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October 2010
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101 Benefits of a Garage
Well OK, maybe not quite that many! But there are certainly more benefits to having a garage than just to house your car. I would hazard a guess that even for those of us lucky enough to have one, we use it for anything but that.
That said, going back to what technically is a garage's primary function, we all know that 'depth of winter' moment if you don't have a garage. When, armed with scraper and de-icer (or heaven forbid a credit card or kettle!) you step into subzero temperatures and commence battle with the car windscreen. Not to mention the frozen locks and door seals and the engine that won't start. Alternatively, imagine the smug feeling you could have when you reverse out of your cosy garage and watch all your neighbours doing just that!
Adding a garage could also provide other benefits - a space for car maintenance or home improvement projects; additional storage space for the overflow from home or shed or even, subject to planning regulations, part use as office or leisure space. Building a garage could be relatively low compared to other space generating projects such as an extension. Unless you are planning on spending a lot of time in it (building kit cars for example) your garage will generally not require plumbing or insulation etc.
So if you have been debating that new garage, or your old one needs replacing then consider the benefits. Check out www.lidget.co.uk for some options, you may be surprised at how affordable it is.
Eight Imaginative Ways to Save on Your Household Bills this Year
It is only Mid October and we have already endured our first mini cold snap of the season. For me, the reality that summer is well and truly over is waking to the sound of the boiler firing into life and condensation streaming down the bedroom window. With most of us worrying about job security and trying to save for Christmas, the looming winter will undoubtedly place extra strain on our already stretched budgets with boilers working overtime in their attempt to keep our homes warm. The following are easy and imaginative ways to save on our bills that doesn't mean we have to radically compromise on our lifestyle:-
- Shop Around:- At least once if not twice a year, I will visit the fuel comparison web sites in the hope of finding an improved tariff that meets my needs. In order to assist you, I suggest you keep your utility bills as they can offer a more accurate way of comparing your present to other tariffs. Also, dual fuel tariffs together with paying by way of direct debit can assist in reducing your bill.
- Get an Energy Monitor Installed:- Costing from anything as little as £30, a smart meter can be fitted to your home thereby allowing you to identify how much energy you are using and this is the clever bit, enable appliances to be set when power is cheapest. It is possible that some energy suppliers will provide them free on request or alternatively, you can buy one by visiting www.eco-eye.com
- Get rid of the old boiler:- If your boiler is “G” rated of 70% efficiency or less, you may well be entitled to claim an allowance of £400 toward a new boiler. For more information, please contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0800 512 012.
- Get Sewing:- Whilst double glazing is an efficient way to reduce heat loss through the fabric of your building, fitting heavy curtains is a cost effective way of reducing drafts.
- Toilets:- As the saying goes, if it is yellow, let it mellow. A crude an inexpensive way of toilet flushing is investing in a bucket. I have one sitting in my shower and when I have a shower, I collect the water, which is not at temperature, and use that to flush the toilet with.
- Think Shower, think eco shower head:- It is sobering to think that a power shower can use as much as 20 litres of water per minute. If like me, you do enjoy taking a shower, think of fitting an eco shower head which mixes water with air thereby saving you as much as 75% of water consumption.
- Why heat all your rooms:- Simply keep those rooms you use heated and for the remaining rooms, turn the heating down to a minimum. In order to avoid drafts, why not close the doors to the rooms you do not use.
- Fix the drips:- Did you know that a single dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water a day.
DIY may damage your health and knock down your property value
According to a study undertaken by the insurance firm LV=, around 27% of homeowners admit they have undertaken electrical jobs without professional help, while 22% have attempted plumbing work, and 9% have tried their hand at structural improvements, such as removing walls. A further 6% have even tried to carry out major building work themselves, such as a loft conversion, while 3% have tackled potentially dangerous gas repairs.
Whilst many homeowners have carried out the improvement works in the hope of increasing the value of their property, if the work is done badly, it could actually reduce a home's sale price by as much as 5%. Not only can bungling a job be dangerous and costly to put right, it could invalidate your home insurance cover and make it difficult when it comes to selling. Yes, we all want to save money but remember that carrying out home improvement works that you are not confident with may well be a risk too far. If in doubt, contact a professional.
