Guides From The Team
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Straight answers on solar, batteries, EV charging and grants, from the team who fit them.
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What Is the 3-Minute Rule for Air Conditioners? (2026) The 3-minute rule is an air conditioner's built-in wait before its compressor restarts. What makers' manuals say, why it exists and when it's a fault. 24 October 2026 · Electrical Exchange Read the guide -
Loft Air Conditioning: Keeping a Loft Conversion Cool in Summer (2026) Loft air conditioning usually means a split unit. Why lofts overheat, what to try first, units for sloping ceilings, sizing, planning and the F-gas law. 24 October 2026 -
Air conditioning noise: how loud units are and what the 2025 planning rules allow Air conditioning noise in dB(A) from Daikin and Bosch data sheets, England's 37 dB(A) planning check since May 2025, and why fitted units can sound louder. 24 October 2026 -
Can a handyman do electrical work? What the law allows in England (2026) A handyman can do some electrical work in England, but new circuits, consumer unit changes and work near a bath or shower are notifiable under Part P. 24 October 2026 -
Earth bonding and earthing explained: earth rods, TT supplies and what we check (2026) Earthing gives fault current a safe path; earth bonding links metal gas and water pipes to it. Supply types, earth rods, EV charger rules and EICR codes. 24 October 2026 -
Electrical Certificates When Selling a House: What Buyers Ask For (2026) No law requires an EICR to sell your home in England, but buyers ask for certificates for past electrical work. Which ones, and what if they're missing? 24 October 2026 -
EV charger regulations in 2026: the smart charge point rules explained The smart charge point rules every new home charger meets, plus Part S, wiring, DNO and planning rules in October 2026. 24 October 2026 -
How to read the Fox ESS app: your solar, battery and grid at a glance (2026) The Fox ESS app (FoxCloud 2.0) explained: the power-flow screen, kW vs kWh, battery %, the charts, work modes, an overnight charge window and alarms. 24 October 2026 -
Looped electricity supply: why it can hold up an EV charger or battery (2026) A looped supply means your home shares its service cable with a neighbour. Why SSEN checks it before an EV charger goes in, who pays and how long. 24 October 2026 -
myenergi eddi Review (2026): Settings, Boost and Spare Solar What its manuals and a year-plus independent test say about heater priority, boost timers, the app, batteries and the zappi. 24 October 2026 -
Do You Need a New Consumer Unit for an EV Charger? (2026) Often not. A charger needs its own circuit and RCD, which many boards can give. See when an old board, a Type AC RCD or the main fuse means more work. 24 October 2026 -
Will the UK Need Air Conditioning? Heatwaves and Heat Health Alerts (2026) What each heat health alert colour means, how fast UK summers are warming, how to keep cool in a heatwave, and when air conditioning makes sense. 24 October 2026 -
AFDDs explained: does your home need an arc fault detection device? (2026) An AFDD cuts a circuit off when it detects dangerous arcing. BS 7671 requires them in HMOs and a few other buildings, and recommends them in other homes. 23 October 2026 -
Bathroom electrical zones 0, 1 and 2 explained (2026) Zone 0 is inside the bath or tray, zone 1 is above it to 2.25 m and zone 2 a 0.6 m band around it. Plus IP ratings, sockets and RCDs. 23 October 2026 -
How long does an EICR last? 5 years, 10 years or sooner (2026) An EICR lasts up to 5 years for a rented home in England, or less if the report says so. Homeowners are advised to have one at least every 10 years. 23 October 2026 -
Power cut in Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch? Who to call first (2026) Check whether it's just your home, then report it to SSEN, the local network operator, not your supplier. 23 October 2026 -
Surge protection devices: does your home need an SPD? (2026) A surge protection device (SPD) diverts voltage spikes to earth. When the wiring rules expect one in your home, when you can say no, and what it can't do. 23 October 2026 -
Daikin Perfera vs Comfora: which wall unit suits your room? (2026) Daikin Comfora vs Perfera from Daikin UK's own data: Perfera adds up to A+++, a motion sensor and Flash Streamer; Comfora is slimmer and nearly as quiet. 23 October 2026 -
Air conditioning for bedrooms: the quietest units and where to fit them (2026) The quietest bedroom air conditioning is a wall-mounted split, with Daikin and Bosch units at 19 to 21 dB(A) on silent. Figures, placement and planning. 23 October 2026 -
Air conditioning in a conservatory: what works all year round Conservatory air conditioning that works all year is a split heat pump: it cools in summer and heats in winter. Options, sizing, siting and the rules. 23 October 2026 -
On-street EV charging in BCP: cables across the pavement, gullies and council bays (2026) No driveway in BCP? Trailing cables aren't allowed, but a pavement gully, proposed council bays and a £500 grant can help with on-street EV charging. 23 October 2026 -
Heating with air conditioning: can an air-to-air system warm your home all winter? (2026) Yes, air conditioning can heat a home all winter. What a kWh of heat costs vs gas, oil and panel heaters at 2026 prices, plus cold limits and defrost. 23 October 2026 -
Granny charger vs a home charger: is a 3-pin plug enough? (2026) A granny charger adds about 7 miles of range an hour from a 3-pin socket. When that's enough, the safety rules, and when a 7kW wallbox is worth it. 23 October 2026 -
How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home? (2026 tariffs) About £8 per 100 miles on the October to December 2026 cap, or under £2.50 on EV off-peak rates. 23 October 2026 -
G98 vs G99: how solar and batteries connect to the grid G98 means fitting a small system and then notifying the DNO; G99 means applying, and getting approval, before a larger one goes in. 6 October 2026 -
How long does EV charger installation take? Most home installations are done in a single visit. What decides the time, step by step, and how to prepare. 15 September 2026 -
EV charger grant for renters and flat owners: who qualifies The EV charger grant for renters and flat owners gives up to £500 towards a home chargepoint in its final year. Who qualifies, and how to apply. 27 August 2026 -
What does a solar diverter do? It sends surplus solar power to your immersion heater instead of the grid. How it works, and how it compares with a battery. 13 August 2026 -
Can you add a battery to existing solar panels? Yes, you can add a battery to existing solar panels. What's involved, AC- or DC-coupled, the grid paperwork, and when fitting one later makes sense. 30 July 2026 -
How many solar panels do I need? Most homes fit 10 to 16. How roof size, direction, pitch, shading and your electricity use decide the number for yours. 16 July 2026 -
What happens at a solar panel survey? Who turns up, what we check on your roof, consumer unit and supply, and what goes into your fixed quote. 2 July 2026