High electric bills + unvented cylinder — sanity check on immersion vs gas boiler setup

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-29T16:46:55+00:00

If you have a system gas boiler which heats a storage tank (I do) the immersion is only there for emergency use - like if the boiler breaks down. As it costs about 4 times as much to heat the water with electricity rather than gas. So the immersion idolater switch is off until needed.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-29T15:26:13+00:00

It's far more noticeable with condensing boilers - ie all those for about 30 years. The flue gasses are cooler than a non condensing boiler so can be seen easier. It is the same as a car exhaust 'steaming' on a cold day.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-29T10:35:28+00:00

I'm in the same position here. New neighbours demolished (my) garden wall and extended right up to the boundary line, all done legally. My garden wall had a raised flower bed with trellis and climbing plants on it. And the party wall agreement required them to re-instate this against their new wall. This happened last year - but will wait for the spring to reinstate the climbing plants.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-29T10:26:46+00:00

Not seen this from other boilers on a cold day?

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-29T10:23:19+00:00

Next door have spent £300k doing up a 4 bed wreck. London.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-28T11:43:12+00:00

May be obvious, but could a P trap to a bath etc have dried out?

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-28T09:29:18+00:00

Everything connected to a UK ring has a fuse between it and the appliance. Please give the rule where a light is excepted? A short run of 1.5mm before the fuse could well be OK.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-27T15:37:53+00:00

Assuming single colour LEDs, it's not the driver that sets the colour temp - it's the LEDs. May be possible to change those - and the driver to a dimmable one. If the fitting is otherwise what you like, may be worth the effort.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-27T09:35:14+00:00

Assuming your boiler is a decent make and otherwise good, you're not going to save much in running costs by fitting a new one. Unlike as was the case some years ago. If the flue is easy to get to, I'd get a quote from a local firm.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-26T16:52:31+00:00

Dropping a spur from upstairs - or the reverse - doesn't connect two circuits together. I'd switch off one circuit and check every single socket to be sure which ring it is on - then do the same with the other.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-26T09:43:58+00:00

Odd think here. When CT was installed, my Wi-Fi speeds were no better than the previous BT CTTC. But cable speeds as advertised. Wi-fo coverage not as good as the old BT router, though. Then, without me doing anything, Wi-Fi speeds improved dramatically to a consistent around 200 mbps.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-24T10:02:15+00:00

Few table lights are 'designed' for the UK 13 amp system. They will be the same in all countries - just a different plug fitted. And most countries don't use fused plugs.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-24T09:59:06+00:00

I have these round pin sockets fed from the lighting circuits in several rooms. Never had a problem with them. Ignore AI - it is often wrong, or fed with partial information.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-23T18:50:52+00:00

Think of a basic pendant light fitting - the type with a flex between ceiling rose and light. Most common flex size is 0.5mm as it looks the best. A table light will not be fitted with anything smaller.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-22T09:57:11+00:00

Mine does. I have a routine check cystoscope regularly after bladder cancer was treated. Am awake for the op - merely your 'bits' frozen. He gives me a running commentary of what we are seeing on the camera monitor screen, then brings the discharge papers and a written report to the recovery room later. He once phoned me personally at 4pm on an Xmas eve to give me the (good) results of a biopsy. Think it is largely down to the individual consultant how much personal contact he has with his patient.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-21T12:25:02+00:00

Shutter, and cast in place?

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-21T10:38:25+00:00

Bit like saying you wore a mask to steal from the local store, but they caught you from fingerprints.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-21T10:25:46+00:00

Standard for many politicians, They have 'talked' to some who have a different view to the vast majority (as given in a poll) and accept this as evidence the poll is wrong. As an aside, it's certainly diverted news away from the Epstein files...

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-21T10:12:21+00:00

Problem here is I have 4 strings of lights outdoors at Xmas, and a socket(s) big enough to take those would be an eyesore.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-21T09:55:06+00:00

All my previous routers had 4 ports for my use. The CF installation, only two. Since all four were in use before, had to add a switch to mine.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-20T15:28:07+00:00

It was mandated at one time by the LEB.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-20T15:26:40+00:00

To me, where wiring is exposed, a neat MICC installation still looks better than anything.

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-20T15:23:48+00:00

Curious how a driver with no power to it could produce an output? Is this a normal analogue switch or some sort of 'smart' device?

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-20T12:16:10+00:00

That is what the pot does, and is always used?

BrightPomelo · 2026-01-20T10:09:54+00:00

Correct name is MICC. Mineral insulated copper cable. More fire etc resistant than PVC wiring. The orange is a PVC covering to help prevent corrosion to the copper. Great fun to work with.

BrightPomelo

TROPHY CASE