What Preps are you doing this week

[arnieh]

Thanks to the recent rain we've had, I was able to test my guttering first flush system. Quite pleased with it as the 200 litre water container with the flush fitted was almost crystal clear as opposed to the same size water container without the flusher. I tested after a dry spell when the roof would have been most dirty to make sure it was a fair test. I now need to upscale it from the 40mm pipe prototype to 100mm plastic pipe which will flush and clean a larger volume of water. My long term aim is to be turning this into grey water for the downstairs cistern and with proper filtration turning it into drinking water which should be of a higher quality than the recycled and reprocessed water coming out of my taps.

I've re-read the above and I fear that what once started out as a harmless way to reduce my utility bills may now be bordering on an obsession....

Hi "Briggs" your first flush system sounds interesting I am in the process of installing a water collection system myself, could you please PM me your build method I don't know if I will have room as the area I am using is quite small.

regards arnieh

[pseudonym]

Using my contingency fund to pay for a collapsed bathroom ceiling

[Steveo82]

This week we are reducing our lighting electricity consumption by replacing old bulbs with new high efficiency LED alternatives. We seem to be replacing bulbs every other week and combined with the electricity they use we have bitten the bullet and spent nearly £500 on light bulbs Ive done the math and i think I am right in saying they should pay for themselves in just under a year based on 6 hour a day usage and current energy prices.

12 off 28w GU10 Down lighters/display lights> Sylvania ES50 LES Accent Lamp GU10 140Lm 2.5W
40 off 50w GU10 General room lights> Sylvania ES50 LED Lamp GU10 350Lm 7.5W

Old bulbs
(12x28x6x365)/1000=736Kwh
(40x50x6x365)/1000=4380Kwh
Total=5116Kwh/year
Electric Cost
12.7p/Kwh =£650 in electricity per year
Replacement Bulbs =£25
Total cost =£675 per year

New Bulbs
(12x2.5x6x365)/1000=68Kwh
(40x7.5x6x365)/1000=657Kwh
Total=725Kwh/year
Electric Cost
12.7p/Kwh =£93 in electricity per year
Replacement Bulbs =£0
Total cost =£93 per year
Tatal Saving =£582

If the math is wrong please let me know

[Yorkshire Andy]

If you have any left to do steveo get on down to Boyes they are £6 to £8 each for normal size candle / bayonet bulbs

[hobo]

Thanks for that top tip Yorkshire Andy! I've got £20 of Boyes vouchers to use up!

[Yorkshire Andy]

Thanks for that top tip Yorkshire Andy! I've got £20 of Boyes vouchers to use up!

They are in a black box along with the normal light bulbs (or they were in the Goole store last weekend)


they look different to most and seem to have a high power cree type chip in the base and a light pipe up the centre......

Got one for the Porch light and to be fair for a candle (iirc its 3 watt) it is better than the 11w CFL that was in before and is instant... would get a picture but the glass globe screws in place and err i nearly dropped it when i put the bulb in

[Steveo82]

Hi Andy, thanks the the info after I've ordered them.
The previous owner of this house only installed GU10 flush fit light fittings so I've been experimenting with the range screwfix offer and they sell a few different types form 1w@£5 to the top end ones @ £20 each .They all offer different specs beam angle, lumens, watts and physical size. I've finally got the ground floor sorted as we want it but might try these for the bedrooms as they shouldn't be used as much. So cheers for that

[Briggs]

Thanks to the recent rain we've had, I was able to test my guttering first flush system. Quite pleased with it as the 200 litre water container with the flush fitted was almost crystal clear as opposed to the same size water container without the flusher. I tested after a dry spell when the roof would have been most dirty to make sure it was a fair test. I now need to upscale it from the 40mm pipe prototype to 100mm plastic pipe which will flush and clean a larger volume of water. My long term aim is to be turning this into grey water for the downstairs cistern and with proper filtration turning it into drinking water which should be of a higher quality than the recycled and reprocessed water coming out of my taps.

I've re-read the above and I fear that what once started out as a harmless way to reduce my utility bills may now be bordering on an obsession....

Hi "Briggs" your first flush system sounds interesting I am in the process of installing a water collection system myself, could you please PM me your build method I don't know if I will have room as the area I am using is quite small.

regards arnieh

PM sent

[tolerance]

Butane Heater arrived today and it works a treat,

Went food shopping earlier picked up some extra porridge pots 5 for £4, big fan of them lately since I tried one which I fount at the back of the cupboard which was 18 months out of date and tasted fine.

Picked up some Batchelor's cup a pasta to try as well.

Got a few bits to put in my date diary over the weekend and going to have a look online as I have a lot of little bits in my B O B such as pens, compass, Multi tool, flint and steel and items like that but I would like something to store all those smaller items in, So its contained in the B O B and not just in a compartment all loose. Maybe something like a toiletry bag or a small tin or something along those lines, Any ideas would be much appreciated

[arnieh]

Butane Heater arrived today and it works a treat,

Went food shopping earlier picked up some extra porridge pots 5 for £4, big fan of them lately since I tried one which I fount at the back of the cupboard which was 18 months out of date and tasted fine.

Picked up some Batchelor's cup a pasta to try as well.

Got a few bits to put in my date diary over the weekend and going to have a look online as I have a lot of little bits in my B O B such as pens, compass, Multi tool, flint and steel and items like that but I would like something to store all those smaller items in, So its contained in the B O B and not just in a compartment all loose. Maybe something like a toiletry bag or a small tin or something along those lines, Any ideas would be much appreciated

Hi tolerance, are you a Man of Kent or a Kentish Man? My wife made some bags of differing sizes for just this sort of thing out of the legs of some old jeans I was about to throw away very nice they are and the best bit is they are free. Have a good Christmas.

Regards arnieh