I guess the biggest bit of news from the outside world is the photovoltaic feed in tarriff (FiT PV) will be slashed for all those who don't have their panels installed by the 8th December. The figures in the Sunday TImes (my parent's paper as we don't get one) gave a drop in costs from 2009 at about £16,000 for a 4kWp system to about £11,000 this year. My guess is these costs are for the south of England. The recent quotes I am aware of for systems in the central belt of Scotland range from £13,000 to £19,000 for a 4kWp system. This is very similar to our quote 18 months ago. I don't work in the industry so don't know why this is the case but clearly the PV industrty up here is going to see a massive drop in take up after the cut off date. A real shame, we were starting to see much more PV appearing which whatever the pros and cons don't create the same emotions as windfarms and nuclear power.
Otherwise we have trialled an Ecofan, a fan which sits in top of the wood burning stove and uses the heat to run the fan motor. This in turn pushes the heat out into the room rather than letting it rise up to the ceiling. The subsequent temperature in the hall is 2 degrees warmer when we are using the fan. In light of this we have ordered one. They can also be used on gas stoves so we will trial it on the stove as well.
It was the school's sale of work this weekend. Last year we got a brand new cat flap this year a pedometer for the bike and an extending lead for the pup. Oh and a whole load of toys so the kids are delighted!
The other lovely thing is I am still out cycling in the second week of November, if my memory is right we were in snow not much later than this last year. Not sure if I am to enjoy this as a blip or worry it is a sign of things to come. Time will tell.
Otherwise we have trialled an Ecofan, a fan which sits in top of the wood burning stove and uses the heat to run the fan motor. This in turn pushes the heat out into the room rather than letting it rise up to the ceiling. The subsequent temperature in the hall is 2 degrees warmer when we are using the fan. In light of this we have ordered one. They can also be used on gas stoves so we will trial it on the stove as well.
It was the school's sale of work this weekend. Last year we got a brand new cat flap this year a pedometer for the bike and an extending lead for the pup. Oh and a whole load of toys so the kids are delighted!
The other lovely thing is I am still out cycling in the second week of November, if my memory is right we were in snow not much later than this last year. Not sure if I am to enjoy this as a blip or worry it is a sign of things to come. Time will tell.
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