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Hi guys, It's been suggested we could be eligible for some energy efficiency improvements, including an air source heat pump heating/water system. We live in an old draughty house and they're suggesting to also internally insulate the solid stone walls, increase the loft insulation and fit solar...

Hi, I'm having an electrician quote to upgrade my old fusebox to a modern CU. I understand he'll advise/design what's best for my particular situation but I'd like to generally be a bit informed. My questions if I may: Which type of board is generally installed in a house - single rcd, dual...

Hi, Does a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 28cdi Compact ErP LPG combi boiler have a bypass built in for the heating side or do I need a dump radiator? I've recently moved home and the heating is appalling and expensive. I have some single rads which hardly make any difference to room temp even tho...

Can Hive v1 work as a standalone? Possibly moving home and wondered if I can unpair my new v2 and pair my old v1 again, thus I can take my new hub and thermostat with me. I do understand I'll need to get a new receiver. TiA

Hi, Hyundai Kona 1.6 petrol turbo with 7 speed dual clutch auto gearbox (dry plate AFAIK). We've done 8k miles in it since new (2 years). Has had an easy life due to lockdown, and both of us are aware of how to drive DCTs. Started getting a smell of burnt clutch in the car sometimes. When...

Hi, It's maybe time to upgrade our 21 yrs old vented CH/DHW system. It works fine and passes the emissions with flying colours, but when serviced recently the Scottish Gas guy (who has serviced it most of the last 11 years) showed me some paint scorching on the inside of the Ideal Classic...

Hi, A few nights ago I set "night set" on my Galaxy G2-12 and closed/locked the door, as I often do when off to work. OH phoned a few mins later with an alarm condition, fault shown was entry t/o front door. I'm guessing the alarm thinks the front door had been opened but it hadn't. I've...

Hi, Tilt and turn window with Maco mechanism wouldn't close. The handle won't turn upwards to the turn position, it is in the horizontal tilt position, but the window is turned inwards. I've temporarily removed the fouling bottom keep on the frame and can close and lock the window. The handle...

Hi, Having troubles with long brake pedal travel and poor handbrake feel on our 3.5 years old Mazda 3. It's done 23k miles, has been owned by us since new, and is serviced annually by Mazda. On it's second service I asked Mazda to check the brakes and, of course, the answer was "it's fine...

Hi, I have the older version of Hive, with the rectangular white thermostat. Is it possible to upgrade only the thermostat to the newer more modern shiny square silver version? I think the hub and receiver should be compatible but not sure. Also, mine is the type which controls the DHW and...

Hi, I have a serious clunk from the n/s/f of a 2006 Ford Focus when turning the steering. Are these prone to top strut mount bushes seizing up etc? The car only gets taken out its warm dry garage every couple/few months when I (choose a dry day and) take it for a short spin to make sure it's...

Hi, Sister in law has a gate valve on which the knob turns and the shaft rotates but it doesn't get to a 'stop' either way, nor turn the water off. It's among a tight row of pipes so unscrewing the nuts would be tricky, but it would be easy to replace the head if it's possible. Are heads...

Hi, If fitting an external wall/path light designed such that the cable enters the fitting through a hole in the backplate (ie through the wall) - is there a way to feed it via surface mounted cable instead? I thought of cable (or conduit) ideally above the light (for aesthetics since the light...

Hi, I'm looking for some guidance on choosing replacements for my two existing Firex L240C mains powered linked ionisation smoke alarms, installed around year 2000. Although they work fine, they've gone yellow and it's time to change them. One is in the downstairs hallway, the other in the...

Hi, Should a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 29cdi Classic combi boiler require a 'dump' radiator? The bathroom towel rail has a pair of lockshields on it, elsewhere there are TRV's. Thanks :)

Hi, The stupid previous owner of our house raised the ground level outside the back door by about 100-450mm in height over 12m, by putting some fence slats against the existing 6 foot wooden slatted fence and backfilling it, then laying slabs. The fence has started to lean away (who'd have...

Hi, I have a steamed up double glazed unit in an externally beaded UPVC frame. Originally fitted around year 2000 by a local company who are now bust. I expected to remove the internal rubber seal, thus allowing the DGU to be pushed inwards, thus taking the pressure off the external beading...

Hi, I have a Thorn TQPSXD60/240V transformer supplying 12v to three 20w lights. Simple wiring, one end takes 240v in, the other gives 12v out. However there are no obvious markings for which of the two 'in' terminals are live or neutral (there's no earth). There's a minuscule 'N' and an...

Hi, 2 bed upper flat had a new combi boiler installed 10-15 years ago (there was no existing system). Radiators are piped under the floors in grey plastic pipe, bigger than microbore - maybe 15mm pipe (will check tomorrow). The boiler always used to lose pressure and the fill loop was used...

Hi, Should my central heating inhibitor be topped up periodically? It's a gravity fed system with a header tank in the loft. Inhibitor was added by Scottish Gas when they did a powerflush a couple/few years ago. Can't remember which brand but could check an empty bottle in the loft if it...