The first sets of groundloop panels are installed

A long day resulted in the first set of pipe panels being safely inserted into the trench dug yesterday. Each is now 3 metres down with a bed of sand protecting the pipes from damage. Leaks are not required for at least 25 years. Pressure testing for leaks will begin tomorrow - final backfilling to follow.

The first trench is opened for the ground loop

The pipework for the geothermal system has to be 3 metres deep, and the top of it at least 1 metre below ground level, in order to extract the heat from the ground.

At that depth the soil is at a constant temperature, and it is that heat which our system will transfer through the heat pump (www. iceenergy.co.uk ) to warm the water and radiators for the house.




















The ground here is particularly hard, and it has taken all day to dig one of two trenches.

It is a challenging job, requiring considerable skill, to dig a trench that is 3 metres deep but only 300mm wide ( 10ft by 1ft).




















Thanks to the initiative of our digger driver, Mark, we now have a digger bucket modified by the addition of one central tooth to cut into the underlying rock.

Bottom right in the photo of the digger are the racks or panels of pipes, ready to be laid in the trench. Before being covered by sand and back filled, the pipework will be pressure tested to 4 bar pressure to ensure we have a leak free system.

Each of 12 panels of pipes runs to 36m so in total we will be burying 432m of 40mm pipe. Fortunately, speed is not of the essence!

The final Velux window goes in, but the roof doesn't quite get finished.

So near to finishing the roof, just the end section of slates to go, but looking so much better than with cement tiles!













The fourth Velux is in and upstairs is so light and airy - it's almost a shame to put in the room divisions. The en suite shower room now has this great view out over the fields to the Downs and forest, looking over the garden room extension.

How odd that Velux dont make a bathroom window in this smaller size, although there are bigger versions. Are you listening, Velux?

How much better that extension will look soon, clad with Hardiplank 'weatherboarding' and how much better insulated it will be too.

Although the heating will be delivered by conventional radiators, the geothermal ground loop will be delivering very cost effective heating, both here and throughout the rest of the house. With the double glazing, and taking advantage of the south facing aspect, we hope to achieve very efficient heating in a very pleasant living environment.