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Things I have learned today about soldering pipes…

1. It’s not a one handed job.
   As a beginner, I wanted to hold both the blowtorch and the solder in my right hand. So I heated the pipe with the torch, then put it down and applied the solder. Bad idea. I guess the solder cools the metal as it melts, so you need to keep on applying heat. I’ll just have to learn to use my left hand.
2. Solder flows downhill.
   So arranging the workpiece accordingly makes it all go a bit more easily.
3. Americans pronounce it “sodder”.
   …For some reason best known to them.

Here’s the best “how to” video I found…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YQ99sgAuAE

I’m going to have to choose some windows, and a window fitter soon.

Most of the windows that we want to reduce are in solid brickwork, so at least I can do the new brickwork myself. I like that idea, because it will allow me to add chamfered jambs, which will let in more light, and be an interesting feature.

Fitting windows to cavity walls is complicated, so I don’t fancy doing it myself. But do I go to a local window company and get UPVC (U-value about 1.4) or to someone like Green Steps or Green Building Store who make wood-framed windows with a U-value of 0.8-0.9? I calculate the better insulation will save about 400W, which is about 5% of my current heating estimate. That’s not a lot really, but they will also look better – and that is important.

Furthermore, who will fit the windows for me? Green Building Store offer a supply & fit service, but Green Steps seem to be supply only. I suspect that it’ll be way cheaper to find a local fitter.

I calculate that we’d need over 100 LED spot lights (at about 200 lumens each) to get 500 lux in the big room. That’s £1000 of light bulbs! So now I’m considering fluorescent bulbs (T5) concealed behind an architrave or coving.

Altima have an all in one solution, but frustratingly, they don’t say how bright it is. PJ Engineering have much simpler luminaires, but then I’d have to construct my own coving – and I’d have to make my own reflectors too.

In any case, we’ll also need some spots for detail lighting. Dimmable fluorescent tubes would be good too.

Almost Passive House is a blog about a new build project in the US. They are obviously trying to achieve much the same thing as we are with Westacre. I found then through a Google search for lighting, but they also seem to have useful information on heat-recovery ventilation.