Author Archives: admin

Moving from the seaside to the city calls for a change in image. The row of beach huts that used to adorn the head of this blog has been replaced by part of a block of flats in Turin – … Continue reading →

I have moved flats – from the seaside to the city. My new flat differs from the old one in being located on the second floor with other flats above, below and to either side of it. Heat loss is … Continue reading →

My flat has white plastic windows dating from the last century – how posh that sounds – which tilt and turn but have no trickle vents. I tried to get a window company to put some in, but it was … Continue reading →

Firstly, Ecobuild.  It was much reduced compared to previous years: only one (enormous) hall in use, rather than two as previously.  Very little academic presence, and those suppliers I sounded out on collaboration seemed only keen to sell their current … Continue reading →

Tomorrow I train up to the Smoke (cough, cough!); and the day after, throw myself into Ecobuild which . . .” brings you a mix of suppliers that offer thousands of new and innovative products and services as well as … Continue reading →

Take a look at http://www.ukace.org/2016/02/taking-action-to-improve-energy-refurbishment-of-flats/ This is a lead to a blog operated by David Weatherall who is particularly interested in the legal barriers to upgrading leasehold flats, particularly those created by sub-division of larger houses.  There are also some interesting … Continue reading →

I have temporarily suspended comments because of a torrent of spam.   When I have set up a suitable filter I will re-enable them

I left something out of my essay on Thermal Comfort (under Energy).  I said a lot about radiant heating,  and how the walls themselves act as radiators if they warm up and stay warm.   But of course this also … Continue reading →

Just to explain the menu layout in this site.  The Home section which you are reading now provides rolling news in date order with remarks of the moment.  The other menu items (Energy and so on) are permanent essays on … Continue reading →

This is my ceiling structure. Below the concrete floor of the flat above is a 50 mm cavity containing all the wiring for my flat – both power and lighting. This is faced with plasterboard mounted on timber battens.  I am … Continue reading →