Thai Dhupp and Princess Joy's Thai House Build

[Dead Metal]

Amount sent 1,000 GBP Converts to 42,179.28 THB Fee 6.96 GBP Exchange rate 42.47490


That £6:96 is all I paid Total.

[Dead Metal]

The above is from my account with TransferWise . I only show you because i consider it the cheapest way to transfer money.

I have been doing this for a long time now and the system is easy and straightforward.

You only need to set up an account with them and away you go easy-peasy-Japanesey.

If you do encounter problems Email / phone. They are very helpful.

I consider £6:96 to be a steal . Nobody can match this.

The company featured in the Times money pages, I was reading whilst returning from Victoria to the coast.

[Dead Metal]

Just one more thing if I may TD . It is quite legal to travel by plane from the UK with £12000.00 providing you have the Bank's receipt .
I have also done this many times.
Regards DM.

[Thai Dhupp]

The above is from my account with TransferWise . I only show you because i consider it the cheapest way to transfer money.

I have been doing this for a long time now and the system is easy and straightforward.

You only need to set up an account with them and away you go easy-peasy-Japanesey.

If you do encounter problems Email / phone. They are very helpful.

I consider £6:96 to be a steal . Nobody can match this.

The company featured in the Times money pages, I was reading whilst returning from Victoria to the coast.

thanks for that DM... v interesting and an option to consider.

Whenever transferring, one needs to check both the fee and the stated exchange rate.

Banks especially are v good at manipulating the latter. In UAE they force one to change the dirham into dollar (at a crappy rate), then those dollars into THB again at a crappy rate.

The fee is low, cos that's what people ask ''how much is the fee to transfer the money?'' lol cheap fee, but TWO expensive exchanges.

Needless to say, i do not use banks

[Thai Dhupp]

Just one more thing if I may TD . It is quite legal to travel by plane from the UK with £12000.00 providing you have the Bank's receipt .
I have also done this many times.
Regards DM.

I thought it was 10,000, but in any case, I have exceeded that several times!!

[mikenot]

AC

Cant remember if i asked this before... is there already any info on the site about the 'effect' of using AAC blocks, etc on your AC purchasing decisions?

I did once read something on the Hebel Australia site about being able to reduce the estimated kilowatts needed by up to 20% if using the Hebel AAC blocks. Of course they are trying to sell their product so perhaps take that claimed 20% cautiously.....

[Thai Dhupp]

I did once read something on the Hebel Australia site about being able to reduce the estimated kilowatts needed by up to 20% if using the Hebel AAC blocks. Of course they are trying to sell their product so perhaps take that claimed 20% cautiously.....

Interesting Mike.. thanks.

Perhaps i better have a word with Messers. Supablock and Q Con

[mikenot]

TD, after a bit of reading .....apparently the R-value (thermal efficiency) of AAC is 1.25 per inch thickness, a concrete block is 1.1/inch or approx 14% difference. Therefore (?) you should be able to use an air-con with 14% less BTU than is recommended in most of the online calculators which assume normal masonry construction. Is that logical ?

Hmmm ..wrong image attached but I cannot seem to delete it ? But it does compare an AAC wall to concrete block plus insulation, have to add r-8 insulation to match the AAC.

[Thai Dhupp]

TD, after a bit of reading .....apparently the R-value (thermal efficiency) of AAC is 1.25 per inch thickness, a concrete block is 1.1/inch or approx 14% difference. Therefore (?) you should be able to use an air-con with 14% less BTU than is recommended in most of the online calculators which assume normal masonry construction. Is that logical ?

Hmmm ..wrong image attached but I cannot seem to delete it ? But it does compare an AAC wall to concrete block plus insulation, have to add r-8 insulation to match the AAC.

Cheers for that, Mike... it seems logical but my logic defies belief sometimes!!

The thing that surprises me is.... the AAC block has many benefits, one being the insulation properties, and from that, logically (!) A SAVING in AC requirements.

To that end, I would have expected a wealth of info (OK...maybe not from the AC Manufacturers!) from block makers, from uni studies, from lifestyle or building publications actually spelling out the saving, the reduction in requirement for AC, assessment of all the factors, such as room size, height, total glazed area, orientation, roof insulation occupancy average, room heat sources, etc. for people to factor in and come to something resembling an informed decision.

No.. what we get is vague implications of savings, unquantifed, little to no specific info on AC requirement reduction, and set of calculators which consider room area /volume and 'number of windows'. (like windows cant be a different size for each case!))

I expected more but after a lot of searching around, I'm not really finding much beyond the simple calculators, which are a good starting point but only that.

Daikin, unsurprisingly have yet to reply....

[Norton]

The thing that surprises me is.... the AAC block has many benefits, one being the insulation properties, and from that, logically (!) A SAVING in AC requirements

Another way of looking at it would be energy (electric) savings for a given AC space. I would go with the space calculation and expect to save energy because you have better insulated walls. Wall mounted AC units come in sizes such as 9000 BTU, 12000 BTU, 15000 BTU, 18000 BTU, 24000 BTU, 33000 BTU. So if the room size dictates a 15000 BTU unit install and expect energy savings due to less compressor run time.

More energy saved on high end such as below but of course are more expensive.

https://www.daikin.co.th/product/sup...ter-ftkm-sv2s/

Logical?

[Airportwo]

Logical?

Well put, I would agree, there are too many variables to try get any sort of exact calculation, I messed with it for a while but when you are dealing with unknowns like outside temperatures ranging from 18c to 40c they have more of an impact than a lot of other criteria, a lot depends on what you want or find comfortable as temp 23 - 26 is usual? maintaining that extra <3c can take a lot of BTU.

[Thai Dhupp]

Another way of looking at it would be energy (electric) savings for a given AC space. I would go with the space calculation and expect to save energy because you have better insulated walls. Wall mounted AC units come in sizes such as 9000 BTU, 12000 BTU, 15000 BTU, 18000 BTU, 24000 BTU, 33000 BTU. So if the room size dictates a 15000 BTU unit install and expect energy savings due to less compressor run time.

More energy saved on high end such as below but of course are more expensive.

https://www.daikin.co.th/product/sup...ter-ftkm-sv2s/

Logical?

I dont mind the higher initial cost, Norton as long as the units are specified for the application.

you are right about those savings but we must consider the efficiency of the units i think. a too large (for the application) unit will cool quickly but leave the air moist, a too small unit will cycce incessantly.

its the same as if one did not use AAC block, or double ceiling insulation, or any of the other insulating control measures, just starting at a lower point.

I guess what i hope for was some way of quantifying the effect of said controls in such a way that an accurate rating for requirement could be made.

The AC companies very good at the volume calc equals xyz BTU requirements - i wanted the same calc but for each control measure, factor in the effect and thus the effect on the btu requirement to keep the final selection efficient.

that will deliver the maximum savings but also longevity for the unit itself.

i think i hope for too much!!

[Thai Dhupp]

That link to the Daikin unit looks impressive -

I like the fact they seem to by pushing the tech forward and they seem to have thought of everything.

[Norton]

That link to the Daikin unit looks impressive -

I like the fact they seem to by pushing the tech forward and they seem to have thought of everything.

If I was in the market, would go with Daikin. So far Samsung's I installed when I built are still doing just fine. Replaced a couple parts along the way but no complaints. Local service is good. Something you need to consider when deciding on AC or any major appliance.

[mikenot]

I expected more but after a lot of searching around, I'm not really finding much beyond the simple calculators, which are a good starting point but only that..

The most comprehensive online calculator I have seen is the one at Fairair | Home | Air conditioning calculators., it does let you input size of windows, which direction they face, type of window coverings,etc, even if the room above has carpet or not ....... BUT once again no mention of AAC, only timber, brick and concrete. It is an Australian site so the result is in kilowatts, not BTU. One kilowatt being approx 3400 BTU.
(and remember to swap north and south facing windows around ! )

[Norton]

I guess what i hope for was some way of quantifying the effect of said controls in such a way that an accurate rating for requirement could be made.

Given the variables as JPR points out it is all but impossible to calculate a specific btu need and even if you could, the fact AC units come in fixed BTU sizes calculating to a specific BTU need not likely going to change the BTU size you purchase. I have heard and seen claims ACC has 20% to 30% better thermal characteristics than equivalent size concrete block. Fair nuff but Daikin calculator must assume some sort of insulation. Unknown and doubt you will ever find out.

Doubt at the end of the day you will decide to purchase the next lower BTU rated unit from Daikin because you have ACC and double ceiling insulation. Up to you though.

[Maanaam]

I dont mind the higher initial cost, Norton as long as the units are specified for the application.

you are right about those savings but we must consider the efficiency of the units i think. a too large (for the application) unit will cool quickly but leave the air moist, a too small unit will cycce incessantly.

its the same as if one did not use AAC block, or double ceiling insulation, or any of the other insulating control measures, just starting at a lower point.

I guess what i hope for was some way of quantifying the effect of said controls in such a way that an accurate rating for requirement could be made.

The AC companies very good at the volume calc equals xyz BTU requirements - i wanted the same calc but for each control measure, factor in the effect and thus the effect on the btu requirement to keep the final selection efficient.

that will deliver the maximum savings but also longevity for the unit itself.

i think i hope for too much!!

Yeah. You're thinking along the right lines but maybe over-complicating things. Just keep in mind ACC blocks, ceiling insulation etc or not, the AC has a thermostat, and so the better insulated your room is, the better your AC unit will keep it cool using less electricity. Go with the manufacturer's reccomendations as per room size, and know that with your insulation you'll be doing better than expected as far as consumption is concerned... during the day. Night time your insulation may work against you by keeping the heat in and the AC has to work, counter-intuitivey, a little harder relatively, but that is relative to the outside heat permeating in and so is likely negligable.

[Airportwo]

We have AAC blocks, ceiling insulation, sealed windows, 3m ceiling height, given the huge amount of variables that will always exist, just did a quick calculation and averaged out the sizing of the 8 AC we have, it works out we ended up with a "variable" of ~ 500, rough but a vague guide that may help.
Thai Standard:-
BTU = area (W * L) * variables.
Variable heat divided into two levels.
700-800 for the bedroom Or a room with less heat. (At the sun or a little low ceiling or room where the air during the night).
800-900 for the living room Or a room with a heat medium - high (sun room. The west Or the air during the day)
900-1000 for office Fitness Or a room with a lot of heat. Or ceiling (sun room. The west On the top floor Or the air during the day)
1000-1200 for shops The restaurant door, often hair salon or office with many people.
If the ceiling height of 2.5 meters with a large number of people. Or a computer should BTU plus an additional 5% of the normal value.

[Thai Dhupp]

Wow.. finallly got connected after two days in BkK. Bloody rain!

[Thai Dhupp]

Thanks everybody fot this useful input on AC. I think the consensus is there are too many variables. This is probably right otherwise that comprehensive calculator I wanted would be available. That Australian one has most of what I wanted.

[Thai Dhupp]

Anyway...yesterday I had a good chat with the Daikin specialist in Modern Air who reckoned on 7 units at 300k including wifi control so we can activate or adjust remotely. As I suspected we need 2 units in the living room

[Klondyke]

After the precise calculation with imprecise figures you will come to result that a 9,000 BTU is enough for bedroom even in corner situation and 2 windows. Or - if the Princess likes to sleep with 18 deg. - than go for a 12,000 BTU.

Anyway, you will always need to leave a small gap in one of the windows. Otherwise we will read once in Bangkok Post:

A UK citizen with his Princess who moved yesterday into their freshly made Taj Mahal were found this morning dead. An Ad Hoc unit of MI6 (incidentally on their studying trip in Bkk) is on the way since the CCTV recorded 2 caucasian foreigners (perhaps coming direct from Caucasus) walking thru the village disguised as tourists interested in the famous local temple.

We have learned from a source who does not want to be named that a local midwife who just passed by from her hard night job in the neighbourhood has spoken to the village headman (whom she helped 50 years ago to world), after she looked thru the hermetically closed triple-glass windows (the old woman is known for her peculiar curiosity): "Hey Noi, call off the spy catchers with their anti-chemical gear, no Novichok was used. They just died on a lack of oxygen"...

[Norton]

Anyway...yesterday I jad a good chat with the Daikin specialist in Modern Air who reckoned on 7 units at 300k including wifi control so we can activate or adjust remotely. As I suspected we need 2 units un the living room

On the right track mate. Sounds about right given the dimensions in your plan. Installation by Daikin should be free.

[Thai Dhupp]

Aye..installatiion is free, Norton.

However after going to the site today, k.Pot thinks he can get the same exact spec and fitment cheaper. Daikin. Wifi same size.

Ok.. lets see.

Off to choose the Mae Daeng tomorrow

Oh.... and glad hand the Orbortor which is always a pleasure.

As mentioned before...a good guy to have on your side

[Thai Dhupp]

After the precise calculation with imprecise figures you will come to result that a 9,000 BTU is enough for bedroom even in corner situation and 2 windows. Or - if the Princess likes to sleep with 18 deg. - than go for a 12,000 BTU.

Anyway, you will always need to leave a small gap in one of the windows. Otherwise we will read once in Bangkok Post:

Lol Klondyke...and knowing my luck thats just what WOULD happen. Either that or "Project Safety Manager falls to death while tryjng to adjust inverter unit to give absolutely unequivocally without doubt, slightly more than the quoted performance for his main toom AC cos the nice man at Moron Air...sorry Modern Air told him to...."