It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Slinky

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Floss

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Probably because it would mean less houses on a plot hence reducing profits. 

Floss

Out of curiosity can I just ask if we have any other far-flung islanders such as EssexHebridean & OrkneyStar? 😁

Living_proof

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

I have an east/west roof orientation although the house front is south facing and I had panels on both sides 7 years ago. The installation has paid for itself in FIT payments and masses of my electricity is free. My east/west arrays generate 80% of a south facing one and I am very pleased I have them!

Woolsery

Floss said:

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Probably because it would mean less houses on a plot hence reducing profits. 

The Victorians showed us the way with speculative building and cramming the maximum properties into a given area. Arranging houses in long lines was their speciality.

I believe there is a  maximum density of properties per acre, but I might be wrong. The sort if higgledy-piggledy arrangements seen on modern estates are supposed to look interesting and less sterile than rows.

I think we'd all agree with specifying eco-energy generation and much better insulation in new houses. Right now,however, there are shortages of panels and other components, giving builders a let-out. During our renovation we were without loft insulation for a few years and the difference when we installed 300mm of the stuff was huge.

EssexHebridean

Floss said:

Out of curiosity can I just ask if we have any other far-flung islanders such as EssexHebridean & OrkneyStar? 😁

I’m sadly still at the Essex end - the Hebrides bit currently happens for holidays as often as we can manage, and will hopefully eventually be permanent! 

QueenJess

Woolsery said:

Floss said:

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Probably because it would mean less houses on a plot hence reducing profits. 

The Victorians showed us the way with speculative building and cramming the maximum properties into a given area. Arranging houses in long lines was their speciality.

I believe there is a  maximum density of properties per acre, but I might be wrong. The sort if higgledy-piggledy arrangements seen on modern estates are supposed to look interesting and less sterile than rows.

I think we'd all agree with specifying eco-energy generation and much better insulation in new houses. Right now,however, there are shortages of panels and other components, giving builders a let-out. During our renovation we were without loft insulation for a few years and the difference when we installed 300mm of the stuff was huge.

Funnily enough I complained to my council about something similar (they regretted coming to the door to ask if I had any worries!). I said it was very silly to be building so many houses to the absolute minimum standard when they will then have to be retrofitted for more insulation, heat pumps etc. Why aren’t we doing this for the new houses, otherwise the situation just gets worse and worse?

Of course the real answer is money and profit, but I still find it frustrating..

[Deleted User]

Thank you for the veg growing and wigwam advice, it’s on tomorrow’s to-do list to have a go!  I’ve made a make shift little greenhouse inside using large upturned Perspex storage boxes, and my runners are thriving in there.

We are quite far north and it’s forecast to be freezing overnight again during this coming week so will keep everything inside quite a while longer yet.

I need to pot my tomatoes on but I’ve run out of pots... so have improvised using milk cartons and large yogurt pots with holes in the bottom. 

As someone said upthread, we need to focus on consuming so much less, whether that be energy, resources, to help us to get through this coming winter. 

I want to thank everyone who contributes to this thread. I take great comfort from it and enjoy sharing ideas and support xx

Woolsery

QueenJess said:

Woolsery said:

Floss said:

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Probably because it would mean less houses on a plot hence reducing profits. 

The Victorians showed us the way with speculative building and cramming the maximum properties into a given area. Arranging houses in long lines was their speciality.

I believe there is a  maximum density of properties per acre, but I might be wrong. The sort if higgledy-piggledy arrangements seen on modern estates are supposed to look interesting and less sterile than rows.

I think we'd all agree with specifying eco-energy generation and much better insulation in new houses. Right now,however, there are shortages of panels and other components, giving builders a let-out. During our renovation we were without loft insulation for a few years and the difference when we installed 300mm of the stuff was huge.

Funnily enough I complained to my council about something similar (they regretted coming to the door to ask if I had any worries!). I said it was very silly to be building so many houses to the absolute minimum standard when they will then have to be retrofitted for more insulation, heat pumps etc. Why aren’t we doing this for the new houses, otherwise the situation just gets worse and worse?

Of course the real answer is money and profit, but I still find it frustrating..

Retro-fitting heat pumps is difficult without major changes to the structure, like floors, so it's doubly wasteful. I'm not sure that a council can demand an efficiency standard above building regs, so this probably needs legislation at national level.

QueenJess

Woolsery said:

QueenJess said:

Woolsery said:

Floss said:

Slinky said:

I don't understand why there hasn't been a policy implemented that roofs on new build housing estates should be orientated towards the south in order that solar panels can be installed to good effect.

Probably because it would mean less houses on a plot hence reducing profits. 

The Victorians showed us the way with speculative building and cramming the maximum properties into a given area. Arranging houses in long lines was their speciality.

I believe there is a  maximum density of properties per acre, but I might be wrong. The sort if higgledy-piggledy arrangements seen on modern estates are supposed to look interesting and less sterile than rows.

I think we'd all agree with specifying eco-energy generation and much better insulation in new houses. Right now,however, there are shortages of panels and other components, giving builders a let-out. During our renovation we were without loft insulation for a few years and the difference when we installed 300mm of the stuff was huge.

Funnily enough I complained to my council about something similar (they regretted coming to the door to ask if I had any worries!). I said it was very silly to be building so many houses to the absolute minimum standard when they will then have to be retrofitted for more insulation, heat pumps etc. Why aren’t we doing this for the new houses, otherwise the situation just gets worse and worse?

Of course the real answer is money and profit, but I still find it frustrating..

Retro-fitting heat pumps is difficult without major changes to the structure, like floors, so it's doubly wasteful. I'm not sure that a council can demand an efficiency standard above building regs, so this probably needs legislation at national level.

Yep, I agree, but since they came round wanting my vote and are currently the party in power, I thought I could at least voice my displeasure!

I think for heat pump retrofitting they use them to power existing radiators rather than under floor heating, but they would have to sort out insulation etc. It would be so much easier and cheaper overall to do it properly from the start though.