FAQ

A. A good starting point is to look at your home and then how well your boiler performs. Installing cavity wall insulation can save up to 35% of your heating bills and it also makes a big difference having your loft insulated to the required thickness. You should choose a CIGA registered installer to ensure that the installation will be covered by an independent 25 year guarantee providing you with peace of mind.

If you have a gas boiler that is more than 15 years old it may be a good idea to consider changing it to a state-of-the-art model. With dedicated controls these can cut your heating and hot water bill by up to 30%.

But don’t forget – anything to do with gas must be dealt with by a CORGI installer or professional from The Gas Register.

A. By reducing the amount of energy that is required to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature, insulation can substantially cut your heating bills and contribute to all our futures by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A. Well, certain jobs, such as cavity wall insulation, are covered by detailed technical standards and require specialist equipment operated by trained technicians. Others, such as improving levels of loft insulation, can be carried out by the householder; although it is important to check manufacturers guidance on the correct handling of products and ensure that adequate safety measures are taken. Many local authorities are offering to fit insulation at considerably reduced costs so this is worth investigating.

A. It doesn’t take long to check your home. First give the walls a look over and if they are rendered make sure that it’s intact and not likely to allow rain penetration and causing damp patches to appear on walls. Check the roof and chimney using binoculars. Broken tiles or slates should be replaced as a matter of urgency by an expert who has the right equipment to work safely at height. Also check gutters and drain pipes for damage and leaks.

A. The first thing to consider is whether you want to go out or up? Some properties are especially adaptable to utilising roof space. Once you’ve decided how you would like to extend you will need to seek professional advice from an architect, architectural technician, building surveyor or a builder. Each of these disciplines is covered by an association who will point you in the right direction for an appropriate contact in your area.
You could also grab some additional space by rearranging your existing accommodation. For instance, a large bedroom could be split into two smaller ones or to provide en suite facilities. Modern plumbing technology means that you can install a shower, bath and toilet virtually anywhere that you have sufficient space.

A. There are many proprietary draught proofing systems around which you can find in your local builders merchants, hardware shop or DIY store. They are easy to fit around doors and windows if you follow the instructions.