Posts with tag: heating

What temperature is the best for your home?

Published On: December 16, 2019 at 9:17 am

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Categories: Property News

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Winter is here, outside it’s freezing cold, it’s time to put the heating on. But what temperature do you choose?

Too high and you’ll be cosy, but need to take out a bank loan to pay your heating bill; too low and it won’t make a difference to the cold. How do you stay warm whilst keeping bills modest? Boiler installation and repairs experts Boiler Plan have the answer.

Keeping your thermostat set to 18-20 degrees will keep bills at an acceptable level whilst still keeping the cold at bay.

Cold temperatures and dark nights can see energy bills spike by up to 20% throughout the season. On the topic of money-saving and energy efficiency, Boiler Plan has shared their top tips:

Insulation

Insulating your property will prevent heat from escaping and prolong the effects of heating your home. Having well-located windows, well-sealed doors and ensuring walls, lofts and foundations are thermally insulated can reduce heat loss by 25-50%.

Smart controls

Having a smart meter or smart thermostat can bring multiple benefits. A smart meter allows you to track in real-time the amount of electricity you are using and enables you to limit the amount of waste. A smart thermostat means you can switch your heating on and off as you please remotely, without the need to have a pre-set timer on your boiler, which again reduces waste and therefore keeps costs down.

Swapping your bulbs

Switching from normal halogen bulbs to LED or energy-saving light bulbs can reduce energy consumption, and also have a longer lifespan. Experts believe that you can save roughly £35 a year[3] from making these changes to your lighting – another example of a short-term investment delivering a long-term monetary gain. 

Buy energy-efficient appliances

Replacing old inefficient household appliances also provides an opportunity to bring your spend down. Items such as a kettle, fridge or even your boiler itself may not be as efficient as they could be. By changing your appliances to more energy-efficient models, the amount of electricity used to maintain them will be cut significantly and their performance will be enhanced, resulting in lower energy bills in the short and longer-term…

Thousands of Landlords Face Unlimited Fines for Heat Network Negligence

Published On: September 28, 2017 at 9:35 am

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Categories: Law News

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Tens of thousands of landlords and developers could face unlimited fines because of a lack of awareness of the regulations surrounding heat networks, a leading compliance expert has warned.

Thousands of Landlords Face Unlimited Fines for Heat Network Negligence

Thousands of Landlords Face Unlimited Fines for Heat Network Negligence

Around 17,000 heat networks have gone through the process of registering sites with multiple tenants, but Michael Gallucci, the Managing Director of MPGQS, says that many more individuals and organisations have missed the deadline for notification.

“It is pretty clear that people are perplexed by the requirements for metering,” says Gallucci, whose company advises major residential property owners and managers on notification and boiler/MEP issues. “I would urge people to seek professional advice.”

He adds: “Although regulations are an administrative headache for agents and an unwelcome cost burden for landlords, managing the process well could help reduce energy bills and develop more efficient buildings.”

Gallucci warns that shifting deadlines, which create a “moving target” for compliance, did not help confusion in the sector.

He explains: “Managing agents must ensure their clients comply by reporting information about properties where residents are supplied with heating, cooling or hot water. They may also be required to install meters at occupier level, an obligation that’s set to roll out more widely in 2017, spreading the net of those who can be caught out. It’s complex but cannot be ignored. Non-compliance with any of the requirements to notify, meter and bill is a criminal offence that can lead to civil and criminal sanctions, including unlimited fines, not to mention damage to reputation.”

Driven by an EU target to cut greenhouse gas emissions from their 1990 levels by a fifth by 2020 and to raise standards in heat networks, the Government hopes that giving end users data should encourage them to reduce energy consumption.

Under the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014, even a building owner or manager with a small sub-let is classed as a heating supplier if the tenant is charged for heating, cooling or hot water, whether it’s billed separately or included in the rent.

Such suppliers were required to notify the National Measurement and Regulation Office (NMRO) by the end of 2015. NMRO can impose civil sanctions for non-compliance with the notification requirements, including compliance notices or enforcement undertakings and financial penalties.

Gallucci warns that you could face substantial fines if:

  • You haven’t already completed the notification
  • You are involved in a new development or a major refurbishment and haven’t installed meters at occupier level
  • You haven’t installed meters at building level on all existing properties that you manage or own

Landlords, make sure to check whether you have complied with these regulations!