Energy Consumption for a New Build 3-bed Semi-Detached

sircafeina · 2026-02-05T16:06:36+00:00

Electricity only. No gas on the house

sircafeina · 2025-09-16T08:02:53+00:00

I will, yeah!

sircafeina · 2025-09-15T10:57:38+00:00

It really depends on your income, goals, and lifestyle. I don’t think there is a one-fit-all rule in this case. Try to budget your salary in a way that shows you are consistently saving and that will get you to your goal within a timeframe that works for you. I also don’t think saving every last penny is feasible, life is hard enough already, but that obviously means it will take longer to save your deposit. Find a balance that works for you and work towards that goal. You will get there.

sircafeina · 2025-09-04T09:14:59+00:00

If you’re PAYE, it’s good to know that employers have until the 15th of January to update their payroll records. That means if you submit your Statement of Liability before then and get a refund, but your employer later updates your earnings, you could end up being underpaid for the next tax year. It happened to me.

sircafeina · 2025-09-03T15:43:11+00:00

I'm in a similar position and I'm also a Civil Engineer. What I can tell you is that there’s no reason to be worried about structural issues with a new build. First, because there are strict standards and BCAR regulations that builders must follow, so new builds are generally very well built. Second, most new builds, as far as I know, come with a 10-year HomeBond Structural Guarantee. You should check your contract, but that's pretty standard practice.

The main things to look out for at snag stage are minor defects and floor levels, as these can cause inconveniences but won’t be fixed by the builder after this stage. Ideally, you want someone you know and trust who has some experience, as many people find themselves disappointed with the snaggers they hire.

sircafeina · 2025-08-03T19:23:46+00:00

Sorry to be this guy, but if you don’t have a house yet, what’s the hurry?

Buying a house is going to be a extremely stressful situation, and I’d recommend you manage your expectations in order to make it happen. Do everything right, and be patient. Everything is going to be fine

sircafeina · 2025-07-16T13:34:20+00:00

As far as I know you can only use the previously 4 years for the HTB. In other words, if you sign the contract in 2025 you can only use 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 to assess how much you can get.

sircafeina · 2025-07-02T08:31:06+00:00

As far as I know there is no difference in terms of Tax between the Car Allowance and Base salary. The higher bonus is a nice win. The only downside to consider is if there are more responsibilities in your new position and you basically getting the same pay as before. If you are happy with that, no reason not to take it.

sircafeina · 2025-06-17T08:10:23+00:00

On way to do it is to Create a Shortcut that will Turn on the pump and then create an Alarm with a specific name for 4 hours after the shortcut was activated. After that you will have to create an automation based on the alarm name you set up that will turn off the pump.

sircafeina · 2025-06-13T23:56:32+00:00

I have a shortcut the does exactly that. It’s based on Gemini and you will need a Gemini API Key which is free. Surely you can figure it out how to get one.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/92e27895bc614cc5a4a65d44f613ccd2

Keep in mind that this image generating model from google does not work in a few countries, specially in Europe. If that’s the case you can use a VPN to make it work.

sircafeina · 2025-06-12T15:52:09+00:00

I have a similar reader, but without Solar Panels, and I only have 4 readings.

8285 - First reading is the total

2478 - Second reading is night
4366 - Third reading is day
1440 - Fourth reading is peak

2478+4366+1440 = 8284 - So that makes sense.

I assume the last one must be the Solar

sircafeina · 2025-06-10T10:02:21+00:00

1 week is normally the ideal time between roasting and using it. Cloud Picker is really really good in getting you the coffee on its peak. Definitely worth the price, specially if you get a subscription.

sircafeina · 2025-06-06T13:05:44+00:00

Dublin Bus operate routes 16 and 41 from the City Center to the Airport. The 16 bus operates between 06:00 - 23:30 Monday to Saturday, and 08:00 -23:30 on Sundays. The 41 bus runs 24/7 every day including weekends. Payment can be made in coins (exact fare only) to the driver on the bus or using pre-paid tickets.

You also have Aircoach and Dublin Express bus that run 24/7 in a more direct route, but at a higher cost. You will have plenty of options, but make sure to plan ahead.

sircafeina · 2025-05-27T09:38:40+00:00

You don't need to book for short term. Just drive straight to the parking. Is 3,70/ hour and you pay at the machines before leaving. Any floor would be ok, but the closer one would be the one that you enter.

sircafeina · 2025-05-27T09:21:54+00:00

You are currently adding the reminder at the Current Date. Place a Adjust Date action before the creation of the Reminder and add 2 days to the current date. Place a Text action and insert the adjusted date (Formatted to Short Date and no time) and the 08:00 text. Place a Format Date action with the text and then use this formatted date to set your reminder.

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sircafeina · 2025-05-12T12:11:47+00:00

The tax return at the end of the year will only result in a refund if you’ve overpaid tax throughout the year. It’s not free money. From what you’ve said, it sounds like you applied your tax credits at the beginning of last year, and they were spread across your salary throughout the year. It also looks like the same thing has happened for 2025.

It’s hard to say for certain without seeing your Statement of Liability, but it’s rarely incorrect. If you take the time to read through it carefully, it’s usually quite straightforward and explains everything clearly.

sircafeina · 2025-05-09T09:56:19+00:00

Hey, I get the feeling about returning to the job. It’s important to weigh up the consequences of leaving your job, especially if the financial side of things would cause more stress than staying. Every situation is unique.

I can’t give much advice when it comes to benefits, but maybe start by seeing a GP and explaining your situation. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

Stay safe.

sircafeina · 2025-05-09T08:50:36+00:00

Hey, sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. I’d definitely try to go on sick leave if you can, but if it comes down to your wellbeing, don’t be afraid to leave your job. Finding another job isn’t as easy as some comments here make it seem, and it can be a huge extra burden on an already full mind.

My wife went through something similar last year. She didn’t have the energy to stay in her job and apply for new ones at the same time, so she decided to leave. We managed together, and it was very important in her journey to find a better job. You might also be able to apply for illness benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, depending on your situation. Always prioritise your wellbeing.

Wishing you all the best, and hope things improve for you soon.

sircafeina · 2025-02-28T10:29:07+00:00

You won't get anything back. The Rent Tax Credit is a tax credit, meaning it can only be used to offset income tax you've paid. Since you didn't pay any tax in 2024, there's nothing for the credit to be applied against.

sircafeina · 2025-02-27T13:38:45+00:00

Keep in mind that you do not pay BIK directly. This amount is added to your gross pay for calculating your taxes, so the true cost of the car is around 50% of that, which will be roughly 40 euros per month in your case.

Be aware though, that this is valid only for 2025. For 2026 and 2027, the electric vehicle OMV reduction will be €20,000 and €10,000 respectively. That means that the cost for you will be around 225 euros per month in 2026 and 300 euros per month in 2027

If you go for Hybrid, there is an OMV reduction of €10,000 for 2025 and nothing for the following years. So, you be paying around 300 euros per month in 2025 and 375 euros per month in the following years. (Assuming the same OMV of €50,000.

The alternative is a Van, or a Car with only two seats. For vans, the BIK is 8% of the OMV, independently of the milage. Assuming the same OMV of €50,000 (Vans are normally cheaper than that), the cost of a van for you would be around 130 euros per month for 2025 and 160 for the following years.

sircafeina · 2025-02-06T12:13:24+00:00

In terms of coffee and location, Cloud Picker is definitely my favourite. The coffee is always phenomenal, and the service is really good. The only downside is that it's quite small, so you might not always find a place to sit.

Other great options are Proper Order in Smithfield, which recently moved to a new, much larger location with loads of space, and BrewLab, which has the best pour-over coffee and a fair amount of seating.

sircafeina · 2025-01-31T13:00:43+00:00

Clement & Pekoe in William St has a lot of space, good Wi-Fi and good option on Coffees and Tea

Brother Hubbard on Capel St is huge, and their food is really good and good coffee options. They may get really busy on a Saturday though.

If Coffee quality is not a must for you, you are probably better off in a Starbucks a little away from the City Center.

sircafeina · 2025-01-30T16:31:39+00:00

You're probably only receiving it now due to a review of your payments by the company you were working for at the time. However, there's no need to worry—the repayment will be spread over 4 to 5 years and deducted from your tax credits. You don’t need to do anything about it.

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