UlsterRugby1999

Hi all - whats your views on this package from BricoDepot. I know many of you are not big fans of BricoDepot but this, on the face of it and to the uneducated like me, seems a decent offer. It comes with a single panel and a 300L tank with full electrical equipment. If I read it correctly it includes instalation of the tank system which may qualify for the tax credit. http://www.bricodepot.fr/chateauroux/chauffage-production-d-eau-chaude/chauffe-eau-solaire

Okay - the deed has been done. But wait until you hear. On Saturday, while en route to Paris for the Open, I called in to Chateauroux to get some paint from BricoDepot. Guess what? They had on special offer their air con units. The cheaper BiSplit units (non inverter type) which had been 749€e were now 499€ and the MonoSplit unit (inverter type) which had been 899€ was now 599€. So, without a further thought, I bought the 3 units I wanted for a saving 800€. They are not the quick fit connections but I couldnt resist them at that price. All I need now is someone to make the connections and gas them up. Hey ho - thanks folks for all your input. Good luck. Paul

powerdesal - wwww.airton.fr - what does SWMBO stand for. Quillan - [;-)] not looking for which one is best but rather what happens when the temp gets below -7C or -15C. Do they simply switch off or reduce efficiency. Like you, we get temps here that come in at -15C or so. This winter the nearest recording Mairie recorded an all time low of -21C (so we are told). So if the units switch off, then the inverters would have done so too but would have kept going that much longer. If its an efficiency thing then I'd suck it and see (as powerdesal says [;-)] ) and take the hit for the few days that it gets so cold. As you say Quillan the cheaper units in the bedrooms would be okay, if, they dont switch themselves off below their stated temperature level. As JR's gone native tells us, his older unit, rated to -5C doesnt switch of even when it gets down to -18C so maybe the bedrooms could work fine with the cheaper units. One more question for you clever troops - how can a unit which produces 3.5 CoP be energy rated at C when another unit which produces 3.42 CoP be rated at B???? I wont be here for a while as I'm off right now, with my son, to the French Open in Paris - aye - its tough at the top.............[:P]

Morning folks and many thanks for the responses. Krusty - thanks for the link. I need 2 BiSplit units and a large MonoSplit unit so sadly your link doesnt get me what I want. Thanks anyway. Quillan - good response, as always. I kind of understand the inverter concept but wondered with such a close set of CoP figures (and EER stats too) would the saving in buying the cheaper models be agin me or for me. For the three models I need the difference in cost is either 4k€ or 2.2k€ which is quite a significant saving, but would the running costs soon burn up that saving. Then the temperature aspect of it makes me wonder how often we get to below -7C let alone -15C here in the south east Vienne area. If it was a case, for example, that the CoP delivery dropped 0.1 or 0.2 for every degree below the -7C then I could live with that for the short periods we would have those temperatures. If, however, they just shut down then there is no competition. In that case everything this last winter would have shut down. Does this make any sense or am I barking up the wrong tree again

Morning Quillan - I still havent bought the units. When I finally find what I think I'm looking for there appears something to put me off them. The last one was the cost of having a local guy gas them up. Nearly 600€............ The BricoDepot units do now appear to be value for money. One question if you, or any of the other guys, can answer for me. The BiSplit Inverter unit shows a COP of 3.42 with an energy rating of A (for chauffage) with a cost of 1349€ whereas the non inverter unit costs 749€ has a COP of 3.2 and a energy rating of B. Difference between the two COP's is 0.22 but cost is nearly 50% cheaper/dearer. The big difference is the lowest temeratures that they will operate at max efficiency. The inverter will run at optimum down to -15 while the non inverter is only rated to -7. So, to the question - what happens when the units get to a temp below either -7 or -15? Do they just stop running or do they reduce in efficiency or what? I cannot find any information on this. Cheers - Paul

[quote user="Clarisworkz"][quote user="UlsterRugby1999"]As someone who smoked between 35 and 45 fags a day, I must say that I loathe the filfthy things ... I detest the smell of them, and I now see the awful mentality of SOME smokers who, in a very small minority, complain because we dont want smoke next to near us[/quote]What's worse than a smoker? ... A reformed smoker. That's just hypocritical of you to say what you said. Did YOU care when you were smoking and people complained about it? I doubt it. Don't forget you also had that awful mentality when you lit up. You just kept puffing away and didn't think about it, and now you have the temerity to whine when someone smokes near you. What a hypocrite! [blink][quote]Who is the selfish ONE then........[/quote]That would be you. So 10 points for quitting, but minus several million points for condemning those who still smoke. For the record, I smoke, but I also care enough NOT to smoke around people, especially those who are eating. So I don't light up after a meal, even at Al Fresco cafes where it is legal to do so. I always wait until I'm well away from people in general. So some smokers do have a sense of proprietry. [:-))] I was actually surprised to learn France had enacted the no smoking law in Restaurants, cafes etc. Smoking in a french cafe etc was the norm not so long ago. It was part of the french culture. But things change, and I'm sure many people eating inside can now appreciate their food a lot more. [8-|] [quote user="Jonzjob"] You know what they say Ulster? There's nowt worse than a convert!! [:D][/quote] I actually missed this ... so yes, my post reflects what Jonzjob said ... [Www][/quote] Perhaps Clarisworkz, you should re-read my post. I clearly state (and in large letters so some people might see it) SOME. I did not say all and nor did I imply it. When I smoked, I never smoked in anyones house EVEN (big letters again for your benefit) if they smoked. I stopped because I didnt want my kids to smoke. What is hypocritical about disliking something and stating it. Especially when I have had the balls to quit which is more than can be said for SOME (big letters again). AS for your question about did I care. No, I suppose must be the response. I dont know that I could answer that any other way. The difference is that I finally did. Many havent and while you are one of those who does consider, you must admit that there are many who dont and believe that its their right to blow smoke into the faces of, or over the meals or drinks of, those who dont.

Must be true Jonzjob

As someone who smoked between 35 and 45 fags a day, I must say that I loathe the filfthy things. I detest the smell of them, and I now see the awful mentality of SOME smokers who, in a very small minority, complain because we dont want smoke next to near us. I went through months of near hell trying to get of the damn things and its was an awful time. Do any of you give a toss that you make it hard for those brave smokers who have, or are trying to, give the disgusting habit up. No, you are, most not all, too protective of your right to smoke to care. 1 smoker 10 people who dont want you to smoke near them. Who is the selfish ONE then........

Cheers everyone for your thoughts and advices. I prefer Maricopa's 120€ to Le Plombier's 300 - 600€ but I want it done properly. Anyway, I'm off to HyperU ...... first.

In an earlier discussion on this Forum, we looked at reversible inverter air con units. Many of you folks gave me some excellent information and advice most of which I have followed. I have now arranged to buy a Tri Split LG system at a particularly good price with the associated pieces to install the set up. The seller has, thankfully, been very candid with me and explained that while I might be able to complete the basic installation, it would be very wise to have an engineer come and gas up the system and finalise the connections etc. So, what do I look for? What do we call such a person and can any of you recommend one who operates near Montmorillon in the south east of the Vienne. Cheers - Paul

I should have explained that right now there is no serious finish to the surface of the lane. It has had tarmac a long time ago but this has deteriorated so much its unrecognisable. My intention would be, if allowed, to make a slightly raised concrete surface to allow for exactly as you have described but right now there is no difference between the area of 1 metre from the house and the middle of the lane. Hence the dirt from tractor traffic and wind and rain etc.

The ground outside our front door (and the entire front of the property) is owned by our commune. In general there is no problem with this except that in the wet and winter times, etc, anyone entering drags dirt and so on, into the house. We have been advised by local neighbours that we are entitled to a 1 metre trottoir from the boundary of our house but when we asked in our Mairie we were advised to the contrary. That said, our Mairie has given inaccurate advise on 3 out of 3 requests for information from us. DO any of you wizards have any information which I can get access to to help me present my case to the Mairie. Cheers.

Aye that man - I got it. Will PM you soon. Try this link - its priceless and I know how they felt. [:D] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7961703.stm

Hi Gardian - PM me the dates etc and I might be able to find something. Blackrock is one of our premier rugby schools. Maybe the second school was from around the Limerick area (Young MUnster men). See what you can come up with. Sadly I have to say that it wouldnt have included me [:(][;-)] Far too old for the 90's. Re Lions - Paul O'Connell for captain. Leave O'Driscoll to play his game.

[quote user="Gardian"] May I add my congrats UR99.  Deserved and it would have been a travesty if they hadn't come through at the end.  I hope you won't think it churlish if I say that for me, this isn't a great Irish side, but it does have some notable bedrocks. O'Connell & O'Driscoll are the obvious ones and one or other of them must be certs for the Lion's captaincy. Pity that Wales ended up 4th - they're a better side than that. As for England, does anyone agree that Mears had his best game yet?  My recollection is that he was 2nd or 3rd receiver after the breakdown on countless occasions and dropped the ball just once.  [/quote] Thanks Gardian and no - not churlish at all as its true but it shows you what a DECENT coach (unlike Comical O'Sullivan) can do with a squad like that. The great sadness is that quite a few of them, bedrocks too, will not see 2011 [:(]

Thank you raindog. You flatter the man raindog but I understand where you are coming from. O'Gara was costly to us in every game in this 6N's and we won the Grand Slam DESPITE O'Gara. The worst thing is that McGeechan will probably pick him for Lions duty - it should be to clean boots. Wales showed yesterday what Laporte had been saying for years. He is weak in defence and slow with ball in hand when under and pressure at all and worth letting his forwards at him to take him out. Did you ever see the photo of Betson holding O'Gara horizontally and smiling. Said it all for me. Galtland knew this as he was the one responsible for ROBOT O'GARA in the first place. Merci Quillan - yes it was a great game in many aspects. I just hope that Kidney is left alone to build for 2011 especially as many of those fine lads wont be there for it. Now, I'm off to nurse a rather sore head. [;-)]

Oh you've all gone quiet over there [:D][:D][:D] Thankfully it turned out to be a great match to watch and a great match to win and for some of us it'll take a few weeks to get over. How good is this [B][B]

[quote user="Quillan"] I woke up on the settee this morning having fallen asleep in the first half of the England game watching France, what happened? [;-)] . [/quote] Nothing really Quillan - honest. You didnt miss much. [:D][;-)][:)] baypond - pretty good assessment IMHO. I still love to see the Italians scare the beejaysus outta the big guns. [:D]

Funny thing that Gardian - Ive been wroking with a few French lads today and they were exceptionally quiet. Only once did I rib them - well that was from I walked on site until I left [:D][;-)] But of course raindog - and as for hangovers - Mudder O God my head was like a stone mason hammer yesterday. I ended up past the wee small hours bateing the Jamesons into me. Nah - as much as I love a wee slag and the English, it has to be said it was a fine performance and I'm only glad they did it this week instead of 2 weeks ago.

Great win for England (and Ireland too as we needed you guys to beat France). To me the biggest single difference was the total self confidence/belief from the entire team. It was a million years from the Italian match. As for Ireland - baypond I think you do an injustice to Scotland. They were so in our faces for the first half that we were only fit to contain them. Once again, when we went wide we broke through. They didnt like turn overs and we were eventually able to turn this round on the back of that. I think Scotland did a fine job first 40 minutes and came back into it in the 4th quarter but we had pinned them back in the 3rd quarter and the sting left them. As for Wales, I hope they keep the trend up. They have become progressively worse as the 6N's has gone on. Long may it continue.

Aye for sure ErnieY the real divil in you is at last coming out. [;-)] I recently asked someone, by email which is our normal mode of communication, not to take payments from my bank. That was in early January. I got no read receipt and no money was taken in January nor, indeed, February either. So I was confident that he'd acted upon my request. Then this week, I notice that the payment for January suddenly leaves the bank account. At least if I'd had a receipt, I'd have known that he definitely read it and that there was a reasonable chance that he wouldnt have taken the money. Apart from that, I think, in business and especially with clients, the ability to know that your client has read the email lends some confidence to things being done, understood or at least acknowledged. Russethouse I agree this is a useful aspect to the tool.

Good man yourself Sam

Cheers Salty Sam - I am aware of these as they are top of the Google list. What I'm really looking for is to find out personal experience of any that you may have used. I've tried several and some have problems with Windows Vista or dont like GMail or this and that. Have you used any of these or, indeed, any others.

More and more these days, I'm finding that clients are refusing read receipts. These are important to me as I'm sure for the rest of you. Do any of you folks have any recommendations for applications. Cheers.

Voila, merci beaucoup - et tres bien mes amis. Thaks guys for the class input. Pachapapa that article was spot and and Danny your refresh move was bang on. I just had to reconfig to Shared - WEP and the 13 character key for both Windows and the software for the WiFi cards. Cheers guys - Guinness on me [B][B][:D]