Thermodynamic Panels from Jewsons?

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I first saw the Thermodynamic panels on the Jewson stand at Eco Expo in London in early 2012.  They now have more info on them, on their Website:

Jewson is the only national builders’ merchant with exclusive rights to the new and innovative Thermodynamic Atmospheric Energy Panels, which can generate 100% of hot water and heating requirements all year round.

In terms of getting them installed:

Trade professionals should be aware that to be able to install the panels, they will need to be F-Gas registered and to have attended an official installation course. Both of these courses will shortly be offered at our Greenworks Training Academy.

The Jewsons blog implies they will be eligible for the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive).

  • See the comments at the bottom of http://blog.jewson.co.uk/2225/were-all-going-thermodynamic
    “You can find further information at http://www.greenworks.co.uk/. Also, although independent test data is available from Europe and has Solar key mark so is eligible for Renewable heat incentive in the UK, the product is currently gaining independent testing through the BRE in the UK and the data will be available shortly.” 21-09-2012

BUT (10 Nov 2012) update to this post

From http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9761&page=1#Item_22:

  1. I called into my local Jewsons this morning to ask about the panels and what information they had.the guy on the front desk was a waste of time, did’nt know they did solar panels of any description, so I explained what it was I wanted and the guy in the office chipped to say they had been discontinued. Suggested they neededto update the web site and was told where to get off!!! Great customer service!

Thermodynamic Panel Installation Cost

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This http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9762&page=1#Item_3 thread on how much should they cost:

I have had two quotes ranging from 6k-9k and I am not sure how much these are and how to compare the two?

I’ve asked a couple of people in the trade what they should cost, and have been told c. £5,500 for one panel and a 250l cylinder

certainly don’t pay over £5k for a single panel and 250l tank fully installed.

TBH I don’t really see why it should need to cost more than around £3.5-4k if you deal with an installation company instead of a sales company, …… with the commission structure.

One thing though is I think there’s probably a temporary shortage of people with FGas certificates along with the other qualifications, for installing this in line with the regulations, which is probably keeping some competition out of the market. If you need a hot water solution now then fair enough, if not then it’s probably better to wait a few months for the dust to settle.

Thermodynamic Hot Water Payback Period and Running Costs Compared to Fossil Fuels

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A fantastic article comparing the cost of a Thermodaynamic panel heat exchange system with fossil fuel systems to heat water.

http://www.cernunnos-homes.co.uk/latest-news/thermodynamic-hot-water-versus-fossil-fuels/

For the Silver Spray  site, we do not have mains gas, so the Vs oil option.

It’s key to note, that at the moment, it is not expected that Thermodynamic panels will qualify for the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive Payment). Indeed Pete at cernunnos-homes.co.uk dropped me an email to say that “that the system is suspended from the MCS scheme as of the 18th November.”

Thermodynamic panels WILL or WON’T get the RHI?

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Looking at multiple posts on the http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9761&page=1#Item_0, discussion, Thermodynamic panels don’t look likely to be a part of the Renewable Heat Incentive payments that are due to start in 2013.

BUT

The 21-09-2012 reply from Jewsons (” the only national builders’ merchant with exclusive rights to the new and innovative Thermodynamic Atmospheric Energy Panels”) to this blog post of theirs, http://blog.jewson.co.uk/2225/were-all-going-thermodynamic

You can find further information at http://www.greenworks.co.uk/. Also, although independent test data is available from Europe and has Solar key mark so is eligible for Renewable heat incentive in the UK, the product is currently gaining independent testing through the BRE in the UK and the data will be available shortly.

suggests they believe Thermodynamic Panels will get the RHI

THEN

From http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9761&page=1#Item_22

  1. DECC held a RHI webchat yesterday and, as part of that, confirmed that thermodynamic panels will not be eligible for RHI until they are MCS accredited.
    http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/rhi_webchat/rhi_webchat.aspx

A users feedback on Thermodynamic Panels

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From http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9763

We have been in our house for almost a year now, tried to build to passishaus standards and despite plumber, electrician and MVHR installation problems (see previous discussions if clarification needed), the thermodynamic panel is one piece of kit that i cannot fault. There is a backup immersion fitted and has never been switched on and we have had 60 degree hot water every day without fail. I have seen the panel completely white with frost and still no bother with hot water. I am in no shape or form connected to any company that sells or installs the panels, but I have no problem recommending the technology.

New “Dutchtub Wood”

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The DutchTub team have created a version of their “tea cup” hot tub that is encircled by wood, which might look better for Silver Spray.

I asked and “Indeed, the Dutchtub wood has the same inner shape as the Dutchtub Original.”

The original Dutch Tub can weigh 1400 kg / 3000 lbs when full of water and 4 people. They suggest a small platform under the tub can spread the total weight on more square meters than just the four legs of the tub. ”

Details

  • Length: 170 cm/67 inch
  • Width: 234 cm/92 inch
  • Height: 82 cm/32 inch
  • Weight: 85 kg/187 Ibs
  • Capacity: 650 liter/171 gallon
  • Material: 
    • Glassfibre polyester (RAL 7003, single color option)
    • Stainless steel
    • Preserved wood
  • Additional: This design is developed in collaboration with Feather Down Farm Days®
  • Delivery: The Dutchtub Wood will be delivered with a fire basket for the spiral, a special wok, a fire shield, a turbo connection for fast heating and a fiberglass cover
  • Check out the accesories.

BIG waves

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A weekend of building swell to amazing huge Sunday waves along the north coast of Cornwall.

This shot by Ali, off Droskyn.

And this amazing shot down at Perran Sands (the other end of Perranporth beach) by  www.surfzup.net, and put on Magic Seaweed.

and down at Gwithian where Mike & Khalil went surfing
(while Dave, Debbie, Lisa & myself went to Hayle where they were smaller !)

and this great composite shot by James Richardson:

Lights in cross beams (if have cross beams)

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Looking at this project on Houzz
– http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4878646/

I thought that if the proposed Glulam beams are going to drop below the ceiling height, then the way they have done the lights in between the beams looks great.

I think I’m biased to a clean line (no visible beams) though.

It, in part, works because they have lots of beams closely spaced to each other.

 

How to Place Shower Controls

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An article on “How to Place Shower Controls for Bathing Bliss” at http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4690224/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u179&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery14.

With some careful planning, your next shower can be a complete joy to use. No blast of cold water when you turn it on, a controlled amount of water falling from each fixture, water that doesn’t spray out the shower door and a handheld cord that doesn’t wrap around fixtures.

  • Arrange controls for multiple showerheads in an order that would make sense to a guest. eg left hand shower controls on the left, or highest (“rain head”) shower jet controls to have the highest placement.
  • Having the shower’s controls at the opening of the shower makes heating things up easy and keeps you from getting wet in the process.
  • For a handheld shower control, consider the natural arch of the cord. I’ve found the cords want to curve at roughly 8 inches (20 centimeters). Notice the perfect placement of the shower’s handheld cord in this photo. It lines up with the temperature control in middle, and the hose connects to the wall right in line with the lower control valve.
  • Have your tile layout ready if you want the hose’s connection to fall in the center of a tile or on a grout joint. Siting the connection on a grout joint is easier for the tile installer, but most times it looks best to have it entirely on a full tile.