The EPC is a part of the HIP pack for house sales and it is a legal requirement for anybody marketing a domestic property to rent.
Hometech are Qualified Domestic Energy Assesors and are often able to produce a EPC within 24 hours, for those of you that need to move fast!
Contact us for further details.
With the holiday season on its way and many of us making plans to get away, either in the UK or abroad, its worth taking time to ensure you and your family are safe while you are away.
Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless poisonous gas that can be produced by poorly maintained gas appliances.
The Gas Safe Register recommends that you take a portable battery powered carbon monoxide detector with you to ensure that you are safe. These can be purchased for about £20-30 from most DIY stores.
The shower manufacturer Triton has introduced a wireless electric shower – the Triton T300si.
With good looks on show and all the ugly parts hidden in the loft or cupboard, the new design is a neat solution to those wishing to add an electric shower without re-tiling or even decorating!
Wireless shower TRITON T300si from Hometech of Harrogate Ltd
Interested? Contact us to find out more about your Plumbing in your new shower.
Customers looking for boilers in Harrogate will be disappointed to find out that the governments boiler scrappage scheme has come to an end. Despite its success, the Chancellor failed to extend the boiler scrappage scheme at the recent budget. The number of vouchers allocated come close to the 125000 offered, but stopped way short of the what we feel was necessary to make a difference in the drive for energy efficiency.
Those looking for boiler replacements, in Harrogate will be pleased to hear that for this summer (2010) Hometech of Harrogate are offering a complementary powerflush with every boiler replacement booked. Contact us for further details.
Landlords that market rental property without a valid EPC or Energy Perfomance Certificate could be fined up to £200 they were warned recently by Harrogate Borough Council.
The EPC is designed to give prospective tenants an idea of the running costs of the property they are considering renting. With worries about global warming and the price of GAS and electricity these days its worth checking out the EPC before taking on a rental property.
To commission your EPC in the Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Wetherby areas of Yorkshire, Contact Hometech of Harrogate Ltd.
Hometech of Harrogate are qualified Domestic Energy Assessors or DEA s registered with Elmhurst Energy. Working for Landlords and letting agents in the local area.
Why Powerflush the system before fitting a new boiler ?
“We can’t believe that not every installer offers Powerflushing when fitting new boilers”!
WHY?
1. A quieter boiler results from the removal of lime scale build up in the system, this is commonly called “Kettling”.
2. Hotter Radiators and a quicker warm up from the removal of Black Sludge “Magnetite” cold spots and Hydrogen build up produced by corrosion within the system.
3. A longer lasting system, pumps will last longer and radiators will have an extended life if there is no corrosion present and suitable corrosion inhibitors are used.
4. Lower fuel bills due to a more efficient system, costs more to heat solid magnetite than it does water! It is estimated that up to 25% saving can be made on your fuel bills compared to a heavily clogged system.
5. Helps to comply with The Benchmark Code of Practice, manufacturers warranties and Building regulations Part L, BSI 7953 when installing new boilers on old or new installations.
What do we do when we power flush?
Put simply, we couple up a specially designed powerful pump to the heating system and with the help of specialist chemicals, blast the debris out of the system, radiator by radiator.
The power flushing process will cure most circulation problems, but cannot undo the corrosion and gradual decay of heating system components that has led to the need to power flush the system. Note that we always check for signs of corrosion before and after the process.
Occasionally some systems may have radiators with localised deep corrosion pits, with only a scab of rust preventing the system water from leaking out. The vigorous flow rate required to mobilise sludge and deposits may dislodge such a scab, leading to a leak from the radiator during the flushing process. The advanced stage of corrosion required for such a situation means that the leak would occur imminently even without a powerflush. If it should be brought forward slightly by the flushing process, then it is better that it occurs whilst a heating engineer is present to remedy the problem, rather than for it to arise over a weekend or whilst the house is unoccupied.
Remember to check that your installer has included POWERFLUSHING in their estimate. (or ask us if not!)
As well as power flushing before new installations, Hometech of Harrogate offer powerflushing services on older boilers to potentially cure noise, poor flow, cold radiators etc… in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Wetherby. Contact Us for more details
Recently, an elderly Landlord was fined £5000 for supplying a faulty electric heater that led to the tragic death of a 33 Mother in a rented property in Cornwall.
It is estimated that there are around 30 deaths and 4000 injuries each year in the UK resulting from electricity in the home.
The case has prompted the Electrical Safety Council to produce a downloadable guide providing information as to the duties and responsibilities of the Landlord in rented domestic property.
Electrical services available for Landlords from Hometech of Harrogate Ltd include visual checks, Periodic testing, PAT testing and Fire alarm testing.
The ESCs guide can be downloaded here free. Please Contact Us for further information.
In the light of the recent strike threat by British Gas’ Engineers its worth knowing that boiler-owners who would like to INSURE their boiler against the cost of breakdowns can do so from just £79 per year.
Breakdowns are managed by Hometech, the cost is insured through Aviva and its about £5 cheaper than any British Gas scheme I can find!
Terms and conditions apply and I have a leaflet to pass on. Please Contact us if you feel you would like further information.
The Health and Safety Executive has fined two Landlords and a Gas Engineer in Southhampton a total of £19000 for risking the lives of a Mother and her Daughter. The tenants who suffered serious symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, drifting in and out of conciousness with headaches and vomiting, were taken to hospital, barely concious. They had previously warned their landlord that the boiler needed servicing, an obligation that was ignored. The Gas Engineer involved, who had not found the appliance to be “AT RISK” during 3 annual inspections was found guilty of offences under the Gas Safety (Installation and use) Regulations 1998.
All Landlords are reminded of their obligations to have appliances checked anually by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer and to have them maintained.
It is now 1 year on since The Gas Safe Register took over responsibility for gas safety from the well known Corgi on behalf of the HSE.
Less well known is the fact that not all Gas Safe Registered plumbers are registered for all aspects of domestic gas, in particular things like LPG, or Calor GAS, this is a separate qualification for individual Engineers. Remember always ask to see the back their GAS Safe CARDS.
Hometech of Harrogate, Providing Plumbing, Heating & Electrical services to Homeowners, Landlords and small business in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Wetherby.
