We had our heating upgraded this week - so I've been very grateful for:
- Lack of cold weather
- Having an electric shower at present
- Gym membership
- My sofa blanket
- The kettle!
The boiler worked fine, but was of an age where replacing would make sense for our heating bills.
Husband describes our new unvented cylinder as a "luxury" - I think I've been spoiled as I regard mains pressure hot water as a requirement, not a luxury. The Megaflo we've chosen will deliver that and will also help to keep heating bills under control. It means that we don't have to install shower pumps - so it will make more financial sense as the house-to-home project progresses!
We don't have solar thermal - but we are intending to next year when the RHI kicks in. It wasn't much more to go for a Megaflo that can cope with 2 heat sources - so it will be appropriate for when we do go for solar hot water and will reduce the installation cost for that change.
Radiators downstairs have been replaced - but the vertical rad that will release some wall space in the lounge is still outstanding (the one the plumbers ordered arrived dented). The new rads that have been installed do look much smarter, albeit nothing designery! In the cloakroom, we've now got a chrome finish heated towel rail.
A radiator in the hall's been moved - again, to free up a wall. There's a dark corner that's been evolving into our bag & gym stuff storage area. Moving the rad means that we can shelve this properly.
There was a room thermostat already - but the numbers had rubbed off so we've had it replaced with a basic but legible version! I can now practice what I advocate at work and set up our heating to suit us - which hopefully will keep the bills down.
The programmer remains unchanged - and even the timings are unchanged.
It's odd that Husband and I both baulk at spending money on furniture and decoration, but we are happy to spend on electrics and heating!
BT decrackled our phone line this week - so we can now listen to calls without the accompaniment of static. It's sped up our broadband noticeably too.
The printer is now back in action again - new cartridges.
On the gas & electric front, Husband got us switched to a better energy deal online.
Not very exciting - and not very photogenic - but important nonetheless.
Broadband went live on the 3rd September but we were on holiday so only got to set it up last night. The biggest challenge was finding the wireless router in the box city in the conservatory, but Husband succeeded where I had failed.
It does keep cutting out - not sure if it's the router or the line. I suspect the former as it wasn't perfectly behaved in the old house. But still so much better than squabbling over the (v.useful) PAYG dongle!
A week later than expected, BT have connected our phone. It's the same number as before - a benefit of only moved around the corner. Fabulous Mother In Law was concerned to hear the previous inhabitants' comedy answerphone message when she called it though so we must get around to plugging in our phone!
An aerial in the attic in a dodgy reception area was never going to be great - and even less so when Husband knocked it over whilst baiting the loft!
Quote for new aerial took place this afternoon - and I was really pleased nd surprised that the installer was able to fit it there & then - aided by his boy who is apparently "working" for him over the school holidays.
I don't think of us as particularly fussed about TV - but it has made a real difference to how the house feels. It has definitely brought some much needed normality!
