The latest news RELEASES, PRESS RELEASES and developments from diy doctor and our associates
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Archived News Page Stories Follow Below:
The Uk's largest distributor of electrical supplies, Neweys Online, have just announced that they will be offering a FREE £20 high street voucher if you spend over £250 (excluding VAT) or more on PowerBreaker products online
To qualify for the voucher spend £250 or over by 8pm on Wednesday 31st of August 2011 on the fantastic range of PowerBreaker products available on the Neweys Online website and you will be sent a £20 Bonus Bond voucher that can then be spent in any one of your favourite high street stores
For more information on this great offer click through to Neweys Online!
Energy savings to rival smart meter
Following recent reports on the smart meter scheme, there is growing concern that unless homeowners are shown how to use the devices properly, they may not deliver the energy savings which they set out to provide. The installation of smart meters will cost the government a total of £11.3bn and is predicted to save each British household an average of £23 a year, according to the National Audit Office. However, if not used properly, the homeowner may still find themselves faced with a hefty energy bill.
The announcement from ScottishPower earlier this year that the cost of domestic gas is due to rise by 19% and electricity by 10%, coupled with the warnings that fuel poverty could reach not only the poorest of households this winter*, means homeowners will no doubt be keen to look for ways to save money.
A huge 84% of the energy used in the home is consumed by the generation of heating and hot water. Leading heating controls specialist, Honeywell UK, is highlighting how fitting a thermostat can earn a homeowner the largest savings possible in both energy consumption and the cost of bills. Fitting a thermostat in the home is a simple yet effective solution to save £10** a month – up to £120 a year on bills.
Nick Hunt, sales director for Honeywell commented: “We are urging homeowners to be smart and take control by checking they have sufficient heating controls in place for the winter season. A thermostat will save energy through efficient control and subsequently lower fuel bills each month. There are more than eight million homes in the UK without a thermostat and around six million that already have timers but no thermostat installed. This is simple and effective technology which millions of us are missing out on.”
Honeywell thermostats are also available in wireless, digital and non-digital models.
For more information, please visit www.honeywelluk.com or call 01344 656172.
The DIY Doctor team has just got back from an enjoyable and very successful weekend at the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show held at Sandown Park in Surrey.
Mike Edwards, the DIY Doctor, spent a busy two days presenting on the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ stage, with seminars on ‘How to Skim Plaster’, ‘How to Tile a Bathroom ‘and ‘How to Avoid Cowboy Builders’ being very well attended by visitors to the show. There was also time for Mike to answer questions from the audience on individual problems and experiences with DIY and especially to do with experiences of cowboy builders and how to avoid them including using our ‘Desired Outcome Building Contract’. This is a free resource that can be obtained via the website and aims to help both the contractor and the homeowner complete a project with mutual satisfaction.
The rest of the DIY Doctor team were kept busy too, chatting to visitors about the website and selling copies of the ‘Master Basic DIY’ book.
Thank you to everyone who came to the show for all their comments and feedback.
HONEYWELL HIGHTLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF TMVS IN TACKLING LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE
Following recent reports of several cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Glasgow, leading manufacturer of heating controls and water products Honeywell is highlighting the benefits of using Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) to combat this problem.
Legionella bacteria is present in many water systems and grows in water temperatures between 20 and 45ºC, but is killed by temperatures above 60ºC. The bacteria can be easily spread through showers and baths if the water temperature is not managed properly. If exposed to legionella bacteria, humans can develop Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia with symptoms such as headaches, fever, dry cough, breathing difficulties, stomach pains and diarrhoea. In extreme cases, as reported recently in Glasgow, the disease can be fatal, with around one in ten cases resulting in death*.
However, using water temperatures as high as 60ºC for hand washing, showers and bathing can pose a serious threat. As water temperatures increase above 50ºC, the chance of suffering third degree burns increases.
Matthew Watson, Business Manager, Water from Honeywell, explains: “To remove legionella bacteria, water has to be stored at 60ºC or higher. However, it is not as simple as this, as water delivered to a tap or shower at this temperature could result in scalding.
“Therefore, the most effective way to prevent both legionella and scalding is to utilise a TMV. This technology allows water to be stored and distributed at a high temperature to kill the bacteria, but blends it with cold water before it reaches the tap. This provides water at an appropriate temperature to use, but still reduces the risk of the spread of bacteria.”
TMVs are fitted at, or very closely to, hot water outlets to offer the best results. Part G of the Building Regulations now requires the technology to be fitted as standard on baths in new homes, and as best practice in all refurbishment projects.
Matthew continues: “Even without an official regulation, the benefits of retrofitting TMVs are easy to see. Those working in the plumbing and hot water industries should look for opportunities to utilise TMVs, offering dual benefits to the end user.”
Honeywell offers a wide range of water products including TMVs TM200VP and TM300, which are both WRAS and Buildcert TMV Scheme approved. The BuildCert TMV scheme recommends the following maximum hot water temperatures for use in all premises: 46°C for bath fill; 41°C for showers and washbasins; and 38°C for bidets.
Honeywell TMVs can be safely used in sheltered accommodation, nursing homes and hospitals. They are also suitable for schools, playgroups and commercial buildings where control of scalding hot water is essential. Both TM200VP and TM300 are designed to be installed with the minimum of alteration to existing pipework and are extremely easy to set up to required temperatures.
For more information on Honeywell and its extensive range of products, please visit www.honeywellukwater.com or call 01344 656172.
Local 'DIYer of the Year' Winner Announced
The Grand Final of the Frome 'DIYer of the Year' competition was held last Saturday (4th June), and DIY Doctor are pleased to announce that Fay Goodridge was the overall winner, with Clive Baker and Matthew Rees coming a close second and third.
The live final involved two challenges on the day – firstly the finalists had to show off their painting and decorating skills by ‘cutting in’ round some lettering which had been prepared. The second challenge involved measuring and sawing a piece of timber to a specified length and then fitting a metal hinge to the two pieces of wood. Both of the challenges were timed to add to the tension of the proceedings!
The final was held on Catherine Hill in Frome, outside Sergeants Ironmongers who sponsored the competition, and was organized by DIY Doctor who run the largest DIY advice website in the country. The three finalists were invited to the final having entered the competition by answering questions in an online DIY quiz.
All three finalists won a range of DIY tools to take away with them and of course Fay was presented with the Frome ‘DIYer of the Year’ trophy! The competition was the first of the local ‘DIYer of the Year’ competitions which DIY Doctor will be organizing around the country as they hunt for the nation’s ‘DIYer of the Year’.
