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Screening to hide hot water systems

Quick job ticked off the liston the wknd - installing screening with a creeping plant to hide our hot water systems. Nothing fancy, nice and easy - does the job!

Fixed it to the wall with 3 heavy duty angle brackets and some Ramset anchors.

At the rate these creepers...creep...the screening will be about 60% covered by next winter.

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Comments

TheRoseMan

Hi there ProjectPete, nice job on the screening, looks very professional. I was just having similar thoughts about screening and possibly an awning to go over my new exterior hot water system and I came across your screening project. The thing that really got my attention is your hot water system, if I'm not mistaken it's a chromagen midea 170l heat pump, same as the one I have just purchased and am currently preparing the site for installation. I'd be really interested in what you think of your heat-pump HWS and I guess we could swap notes on why we've chosen to go with heat-pump HWS's. Hope to hear from you soon, regards TRM.

Kimbo

Just wanted to know what the creeper was that you planted at the base of the screen.

Thanks

Kimbo

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5832#Comment_5832

Thanks @TheRoseMan - simple but effective screening to hide those units a little.

I've had the heat pump since Feb when I moved into my house I built and have no complaints. I got it for the energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. I have two - one to service each flor of my house.

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5835#Comment_5835

Hi @Kimbo, it's a Climbing Ficus. They're a fast growing climber which I've used before and been happy with. They're quite aggressive so can cause some mischief if they start growing on brittle/dislodgeable things. I'll make sure they don't creep onto my brickwork.

TheRoseMan

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65026#Comment_65026

Thanks ProjectPete, yes i went to the heat-pump when my old storage HWS started to have issues heating up, as it turns out i have replaced the element and thermostat to keep it going until i get my new heat-pump installed. I think i might start a new post about how i put the 'slab' in to support my hws, might be interesting for someone. Cheers for now, TheRoseMan.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5832#Comment_5832

Hi @Kimbo and @TheRoseMan,

Great to see you join in this discussion kicked off by the wonderful @ProjectPete. Many thanks for making your first Workshop posts. A very warm welcome to the community to you both.

Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the Workshop site, or have any feedback about how we can improve Workshop for you.

We look forward to reading more about your own projects and plans very soon.

Thanks again,

Jason

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65034#Comment_65034

Good to see you back again @Jason 😉

Moobersan

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95217#Comment_95217

I have one of those 30000 lt tanks and they are quite ugly, I was thinking about painting 8it the same colour as the colourbond fence, but this looks like a good alternative.

antiscab

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114157#Comment_114157

I have one of those midea heat pump units too, installed in 2016
takes ages to heat up when outside is both under 5 deg C and low humidity.
Otherwise it's been great

One thing though, don't use the booster element (or at least don't only use it). It only heats up the top half of the tank, and also only starts heating when you have used more than half the tank.
hybrid mode works okay, but try using heat pump only first

TheRoseMan

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124780#Comment_124780

Thanks for the info on the heat-pump and thats a good tip on not using the booster, i guess it will be a bit of a learning curve for us as were in Canberra and with the extremes of temperature it can get down to -5 on a regular basis in winter and then upto the mid 40's in summer. I'm looking forward to getting our heat-pump installed and running, it's been sitting in the garage for a few weeks now as i've been just been plodding-along preparing the surrounds of where it will be installed, concrete slab etc (might have overdone this a bit putting 100kgs of concrete plus 20kgs of fine gravel into the hole), stripping and painting timber windows close to where the heat-pump will be positioned (didn't want to be dropping paint on it afterwards) etc . In the past we've had just the plain electric storage hot water systems, the latest one is 12 years old now and starting to show it's age, have changed it's element and thermostat recently just to keep it going until we decided what our next step would be. As we put solar panels on the roof back in 2013 and have been pretty happy with the results so far we thought this heat-pump might be the the next step to save some more energy. Hope it works out 'cause if it doesn't my missus won't be happy 🙂

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114157#Comment_114157

Hi @Moobersan and @antiscab,

Many thanks for joining in the discussion and a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. We trust that you'll get loads of helpful information, advice and inspiration from our clever and creative community members. Please feel free to browse the thousands of posts on the site, join in as much as possible, and share your own projects and plans. We look forward to seeing what you have planned for your own house and garden.

Jason

gippslandhome

@ProjectPete hi mate.

Nice little project and nice way to hide the hot water service.

Just curious what timber you used?

I'm building a sliding gate at home soon and that's the colour I'm after.

Thank always for your great help and advice.

Kind regards Rob 👍

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5931#Comment_5931

I just used the premade screening panels from Bunnings @gippslandhome. This is exactly how they come - nice and easy

gippslandhome

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65090#Comment_65090

Thanks @ProjectPete .

Much appreciated mate. I'm working at the moment on designing and building a metal and timber sliding gate to section off part of our property. First time doing a sliding gate so should be fun 👍

Yoda

Thank you all for your contributions and I think I have now, not one but two solutions to 2 problems. That screening with a vine will be excellent as the wife is a very keen gardner. When we purchased here in 2/2019 and moved we had to hire a small Pantec mainly because of her 135 plants plus pots etc.

Its noted that you have imitation turf. We have a long lowset house with the only real access down one side. That pathway ????? is rocks and sand and very difficult to move along. Our current solution is to get rid of a lot of rocks and then put down and compact decomposed granite. That means some of the deco granite will get carried inside. I think I will put imitation turf over the granite and solve another problem.

Thank you all

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5982#Comment_5982

Glad to have helped @Yoda 🙂

Fake grass is a winner! It's important to get the right type for your use so consider the stitch rate and pile length when choosing yours, ie. there's the best quality stuff which everyone will try and sell you but you may not need but equally there's some very cheap stuff that you want to avoid. Happy to get into more detail when you're ready (a new post for discussion would be better though).

Michelle3

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65104#Comment_65104

Hi, I saw your post about using the fake grass. I am trying the plastic vertical plant that come in pieces that are about 50 x 50cm. Using 6 altogether. Having trouble getting it to stick to the water system though. Could you provide some suggestions? TIA

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95373#Comment_95373

Hi @Michelle3,

Welcome to Workshop. We're pleased to have you join us and look forward to reading all about your projects and plans. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand.

Let me tag @ProjectPete for you so he is alerted to your question. You might want to share a photo of what you are working with or perhaps a little more specific information so he can assist.

Many thanks,

Jason

Michelle3

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114250#Comment_114250

Hi Jason, thanks for your reply. My partner ended up putting up some little screws as it’s only the cover. Looks good 😄

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124845#Comment_124845

Great, thanks for letting us know @Michelle3. It would be good to see what you've done.

Jason

Michelle3

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131965#Comment_131965

Work in progress for this little corner

andarm

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136301#Comment_136301

Anyone screening a heat pump (the same as the external unit of a R/C air con.), don't restrict the air flow to or from from the unit. Air flow restriction will have impact on the unit's efficiency.

ProjectPete

Some decent growth in just 8 months which includes a fairly harsh summer 😀

Growth after 8 months

pebbz

Hi there,

Im new here so i hope this finds you well. I would love something like this to cover my rubbish bins but need hinges to make it like a door, did you buy thos screen or make it yourself? If you made it do you have instructions, my husband is not handy and i am trying to find something i can make or buy that i can attach hinges to. Any suggestions s appreciated.

Thanks

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8006#Comment_8006

Welcome to the Workshop community @pebbz, we're pleased to have you join us. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand with a project around the house and garden. We have loads of amazing members like @ProjectPete sharing helpful information, advice and project inspiration on the site everyday.

You might have missed it on one of the earlier posts in this discussion, but Pete mentioned that he used a pre-made Screen Panel from Bunnings for this project. There is a large range to choose from.

If you were more ambitious, you could make a bin storage unit. Instructions and a video can be found here. This version by @ponting72 has been very popular with other members.

If you would like to share a sketch of what you would like to do, or some photos to show the area you are working with, I'm sure our ever-helpful and creative members would be more than happy to make some suggestions for you.

Thanks,

Jason

pebbz

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/66183#Comment_66183

Thanks so much Jason, that video is perfect, that is exactly what i want just without the lid part. Thanks once again.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95842#Comment_95842

That's great @pebbzm glad I could help. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a hand with anything.

Jason

Leonardw

Where can I buy similar timber used for Screening to hide hot water systems

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8560#Comment_8560

Welcome to the Workshop community @Leonardw. Many thanks for your question, I'd be happy to assist.

@ProjectPete mentions that he used pre-made screening panels from Bunnings for this project. The closest I can find to that exact one would be Lattice Makers 1800 x 900mm Herringbone Hardwood Screen Panel.

Hopefully Pete will be able to confirm.

If you need further assistance or have other questions, please let us know.

Mitchell

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/66495#Comment_66495

Yes they're the ones I used @Leonardw .Nice and simple

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