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1. There are radiators available to fit any position in a room, from squat, low models for beneath windows and tall, thin designs for narrow spaces. They can be plain and functional, or unique pieces of art. They can also be invisible: trench radiators, sunk under the floor with a grille cover, or skirting radiators, which run within the skirting board profile at floor level, are great when there is insufficient wall space. For a simple but attractive look in any style, column radiators are a classic choice for added interest choose models that are much taller than they are wide, or vice versa. In the bathroom, stainless steel towel rails are near compulsory, but don t worry about not having warm towels in the summer: some models have a supplementary electric heater for when the central heating is off.
2. Radiators are given a temperature value which is calculated and recorded as BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour, a standard used throughout the industry. It is important that you find out how many BTUs/hr you will require from your radiators before selecting a style, so you will know whether a radiators/">radiator will be suitable for your requirements or not. You can easily work this out yourself by using the online calculator at www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk.
3. Single- or double-panel pressed-steel radiators are the cheapest option and are readily available off the shelf. Steel in general tends to be the most cost-effective material and is also lightweight, a good heat conductor and very versatile. Cast-iron-style column designs are available — as steel is far cheaper — and the metal is also the preferred choice for many unusual and designer radiators, because it is easy to bend, cut, weld and shape.
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4. Cast iron column radiators are perfectly suited — though not ”restricted — to traditional homes, and many manufacturers produce accurate period reproductions. Cast iron radiators are an expensive choice and take a long time to heat up, so you need to set the timer carefully so they come on well in advance of when the room is used though cast iron will retain its warmth when the radiators are switched off for a lot longer than other materials.
5. Reclaimed cast iron radiators are often cheaper than new models, and possess unique character; however, it is difficult to spot problems in a salvage yard, such as hairline cracks or sludge , which can damage a new heating system. Ensure that any radiators/">radiator you purchase is well flushed out and pressure-tested for leaks. Ideally, it should also be shot-blasted clean. Bear in mind that old radiators are likely to be made for imperial-size plumbing fittings and rarely come with original valves, which can complicate the installation.
6. Another popular radiators/">radiator material is aluminium, which is lightweight and an excellent heat conductor. Other available —though less common — metals are copper and brass. If you want something ultra-modern and sleek, glass and mirror radiators are increasingly in demand; or for something altogether different, consider a flat stone radiators/">radiator in smooth marble or granite.
7. You can specify pre-finished radiators in almost any colour, usually powder-coated. You can also specify metallic finishes in stainless steel or chrome (though chrome finishes are known to slightly reduce heat output). However, many less-expensive radiators come primed ready for painting. You can buy radiators/">radiator paint at DIY stores, but ensure you do buy paint specifically intended for this job. 8. Most radiators come in standard sizes, typically between 300mm and 700mm high and from 500mm to 3,000mm long. Manufacturers tend to produce three or four height options, each available in lengths which increase in 100mm steps. Column radiators are often ordered and priced in sections.
9. You may have heard that positioning radiators beneath windows aids their performance. This does have some truth to it, but means you can t have long curtains at the window. With today s high standards of insulation, you can easily get away with putting radiators elsewhere. Large rooms may require more than a single radiators/">radiator one for every four metres is a good guide to work to.
10. You could pick up a standard pressed-steel radiators/">radiator for as little as £25; for £100-300 you could buy a good-looking designer radiators/">radiator; but for particularly sleek or unique designs, £400-1,000 or more isn t uncommon. Cast iron column radiators cost between £2050 per section. You may want to consider just buying one or two feature radiators, with budget installations in less-important rooms. Source: Homebuilding&renovation
Plumbing
Although it’s often known as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), the principle of rainwater disposal which does not put undue pressure on existing resources and infrastructure is applicable to any site, rural or urban.
…new regulations will ensure all homes are carbon neutral by 2016.
In general, it is best to deal with rainwater discharge locally, returning the water to the natural drainage system as near to the source as possible.
- Good Drainage Practice Rain water harvesting and reuse (e.g. water butts or tanks)
- Green roof on building
- Retention of ’soft’ surfaces (grass); specification of porous hard surfaces; avoid concrete and tarmac
Most experts are agreed that one of the imminent major impacts of climate change - some would say that it is happening already - is an increase in ‘extreme weather events’ such as storms and floods. Periods of unusually heavy rainfall may result in antiquated or inadequate drainage systems, unable to take the increased flow and ‘backing up’, causing local flooding and pollution. Surface water runoff can contain contaminants such as oil, organic matter and toxic metals. Although often at low levels, cumulatively they can result in poor water quality in rivers and groundwater, affecting biodiversity, amenity value and potential water abstraction. After heavy rain, the first flush is often highly polluting.
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If we can slow down the rate of surface water runoff and provide temporary storage or ‘attenuation’ for rainwater on site, this will ease the pressure on existing drains. Minimising runoff can be achieved at the design stage by using ‘green’ or vegetated roofs, which will naturally filter and slow the rate of discharge. Porous surfaces, such as paving, gravel or grass, rather than seamless hard concrete or tarmac, will allow rainwater to percolate into the ground, eventually refilling underground aquifers which are much more important than reservoirs for our long-term water reserves. This will also reduce the flooding risk both on site and downstream.
Filter strips and swales are essentially grass banks and ditches which mimic natural drainage patterns by slowing and filtering the flow and removing pollutants. They provide temporary storage and can be integrated into landscaped areas and road verges. Basins and ponds can provide more permanent storage and should be designed with extra capacity to enable storage of flood water. Both will increase areas of wetland habitat which are important for biodiversity and providing educational and leisure amenitie.
Useful Contacts
The Environment Agency: www.ciria.org/suds/suds_techniques.htm
A new rainwater harvesting system which is designed for use in the garden has been launched by Klargester. Known as Raintrap, the system comprises a filter, an underground storage tank and a pump. Rainwater runs down the roof and into the guttering and downpipes before passing through a filter. The water is stored in an underground tank available in three sizes. You can then access the water at a constant pressure. From around £1,000. www.klargester.com
The Government has unveiled plans to encourage green homebuilding, saying that new regulations will ensure all homes are carbon neutral by 2016. The regulations will be launched in stages over the next ten years. Around 27 per cent of all carbon emissions in the UK are from energy used to heat, light and run homes.
Source: Homebuilding&renovation
Going Green
OK so this one is a tad geeky, but it’s close to my heart as I came up with something similar when I was a nipper with my mecano set. Simply put, it’s a control panel and motor that opens and closes your curtains. Forgetting the lazy factor of this, the positive aspect of this is security. Go off on holiday and program the curtains to close and lights to come on (randomly is always best) and hopefully the little toe rag that wants your TV and car keys will be deterred.
More information can be found at www.simplyautomate.co.uk
Gadgets
A human approach to designing interactive systems
Nebula is an interactive projection system designed to enrich the experience of going to bed, sleeping and waking up. It provides intuitive and natural ways of physically participating in a virtual experience, through simple body movements and gestures. The aim was to create an atmosphere that encourages and enhances rest, reflection, conversation, intimacy, imagination and play. Nebula consists of a ceiling projector linked via the Internet to a database of content. Once users have selected the content for projection, they can manipulate it simply by adjusting their sleeping positions and interacting with their partner while in bed. For example, one algorithm in the system translates body positions and movements into moving imagery and text. Since the dynamics between individuals are random and unpredictable, the flow of content created by the couple will be unique and specific to them. In general, the ceiling projection becomes livelier as the participants become more active.
source: philips
Gadgets
…research also showed that women are less daunted by the idea of renovating than men…
Though there has been a boom in the new housing market, not all homeowners want to buy new or relatively new. The homes are smaller, the gardens are smaller and, though the roof tiles and bricks might be a different colour, they all look unnervingly the same.
Britain is facing an increasing shortage of good, solid properties for sale. Moreover, high house prices mean that buyers can rarely find what they want within their budget. For these reasons, almost three-quarters of Britons are now prepared to buy a home that needs major renovations.
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Research carried out by Propertyfinder.com, has revealed that Britons would carry out renovations despite the fact that more than 62 per cent have never done any in the past. Thirty per cent of respondents said that they would definitely make an offer on a property that required renovation, 41 per cent said that they would consider buying a property that needed renovation for the right property, while only 29 per cent said that they wouldn’t buy a renovation property.
The research also showed that women are less daunted by the idea of renovating than men, with just one-quarter suggesting they would not renovate as opposed to 30 per cent of men.
This increase in renovation activity throughout the nation comes at a time of growing buyer confidence in the housing market, which has grown by more than 50 per cent over the last 12 months.
Nicholas Leeming, client services director of Propertyfinder.com, comments, “The housing market confidence has reached its highest point for two years and lots of people are keen to buy. However, there is a definite shortage of quality property on the market. As good properties are in increasingly short supply on the market, it is no surprise to see more and more home buyers taking on the challenges of renovation.
“Today’s home buyers are now more demanding in getting what they want. To achieve this, they are opting to buy substandard properties that they are able to renovate to the standard they want. In addition, an increase in property makeover shows has developed consumer appetites for home renovation.”
Homebuyers are now willing to spend a significant amount of money on renovations, ranging from a few hundred pounds to more than £70,000. The average amount people are willing to spend is £18,500.
Topping the list of the most popular renovation is putting in double glazing, followed by replacing the central heating, carrying out rewiring, re-plastering and re-plumbing. The main turnoffs for buyers seeking property in need of renovation are subsidence, radon gas, asbestos, rot and fire/flood damage.
Property renovation also gets the thumbs up by environmental groups. Renovating homes is the ultimate in recycling, especially if buyers opt for reclaimed materials for added period style. Whilst renovating, homeowners can also increase energy conservation and reduce energy usage, which saves both money and the environment.
Nick Leeming adds, “With increasingly number of people buying properties to renovate it looks as if builders and plumbers will have a healthy 2006.”
source: MyVillage
Going Green
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