Ash...thank you!

From the Energy Matters newsletter:
"Ask Dr. Solar

Q. I've heard that it takes a great deal of energy to manufacture a solar power system and that really impacts on their…

Thanks Jeremy, that is really helpful.

Well, we have all the rest in place I think - good insulation, double glazing, northerly aspect, dark, textured tiles on the concrete floor to absorb heat from the sun...even…

Actually that does sound interesting...will try & check it out.
I reckon this whole area would be really interesting to study. Now if only I didn't have to go back to…

Wow, that's not good...

Thanks Rebekah, that's good to know.

Hmm. I would be interested in reading about this - do you have any references you can refer me to? The systems I've been looking at have very long warranties…

Absoloutely 100% agree with you there. That would be my preference by far. But I don't see any timeframe on that happening at this stage, so my choice is to…

Really? I thought anecdotally at least that panels are viable for 20 years+. Whether they become 'redundant' is really a matter of whether they still have a useful life -…

Thanks ed.
The other thing is environmental responsibility and health. I am aiming for ultra-low VOC materials with cupboard doors, paints etc...but I just read that engineered stone products often have…

On the other hand, buying electricity off the grid never pays for itself...

I've come across numerous engineered stone benchtop products and wonder if you guys have any feedback on their relative merits? The brands I have in mind are:
Caesar Stone
Essa Stone
Silestone
Granite Transformations
Quantum…

Every time I read about hydronic floor heating in this forum it seems another keen starter has been diverted away from this option...
So anyway, an update:
We have had the slab…

Ah! Will look at that straight away as it was one of the reasons I was favouring the heat pump option.

That's what I'm looking at - I believe heat pump hot water systems are reverse cycle - same technology as heat pump air conditioners.

Thanks Steve.
The plan is to set it at a suitable temperature (I guess maybe 19 degrees) during autumn and leave it on until late spring. I assume on solar gain…

Thanks dymonite69.
Thanks; reading of this discussion and others was part of my research in coming to the decision to opt for hydronic heating. However I haven't seen anything that specifically…

Hi,
Have read through numerous posts on the topic of hydronic heating but not come across any discussion of the relative merits of different options for the heat source to heat…

Hi Casa,
I'm wondering whether you proceeded with your plans and, if so, how well they have worked?
Cheers,
Angela