Albert T Smith Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 I'll make a point of taking a photo the next time I go up to Fox House and putting on here via facebook link because It makes interesting reading. You are absolutely correct, that it would appear that the costings are calculated on former prices and do not include the present and future anticipated prices for electricity. I'm very interested, but I find it almost impossible to get any idea of the set-up and estimated running cost. Personally I believe that the solar panel is more environmentally acceptable than the Wind Turbine, What the difference exist regarding the efficiency and costing for domestic application, I do not have a clue but would welcome information. The last council did a great number of things correct. This is from a notice inside the toilets. Development, Environment & Leisure Street Force Director of Street Force: J Charlton B.Tech., C.Eng., MICE Olive Grove Depot, Olive Grove Road, Sheffield, S2 3GE Tell: 0114 2736525 Fax: 0114 273 6507 Email: streetforce@sheffield.gov.uk http://www.sheffield.gov.uk FOX HOUSE PUBLIC TOILETS May 2008 This public toilet is owned and maintained by Sheffield City Council. It was modernised in September 2005 to benefit walkers and other countryside users. Many improvements have been carried out to this facility. Inside we have provided extra automatic brighter lighting, repaired and applied hygiene coatings to the wall, 3 Walgate automatic hand washing units, floor paint, new seats, an electricity management system, frost protection, air fresheners, extractor fan, coat hooks and recycled toilet tissue. Outside a new litter bin has been placed on the highway verge, the path to the RADAR toilet has been resurfaced and pressure washing has cleaned the exterior of the building. The water used in these toilets is supplied from a tank on the moor nearby which collects spring water from a short stream. No mains water is used. For this reason there are ‘Not Drinking Water’ signs on the hand wash units. In April 2008 solar panels were fitted to the roof which provide electricity to reduce the power requirements of the building. Any surplus energy generated is fed to the electricity Grid. This toilet is a 24-hour facility. It is currently cleaned 3 times per week. Should you find that there is a problem with this facility, please report it to the Street Force Contact Centre on (0114) 273 4567. We will do our best to rectify the problem as soon as possible. Full information about all the 22 public toilets adjacent to the highway network and the Community Toilet Scheme can be found on the Sheffield City Council web site: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk Street Force would welcome your comments and feedback about this public toilet. Please write to: Andrew Beevers Specialist Cleaning Manager Olive Grove Depot Olive Grove Road Sheffield S2 3GE http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49767&l=5db6d&id=645681893 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LL47 Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 I think with wind turbines that it might be best to wait - I heard informally that a new type of turbine is coming which works using magnets to reduce friction promises a better power supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert T Smith Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 I think with wind turbines that it might be best to wait - I heard informally that a new type of turbine is coming which works using magnets to reduce friction promises a better power supply. I worked partly on something like that, in late 1960. It runs in Japan these days at about 250 - 300 mph. We hopefully will always find something better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATHFINDER Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I recently had a visit from a guy trying to sell solar panels. These are the ones that work on daylight rather than heat from the sun but are still supposed to effectively heat water. (Cue long spiel about them having different ones in Greece and Spain that work on heat from sun which is obviously a dead loss in Sheffield). When we finally got to the point where I was able to find out the cost it seemed excessive - over £6500 for 2 panels. (it would also include a new tank duly insulated and some kind of pump I think also powered by the panel rather than this running off the mains – to be honest, by this time I was losing the will to live). On top of that we would have had to convert bathroom tap into a mixer tap (to use this wonderful hot water) and he was also suggesting connecting up the hot supply pipe to the dishwasher and washing machine which are both cold fill. Whilst I appreciate there are ways round this it seemed an awful lot of faffing about (and extra cost) on top of the so called wonderful hot water. Looking at some of the entries above it appears I would need planning permission – something which was never mentioned. Unfortunately I am not technical enough to install a single panel myself to see if it would work. I am also too old to be clambering about on the roof. So my questions are – is it cost effective, and does £6,500 seem excessive to those who know about this subject ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swissheavy Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Pathfinder, First of all, it sounds like a cold call - so you first have to ask yourself, do you even need this system? Is your house properly insulated first? Efficiency is the quickest, cheapest and easiest way to reduce bills. Secondly, by far the most cost effective way to heat water is Solar Thermal. £3k will get you enough to satisfy the demands of a 3bed house hot water needs 2/3rd of the time. All these add ons he's talking about sounds like total tosh. The only extra you may need is a new coil in the tank. I'd advise you to contact my colleagues at http://www.eviee.co.uk. They are a national distributor of various thermal panels and PV (photovoltaic - electric panels). They can give you plenty of advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redyam Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 With solar panels I think it is just best to wait. They are an up and coming technology, lots of heavy research is going into them. They are getting much much more efficient and cheaper year by year, even in just a few short years they will totally outclass the ones being sold now. Yes they are a good idea, but definately a future technology. Wind turbines are pants, don't bother getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATHFINDER Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Swissheavy, Thank you so much for your useful post. I'm glad to say I had the cavity wall insulating done last year and already have loft insulation etc. I responded to a solar leaflet drop so in some respects I deserved to be bored to death because I asked for it - it's the old story of not being an expert. The good news is that if I feel intuitively someone is trying to "work me a powder" I send them politely on their way. It just seemed way too dear for what it was - I'll check out your suggestions and many thanks once again. It appears as if your recommendations are half the price which is good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddycoffee Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 With solar panels I think it is just best to wait. They are an up and coming technology, lots of heavy research is going into them. They are getting much much more efficient and cheaper year by year, even in just a few short years they will totally outclass the ones being sold now. Yes they are a good idea, but definately a future technology. Wind turbines are pants, don't bother getting one. I agree with what you say about PV solar cells. I understand that many countries which don't have much reliable wind are pumping funds into research and development. As for wind energy, I think that they are better suited to large scale projects or for people who have the advantage of a large piece of land and or an ideal location for a turbine. Most people will have a home which is completely unsuitable for a wind turbine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linesman Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Have any SF members installed solar panels or a domestic wind turbine? When watching some of these 'Build a new life in the country' programmes I often watch as panels/turbines are incorporated into the plans so I wondered if we have any such achievements in our own city. I for one would love to have these if it meant my money wouldn't have to go to extortionate energy companies. I'm aware the initial outlay costs but after a time you'd be laughing. I know some housing estate somewhere have solar panels and as such have no heating bills throughout the year, not sure if this estate is in Huddersfield Cyprus has been using these (see link) for many many years, although not solar cells they do catch an amazing amount of heat which provides most of the domestic hot water. Even in our cooler climate they would provide a considerable amount of warm water even in out of summer months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearcub24 Posted October 18, 2009 Share Posted October 18, 2009 I'd like to develop maybe a small nuclear plant that would maybe live under the stairs of your property and generate all your heating and electrical needs and be self sufficient until it needed decomissioning.:hihi: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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