(Oh no I’ve done it again; my March progress report is late just like February’s was – sorry)

The two main developments this month are the completion of the flue that I’ve already mentioned and the water mains connection being brought into the barn – previously it only came as far and an external tap.

As I’ve said before, I’m really pleased with the flue and the choice we made to run it internally, rather than going back to planning for permission to install it externally. Warmer, easier and I think all-in-all neater and easier on the eye. I’ve not actually personally lit the stove as yet, I know the men who installed the flue have tested it – in my minds eye the white plume of smoke arising above the barn will signal a new era in the life of the barn…

(not a new Pope emerging from the Vatican…)

Pleased to say that the stairs are now in, which changes the whole feel of the building – makes it start to feel like somewhere that may one day be habitable. Although I miss clambering up and down a ladder.

they started off as a pile of bits of wood (this is just some of them):

Then took shape:

They take up much less space in the main room than I thought they would and consequently dominate the room less, which is good. Looking at the first of the three pictures, I thought they’d extend a foot further to the right – that they don’t is by far preferable. I also thought that they’d cut across the ventilation slit higher up and so cover up the bottom of the slit – like this the lines are far nicer.

The quality of the wood and finish is as good as I hoped – all in all very happy with them. But then they have cost the same price as a (very) small car…

Perhaps things are moving on … we’ll get there!

On the grounds of affordability and cost effectiveness, I’ve discounted any foray into the world of microgeneration of electricity from renewables to date.

I don’t think I’m about to change that stance, but I think an interesting angle on this comes from the offer from ecotricity to buy surplus electricity from microgenerators.

ecotricity.co.uk

ecotricity will buy excess electricity from microgenerators with Solar PV, small wind turbines, or small hydro power schemes under 10KW capacity.

Now I guess the 12p per kWh of electricity you generate isn’t going to make you into the JR Ewing of renewables, but it’s an interesting option. I’d be interested to work through the figures and wonder if it can be made to pay…

Hey, in the words of the song, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad … I can do stove & flue, but chimney is outside …

From MyBarnConversion 2009

I really like this photograph as is shows both floors in one picture and the progression of the flue, from the stove, up through the first floor bedroom then through the ceiling to the roof (trust me, my new header image will show the chimney).

+ there’s a special guest appearance from TC (see if you can spot here) – applause please, just like the Fonz entering a scene on Happys Days…

I’m happy that we decided to route the flue through the building – adds character, but also keeps valuable heat in the building, rather than wasting it externally.