The geothermal system is commissioned; the grass is up; the cladding goes on

With the pipework for the geothermal system at least 3 metres underground at the front of the house, the rain and modest warmth is encouraging the grass seed - our embryonic lawn is appearing.


During the rain there has been much activity indoors - radiators connected, bathroom suites installed and plumbed, painting and decorating and construction of cupboards.
The electrician has been a constant presence, moving the complete wiring forward towards the last fix.

Outside, we've used recycled slabs and some locally made 'stones' for the patio and path around the house.
Today, in gaps in the drizzle, the next batch of battens have been fixed to the brickwork and blockwork at the back of the house, ready for the cladding - Hardiplank - which will add a layer of insulation as well as uniting old and new parts of the house.

A major step forward was the visit by the plumbing technician from 'Ice Energy' to commission the geothermal heat pump and check our plumbing.
Mid evening we went back to the house to find a gentle heat in the radiators and the heat pump sending out signals to say all was well and up to heat. So much more satisfying than having a smelly tank full of expensive oil. The earth steadily provides a constant heat, which we are able to pick up, extract and use to warm our house and water. If we could just find a way to generate enough electricity to run the pump so we were liberated from the National Grid....
By the end of tomorrow, all the heat pump and pipework will be enclosed in a cupboard, and should tick along nicely and silently.