Bathrooms are the number one DIY disaster in UK homes

Oh, it’s tempting to just do it yourself—save some cash; do the tiling, replace the toilet, hook up the new shower. According to a new survey by Water Regs UK, you may end up spending more money in the long run.

Over 2,000 people across the UK were asked which home maintenance jobs they or a family member or friend had attempted, only to end up calling out a professional to fix the problem—plumbers came out tops!

Almost a fifth (18%) of those surveyed said that they had called in a plumbing professional to complete a DIY job they had tried to do themselves.

The survey compared a range of typical jobs that are carried out in UK homes and recorded how many people have tried but failed to complete the jobs themselves. Whilst plumbers were the most called upon trade, electricians (15%) and plasterers (10%) were next on the list, followed by roofers and tilers.

It might seem like the best option at the time but sometimes trying to fix a problem in your bathroom yourself can make it worse. If this is the case, it’s important not to panic and call the first number you find but be sure that you check credentials, and call an accredited plumber!

The internet is full of bathroom hack jobs and you want to be sure that installers are committed to quality working standards.

The Watersafe register is the only one in the UK supported by all water companies and the drinking water regulators. All WaterSafe approved plumbers are trained in the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, which help prevent the risk of contamination of drinking water from poor plumbing practices and sub-standard fittings and products.

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Ten top home accessories

You’ve just moved, renovated or you’re looking to sell, and are wondering how you can accessorise your home beyond family photos and the occasional bits and bobs. Here’s a list of ten top items that will or spruce up any room:

  1. Plants – there’s something calming about bringing the outdoors inside. Plants look great in any room and there are many that grow beautifully indoors. Choose a stylish pot or vessel to accentuate your greenery.
  2. Art – although we’d all love to own a limited-edition piece, art doesn’t have to be pricey to look amazing. Choose something, whether it’s a child’s drawing, a poster, painting or sculpture, that tells a story. Thoughtful placement and a great frame will add personality to any room.
  3. Candles – not only create atmosphere but look and smell great!
  4. Lamps – can be decorative pieces in their own right as well as harbingers of softer light.
  5. Books – on a shelf, coffee table or any other surface (right!?) make a home homely and showcase your interests and personality.
  6. Mirrors – are known to create an illusion of space. They also look nice.
  7. Clocks – add character to a space when chosen for decorative value as well as functionality.
  8. Pinboards – are lots of fun because they can be adapted to mood and style; add photos, postcards, favourite phrases etc. to add personality to a space.
  9. Knickknacks – the trick with knickknacks is to know when to stop but even so, don’t be afraid to showcase your collectibles here and there; small things add to the overall feel in a room.
  10. Decorative vessels – interesting bowls, vases, trinket boxes etc. look stunning in a cabinet or on a sideboard.

The most important thing when accessorising your home, whether it’s with more or less, is to reflect you and your family – your interests and experiences will bring a uniqueness to your home, which makes it warm and inviting.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk

Eco-friendly cleaning hacks for your bathroom

When it comes to cleaning bathrooms, our natural inclination is to bleach the daylights out of everything… but have you wondered how the harsh chemicals we use might affect our health, the environment and even the longevity of the surfaces to which they are applied? The good news is there are cleaning hacks that offer alternatives to heavy duty cleaning products:

  1. Toilet – bicarbonate of soda and water. Mix bicarb with water (three parts bicarb to one part water) to cut through dirt and grease, and use neat (it’s slightly abrasive) to scrub away tough stains. A teaspoon of bicarb on a damp cloth can be used on the toilet seat, cistern etc.
  2. Bath – grapefruit/lemon sprinkled with coarse salt. Cut the grapefruit in half, sprinkle it liberally with salt and scrub the grime away.
  3. Tiles – lemon juice. Cut a lemon into two halves and rub the tiles with the flat juicy side, then rinse off with plain water. Stained grouting can be cleaned with a bicarb and water paste, and a toothbrush.
  4. Bathroom mirror – vinegar OR tea. Mix water with some white wine vinegar (half and half) and use a spray bottle and newspaper for a streak free result. A black tea solution also works to clean greasy spots from mirrors (something to do with the tannic acid found in tea).
  5. Showerhead – vinegar. Soak the shower head overnight in white wine vinegar, wipe down residue and it should be clean.
  6. Floor (tiles or laminate) – vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and stain remover; mix eight teaspoons of vinegar with three litres of hot water and clean as you usually would.

Of course, there are plenty of eco-friendly cleaning products available in stores but there is something deeply satisfying about not relying on a marketing plug or sales pitch.

Check out Mumsmakelists.com and bathroomcity.co.uk for more top tips.

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Ten top tips for saving water in your bathroom

The squeeze is on. The cost of living is up – we’re even cancelling our TV subscriptions – and we’re doing all we can to save an extra pound. The good news is that being conservative with our water, gas and electricity is also good for the environment!

So, for the sake of our monthly bills and a greener world, have a look at these basic tips on how to save water in your bathroom:

  1. Don’t let taps drip: to limit avoidable water wastage.
  2. Plug first: adjust the temperature of the water as your bath fills rather than running water down the drain as it heats.
  3. Shorter showers: a one-minute reduction in shower time delivers a 10% saving in water usage—a small amount that adds up over a month or year.
  4. Don’t leave water running when not in use: brushing teeth, washing your face or shaving.
  5. Hang towels to dry (outdoors preferably): rather than washing after each use.
  6. Install water saving/eco-friendly shower heads: that give the feeling of high pressure but use less water.
  7. Install a dual flush toilet: which gives you the option of a half flush (when pushing a single button) and a full flush when pushing both buttons.
  8. Check for and fix leaks: even a small drip can be wasteful.
  9. Make a full bath a treat: which means less water and more saving.
  10. Conserve water: and use it to water the plants, clean or even flush the toilet.

Not all of these top tips will be practical in the moment (like upgrading your toilet or shower head) but most of them are habits easily created if we are diligent about changing our behaviour. Small changes make a big difference—especially if we all try!

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk

Which? lists top energy suppliers for 2022

Wholesale prices are up, which means households are paying more for gas and electricity. Although it’s not an ideal time to swap provider, it is important to make sure you are getting the best value for your money (and to swap as and when it makes sense for you). Consumer champion Which? has listed its top energy providers for 2022, based on over 8000 customer surveys and ranked according to the following criteria:

  • Sale of renewable electricity
  • Generating and buying renewable energy
  • Matching customers’ use with renewable power
  • Carbon intense power
  • Green gas
  • Transparency and website clarity

As well as rating the traditional big energy suppliers – British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon, SSE and Scottish Power – Which? also investigated growing firms such as Ovo Energy and Octopus Energy as well as other smaller and medium-sized companies, like Utility Warehouse and Shell Energy. Octopus Energy won the Which? Recommended Provider award because of its top-notch service and delivering against the above-stated criteria.

Have a look at the league table below to see how other providers fared (percentage refers to the overall customer score):

1. Octopus Energy – 70%
2. Ovo Energy – 69%
=3. So Energy – 68%
=3. Utility Warehouse – 68%
5. Boost Energy – 66%
6. Utilita – 63%
7. Outfox the Market – 62%
8. Bulb Energy – 60%
9. British Gas – 58%
10. EDF Energy – 56%
=11. Eon – 55%
=11 Sainsbury’s Energy – 55%
=11. Scottish Power – 55%
=11 SSE – 55%
15. Shell Energy – 53%
16. Eon Next 51%

Surveys were conducted in October 2021 and cover everything from statement clarity to value for money. However, it’s important to note that surveys were completed too early to capture most customers’ experiences if their firm went bust. All the collected information is used to compare companies’ approaches to service, including opening hours, accessibility, exit fees and complaints data.

For more a more detailed breakdown of survey results, read “How to choose the best energy supplier” and “Which? energy survey results”

Top tips for saving energy when using your washing machine

Energy bills are going up. A massive increase in the cost of wholesale gas has put pressure on the energy industry and homeowners will bear the costs. This is part of a what has been called a “cost of living crisis” and most of us are expecting 2022 to be a tough year, financially. There are, however, things we can do to mitigate the impending rise in gas and electricity.

One of the biggest energy-consumers in homes is the washing machine. Three factors that massively impact the cost of use are: frequency, wash temperature and load size. Newer model washing machines are likely to have a higher energy rating than older ones, making them less costly to run, but still; there are ways to further put a cap on expenditure. Check out these top tips:

Wash full loads: avoid half loads. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter how full it is, so washing full loads will mean that you will wash less frequently (and use less energy).

Wash on a lower temperature: lower temperatures use less energy. There has been increased awareness of the advantages of turning to 30 degrees, and if you can get by with a cold wash; do it!

Maintain your machine: to make sure that it is as efficient as possible. You can do this by not overloading the drum—if your wash is too full, water and detergent cannot circulate, the clothes will not move, and you will likely have to wash a second time anyway. Also clean out the machine’s filter every month and don’t forget to empty pockets so random bits don’t get stuck in the pump. A monthly service wash (hot, without clothes) is a good idea, too.

If you need a new machine: go for one that has a top energy rating. Washing machines are rated from A+++ (the most efficient) to D (the least efficient). An A+++ washing machine will be the cheapest-to-run, the most environment-friendly one among other washing machines.

The little things always matter, and do add up when it comes to bigger costs. Creating good washing habits will save you money in the long run.

For more detailed info on the energy increases, visit Nationalworld.com and visit Energysavingtrust.org.uk for more top tips on how to save gas and electricity in your home.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk

Exchanging a gas boiler for a heat pump – should you?

Currently, gas heating accounts for 21% of the UK’s carbon emissions. As part of an effort to meet the UK’s commitment to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, the government has allocated £450m in grant funding to help install 90,000 heat pumps over three years.
From next April, households will be offered subsidies of £5,000 to make the switch from a gas boiler to the more eco-friendly heat pump.

A heat pump is an electrically powered device that absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building. Most domestic heat pumps will extract heat from the air.

Typically, air-source heat pumps cost quite a lot to install – from between £6,000 and £18,000, depending on the type and the size of your home. They also require a certain amount of outdoor space, and work best in homes that are already energy efficient; anyone living in a poorly insulated property may face bigger bills or colder rooms. In other words, it’s not simply a matter of exchange because no heat pump will present a truly like-for-like solution in terms of space, temperatures, controls and interfaces.

There is also no certainty that heat pumps will be cheaper to run in the long run, which may put homeowners off, even with an installation subsidy.

However, whilst a heap pump may not be a good fit for every home, it may be a good fit for your home; especially if it is a new build! If you are considering a heat pump in your home, start chatting to your heating technician now; commissioning needs time and thought so as to meet the needs of your property and family.

For more detailed information on the pros and cons of heat pumps, visit: Which.co.uk and bbc.co.uk.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

The ideal temperature for pets at home

According to 2021’s Pet Population report, it is estimated that 12 million (59% of) households have pets—dogs and cats the most popular, and then rabbits, indoor birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes etcetera. In winter we love to crank the heating but have we stopped to consider our pets—are they too warm, too cold?

It’s important that we keep the temperature of our homes at a setting that is comfortable for our beloved animals. Experts suggest that most pets are content with the normal ambient temperature of our homes, with 18 – 20 ᵒC usually a suitable setting. However, this may not be the same for every animal.

Some things to consider when regulating the temperature of your home for your pets (dogs and cats, especially) are: breed (animals from colder climates, with thicker coats, are better adapted to the chill and may struggle if too warm) and age (older dog and cats often struggle to regulate their own body temperature and may need a warmer environment).

Another top tip is to pay attention to the habits of your pet. Is your dog uncharacteristically restless (too warm?) or perhaps your cat is spending too much time curled up under the radiator (too cold?) —in which case, you may need to adjust the temperature of your home.

For more information on the most pet-friendly temperature at home, read articles from: Property Reporter and Electric Radiators Direct.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

Ten heating hacks to get you through winter on a budget

The BBC recently reported that about 15 million households have seen their energy bills rise by 12% since the beginning of October, 2021. Why? There’s been a worldwide squeeze on gas and energy supplies, so: high demand, low supply, which means an increase in price.

Energy regulator Ofgem has allowed a rise in energy price cap, which means that suppliers can charge domestic customers more. And the cap is set to rise again in April.

It’s tough to get a competitive energy deal at the moment as prices are high across the board but there are things we can do to save on bills. Most of us will quickly thing of energy-saving bulbs, closing curtains to keep warmth in and draught-proofing doors, windows and cracks but here are ten other heating hacks that you might not have thought of:

  1. Radiator panels reflect heat from your radiator away from the walls and back into the room. Typically, they’re cheap and easy to install.
  2. Time your heating – programming your boiler to turn the heating on a little earlier – such as 30 minutes before you get up in the morning – but at a lower temperature is cheaper than turning it on just as you need it at a higher temperature.
  3. Do not obstruct radiators with sofas, tables, chairs, curtains or clothing because this stops warm air from circulating in your home.
  4. One less wash a week (dishwasher or washing machine) can save you money. Don’t do half-loads, wait for a full load!
  5. Turning your thermostat down a degree could cut your heating bill by 10%, according to research.
  6. Carpets – the National Energy Foundation, floors account for as much as 10% of heat loss if they’re not insulated.
  7. A chimney balloon limits heat being lost up the chimney in decorative fireplaces. The balloons are made from a special laminate and can be bought from DIY shops.
  8. A floating shelf above a radiator will help deflect heat around the room and stop is rising up the ceiling where it will be wasted.
  9. Cover keyholes with purpose-made discs (for example) to prevent draughts.
  10. Service your boiler – not necessarily a hack BUT an old boiler is likely to be an inefficient boiler if it is not serviced or updated, even.

Remember, all the small bits add up when you’re saving.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

Sources:
BBC
Centre for Sustainable Energy
Federation of Master Builders

Ten top kitchen & bathroom investments that will add value to your home

It’s all about kitchens and bathrooms—fix them up and you’ll add value to your property. This is not new news. But perhaps you’re not aware how much value?

The average house price in the UK (in 2020) was £235,298; research suggests that a kitchen renovation can boost the worth of a property by 10%, which is a massive £23,529.

Renovating a bathroom can add 5% to the value of a property (£11,647) – not quite as much as a kitchen but still worth the spend, depending how much fixing up you have to do.

Property experts suggest the most important kitchen features (in order of value) for new prospective buyers are:

  • Kitchen Island/ Breakfast Bar – supply & fit £600
  • Modern & Spacious Storage Units – supply & fit £4,000
  • Glass Doors (leading to outside) – supply & fit £3,000
  • Good Quality Tiles & Grouting – supply & fit: New Tiles – £35/sq.m. Regrout: £25/hr
  • Durable & Stylish Worktops – supply & fit £250
  • Adequate Lighting – supply & fit £100

Property experts suggest the most important bathroom features (in order of value) for new prospective buyers are:

  • Good Quality Tiles & Grouting – supply & fit: New Tiles – £35/sq.m. Regrout: £25/hr
  • Bathtub – supply & fit £500
  • Electric/Power Shower – supply & fit £100
  • Walk-in-Shower/Wet Room – supply & fit £8,000
  • Sturdy Fixtures – supply & fit £100
  • Neutral Colour Scheme – supply & fit dependent on scale of project
  • Underfloor Heating – supply & fit £100/sq.m

If you are hoping to upscale your kitchen/bathroom on a budget; cleaning the grout on your tiles, painting, replacing fixtures (taps etc.) or adding shelves (rather than entire units) can do the trick.

For all your energy-related needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

Source: Tap Warehouse