The basis of heat pump technology is something that we are all familiar with as it is the same as that used in refrigerators or air conditioning units. The core function of these units is to take heat from the ground and transfer it to a building for the purpose of heating water. This heated water is commonly used for space heating but can additionally be used as the basis for all hot water provision in the building given an additional boost from a complementary boiler system.

Heat pumps consume energy in the form of the electricity used to power the pump; this is a relatively efficient use of energy producing between two and four units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed. The system is at it most efficient when used to run an underfloor heating system.

Heat is gathered from a ground loop; this is constructed from lengths of pipe in a closed loop and filled with a blend of water and antifreeze. This liquid is pumped through the pipework loop and absorbs heat from the surrounding ground. The ground loop is either buried in trenches to the depth of around a meter or sunk into a borehole. The borehole option requires less ground area, but is more expensive to excavate and install than a trench.

The pumped liquid bears its absorbed heat to the heat pump where the evaporator takes the heat from the liquid and the compressor circulates the gaseous refrigerant and compresses it to the desired temperature. The condenser then transfers the heat to a hot water tank from which the heat distribution system is fed. In turn, the heat distribution system heats space through under-floor piping or wall mounted radiators.

At the time of writing; from a cost perspective this method of heating is cheaper than all options except mains gas. The high cost of electricity from solar photovoltaic (PV) cells means that supplying the electricy needs of the system from that source is not currently cost effective and off-peak electricity provisioning should be considered.

For the coldest times of the year it is appropriate to consider an additional secondary source of heating such as a multi-fuel or wood burner that should be fuelled from sustainable sources.

A heating system based around this technology is a cornerstone of a healthy house design, providing a lower air temperature, surface heating, healthy heating solution.

Here we concern ourselves with the volume of space we live in and through consideration of proportion aim to create harmony and reason within that space.

Architectural practice since ancient times has constrained itself by the use of proportional systems that guide the selection of forms for inclusion within a building. Systems of proportion are often relatively straight-forward based on mathematical ratios or geometric shapes. These concepts when applied beyond the sphere of architecture, to music, art & cosmology lead to sacred geometry and other related belief systems – we will constrain ourselves here to consideration of proportions in architecture. One such system of proportion is the golden ratio. Two quantities fall within the golden ratio if the ratio between the sum of the two quantities and the larger one is the same as the ratio between the larger quantity and the smaller one.

The golden ratio is 1.618033… and is also known as Phi and can be used to form the Golden Rectangle.

Beyond such esoteric considerations, the question of what size is the right size for your home arises. The answer to this question can be found through consideration of factors such as the number of inhabitants and the stages of life they are at, their entertainment needs, lifestyle and health & mobility requirements. Our options will be constrained by financial restrictions and building and planning regulations. This is a complex and dynamic web of factors each of which is of varying weight and priority in each individual situation and each of which must be considered to derive an optimal solution.

Very often we buy or build the largest home we can afford ignoring considerations of good design and fitness for purpose. As we seek increasingly healthy, green solutions to our housing requirements so good design becomes of increasingly significance.

Whilst a superficial consideration of modern house design often may lead to the conclusion that external sound is simply something to be shut out, minimised and in a perfect world eradicated, in reality this is a more complex design consideration. Sound can tie us to our surroundings, sooth us or excite us, an absence of sound can be as unsettling as a surfeit of it. There is a balance that we must strike.

The soothing sounds of rain-fall or bird song are of now value if drowned out by the constant hum of a nearby motorway or over-flying aircraft.

The major sources of sound pollution are road traffic, aircraft and industrial noise. Where sound is elevated above acceptable levels (and what is acceptable varies by individuals) then stress, increased accident rates, and higher levels of aggressive and anti-social behaviour are the consequences.

How can we reduce sound pollution?
There are two main ways to reduce sound pollution: mass of material and effective insulation. Simply put thick walls and floor will dampen sound and reduce the levels of pollution whilst modern technology brings us soundproofing and sound insulation products from which to construct walls and floors. Double and triple glazing is effective in reducing not only the egress of heat, but also the ingress of unwanted sound.

But let’s not forget the positive aspects of noise. Music provides a person with a happy euphoria. Natural sounds such as those of running water and wind in trees have been demonstrated to improve mood and enhance relationships.

The balance between positive and negative aspects of the total noise picture within, and especially around a building must be correctly struck to maximise any positive influences whilst minimising noise pollution.

Moulds are a type of fungi, the group of very common organisms that includes mushrooms and yeasts. Moulds are most likely to grow in wet or damp conditions. In the home, places at threat from mould growth include wall, ceiling and floor coverings, insulation material and wooden constructions that have become dampened by water ingress. Water may find its way into the structure through poor maintenance or design.

Whilst mould and its spores (moulds spread by releasing millions of tiny spores into the air) are not harmful to healthy individuals, the elderly, very young, people who are ill or who have chemical sensitivities or allergies may be at risk. Exposure to mould can cause, eye, nose and throat irritation, sinus congestion and common cold like symptoms as well as increase the occurrence of asthma attacks and allergic reactions. With an increasing volume of research identifying the detrimental effect on health of moulds this is an area of increasing concern to healthy house builders.

So how do we avoid this risk?

• Protect against humidity & moisture in the building through adequate provision & maintenance of damp proofing.
• Make sure that water is successfully conveyed away from the building by correctly functioning guttering, down pipes and drains.
• Ensure that the building is well ventilated; that air flows through the building and that areas of humidity and moisture are not allowed to build up.
• Maintain all internal plumbing to avoid leakage.
• Where possible & appropriate, use natural materials in construction that enhance the breath-ability of the structure. For example, lime in mortar, render and even lime-crete for floor construction or sheep wool insulation.

NOTE: This last point is a complex and intricate one. Approaches to damp control vary greatly between traditional and modern buildings. A misguided combination of traditional and modern may lead to a poor meshing of technologies & materials and an exasperation of damp related issues. In general traditional building techniques promote the breath-ability of the building to manage damp, whilst modern buildings seek to use impervious materials as a barrier to damp.

A rainbow rose over the pipeline today!

I must admit I loathe the thing. It’s a great example of the way that big corporate culture rules this country and steam-rollers everything in its way, be that our heritage (Roman road found at gas pipeline) or our opinions (Final pipeline protester removed).

It is also an example of our governments inability to join any two thoughts together. They talk zero carbon, they talk green then allow this monstrosity to cut a wide swathe across some of our most ancient and beautiful countryside, bringing a dwindling supply of gas to fuel our inefficient heating systems in our poorly designed & insulated homes.
(Aside: I wonder if the same thing would happen across the Cotswolds with its weekend deluge of migratory Range Rovers?)

In relation to the barn, it cuts its way across the countryside all around, making a half circle around us, but thankfully not coming too close, the drone of diggers and clank of machinery a counterpoint to the bird song.

We drove to Warwickshire along the M50 last weekend and there it was, poking its yellow serpentine head towards us a Newent.
(Another Aside: I’m sure as a work of engineering it’s very impressive and a great achievement ~ but what if all that effort had been put into something really worthwhile?)

It’s obvious that there’s no stopping it now, so I’ve resigned myself to it and just look forward to it disappearing beneath the ground and to the landscape being restored (as has been promised). Then perhaps that rainbow could be truly enjoyed.