Site Meeting with Lawtech - 24th January 2011

Following all the issues we have had with Lawtech and numerous correspondences, Their MD, Mr Lawrence had agreed to meet me on site with our Clients Representative from Ashford Borough Council.

We had a meeting and Mr Lawrence and he apologised profusely for all the issues and finally agreed my figures for the work that they had undertaken plus the extra costs incurred for the over run and additional welfare facilities.

Solar Thermal System still needs fixing

More issues and we are now being told that these areas need solving by Thermal Reflections;

• The H.P (high pressure) switch that was linked out by Thermal Reflections is to be replaced with a new unit.
• We are also told that the main problem with all these systems is tuning.  This involves setting the expansion valve to give around 7°C of superheat. 
• The other problem is that you cannot commission this type of equipment when the temperature is below freezing. Although we initially commissioned the system at around 12*C with all the issues and alterations by Thermal Reflections and the low temperatures, it appears that the system can’t be re-commissioned until the temperatures rise. This is just ridiculous, as this could mean waiting for weeks, as we have snow still.   
  

  •  We’re now being told that the system need to have an additional item added, an in line electric boiler. This is not what the system was sold to the designers and I am not convinced. I am also unsure where they intend in fitting this, as the heat block is outside and plumbed direct into the existing heating system.

Ashford Borough Council have given Thermal Reflections one last chance and a deadline to resolve the huge problems with their system - I won’t hold my breath

Dear Stuart

Thank you for your email received this week explaining a way forward regarding the issues with the Energie System bought from you. I have now met today with my Client at Ashford Borough Council and discussed them with him.

Following your site survey on Friday 14^th January and your prepared solution with the issues, my Client has agreed to give you a further 2 weeks to have the system in Appledore fixed and fully operational at no cost to him. He expects the system to be fully functional by the close of play Friday 11^th February or it will have to be removed and all monies for the materials and both labour costs for the installation & removal incurred by Thermal Reflections.

Please contact me next week with the day you require to attend site, so that I can arrange access with the tenant.

More issues with the Thermal System

We have had to make lots of visits over the past couple of weeks with the Thermal System. It has had to be switched under the guidance of Thermal Reflections as it doesn't work, as it appears to struggle below 10*C. The tenant has no heating, so the heaters we have loaned her are keeping her warm and the large cylinder is also giving her hot water, but having 4 children the costs for running both the electric heaters and immersion isn’t exactly helping eth project. 

It will be interesting to see how the monitoring equipment pick up any flaws. I think we need to make sure the issues/alterations are resolved with the existing system, before we can decide weather it does what the Company says it would. 

I have concerns that this system form Portugal may not have had the necessary changes to it for it to work to our weather/conditions here in the UK.

Thermal Reflections are coming to resolve the issues with the system on the 14^th January (this Friday) when their very own back up air con engineer will be calling.