The time’s come to make some decisions; who we’ll get to install photovoltaique panels to feed electricity into the grid, and, more importantly, what sort of central heating system we’re going to have and who will install it.

We’ve had three PV estimates so far; they vary enormously, with one being the sum of the other two! We won’t be using him.

We’ve had three people round to talk about heating systems; oil, gas and electric are out as we want to use one of the new, eco-friendly systems. We’ve dismissed the idea of geothermic (water pipes 1m and 2m below ground take calories from the earth to heat the house) because it’s simply too expensive, which leaves a pompe à chaleur system, taking calories from the air and either pumping warm air into the house or using the calories to heat water in underfloor heating and/or radiators. I love the idea of a warm floor, but it takes a lot longer to warm up or cool down than radiators and is far less responsive than the hot air system, which can be noisy. And, of course, everyone we talk to has their own favourite and pushes that one.

We’ve another four people coming round this week, as well as an air/water PAC installation to visit. One thing we are learning is that cheating the tax man is a national sport here; the more you talk to people in any sort of business, the more you realise that “as long as you do it intelligently”, it’s perfectly acceptable! I think we’ve got a long way to go before we’ll be really French!

While we listen to the pros and cons of thermodynamique water heaters and planchers chauffants and try to comprehend the ins and outs of the planning permits required and the system of credits d’impots, Kieran is doing the lion’s share of insulating the rest of the house. The external wall on the landing is done now; next on the list is Kieran’s bedroom, which is north-facing and bitterly cold now that winter’s here. Roll on spring!