Essentially Local Magazine MAR-APR 2022

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Insulate Your Home to Save Moneyand the ClimateThe increased energy prices mean the average house could be paying nearly £2000 a year for duelfuel this year – that’s a rise of over 50%. Make your home warmer and keep bills down with our tips.HOME IS WHERE THE HEART ISWhen times are tough and your home is toocold, life can feel desperate. Although thegovernment announced a £200 rebate onelectricity bills and £150 for bands A to Dthat doesn’t really make things easier. Homeimprovement grants are likely to be morelimited than expected. Speak to CitizensAdvice if you need help.See gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiencyTOP TIPInsulate your homeand reduce yourcarbon footprint.GET ENERGY EFFICIENTAfter the massive hike in energy prices localtraders can help you to reduce the heatescape from your home and improve itsenergy efficiency. You should then spendless on your energy bills. If you can’t afford tomake improvements you may be entitled togrants and other benefits.1. Improve your Windows and DoorsLow emissivity (low-E) in double or tripleglazing offers a coating of metal oxide on theinternal glass surface, reflecting heat backinto your home. All modern frame materialsoffer good insulation, choice dependson maintenance, environment concernsand planning laws. The BritishFederation Rating Council (BFRC)will give you the overall energyefficiency score of a window, don’trely solely on the u-value measure(how easily heat passes through).Cloudy2Clear 0800 6121118cloudy2clear.co.ukHome Counties Loft Ladders 0808 3019559homecountiesloftladdersMKL Cable Solutions 01908 465749mklscs.co.ukMJ Electric 07387 166370LOCAL SUPPLIERSThe Old Joinery Workshop 01908 563661Thomas Betts & Co 01908 290427CarpetWise 01908 263330miltonkeynescarpets.comUniversal Blinds 01908 510333Windor 01908 233433 windor-co.ukPROFESSIONAL LOFTINSULATIONOnly 35% of UK homes meet thegovernment’s recommended270mm depth of mineral woolinsulation. Home CountiesLoft Ladders estimate withoutinsulation you’ll lose 25% of yourheat through the roof.TOP TIPPut automatic timerson your lights andextractors fans.36Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers
4. RadiatorsBleed the radiators regularly andreplace them if they’re leaking. Yourplumber may suggest a systemflush to remove residue build-up. Fitthermostats to individual radiators andturn them down or off in rooms youdon’t use.2. Make it Draught ProofIf you can feel cold air flowing, warmair will be escaping too, draught proofyour doors, windows and floor boards.A removable DIY balloon, for under£20, will reduce heat escape from yourchimney cap it if you don’t use it.3. Insulate the Walls and FloorsPlug wall holes left by unused vents.Lift exposed floorboards, insulatethe joists, add a damp proof membrane but don’tcompromise air vents. If your home was built before 2005and doesn’t have wall insulation, you could be entitled toa government grant.10 Tips toReduce yourUtility Bills1. Wear your clothes (aside fromunderwear) at least twice. Use bedsheets for two weeks before washing.2. Pre-treat / pre-soak stubbornstains, your machine and detergentwill remove stains or germs at 20-30º.Use less detergent to wash with whitevinegar as a softener.3. Fill your machine, clean on theshortest cycle, with a high speed spin,if possible, to remove extra moisture.4. Air-dry clothes or use a dryer ata lower temperature with dryer balls,don’t overfill.5. Regularly clean your washingmachine and dishwasher, and keepyour dryer lint free.6. Only boil enough water for yourcup and pour it in straight away.7. Lower the temperature of yourheating and boiler by 1-2º.8. Use LED light bulbs9. Don’t preheat the oven – thereis little real evidence to support theneed.10. Don’t overcrowd your fridge orfreezer – allow air to flow around.Leave space around your radiators asfurniture will absorb the heat. And, while the thermally-linedcurtains will keep heat in, if they cover the radiators they’llkeep the heat out.Use a drying rack, heated or not rather than drying yourwashing on the radiators. Your boiler works harder toincrease the room temperature and the clothes trap the heat,stopping it from going into the room. It also creates extracondensation and possibly damp and mould.5. Keep Your Décor PracticalThrows and blankets shouldn’t just be decorations, they’lloffer warmth when you turn the heating down a notch.To advertise please call 01908 38077737
Page 1 and 2: keeping you...March/April 2022essen
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Essentially Local Magazine MAR-APR 2022

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