Badger's activity

Questions Asked

Thought it may be a good idea to repost some of the links that we had in the old forum for different things.The first for poisonous foods for pets

Tue, 06/09/2009 - 12:48

I do not know how many are aware, but now if you need to renew your UK passport while living in Italy, the documentation now has to be sent to Paris.

Sat, 06/06/2009 - 09:12

The Great Wall of China!!

Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:34

Everytime that I sign on, I get a notification that I have one new message. When I click on the link, it says "Access Denied". Totally confused :~ Any explanation gratefully received.

Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:28

Hello to everyone in the new Community.

Tue, 05/19/2009 - 07:51

Comments posted

Wed, 10/07/2009 - 08:42

Logging out appears to be okay now and loading speed has got better. You must have given the server some expresso or a few glasses of Grappa.

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 04:55

As I posted earlier, these are the costs that can be saved using 2 electricity supplies with each metered. The figure is based on last years consumption for the whole house and not solely the heat pump. Supply here is currently 15Kw 3 phase. Waiting for Enel to come and sort out for the 2 supplies 9Kw single for house and 6Kw 3 phase for pump.Comparison is last year total cost based on the single KW pricing. This year on the 4 level pricing for a single supply either single or 3 phase. And finally using single and 3 phase supplies each with own metering.2008: 9990Kw ......... total cost inc IVA and standing charges E25402009: Estimated 9990Kw ..........total cost inc IVA E27882009: Estimated 9990Kw ..........total cost inc IVA E2280 (using 2 meters)Using the geothermal pump (11Kw output x 2.2Kw input), the normal operating times x Kw consumption over the year are circa 4000KW, with the rest going on house use. Figures are based on 40% of the overall costs above.Running costs for 2008 circa E10162009 Calculated single metering E11152009 Calculated Dual meteringÌýÌýÌý E912.In the case of using a single meter, once you exceed the 4440 Kw band then the costs rise quite significantly (circa 30cents KW)Using the 2 meters, each can keep on the lower tarrifs to the limit above (House use will go into the higher band) In our case we should save around E500 P.A.Ìý

Tue, 10/06/2009 - 03:57

Yours may be working like a rocket Angie, I tried to read this post at 8.20 am and it was still trying to load over 20 mins later. Logged off and this second attempt it was faster.

Mon, 10/05/2009 - 12:41

Don't know what happened to the original message as it was sent at 2.43 pm. This site is now so slow its a wonder anyone gets to read or reply to anything and I am on ADSL.

Mon, 10/05/2009 - 09:47

Have sent you a PM.

Mon, 10/05/2009 - 06:58

Passive cooling is a better method in terms of economy versus a reversible unit. A reversible unit with an underfloor heating system, requires dehumidifiers as you are basically refrigerating the floor, plus it cannot continue to heat the domestic hot water. A passive cooling pump uses the ground heat, which is usually lower at circa 1.5 mtrs in the summer to just cool the floors, or it can be used in conjunction with special fan units to circulate the cooler air. It will also switch to giving the Domestic Hot Water priority at all times automatically.To kill off the legionella, the recommended heat is over 56C. with a DHW set at 54C and a 6C hysterisis, then every time the pump operates it raises the temp to 59C. This cycle normaly is of 5-10 mins duration and recurs every time the DHW drops to 53C. Peak cycling is only required if the DHW is set to circa 50C or lower, or the house is left unattended for some time..Normal COP is circa 4.5 @ 0/35C at 0/50 circa 3.3. (figures are European Standard EN255)Hope this helps.

Mon, 10/05/2009 - 03:31

Sagraiasolar. The heat pumps we use have a anti-bacterial purging system, which boosts the DHW to ensure that legionella cannot exist. The system can be set to operate this either daily or any time span up to 30 days cyclicaly.Running costs: With the new electricity charging, we suggest a single phase supply for the house, plus a 3 phase supply for the pumps, which although it gives 2 bills, allows the pump to take advantage of the lower charge bands. Using these new calculations, then we expect running costs to be even lower than those quoted above. I have not made the calculation yet, but will be doing so shortly, so will post as soon as it is complete.I agree that heat pumps work extremely well with underfloor heating installations, but can also work just as efficiently with radiators. The HT Plus models are specific in that they can heat rads to 65C and work with a combination of both systems if required.We have already installed a heat pump in Northern Italy (2004) which has compact collectors recharged with solar panels and as you will see from the link below this is being monitored and was the subject of a paper written for the International Heat Pump Conference in Zurich last year. Ìý

Sun, 10/04/2009 - 15:04

Kensington2. Have sent you a private message. Yes, I am a project manager for the company and we do cover the whole of Italy.

Sun, 10/04/2009 - 09:56

Have a look at the site, under ricerca scientifica (Stanford University PDF) in english, and it will give some examples of installations. The site is still being developed, so some details are ½ûÂþÌìÌà and some English.Ìý

Sun, 10/04/2009 - 09:18

Loved your comments on Jeddah Tammy. I worked there from 82-86, and the driving is probably worse than here, with under-passing and all 4 lanes on the Mecca route used as a racetrack. Will easily get you used to driving here. It was still a great place to work in those days ......... nearly as much buerocracy as here, unless you knew a member of the secret police and then everything was very easy to get round.Great beaches and reefs out of the city, sometimes wish I was still there!!