Is your house costing you more than you think?
Many homeowners will be surprised to hear that households are responsible for around 25% of UK carbon dioxide emissions. The average household in the UK wastes an incredible £200 a year by not being energy efficient. Reduce heat loss More than 40% of all heat lost in the average home is through the loft space and walls. Install cavity wall insulation and you could save up to £100 a year on heating bills.
Double glazing reduces heat lost through windows and stops rattles, draughts and noise pollution. Solar energy Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are simply panels or modules of silicon cells which are fitted to roofs and convert natural light into electricity. These systems are well suited to the UK climate since they work most effectively through light energy and not the heat of the sun. They could save UK households up to half of their annual electricity needs, or an average saving of £100 a year on electricity bills.
Grants
There are grants available for many energy saving measures, like loft insulation and solar panels. Contact your local council or visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website
www.saveenergy.co.uk.
TOP TIPS
● Buy energy efficient appliances. Look out for the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo.
● Heating: Turn your thermostat down by 1°C. It could cut your heating bills by up to 10%.
● Replace your boiler with a high efficiency condensing boiler.This could save you around a third.
● Lights:Always turn them off when you leave a room and adjust your curtains to let in as much natural light as possible during the day.
● Turn your TV off at the wall. Don’t leave appliances on standby when you’re not using them, and don’t leave appliances on charge when they’ve finished charging.
● Hot water tank insulation. An insulating jacket for a hot water tank can reduce heat loss by up to 75%.
The Directory
Sources of information and advice
ARCHITECTS
● RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), 020 7580 5533, www.architecture.com
● RIAS (Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland), www.rias.org.uk
● ARB (Architects Registration Board), 020 7580 5861, www.arb.org.uk
BUILDERS
● FMB (Federation of Master Builders), 08000 152 522, www.findabuilder.co.uk CONSERVATORIES & GLASS
● Glass & Glazing Federation, 0870 042 4255, www.ggf.org.uk
● K2 Conservatories, 01204 554554, www.k2buildingsystems.com
DECORATING
● Dulux, How to paint your Home, www.dulux.co.uk
● Crown Paints, www.crownpaint.co.uk
● Farrow and Ball, www.farrow-ball.com
ENERGY
● Energy Saving Trust, 020 7222 0101, www.est.org.uk
EXTERIORS
● www.gardenlaw.co.uk
HEATING, BOILERS, ELECTRICS
● Solid Fuel Association, 0845 601 4406, www.solidfuel.co.uk
● Corgi, 0870 401 2200, www.corgi-gas.com
● NICEIC, Electrical safety and approved contractors, 0870 013 0381, www.niceic.org.uk
HERITAGE AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS
● English Heritage, 020 7973 3000, www.english-heritage.org.uk
● The Victorian Society, 020 8994 1019, www.victorian-society.org.uk
● The Georgian Group, 020 7529 8920, www.georgiangroup.org.uk
● SPAB (Society for the Protector of Ancient Buildings), 020 7377 1644, www.spab.org.uk
● Heritage information - www.heritageinformation.org.uk
● Historic Scotland, 0131 668 8600, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
● CADW, Welsh Historic Monuments, 029 2050 0200, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
REGULATORY BODIES
● Local Authority Building Control, 020 7641 8737, www.labc-services.co.uk
● HM Land Registry (England and Wales), 020 7917 8888, www.landreg.gov.uk
● Registers of Scotland, 0845 607 0161, www.ros.gov.uk
● Planning inspectorate, 0117 372 8759
● Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), 020 7944 4400 www.odpm.gov.uk
● Welsh planning division, 029 208 25111, www.wales.gov.uk
● Scottish Executive Planning advice line, 08457 741 741, www.scotland.gov.uk
● Northern Ireland Housing Executive, 028 9024 0588, www.nihe.gov.uk
SURVEYORS
● RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), 0870 333 1600, www.rics.org.uk
● CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building), 01344 630 7000, www.ciob.org.uk
Call James on 01227 283800 or 07774800618 OR TEXT 'QUOTE' to 07774800618
THOMAS STEADMAN
Architectural Designs
New Build
Concept Sketches
Extensions
Roof Conversions
Drawings for Planning
Building Regulations Approval
Tel: 01227 741916
07800641653
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