Could you be entitled to an energy grant?

The Government

The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on certain benefits (see below for examples of eligibility criteria) to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries – with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age. Full details can be found on the websites listed below.

Examples of Warmfront eligibility criteria – If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if:

• You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
  or
• You have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc.
  or
• You are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £15,460, housing benefit and disability premium etc.

Then you could be entitled to a warm front grant

Bathroom ideas

Upgrading an existing bathroom or creating a new ensuite or closkroom, is an excellent way to increase the value of your property.

With careful planning you can turn even the smallest bathroom into a tranquil relaxing space, or a functional family room.

Need some ideas?

• What about a wetroom as an en-suite or second bathroom?
• How about removing the bath and just having a shower enclosure?
• Indulge yourself with a whirlpool or spa bath for the ultimate in pampering pleasure!
• Pushed for space, what about a corner bath?
• To ease the early morning rush, what about his & hers basins?

Whatever your requirements, we have all the hints and tips you need to help you create your dream space

Got a question? – Ask our engineers here……

Carbon Monoxide – Safety tips

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a subject that people know very little about. Not only can it kill you, it can cause permanent Neurological Damage in the longer term. In the short term, it can make you feel ill and inhibit you life potential.

Here’s what to do to protect yourself. Please read all of the 10 steps to the end, it may be that the following five minutes could save your life, or the life of someone else.

	1. Check the flame colour of your appliances, if it’s Orange you could have a problem. However, Blue does not necessarily mean it’s safe. Get your appliances checked annually and get a CO Detector if unsure. You would not drive your car without an MOT. Doing the same for you home is common sense as you spend most of your time there.
	2. Check the flue, is it blocked? Do you have creeping plants growing up your walls? Do you have birds nesting in your flue? Completely remove these obstructions from the flue area and fit a guard to stop any birds nesting. Get your flue checked! Is it drawing properly? Was it fitted correctly in the first place?
	3. Do you have a horizontal gas grill? They can be particularly hazardous. Is yours working correctly? Older appliances can be problematic, use the electric toaster instead. Get your cooker checked.
	4. Is there adequate ventilation? Check your air bricks or trickle vents. Have you had double glazing fitted? If the appliances in your home do not have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide
	5. When were your appliances last checked? Do it every year, don’t leave it to chance. Remember, the engineer can only check the conditions on the day that he attends, get protection year round, fit a CO Detector with a low level alarm.
	6. Do you suffer from unexplained illnesses, Fatigue, Muscle pains, Upset stomach, Lethargy, Dizziness, Headaches? Go to your doctor and get a CohB test, go directly from your house, don’t go elsewhere as the CO in your blood will deplete and may not be picked up.
	7. Are you a Tenant? Do you have a Safety Certificate? Does your landlord annually check the appliances in your accommodation? (He must do this by Law). Has the engineer done a thorough check? How long was he in the house for? Has your landlord fitted a CO Detector?
	8. Are you a Landlord? Have you been carrying out statutory checks? Even if you have, you may be liable if one of your tenants becomes ill or worse, dies. Fit a Detector for your own and your tenants’ piece of mind. As a Landlord, you have to show Due Diligence. If you are found guilty of neglect you may be fined or even sent to prison. Could you live with the consequences for the rest of your life?
	9. We all feel better on holiday. If you feel especially invigorated it may be that you have been removed from the source of the poison. If your health goes into decline on your return, it may be that it’s not just post holiday blues, you may be suffering the ill-effects from being poisoned from Carbon Monoxide in your home.
	10. The most important thing that you can do to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning is to get a Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm with a low level indicator. If you fit a Detector you can at least be sure, having carried out all the about safety checks, that you are protected.

Appliance energy efficiency rating

As a simple guide to efficiency, a scheme has been created with SEDBUK efficiency bands assigned to boilers on an “A” to “G” scale. The band is shown in the database and may be used on product literature and labels, though there is no requirement for manufacturers to do so. The scheme is temporary as it will be withdrawn when a European directive on boiler energy labelling is introduced.

Band	SEDBUK range
	90% and above
	86% – 90%
	82% – 86%
	78% – 82%
	74% – 78%
	70% – 74%
	below 70%

Types of chimney

Class 1 Flue

Fuel Types: Solid Fuel - Natural Gas -LPG - Electric

Common in older houses earlier than 1960. The Class 1 Chimney is identifiable by the traditional chimney stack built from brick or stone and has a flue diameter of 7 inches(180cm) or greater. The existing chimney must be structurally sound. With this type of chimney all fire options are available.

Class 2 Flue

Fuel Types: Natural Gas – LPG - Electric

This type of flue can be found on newer houses, or where an existing class 1 chimney has been relined with a proprietary steel flue liner. This flue is 5 inches (130cm) in diameter and is capped of with a steel flue terminal.

Pre-Cast Flue

Fuel Types: Natural Gas – LPG - Electric

Modern Houses in the most later than 1960 will often have a precast concrete chimney system. This is identifiable by the rectangular box section flue and terminal on the ridge tiles, as illustrated in the picture

No Chimney

Power Flue or Balanced Flue Required
Fuel Types: Natural Gas – LPG – Electric

Modern houses often have no chimney. You may either install an electric fire or opt for a balanced flue or powerflue system. The powerflue must be installed on an outside wall unless a side venting option is chosen.The powerflue has the look of a traditional gas fire. There must be an electric supply near to the fire. The balanced flue does not require electric but the flames are behind glass.

The heat source that you can have with your fireplace is dependent on the type of chimney that you have. The illustrations above show the types of chimney together with the heat sources that you can use.