Net zero or not zero?
What we are trying to do
We designed Reflections to not only be our family holiday home and somewhere to share with guests, but also to demonstrate that net zero energy homes could be easy to use, a delight to be in and fun.
We also committed to sharing the real life performance of the house, warts and all. Remember we are trying to export more kWh of electricity than the number of kWhs of gas and electricity that we import from the grid (other than car charging). If you want to know more about the house then do get in touch via the website email system and we will try to answer your questions.
Year to Date Table 2025
Into 2025 with a dismal and cloudy January. The ASHP switch is definitely on the agenda - just a question of what make, when and where to find a careful installer who wants to do a neat job. Suggestions always welcome via the email contact.
Year to Date Table 2024
After some gremlins crept into my arithmetic I decided that an Excel spreadsheet would be a better way to set out the energy use. Each month will still have figures but it is all summarised and cross checked in the spreadsheet.
What is also becoming clear is that the gas usage, particularly for hot water (and possibly towel rails), is far higher than envisaged. Net zero in kWh with gas is unlikely to work.
At the end of 2024 we can see that if we had an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) rather than the gas boiler, we would probably be well in credit assuming average ASHP performance. Probably a local installer who is happier to do a slightly non-standard install with pipes in the ceiling void. And a heat pump with a half decent app so it is not an EcoDan ASHP with the MELCloud app which I suffer with at home.