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Archive for the ‘Electricity’ Category

Lighting will increase the beauty of a garden

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

There are a great many reasons why a household might want to use lights in the garden; one of the most popular reasons is to create both an interesting and stylish design. There are lots of different types of garden lighting and choosing the right one for the garden can be the most difficult part. It is most important to think about which type of light is wanted and where in the garden it is going to be put.

Having designer garden lights will provide an excellent focal point at night and they could also create some interesting shadows which will enhance the design. For this kind of lighting use spotlights or other types of lights that will illuminate a small garden. Making a focal point in the garden using lights normally works best when the lighting is kept to a relatively small area as this will draw attention to that location.

Garden path lighting will make it possible to see at night, they will also improve the appeal of any garden design. Some outside path lights will work really well if there is a curved path but straight paths will still achieve a good look. Make sure that the lights are bright enough for anyone walking along the path but not too bright that they are overwhelming the rest of the garden. Outdoor lighting is also a good security feature as it will deter thieves, but should not stop a homeowner from taking out household insurance.

If parties are often held, then use some backyard patio lighting. The style of lighting will depend on the overall style of the garden and how big the patio is. If it is a small patio then go for a small umbrella light, while a standalone light will be needed it the patio is larger. If some low voltage garden lights are used if will be possible to cut down on energy costs. LED garden lighting also tends to be a lot more energy efficient than most other types. If the garden or patio area gets lots of sunlight then consider going for solar garden lights which will have almost no running costs once they have been installed.

Everyone will have different ideas about what lighting to go for. Will it be electric which will require cables? Solar lighting that will charge via sunlight? Or even candle lights and oil lanterns? All three have their advantages and disadvantages. Electric will be more reliable but will mean cables, solar are cable free and environmentally friendly but will need sunlight in order to be charged and candle garden lights are fairly cheap but are not recommended if children or pets are around.

Tags: home improvements, Home Insurance, Home Security, lighting
Posted in Electricity, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Older houses need help to become energy efficient

Monday, September 13th, 2010

An eco-house which is 200 years old has managed to cut its carbon emissions by 60%, and is now is opening its doors in a bid to encourage many more homes to become energy efficient.

The house in Llanidloes, Powys, is owned by Mr Andy Warren and is part of a United Kingdom network of properties which have all been refurbished. A visit has been arranged by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) who are asking the Welsh Government to cut house emissions by 40% within the next decade. Many older houses, like Mr Warren’s house were built with little thought for insulation. His property which was built in the early 19th Century, when even household insurance was not needed, was transformed in the late 80s and had solar thermal panels added in the last few years. The house is part of a scheme called ‘Old Home Super Homes’ which is a jointly run project run by the SEA (Sustainable Energy Academy) charity and the NEA (National Energy Foundation). Mr Warren’s home is one of only two properties in Wales which met the criteria set.

Head of WWF Wales, Anne Meikle, said “The refurbishment of existing homes to tackle climate change is a key area for the next Welsh Assembly Government. WWF Wales is keen to demonstrate to politicians that through supporting energy efficiency measures clear gains can be made in terms of meeting their carbon reduction targets and through engaging with the public on this positive agenda. Its important homes are energy efficient for the good of the global environment, and without sounding dramatic it’s a matter of survival.”

Mr Warren has previously worked as an ecological builder and is unable to say how much all the work had cost had cost because he had done a lot of the work himself. He has managed a 60% cut in domestic emissions thanks to external insulation, secondary double glazing, installing solar thermal panels and using low energy lights.

Tags: energy, Home Insurance, household insurance
Posted in Electricity, Home Insurance | No Comments »

Toasters help start the working day

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Most people love toast, be it white, brown or wholemeal, thousands of people enjoy a nice crisp piece of buttered toast first thing in the morning to kick-start their day. Some stand by the oven watching and waiting for the bread to turn brown, where as others take the easy route and use an electric toaster which turns the power of electricity into heat that can cook the bread.

But how does the electricity that flows into the toaster actually toast the bread? A toaster heats the bread by infrared radiation. The vital component of the toaster is the nichrome wire which is an alloy of nickel and chromium. When looking down inside of the toaster, all that can be seen is a row of wires on each side of the bread. When the electricity runs through the wires, they get very hot and direct their heat towards the bread. Nichrome is not very good at conducing electricity, so when electricity is run through the nichrome wire it gets very hot very quickly. When the toaster is switched on, the wires must never be touched, either with fingers or even more dangerous, a knife. They are very hot and also carry large electric currents that could go through the body, cause electrocution, and in the worst case scenario be fatal. If a piece of bread gets lodged in the toaster it should be removed safely, so always unplug the toaster first. It is not a good idea to leave a toaster unattended, it has been known for them to catch fire which could mean a claim on the household insurance.

Making toast has come a long way since the days of piercing the bread with a stick and heating it over the fire. Most electric toasters now have a function that allows the user to select how long the bread is toasted. When the bread is toasted it will pop out of the toaster automatically and the electricity stops flowing. The shell of the toaster is made of either plastic or metal that does not come into contact with any of the mechanisms that are inside the toaster. This is to keep the toaster cool to the touch yet not lose any of the heat in the toaster. They vary in size and capability but almost every home in the country will have one that can toast two, four or six pieces of bread at a time. Some toasters have wider slots which enable thick bread or bagels and they now include a defrosting capability.

Tags: Advice, Bread, Electric, Electricity, Home Insurance, household insurance, Toast, Toasting
Posted in Advice for Tenants, Electricity, Home Insurance | No Comments »

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