone who has one. That will get you hefty savings on all you need pet and animal feeds wise