thanks for the comments- the systems i have highlighted solve the problem of the hose being needed to be taken anywhere- hose gets sucked up into pipe work when not in use. Having had ducted vacuum system for many years- it is much better than stick vacuums- near zero maintenance, but have the storage of hose issue in older style systems. I have a dyson cordless and use it all the time- trouble is the maintenance- removing all the tangled hairs in the head and emptying all the time. Don't need to do that with the ducted one. Anybody have the hide-a-hose

Hi Brant, We had instantaneous gas hot water when we lived in Japan and never had a problem with pressure, but we only had one shower. Gas storage water heaters apparently lose a lot of heat because there are parts that can’t be fully insulated. This makes them less efficient and more costly to run. Have you considered a heat pump hot water service? They are the most energy efficient form of hot water heater, using about 1-2 kWh a day for the most energy efficient ones (in a warmer climate like Darwin, solar hot water might be a better choice). Hot water heat pumps are better suited to Melbourne’s climate than solar hot water, which don’t really produce much hot water in winter and need boosting. If you already have solar panels then the hot water heating will essentially be free as even a winter Melbourne day can usually produce enough energy to power a hot water heat pump that is set to heat in the warmest part of the day. Even if you don’t, they use very little energy. The Victorian government is offering a $1,000 rebate on them at the moment, on top of other rebates. Related but off topic, if you don’t have solar panels then accessing the Victorian solar panel rebates is a no brainer but you can only have one rebate (solar panels or solar hot water, including heat pump hot water, or batteries), and you can’t access the rebate for solar panels if you already have them except in a few limited circumstances. https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/ Heat pump water heaters use the same technology as reverse cycle air conditioners. This means that for some brands, noise can be an issue. Some are whisper quiet. Check the dB rating before purchase. Some are more efficient than others and some work better in cold climates (like Melbourne) than others. We are installing a Sanden brand heat pump in our build in the Macedon ranges, colder than Melbourne. There’s also a new mob using the same technology as the sanden but a Victorian built tank and some more useful technology not offered by the sanden. https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/buyers-guides/hot-water-buyers-guide/ Note that this guide says they have a COP of up to 3. Some have a COP if up to 5, meaning they are even more efficient. I’m not sure about the pressure issue with hot water heat pumps though but as they use a storage tank I’d imagine it’s not an issue.

Cannot comment on that specific brand however; Be careful with 'cheaper' stones. Some, especially those imported from specific geographical locations, can be much lower quality than some better known brands. I would look at the warranty. How long do they guarantee the product for? Many common stones are backed with 10 or 15 year warranties. Silestone by Cosentino even boasts a 25 year warranty! Cosentino also selles a porcelain top called 'Dekton'. This also carries the 25 year warranty and is much harder wearing than quartz based benchtops. Look it up on Youtube and you will see it drilled, spray painted, blow torched etc with no permanent damage.

i was thinking of a tufted rug that looks like thick carpet for the floor.. can be tedious but not difficult to do and years ago we had a coloured sheep (called Neville Ram!) and i used his handspun wool to knit a collection of different patterned squares that i made into a lovely throw rug that is a permanent reminder of dear old Neville