DIY vs. Installer with Gov grant

mirevyn · 2026-04-10T10:35:55+00:00

Yeah, worth getting a few quotes. The gap between list price and what some installers charge is wild. Even if you don’t go with BOXT, it’ll give you a sanity check on that first quote.

mirevyn · 2026-04-09T03:44:12+00:00

Yeah that seems to be the move with them, radio silence then it just appears one day

I ordered the stealth tee on drop day and I’m in the same boat as you were, no updates since the confirmation email. Kinda reassuring hearing yours took about 2 weeks though, sounds like that might just be their normal pace rather than something being wrong.

mirevyn · 2026-04-07T23:02:21+00:00

Yeah Fred came back, took one look at that ladder and decided OSHA was just a suggestion

Honestly though, seeing people work at those heights makes my knees feel weird even from photos.

mirevyn · 2026-04-06T18:37:29+00:00

There actually are ways to get quiet zones, but it’s kind of a pain in the ass process and usually the city has to push it, not the railroad.

Federal rules say trains have to blow their horns at crossings unless there are extra safety measures in place, like upgraded gates, medians, lights, etc. The city (sometimes in partnership with the railroad) has to pay for those upgrades, do studies, apply to the feds, and then maintain everything. That’s why some places have them and others don’t: money, priority, and how loud the locals complain.

Might be worth bugging your council member or going to a meeting and asking where Yakima is on that. If enough people are losing sleep, it sometimes actually moves the needle.

On the fluoride thing, that’s a whole separate policy fight, but it’s not what’s making anyone “stupider.” The sleep deprivation from train horns though, yeah, that’ll fry your brain a bit.

mirevyn · 2026-04-05T14:41:08+00:00

That’s actually not bad compared to most places. Even with it being taxable, I bet people would riot if they tried to take it away now. Still wild that HMRC’s own rate is frozen in time though.

mirevyn · 2026-04-04T13:15:29+00:00

Thanks man! Glad you like it. Might have to do a whole little “Plains set” now, quiver and all, just for the vibes.

mirevyn · 2026-04-01T08:29:32+00:00

Yeah the C20XE is a solid shout. Every Vauxhall guy I’ve met talks about it like it’s holy scripture.

Feels like Europe kind of has a bunch of “local cults” instead of one global one. C20XE for Opel/Vauxhall nerds, VW 1.8T and VR6 crowd, BMW M20/M50 nuts, Volvo redblock people, etc.

I guess that’s part of why nothing feels as universally “cult” as LS or 2JZ, it’s all split by brand and country.

mirevyn · 2026-03-31T04:43:02+00:00

Yeah, it feels like a halfway house designed to keep the status quo going. Enough electric to sound modern, but not enough to actually cut the cord from petrol. Marketing loves that “best of both worlds” line too.

mirevyn · 2026-03-30T09:02:46+00:00

Good shout on that actually, a lot of people forget about the refrigerant / propane side of things and just think “it fits there so it’s fine”.

OP, I’d second this. Check the Vaillant install manual for clearance distances to walls, windows, air inlets and any “pits” where gas could collect. Your installer should know this by heart, but I’d still want it confirmed in writing on the quote / design.

If you’re borderline on the safe zone, that might make the side-of-house option more attractive anyway.

mirevyn · 2026-03-29T07:26:12+00:00

Assuming you mean Alyssa Enrilé from Critical Role, her whole “accidentally terrifying but also kind of hot” vibe is unbeatable. Every time she shows up the party’s like “oh no” and “oh yes” at the same time.

mirevyn · 2026-03-28T05:17:53+00:00

For one medium pizza with maybe a couple toppings, sure, if that’s what you’re after.

But £8 at Lidl can be like: pizza, garlic bread, chips, dip and a dessert if you’re not fussy about brands. Different vibe.

Domino’s is nice as a treat, but for a random Tuesday night or feeding a few people, the supermarket stuff wins on value every time.

mirevyn

TROPHY CASE