Eco Friendly Christmas - The Home

Christmas is round the corner and we're getting into the festive spirit.  The season for spoiling ourselves and each other can often create a lot of waste, but there are things that you can do to save the environment and money.

Each week we will be counting down to the big day, sharing with you our top tips on how to have an eco friendly Christmas. We'll be showing you how to prepare your home, buy the perfect present for the eco warrior in your family and even have an eco friendly Christmas day.

This week we're looking at how to prepare your home. Winter is the worst time of year for wasting energy, especially around Christmas, so we've pulled together some great tips on how to keep your home feeling festive while saving the environment.


Electricity

With the darker nights you’ll be switching on your lamps on earlier and also turning on your Christmas lights. If you find that you have a habit of leaving them on then it would be a good idea to invest in plug timers. By setting an on and off time, you no longer have to worry about leaving your lights on or devices on standby.

Batteries

Christmas is a time when you know you’ll need more batteries than you can store. Rather than buying lots of batteries, invest in a rechargeable battery pack. They charge quickly and are the perfect solution when your child’s toy runs out of juice, especially when its 6am and there aren't any shops open!

Heating

If you have central heating why not use a radiator booster? Hot air rises, which means it only heats your room on its way down from the ceiling. By placing a booster on top of your radiator you can distribute the warm air into your room quicker, meaning you can turn the temperature down, save energy and money. It costs approximately 50p a year to run and could save you around £140 a year (Energy Saving Trust).

Christmas Lighting

Being eco friendly doesn't mean you can’t have your Christmas lights! If you want to light up the outside of your house, why not buy solar fairy lights? And if you are looking for lights for your tree, make sure they are plugged in to a plug timer. If they are battery powered then make sure you are using rechargeable batteries!

There are lots of other things that you can do to ensure that your home is being as efficient as possible during the festive period. Why not invest in some draft excluders, insulate your home, arrange a boiler service, buy some energy efficient light bulbs, insulate your widows or buy energy efficient appliances? No matter how big or small, any change you make WILL make a difference.

Lights image by Philip Pena

Video: Gas Safe Tips for your Home

If you are a regular reader of our blog then you will know how passionate we are about gas safety. Over 200 people are admitted to hospital every year with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which leads to around 40 deaths*, so it's vital that we all know how to be gas safe.

Over the past year we have written about many aspects of gas safety, with topics including how to know when your boiler needs a service, knowing if your landlord is gas safe  and how to be gas safe on holiday. Gas Safe Register have been campaigning for gas safety for a number of years and we are great supporters of their work. This recent video by Gas Safe Register is a great visual guide on what to look out for in your home when it come to gas safety.

If you recognise any of these warning signs then contact Maintracts on 020 8682 2244. 

* Statistic - NHS

Keeping your Pets Warm in the Winter

Winter is in the air, the heating is on and your jumpers are out of storage, but while you’ve taken all the necessary steps to keep yourself warm in coldest of months have you thought about your pets? 

Some dogs and cats, as well as other animals, can suffer from ailments such as arthritis, and older animals can really feel the cold, so it’s important that you make sure they are kept warm in the winter months.

The most obvious thing is to put your heating on, but you don’t have to keep it on all day. Put your central heating on timer and have it come on and off at different times throughout the day. This should be enough to keep your home warm and your pets cosy.

Keep them inside during the coldest periods. The temperature and wind chill combined can make it feel a lot colder than it really is.

Don’t leave your pets alone in cold or damp areas such as basements or garages for prolonged periods of time.

If it is very cold when you take your dog for a walk you can put them in waterproof jackets and even booties. It may seem extreme, but a dog regulates their temperature through the soles of their feet (and their tongue), if it is snowy or icy boots will help keep them warm (and protect their paws from ice). Smaller dogs can really feel the cold, so make sure they are protected.

For pets that like to spend a lot of time outside, you can invest in outdoor housing. Cat and dog houses are a great way to protect your pets from the wind and rain and also keep them warm. When purchasing a dog or cat house make sure that the roof is sloped and the house is insulated.

Pet beds should be raised from the ground to avoid contact with a cold floor and drafts. You can elevate your pets bed by placing them on platforms, deep carpets and rugs. You can also buy deep pet beds to avoid contact with the floor. Keep your pets bed warm by placing a hot water bottle underneath and lining it with a blanket or old jumper.

For small dogs and cats, why not buy a radiator bed? They are inexpensive, hang neatly off your radiator and a perfect way to keep your pets warm.

Use draft excluders to block out any drafts coming through your doors.

Make sure you keep an eye on your pets this winter. If they are happy, sleeping and eating well then they are probably OK, but if you see any change in them, especially with their eating or toilet habits, then speak to a vet.

Photo: Menno Groenmen

Haunted House or Problem Pipes?

Have you recently been worrying if your house is haunted? Have you heard banging in the walls? Don't track down your local exorcist just yet - chances are a plumber might get rid of your problem quicker!

Banging in the walls

You'd be forgiven for being spooked by strange banging or knocking sounds coming from your walls, but fear not, it's probably just your water pipes.

Loose pipes - You may find that the banging noise is coming from a loose pipe dangling from the ceiling or wall. This should be easy to fix; get some insulated pipe clips and attach them to a solid wall or joist. Always contact a plumber if the problem is bigger than you can handle.

High water pressure - Known as the 'water hammer' (due to the noise it makes), this loud banging is caused by a buildup of water pressure. To rectify the issue you can try to remove the build up by turning off your main water valve and then turning on all of your taps to release the pressure. Turn the water valve back on; if the water runs normally then you have fixed the problem. If this doesn't work then contact a plumber.

We wish you a spooky and fun Halloween! And remember, if there's something strange, banging in your walls, who you gonna call? Maintracts! (sorry, we couldn't help it...!).

Photograph:  Diane Miller

Big Energy Saving Week - How to Save Money and Energy in the Home

It's the Big Energy Saving Week 2014 and we wanted to share with you our most popular energy and money saving tips for the home. 

Download this guide and keep it in your home to remind you of the savings you can make. Get involved online and tell us your top tips for saving energy in the home - Tweet us at @plumberlondon and use the hashtag #BESW14

Maintracts Money and Energy Saving Tips


If you would like to find out how we can help you save energy and money in the home call Maintracts on 020 8682 2244.

Signs of Faulty Wiring

It's important to know the signs of faulty wiring, especially when you can't see the majority of wiring in your home. Faulty wiring can lead to shocks and fires so learn the signs and be one step ahead.

If you notice any of the following signs contact your electrician ASAP!

• If your circuit breaker trips frequently it could mean that it's overloaded or there is a fault in the wiring.
• If you feel a shock from touching an appliance there could be a fault with the appliance or wiring.
• Is there a buzzing noise coming from any switch or outlets? If so it could mean there is a problem with the device. It can also mean that there is lose wiring in the box.
• If your lights keep on dimming it might be a sign that the circuits are overloaded or the wiring is faulty. Flickering lights are also a sign of wire damage.
• Sparks are also a sign; if sparks appear frequently when you plug an appliance indicate a fault with the circuit or outlet.
• Can you smell burnt plastic? If so it means that your wiring could be damaged. Contact an electrician immediately as burning could lead to a fire.

If you notice any of the above problems contact Maintracts who will be able to advise on the next best steps.

Photo by Mike Gieson

Five Signs that your Boiler Needs a Service

We use our gas boilers all year round, but as the temperature drops and the heating comes on we often find that's when a problem can occur. Having no heating or hot water is inconvenient and annoying, but more importantly, if your boiler isn't performing properly it can pose a health risk.

If you are a regular reader of our blog then you will know that your gas boiler, along with all of your other gas appliances, should be serviced once a year. These yearly checks will make sure that your appliances are working properly, inspect parts (such as pilot light and burners) and repair any gas leaks. These checks are vital as they not only ensure your boiler is working efficiently, they will work towards protecting you and those who live with you from carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's important to not just rely on your annual visit to protect you and your home. Be aware of the warning signs of a faulty boiler - if you recognise any of these signs call your local gas engineer as soon as possible.

1. Smoke or soot stains appear on or near the appliance
2. A yellow or irregular flame
3. The pilot light frequently goes out
4. You have very little hot water or the temperature isn't as hot as it should be
5. The boiler is making noises it shouldn't

It's better to be safe than sorry; if you recognise any of these signs then contact Maintracts who will be able to give you the best advice possible.