Penultimate Report

The Thermal Reflections system has now been commissioned and is operating successfully providing a very effective under floor heating source. The system also supplies the upstairs radiators and domestic hot water. The improvement in the comfort level of the dwelling is quite remarkable and monitoring its long term effectiveness will be of great interest.

The heat exchange unit for the Thermal Reflections system has been housed in a B & Q garden store, this can seen in one of the photos prior to completion of the installation. This proved to be a very effective “off the shelf” method for providing a weather proof enclosure.

The installation of slatted shelving in the reconfigured airing cupboard and shelves to the under stairs cupboard are in place. The new energy efficient fridge freezer and washing machine have also been delivered and installed as part of the drive to reduce energy consumption.

Externally the new replacement porch is in place, pictures of which are attached.

There is now a short break before the main bedroom works are undertaken to allow the resident to make suitable preparations.

Week 12 Report - 15th October 2010

We are now on the home run, the scaffolding has been fully struck this week and the Thermal Reflections system is being installed. Apart from works to fit the internal wall insulation in the main bedroom, the internal works are in the final stages.

Discussions have been taking place regarding storage because the works have resulted in the loss of some of the existing space. The installation of slatted shelving in the reconfigured airing cupboard in envisaged as well as fitting some shelves in the under stairs cupboard.

Photos show the building without the scaffolding and the 2 panels that were installed on Friday.

The improvement internal comfort levels are now very noticeable and this is without the under floor heating in operation. The roof PV panels continue to silently generate electricity - it’s also most magic!

Week 11 Report - 8th October 2010

Again the weather has frustrated progress on the external insulation works with 3 days lost. Works resumed at the end of the week and application of the top coat is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week. Furthermore, the new highly thermally insulated front door has now been installed.

The finishing’s to the kitchen and bathroom areas are now being progressed with the new floor coverings be laid on Friday and decorations in the process of being made good. Following discussions it was agreed to relocate one of the base units to improve the layout of the kitchen, the change will allow the fridge freezer to be more conveniently positioned.

On Monday and Tuesday the damp proofing works to the under stairs cupboard were undertaken. These additional works entailed the removal of the existing wall finishing’s, damp proof chemical injection and then re-plastering.

Week 10 Report - 1st October 2010

The living room has now been handed back and the improved comfort level of the room is noticeable. The Spacetherm to the internal face of the front wall and the external insulation on the side wall is having the desired effect.

The remaining areas of under floor heating have been installed and as predicted the kitchen, bathroom and WC were time consuming. We are now looking forward to the installation of the Thermodynamic Block and Solar Panels which will supply the heating and hot water.

Unfortunately the weather has continued to frustrate the progress of the external wall insulation; however the long awaited external doors supplied by Masterdor have now been installed. Some progress has been possible.

The PV panels continue to generate “free” electricity as the photo testifies, regularly monitoring the readings has become a bit of an obsession. I really think I need to get out more!

Week 9 Report - 24th September 2010

Works to the living room continued this week with the wall papering and decorations. New laminate flooring has been obtained and will be fitted on Saturday enabling the room to be handed back to the Resident on Monday.

The remaining areas of under floor heating will be installed next week, these being the kitchen, bathroom and WC. These smaller areas are more intricate and time consuming to install, once completed a very disruptive element of the works will be behind us.

Works to install the external wall insulation system is now underway, unfortunately the weather has not been favourable and time has been lost. This weeks photos show the external walls after they had been “washed” prior to the fixing of the insulation boarding, with the grime removed they looked crisp and almost newly painted.

27th September 2010: Solar Gain Heat Pump Update

Layout for the panels has been finalised and the factory has confirmed that this is acceptable and will not compromise the efficiency of the system in any way.

Paul from Carbon Energy Solutions is on site now attaching the threaded bar into the gable end of the building. This should be finished today whereupon the rending can continue tomorrow as discussed.

The panels have arrived safely on site and the pallet with the thermodynamic block, fixing brackets and copper distributor pipework will follow later today.

Stuart Dixon
Managing Director
Thermal Reflections

Week 8 Report - 17th September 2010

The dining room was handed back to the resident on Tuesday which is a notable milestone. From the photos it can been that in this room things are returning to normal.

We have now moved on to the living room and in here there has been some unexpected works. With full access to the room an inspection was made by a damp and timber treatment specialist on Wednesday. They recommend improvements to the ventilation of the under floor void, this was work was undertaken and completed within 24 hours. Arrangements had been previously made for the under floor heating to be installed on Friday morning and postponement was not option.

The photos show the under floor heating during its installation on Friday.


Materials for the external wall insulation system were delivered to our yard on Friday and will be transported to site as progress requires. It can be seen that the volume of material is considerable and that storage on site was not option.