New Heating Systems Versus Traditional Ones For Your Home

There is no doubt that the average UK homeowner is really feeling the pinch when it comes to paying their energy bill. There are six major energy companies in the UK and they comprise 99% of our choice. Worst of all, the symmetry between their price increases over the last few years suggests that they are working in tandem. Essentially, home energy is becoming monopolised and this is allowing these companies to charge what they like. The UK government is trying to combat this by using renewable energy sources like wind turbines at sea but this is an extremely expensive solution that is being passed on to the public. So, how do the new home heating systems compare to ones we have relied on for decades?

Cost

Traditional heating systems include boilers, fireplaces, ranges, electricity, gas and oil heaters. All of these options are readily available from the UK’s energy companies but at an increasingly high price. In fact, it’s estimated that the average family of four in the UK could be paying more than double what they are now for home heating in 10 years time. This would take their heating bill alone to £200 a month, a price most families simply can’t pay. New heating systems utilise solar energy and wind power. You can add solar panels or a turbine to your roof but neither are cheap. On the plus side, they will save you thousands of pounds in the next 20 or so years and you may even get a grant to help you.

Space

If you are using traditional heating systems, you need to find containers to store them. Solid fuels and oil require large, bulky containers which can be unsightly. There is also the mess made by using fossil fuels. This will lead to a colossal bill. Renewable energy systems are clean and reasonably reliable. Although the sun doesn’t always shine in the UK, the solar panels will store the excess energy it takes from the sun for later use. Besides, renewable energy should be used to gradually replace traditional heating systems. When the solar panels are being ineffective, you can always fall back on the dirty energy alternative.

Environment

There is no question that old heating systems are remarkably bad for the environment. Centuries of industry has created an enormous environmental problem which has been exacerbated in the last 50 years. Old heating systems are part of the problem as they cause massive emissions when burnt. The more we use, the larger our carbon footprint becomes. In contrast, new heating systems harness the power of the elements to create energy and heat. You can create your own heat without causing emissions. As a result, your carbon footprint shrinks rapidly.

It seems clear that you need to consider the possibility of using new heating systems which are powered by renewable energy. The old heating systems which are powered by fossil fuels have served us well but perhaps we need to make a change for our good and that of future generations. Besides, renewable energy releases the vice-like grip that the energy companies currently have on us. 

Planning And Building Warrants - What Are They?

In the UK, planning permission is something you must get if you plan on building on land or changing the use of a building. Even if you own a plot of land, there is no guarantee that you’ll be allowed to build on it. If a neighbour feels like your building causes them inconvenience or is detrimental to their quality of life (obstructing a view for example), they can object to the construction of a building or extension. A building permit is also required when you’re making structural changes to a building. You shouldn’t need either permission or a permit for minor jobs such as building a fence but it’s always a good idea to check with your local council first.

When it comes to planning permission, your local planning authority (LPA) is responsible for deciding if it’s ok for a proposed building to go ahead. If you are building a shed, conservatory or sunroom, you will need planning permission. There are existing regulations that don’t allow a new building to cover more than 50% of the original property. You also have to ensure that the structure stays a certain distance away from the road and that it doesn’t interfere with your neighbours.

Building small walls and other minor structures generally fall under the ‘permitted development’ banner which means that planning permission is not required. It should also be noted that there are special protection areas. In the unlikely event that your structure is to be built on one of these locations, permission will be denied in a bid to protect attractive landscape, certain flora and fauna, green belts and historical monuments.

As a building permit is required for virtually all large structural developments, it’s wise to get approval before a brick is laid. There are Building Control Bodies (BCBs) (who usually work for the Local Authority) that are in charge of checking the regulations. If you are employing a builder, you need to confirm from the beginning whether or not they are taking responsibility for complying with building regulations.

If you’re using the Local Authority building control service, you have a trio of application types you can make in what is known as ‘pre-site’ approval. You can give a building notice, enter the process of regularisation or by submitting a full plans application which can be found online. The Building Control Service are also going to inspect the work as it is carried out with various inspections designed to ensure your project is within building regulations. If they believe you are not adhering to these regulations, they can stop work with an enforcement notice. You can appeal against this but it will slow down the building process.

For those looking to build a new home or add to their existing one, building permits and planning permission is a pain. However, these are necessary evils. If these regulations didn’t exist, there would be nothing to stop people building all sorts of monstrosities and damaging the land and wildlife as well as ruining ancient monuments. 

Using Quality Contractors To Build Your Home

If you’ve ever watched any show involving home improvements or the building of houses, you’ll know that there are an alarming number of low quality contractors in the UK. We all know the scenario. They give you a quote and an estimated finish date. Six months beyond the due date and after several thousand pounds are spent, all you have is a mess. Whether you are building a home from scratch or undertaking significant renovation in your existing home, it’s important to know how to find good contractors and avoid those that will make your life a misery.

If you think you’ve found suitable contractor, it’s time to review his past record. Don’t be afraid to use the internet to see if the company enjoys good or bad customer reviews. Also, find out more about the contractor’s previous record in the area. As you know, there are certain planning permission and building permit requirements for major constructions. Ask your local council about projects built by this contractor. Find out whether the company has had previous problems when it comes to planning permission requirements. Permits are part of the public record so they should be easily accessible. Minor issues are normal but if the contractor has a history of failing to get quick planning permission, it’s best to find a more efficient company.

The type of contractor you choose really depends on the construction that needs to be completed. Don’t go searching for companies that claim to dabble in all forms of construction. What you need is a contractor that is a specialist in the exact project you need completed. Don’t worry about finding one. There are hundreds of specialists in the UK. It’s especially important to find a company that has previous experience when it comes to working in your local area. This is because local councils have different requirements when it comes to construction projects. You need someone who is familiar with your area’s specific regulations.

When choosing a contractor, there are a few questions you need to ask. For a start, find out how long they have been in business. A new company may not be the best choice. Discover their areas of expertise and ask to see examples of previous work on your specific project. Ask them if they are a member of any reputable organisation. Ensure that the contractor is completely licensed and insured. There is also an increasing trend whereby companies operate under different names in various locations. Don’t do business with a contractor who does this. It’s likely that they have messed up plenty of projects which is why they continually change their name to avoid censure.

If you don’t do your homework, there is every chance that you’ll hire a dodgy contractor. When several thousand pounds are on the line, you can’t afford to be content with a company that can’t completely prove their ability to successfully complete the task. If you have any doubts whatsoever about a contractor, don’t sign a contract or pay their company any money. Keep searching for someone you do trust, no matter how long it takes. 

Planning A Home, The First Steps

If you’re looking to build a new home, there are a host of small steps that must be followed before you even begin laying the foundations. This is probably the least glamorous aspect of creating a new home but it’s also the most important. If you make any major errors during the planning process, it could have serious repercussions when it comes to construction. There is a massive difference between a dream home and an actual one. Enter into this project with fantasy ideas and you’ll soon be brought down to earth.

The first step you need to take is to come up with a realistic idea of your budget. You can’t afford to guess at this stage so you have to take a clear look at your financial situation. It’s more than likely that you’ll need to take out a mortgage and a construction loan. Find out the size of the loans you qualify for and whether or not you can repay them in your current circumstances. You then have to critically analyse your financial future to ensure you’re not going to be struggling to make the repayments in 10 year’s time. With a set budget, it’s much easier to come up with a realistic house design.

When building a home from scratch, you need to find a suitable plot of land before you start thinking of floor plans. There are a variety of factors to consider in this case including soil condition, building codes and drainage amongst other things. This is where you’ll need to hire professionals. You’re going to need a contractor, architect, surveyor and an excavator. The best plan of action is to hire a contractor and he can then recommend people he has worked with previously.

Although you may have grandiose visions of designing a unique and wonderful house, the reality is, most house plans are taken from a catalogue. The reason why all these houses don’t look the same is due to the fact that the contractor makes alterations when it comes to room size and window style. You can however look for a custom-made house which is going to be far more expensive because you’ll need to use a licensed architect. Remember, this house needs to last for decades so choose a plan that will ensure longevity. For example, don’t choose a two bedroom house if having several children is a possibility.

The final step before the bricks start getting laid is to sign a contract with the contractor and all other parties involved in the house’s construction. This contract should explain the entire project in detail while including everything that should be part of the house. If any changes are made later on, be sure to change the contract to show this.

Building a home from the ground up is not an easy process but it’s one sure-fire way of creating the house you’ve always wanted. Instead of buying homes lived in by others, you can start afresh and make your own history in the home you designed.