Regularly Checking Your Solar PV Can Improve its Efficiency

Verification of system performance

Now we all know that before the installation of solar PV we take a long hard look at the costs involved and the potential return on investment provided by lower energy bills or RHI. So of course you have verify that the performance of the system matches the energy output from the panels. If you start to see a gradual decline, in many cases simple electrical faults or wiring failures can cause a serious inefficiency in the ability of the panel to produce power. Although proper metering will give an indication of system performance, periodic electrical testing is vital to verify ongoing functional performance over extended periods.

Environmental degradation

PV systems by their very nature are exposed to the elements. Damage or corrosion to cabling and connectors caused by moisture ingress can result in degradation in performance or increased risk of fire. Regular electrical testing will enable system performance to be monitored and any necessary repairs or remedial actions to be taken.

Effective grounding

Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation

If you are not already aware, solar panels and their racking systems must be grounded to mitigate potential electric shocks and fire hazards. In some cases, the grounding system can degrade during its later life. This could mean that anyone who comes into contact with a metal piece of the system may receive a shock. While the likelihood of shock is low, should one occur, the chance of substantial injury is great because of the high voltage arrays, and the added danger of falling from roof-mounted systems. So basically, "No, don't touch, no, hot!"

Avoiding fire risks

Due to the exponential growth of rooftop solar installation recently hitting over 500,000 UK homes, there has been an increase in a number of reported incidents of fires. Sadly Household fires started by electrical faults in rooftop solar PV systems have been reported in the UK, but have no fear! Periodic testing of the electrical cabling and components connected to the panels will ensure that you have a safe operation of the system.

Surface contamination

PV modules, like anything over time begin to accumulate dirt and grime. This can reduce the operational efficiency and system performance. Periodically cleaning the panels, much like a window can help prevent this, there are even solar panel cleaning companies that will do it for you! 

Damage to wiring

The most obvious example of bad wiring is when wires hang below the panels and touch the roof or underlying vegetation. Eventually the wire coating will wear or be damaged by rodents and potentially expose the copper wires, presenting a shock hazard. Any deterioration of cable connections and wiring can be identified by applying regular electrical testing to identify potential faults.

Photo Credit: Michael Daines

Warranty fulfilment

Periodic electrical testing of solar PV systems to identify and confirm continued safe operation and maximum energy output performance can be required as part of product warranties and PV system component guarantees.

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

3 ways to use your uni-bound child’s room

It’s hard to describe the different emotions you go through as one of your children packs up and leaves for university.You’ll feel a mixture of pride, sadness and an inevitable sense of worry as they fly the nest for the first time. 

Photo Credit: Petras Gagilas

While you may like the idea of keeping a shrine to your offspring, or at least keeping their bedroom in its current state for when they visit between semesters, there comes a point when you simply have to move on. Instead of using the room to store your vacuum cleaner and other domestic appliances in the short term, you can grab hold of this opportunity and do so much more with this space. Here are three ideas for you to consider.

Turn it into a study

Photo Credit: Sean MacEntee

You may have noticed that new laws have been introduced in the UK that give employees more scope to request flexible working arrangements from their boss.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 4.2 million home workers across the country as of March 2014 - the equivalent of 13.9 per cent of the nation’s overall workforce. This figure is expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

With this in mind, maybe you’d benefit from turning your university-bound son or daughter’s room into an office? It’s far better to have a professional environment to work in, rather than trying to cram your laptop and paperwork on to your dining room table.

Decorate the room and rent it out

It’s understandable that you’ll be wary about having strangers in your house, who wouldn’t be? However, more and more Britons are renovating their spare rooms in order to make a bit of extra pocket money.

This is a particularly shrewd move if you happen to live in the vicinity of high-profile local attractions. For example, there were plenty of stories doing the rounds of London-based homeowners renting out their spare rooms to sports fans during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Of course, with paying customers coming through your door, you’ll need to ensure high standards are maintained, which might mean you need to check the quality of insulation, heating systems and the general decoration of your spare room before you take anybody’s money.

Create your own gym

Photo Credit: C.C. Chapman

The 2013 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report showed that 12.6 per cent of the population are registered members of a gym or health club.

We all know that gym memberships can be expensive, so why fork out £30 or £40 every month when you can use your child’s room to create your very own gym? Granted, the cost of buying a treadmill and weights benches will be high at first, but think of the long-term financial savings.

If you are planning to go down this route and your spare room is on the first (or second if you’re lucky) floor of your property, you must ensure your floor is strong enough to hold the weight of your new equipment. The last thing you want is a gaping hole in the ceiling below.

Think of the value

Whether you choose one of these three options, or something completely different, it’s always worth considering any extra value that your plans will add to your property should you decide to sell further down the line.

A house that boasts a specially kitted out study with all of the mod cons will appeal to a buyer far more than a neglected old room that still has a poster of Cristiano Ronaldo hanging on the wall.

Bio: This blog post was written by Rachel Hurley, who is the brand development manager at Appliance Spares Warehouse

Easy ways to add value to your home/property

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Selling your property can always be a struggle for some, but there are tips and tricks to increase appeal and value to your home so don't despair, even your home can be sold with these tips!

Decluttering

Removing your family photos is always a good start. Walking into a house that already looks like a home for someone puts off buyers, make them feel like it's their blank canvas. This also applies to your ornaments, declutter your personal belongings and you could be looking at an extra £948 to your property value! Also removing a lounge door, creating an open living space makes your property look like there is more room according to a survey done by estate agents from Big Yellow Self Storage. 

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Furthermore remove small electrical appliances e.g. Kettles, Microwaves, Toasters etc. This can add an extra £973 onto your property value! And don't forget to clean your home of pet smells and their little toys, again make it seem like it's more of their blank canvas.

Putting on a Show

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Impressing potential buyers is always a must when they visit your property, but did you know these fancy little tricks? Baking our own bread to offer to buyers is a great way to impress the buyers which in turn should help bump up the price and some cases can reach to up to £849 more on your property value according to Estate Agents' survey.

Another great way to add value to your property is to park an expensive car on your drive, according to Estate Agents from Big Yellow Self Storage this can add a whopping £2,500 to your property value! After all first impressions are everything.

 Investing In the Future

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What I mean by this is looking at long term improvements to your property which will benefit you now and later on when you want to sell it. Improving the home economically boosts the property's value dramatically. Wall Insulation for example with a energy certificate, Double-/Triple-Glazing can add another 10-15% onto your property's value!

Becoming more and more popular these days, Solar Panels will definitely be what future property buyers will be looking for. With things like the RHI and rising energy bills creating your own electricity is the step forward. Basically any sort of heat pump, biomass. It's all good because everyone wants to keep those energy bills down!

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Remember you're going to be saving money during the time you own the property and AFTER it's win win.

Click the words to learn more about solar panels, heat pumps, biomass, RHI, insulation and Double Glazing

Interested in increasing your property value and earning money from the RHI with renewable energy systems? Use our free quoter websites and get quotes from the best installers in your area click here and choose which home improvement you want!

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

How to remodel your kitchen on a low budget

We've all been there, looking at our old, out of fashion, hag-ridden kitchens and giving a great big sigh when you can't do anything about it. Well hopefully you won't have to any longer with these easy ideas and tips to remodel your kitchen on a low budget. Whether you just do a few or all these helpful tips will instantly boost your kitchens appeal, so lets get crackin'!

Wall Paint 

Simply just changing the colour of your walls is an easy way to update your kitchen's look. Just pick up a tin of paint for £10-£20 and you've almost got a new kitchen! Neutral tones provide an excellent, easy on the eye backdrop for décor. If you plan on using the 'in' trend of colours on your kitchen wall try to minimise the amount you use because once that trend has gone your kitchen will look outdated and you will have to be doing it all over again with more effort! I recommend just highlighting certain features or bits or the odd pattern.

Photo Credit: Aditi Rao

Accent Shelving

A simple but effective way of remodelling your kitchen is removing your cabinet doors. This creates an open space feel and makes the room feel more spacious and free. Plenty of options are available, like painting the back wall in a bright colour, using in-cabinet accent lights or installing glass doors.  Whatever you choose, keep your display items simple and streamlined for an attractive, eye-catching display.

Crown Moulding 

Across the top of your cabinetry, crown moulding lends a custom look to stock cabinetry.  If you paint your moulding, don’t forget that you can be creative for a look that shows your unique style. A cabinet fit for a king!

Photo Credit: Nancy Hugo, CKD 

Paint Cabinetry

A fresh lick of paint on the cabinets changes the entire look and feel of the room.  Use paint with primer to reduce the number of coats you’ll need for coverage.  Also, consider a washable finish to make cleaning your kitchen easier. 

Hardware

In the same way jewellery can change the look of an outfit, new hardware can transform a kitchen.  Switch out knobs and pulls for a dramatic update without spending a lot of money or expending a lot of effort. Even giving them a splash of colour will give it a better feel to your kitchen.

New lighting

Enhance an often-overlooked space – the kickplate.  Run rope lights around the base of your cabinetry for ambience and to create the right mood and atmosphere for parties or family dinners.  You can even use them as a nightlight, so children and guests can navigate easily after bedtime after their midnight snack or yours, cheeky. Make your kitchen a warm and inviting place to be.  Illuminate dark corners and enhance workspace with puck lights installed underneath the top cabinets.

New Taps

A new tap is an easy way to update your kitchen. Hundred or below and you've got a brand spanking new tap! Before you shop, note the number of holes on the back of your current sink and select your new tap accordingly.

Photo Credit: SilverStack

Backspalsh

By adding or changing the backsplash, you can completely change the look and feel of your kitchen.  Plus, today’s peel-and-stick options make getting a look you love easy and most importantly NO GROUT so it's even easier!

Photo Credit: Eileen O'Shea

Countertops

Changing your kitchen’s countertops may be one of the most obvious ways to change its appearance. But, what you might not know is that today’s options are more affordable and better looking than ever. Also if you have a laminate countertop, peel it away and you will be left with a fresh new look as shown in the picture below. Whether you choose laminate, solid surface, granite or quartz, you can find a finish that suits your style and your budget. 

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams

How to decorate your bedroom with some easy steps

STEP ONE: DETERMINE YOUR THEME

Deciding what theme you want your bedroom to be is a crucial part to any home design. Colours, patterns, sporty, girly, the possibilities are endless thanks to your beautiful imagination! It will be the key bluepoint you are going to follow when your first start so its important you get it down straight away.

STEP TWO: TIDY UP

Before you start slapping on the paint and chucking out the bed make sure to get the room nice and clean! Wash the carpets and get your old unusable junk out the way. And before you know it you'll have a lot more space to work with and will look better instantly.

STEP THREE: SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO?

Now you've decluttered your bedroom you will most likely be left with some junk, what to do with it?! Local charity shops are a good bet if you have any items that can resell quite nicely. If not there is always the recycle bin. And if you're a bit of a horder put it in the attic if you don't want it in your bedroom.

STEP FOUR: GET IT OUT

Move all your furniture out the room, or at least put it in the middle with protective white sheets over them. The last thing you want to do is splattering paint on your bed or ruining your wardrobe! Allow a metre of space between the wall and the furniture to prevent this from happening.

STEP FIVE: TAKE DOWN CURTAINS AND WALL DECORATIONS

This includes pictures, mirrors and any nails driven into the wall. You can always put them back up but, its good to give your room a clean slate at first when deciding what to do. If you decide to do something new with that area, you will then need to fill the holes with polyfiller or something similar and then sandpaper them down to get a smooth surface.

STEP SIX: PAINT OR WALLPAPER? 

Select your paint colour or wallpaper. Make sure it is not so bright that it gives you a headache or so dark that it makes your room gloomy but if that's your style then go with it! Remember to paint your walls.

STEP SEVEN: SPACE OUT

Measure out the room and find out how much room you have to work with. This will dictate the size of the items that you purchase afterwards if necessary. For example, the size of your bedside lamp will be determined by the size of your bed.

STEP EIGHT: PATTERNS AND SPREADS

A tastefully printed bedspread makes a room stand out and gives it some extra flair. Try and keep it within the same colour range as your theme OR if you really want your bed to stand out to you as you walk through your bedroom door then go for a totally opposite colours. Also bear in mind the pieces of furniture you have. Decorate with consistency, don't have mismatched objects as it can make your room look messy and disorganised.

STEP NINE:  ADD POPPING COLOURS

There isn't a wrong way to do this, but adding colour is essential in decorating your room. Do you want to introduce pops of different colours throughout your room, or have the room become saturated with a specific colour?

STEP TEN: BIT OF A FIXER UPPER

Get items that can be fixed to walls. Shelves and adjustable lamps can be affixed to walls and are a great way to save space.

STEP ELEVEN:  ADDING WARMTH

Add warmth with neutral tones. Soft overhead lighting or a clip-on overhead lamp is a great way to accomplish this.

STEP TWELVE: PERSONALISATION

Personalise your space. You don't want your entire room to look like you just raided the Ikea catalogue. Find a couple of offbeat pieces at a charity shop or boutique furniture shop to give your room an eclectic look.

STEP THIRTEEN: CREATURE COMFORTS

AND FINALLY add some pillows to your bed to make it an even more relaxing place. You can also add a nice blanket for those harsh winter months comfortably sitting at the foot of your bed, to snuggle down whenever you wish.

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

Ways to Improve your home's driveway/curb appeal

Is Your Drive Way Looking Worse for Wear?

Photo Credit: Jasmine

Follow these easy steps to improve your driveway and make it the talk of your street and the envy of your neighbours!

Edge the Driveway

Installing a border along the driveway gives it a sharp, elegant look. Edging materials such as bricks, pavers, and stone, or a combination of them, bring boring asphalt, slabs to life with colour, texture, and decorative designs all down to your imagination! The edging can be level with the driveway or elevated to prevent people from driving onto your lawn. 

Installing edging is fairly straightforward. You'll need to remove a swatch of grass the width of your edging along both sides of the driveway. Then dig down the depth of your edging plus 2 inches. Add a level 2-inch sand base, then place the edging on top of the sand. Some masonry edging also requires you to sweep sand over the top to fill in the joints.

Install Lights Along the Pathway 

This could be a perfect way to improve upon the edging, lights that lead to your entryway welcome guests after dusk while also increasing their safety. Soft exterior lighting also makes your home appear more inviting and friendly, and it can emphasize landscaping and any other features you want to call out to anyone approaching your front door. Plus, the lights improve security by reducing dark spots near your house so when you're walking home one drunken night you won't fall into the flower bed!

Photo Credit: Micheal J

Solar lights are perfect for pathways since they don't require running electrical cable or the use of extension cords, don't use any electricity from the house, and are easy to install you just stick them in the ground. They provide a pleasant ambiance that's not too bright. Most solar lights have a run time of at least 6 hours, more than enough to last the night. 

Plant Colourful Flowers

Photo Credit: Paige_eliz

Flowers along the pathway, in front of the house, inside flower boxes, pouring out of hanging baskets, or even in berms and raised garden beds provide a giant boost to your curb appeal. Planting flowers is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to make a big impact, who doesn't enjoy a flower? 

Get recommendations from your local florist on what plants and flowers thrive in your area. Just because a neighbourhood garden centre sells particular plants doesn't mean they're a good fit for your region. Sticking with perennials will eliminate the need to buy and plant new flowers every year.

Cover Up Dead Spots

The problem with robust trees is that their constant shade, along with their roots thirstily hogging the water and nutrients from the soil, kills the surrounding grass and leaves unsightly dead spots in the lawn, and lets face it, death isn't pretty dears. Instead of fighting an unending battle to restore the grass, make life easier on yourself and improve the yard's appearance by planting flowers around the base of the tree that thrive in shade.

Or, for an even easier solution, apply mulch around the tree base. Covering the dead spots next to trees will make your entire yard look healthier. Mulch also helps retain moisture for the roots, but don't apply it too thickly or it can suffocate the roots and provide a home for pests. About 2 inches of mulch is all you need to prevent weeds and provide cover.

New Garage Doors

Photo Credit: Fabric_Guy

Garage doors don't have to be drab or purely functional. Because they have such a commanding presence, upgrading to a garage door with a vibrant colour or engaging design can dramatically improve the way your home looks. 

The doors are available in wood, steel, or fibreglass in a wide range of styles and colours. You can even get window treatments in your garage door that match the windows in your house. 

If you have an old, dilapidated garage door, replacing it can also improve your energy efficiency modern garage doors are better insulated. They're also stronger, which enhances the look. If you want quotes on Garage doors we have a handy, free quoter site specifically designed for them! Link is here http://www.garagedoorquoter.co.uk/

A Little Tinkering

Don't overlook the simple things that improve curb appeal, such as changing the outdated lock and handle on your front door, replacing rusty light fixtures, and installing decorative house numbers. These accents provide subtle enhancements that help to define the home's overall look.

This doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing deal, either. If you're happy with your door hardware, leave it alone and concentrate on upgrading the porch light fixtures. Even something as simple as placing brushed-nickel address numbers on your siding adds a handsome point of interest and a catchy doorbell never hurts...

Give the Front Door a Splash of Paint

Photo Credit: AgnusKirk

A fresh coat of paint can transform your front door and provide a more welcoming entryway into your house. Or consider replacing it altogether with one that adds some personality. There are s fabulous ranges of colours, styles, and options, including doors with decorative glass. Adding a storm door with a glass design can also improve the entrance and provide better energy efficiency.

To paint the door, first remove it, lay it flat, and lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper. Foam rollers work great for painting doors since they minimise runs and lap marks, but you'll still need to use a brush to work paint into crevices.

Trim the Hedges

It doesn't matter how attractive your home is if no one can see it. Trees, branches, and shrubs can obscure your home's features and make it seem dark and uninviting. Plus, trees that rub against your house can damage your siding, limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive, and offer a bridge to squirrels, mice, and other creatures that want to get onto your roof or under your siding.

Photo Credit: Jeff

Rent or buy a chain saw to trim back tree branches, and use a hedge trimmer to tame your bushes. Cut away anything covering a window or touching your house. Well-manicured trees and shrubs complement a healthy, green lawn.

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams

Why you need to repair that crack in your driveway

If you notice cracks on your concrete driveway you should take immediate action to repair it! Tearing apart your driveway will make it new again but it is a costly expense and it is rare for any home-owner to do concrete jobs themselves. A little time and effort to fix the cracks can make your driveway last a few more years. Otherwise, the cracks will eventually grow larger and destroy your driveway and you'll have no where to park your car! This is generally a moderately easy repair so don't fret my dears.

Photo Credit: Anetha Brown

You will need a product that patches concrete well, caulk gun, garden hose, (any tool that sounds like an innuendo) pressure washer, a putty knife, brush or broom, a scraper or trowel, chisel, screwdriver, so get your Phillips out and get crackin'... Well, filling. 

Top Tips

 If in your area you have frequent or drastic weather changes use caulk, it can flex with frequent changes in temperature. If applied properly, the caulk should not pop up. If you want a recommendation I like to use big black caulk to fill in my cavitites. Although keep in mind caulk isn't as durable as grout. It is easier to apply than grout but grout can last longer unless the weather is harsh and active in temperature extremes.

If using a vinyl patch, apply immediately. It shrinks when it is drying. If it is dry, you can still reapply another layer over the patch.

For wet environments, epoxy patches are preferred. They are highly waterproof and would be ideal for your driveway, take note Scottish readers!

Matching patch colour to the concrete is optional. If you want your home to look smart and neat make sure to match the colour. If you cannot match the colour, you can still put matching over the patch or repair fill later.

Use any combination of screwdriver and chisel to loosen and remove large debris v. Sweep the large debris away with a brush and use the air hose to take any other fine material away from the crack. Clean the entire driveway with a degreaser to remove grease and oily residue. Using the pressure washer, rinse the cracks of any remaining loose particles. Rinse the rest of the driveway and let it dry.

For any thin cracks less than a quarter inch, purchase the correct caulk meant for this application. Do not use the inexpensive caulk. Otherwise, you may have to redo the work again soon. Use the caulk gun with the caulk to seal the crack.

Photo Credit: ephidryn

Other Options

•  Use epoxy concrete patch. Use a putty knife to put into the fracture.
•  Use a vinyl patch and use a scraper or trowel to put the vinyl application into the crack.
• Another option for hairline cracks is grout. Moisten the surface and then pour the grout in the fissures.
• Yet an interesting option is to get Portland cement and thin it with water so it looks and feels like paint or glue. Get a putty knife to fill in the cement in the cracks.

You can use the methods above for half-inch wide cracks or bigger. However, the cracks must be chiselled below the top so that the crack is narrower than the bottom of the crack. This will hold the caulk or patch inside and prevent escape.

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

How to make your home's outside walls attractive

What is Rending?

Rendering, when applied to the construction or renovation of buildings, refers to the application of cement to external and/or internal brick or concrete walls in order to achieve a smooth or deliberately textured surface. Also called cement rendering or solid plastering, rendering work is usually carried out by qualified plasterers. Widely done throughout Europe for centuries, rendering appeared on early Australian stone and mud-brick dwellings, but with the exception of some Federation style homes in the mid-1950's, it was an overlooked technique in this country until recently.

Photo Credit: Erdem Rendering

Why Render?

Rendering can improve the waterproofing and fire rating of a building, but the primary reason for doing it is aesthetic. In fact, in Mediterranean countries and elsewhere in Europe, a brick structure is not considered complete until it is rendered. Scratch beneath the rendered surface of many of those gleaming white homes on the hillsides of the Greek islands, for example, and you'll see they were constructed of brick. In some regions of France, local councils even dictate the colour of a rendered surface and not rendering is unheard of.

The aesthetic beauty of rendering is now being rediscovered in Australia and qualified plasterers are in increased demand.

How is Rendering Done?

Cement, sand and lime are the main ingredients in render. The addition of lime gives the render a creamier texture and makes it more elastic and less prone to cracking after it dries. The sand used in rendering needs to be fine and free of impurities. Other ingredients used in rendering mixes include pigments, bonding agents and additives to slow the drying process.

Render is applied in thin, smooth coats using a trowel. Top coats may be applied with a trowel, a brush, a Hessian bag or a sponge, depending on the desired surface texture.

Today, there are also more "high tech" ways to accomplish rendering. Acrylic pre-mixed rendering products have greater waterproofing properties and can be applied to surfaces standard render cannot adhere to. In addition, some renders can be applied with special spray equipment. Acrylic renders have the added advantage of setting within 24 hours, while traditional renders take up to 28 days to fully set.

Is Rendering a DIY Job?

Theoretically, rendering can be a DIY job, but it really depends on the results you want to achieve. Only an experienced renderer can achieve the smooth, uniform result that is the hallmark of a professionally rendered surface. Professional rendering usually more than pays for itself, too, since it can so dramatically improve the appearance of a home.

How much will it cost?

Where it is possible to add insulation within cavity walls, it will cost around £800 for a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house. External rendering using a sand and cement ‘scratch coat’ and a finer render topcoat, followed by two coats of external masonry paint will cost in the region of £28-£34 per m². Rendering and painting a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house with 80m² of walls would therefore cost £2,240-£2,720.

For a solid walled house or where the cavity is too narrow to apply sufficient levels of insulation, an external wall insulation (EWI) system is usually the best option as no space or architectural detail is lost within the property.

There are many different external wall insulation systems, but most of them are promoted on a supply and fix basis by specialists, so they’re not available to the DIY market.

Applying external insulation with a render finish typically costs £70-£90 per m². A typical three-bedroom semidetached house would require 80m², so it would cost £5,600-£7,200.

Photo Credit: Brett and Sue

To find a rendering professional in your area, just use our free quoter service. Instead of spending hours contacting plasterers one at a time, all you need to do is fill out our request form once and you will get all the quotes you need to make an informed comparison from the top 3 companies in your area according to our database. 

http://www.renderingquoter.co.uk