@old_scientist Thanks for the reply. For some inexplicable reason I hadn't considered coming off the mains gas and using a standalone propane bottle and saving the standing charge. We use about 4p of gas a day on the hob, but pay 29p/day standing charge which is crazy. I'll have to investigate the conversion process for the burners. Thanks again.

Posted by: @howardp99

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@old_scientist Thanks for the reply. For some inexplicable reason I hadn't considered coming off the mains gas and using a standalone propane bottle and saving the standing charge. We use about 4p of gas a day on the hob, but pay 29p/day standing charge which is crazy. I'll have to investigate the conversion process for the burners. Thanks again.

@howardp99 We have an electric Rangemaster cooker that uses propane for the hobs. We pay around £95 for a 47kg cylinder which lasts us around 18-24 months, so well under the SC for gas. Ideally you need space for two cylinders so you always have a spare ready to go. They should be secured to a wall with a chain around the cylinder to prevent them falling over. Not sure if there are any specific building regs relating to where they can be cited.

I’ve also got a dual fuel Rangemaster. We originally had it hooked up to mains gas and then brought it with us when we moved. Converting it to bottled gas simply meant purchasing a different set of nozzles for the burners and we got the plumber who hooked it up to do the nozzle swaps.

We get through more gas than @old_scientist - about one and a half bottles a year - but then my cooking is much more hob-top centric than most. When the cooker dies we’ll replace it with an induction version of exactly the same thing, but given it’s the wrong side of 20 years old and still going strong I’m not holding my breath.

Posted by: @old_scientist

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On the subject of gas hobs - we massively prefer a gas hob for cooking (personal preference).

While I won't try to over-ride anyone's personal choices, one of my major considerations for getting an ASHP is air quality and safety.

Part of that journey was also removing our gas hob. We went to an induction hob a year ago, and to be honest the cooking experience has been brilliant. We used to boil water in the electric kettle to get pans up to boil quickly, our induction hob heats a pan of water at least as quickly if not a bit faster (yes I even timed it with 1 Liter of water in each!).

But beyond that, it's reduced pollution in the home, NOx and PM2.5 are much worse with gas, and I did read reports that some gas hobs can leak nasty things like benzene even when they are switched off.

In my view gas is 19th Century technology, I'll certainly be looking forward to throwing my carbon monoxide alarms away when the gas boiler is removed soon.

No wishing to make people feel bad about their choices, truly, but for me the list of benefits of electrification are more than just global warming.

Posted by: @scalextrix

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No wishing to make people feel bad about their choices, truly, but for me the list of benefits of electrification are more than just global warming.

 

I couldn't agree more with this.  Whilst I still have a gas hob (it will be replaced with induction when the kitchen worktop is replaced) my experience with EV, heat pump and solar panels has been transformational.  The EV and Heat pump are both much better at their jobs (ie transport and heating respectively) than the fossil alternative, and of course the PV is just free electricity.  Furthermore the heat pump will cool also, and I dont know of any fossil boiler that does that.  No way would I voluntarily go back to what I had previously.

For best results with induction hobs use stainless steel or cast iron cookware.  Our (admittedly pricey) induction hob comes with a test program that lets you check all your cookware to see how effective it is.

We have some non-stick pans that work just fine, but they require a higher power setting to reach the same performance as our stainless and iron cookware.

@scalextrix I use an iron wok on our IH that heats up in seconds and I can be cooking within 15 seconds of turning on! Toodles.

@toodles its easier to clean up afterwards too 😁

Truly one of the best items we bought for a long time.

@scalextrix Absobloominglutely! Toodles.

Posted by: @howardp99

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When I applied for a G99 I asked for a 12kW inverter and was "offered" a 7kW inverter with a 4kW export limit.  They agreed that the export limit can be through a password protected setting controlled by the installer. I reluctantly accepted the 7kW fixed limit as there was no possibility to discuss or appeal.

A week later, I'm finally picking up this comment...

If the only device to be installed on the property is the inverter, then a G99 Application is usually unnecessary.

All grid-tied inverters available for sale in UK will already have G98 certification.
That allows an installer or electrician to make the grid connection, and notify the DNO afterwards.

Thus I'm assuming the reason for a G99 Application being made in this instance is because you wanted to export more than 3.68kW (16A) on a single-phase supply.

I haven't previously met a situation where the DNO was setting an upper limit on the throughput of the inverter.

Nor can I see how that could affect the grid,
and thus shouldn't fall within their regulatory scope.

As I'm 'working' with my Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) organisation, we will shortly be compiling the RIIO-ED3 Agreements between DNOs and Ofgem.
The current RIIO-ED2 contracts are to be replaced in Spring'27.

This is an issue I'll raise and request clarification.

Overall, the easiest way to resolve such issues is to have a SunSynk inverter.

At present they're the only manufacturer to have a Zero Export system which is approved by the Electrical Networks Association (ENA).
That means you can have as many Sunsynk inverters as you like within the property.
Obviously most customers connect them to storage batteries.

All DNOs are members the ENA, and it's through their mechanism that Standards are discussed and agreed.

I spoke to the DNO (ukpowernetworks) about an installation of a Solis hybrid single phase 8kw inverter S6-EH1P8K-L-PLUS, which has a CT clamp allowing no export. I mentioned that, at the moment, there is no intention to export (this will just serve a battery and provide UPS) but there will be in the future.

They stated that, at the moment, I do not need to tell them anything. As @transparent said..

But when I asked if I can inform them (better to discover hurdles early on?), they said that a G99 form can be submitted with the inverter details (they described as filling it in "as if it was G98"). They also said that if I mention that only 5kw export is required, this will be approved quickly. 

I emailed them, will let you know more when I hear..  

A DNO allowing 5kW export on a single-phase supply is unusual.
It depends on a number of factors such as

• cable distance between you and the local substation
• number of dwellings between you and that substation which are on the same phase
• the current rating of the 3-phase cable from which your house is supplied
• the available capacity of the substation transformer
• the number of houses which have LCT (Low Carbon Technology) devices supplied  by the substation

etc.

Who is your DNO?