The prices in this guide are accurate, as of 2025* 

There are plenty of benefits to installing an underfloor heating system. They’re very effective at heating your home and do so in a more eco-friendly way than other heating methods, like radiators. This means they can help you save money on your yearly heating bills. With underfloor heating, you’ll never have to walk on cold floors again. 

Because it’s a high-end heating system, it will also add value to your home, remove cold spots (common with radiators), and will also free up your wall space which will make your home look bigger. Most importantly, it heats up your house a lot more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods.  

This guide covers everything you need to know about the types of underfloor heating you could get, and how much it will cost you. The prices shown will always clarify where costs include labour and materials, and where they’re referring to them separately.  

Underfloor heating costs between £1,200 and £5,000, depending on the type of underfloor heating you want installed, and the size of the floor you want fitted. This guide covers both heating types, as well as running costs and other considerations. 

The older your property, the more it will cost to retrofit underfloor heating. Keep in mind that the cost of labour rises in London and the South East, sometimes by as much as 20%. 

What type of underfloor heating is best? ↓

What type of underfloor heating is best?

The most important decision you will have to make if you want underfloor heating is which type of heating you should get. 

The most common places to have underfloor heating installed are bathrooms and kitchens, though living rooms are also a popular choice. The great thing about underfloor heating is that you can heat different areas of your house independently, so you can keep running it in your bathroom and have it turned off in your living room, or the other way around. 

What type of heating is best for your home will depend on how large the area you’re looking to heat is, and whether you’re installing it in a new build or as a renovation project (whether there is an existing floor or not). 

You have two options when it comes to underfloor heating (UDH). These are electric (dry) underfloor heating, and wet (water) underfloor heating: 

	What is it?	What is it suited for?	Pros	Cons
Electric underfloor heating	A type of underfloor heating that uses electric heating mats or wires that are connected to the mains electricity supply.	Best suited for renovation projects or single/smaller rooms.	– Costs less to install than wet UDH – Faster at warming up than wet UDH – Easier and faster to install than wet UDH – Won’t usually require floor raising	– Higher running costs than wet UDH – Cools down faster once you switch it off
Wet underfloor heating	A type of underfloor heating that pumps water through pipes that is heated by your chosen heating source.	Best suited for larger spaces and new builds.	– Costs less to run than electric UDH – Pipes retain heat longer than electric UDH after you switch it off – Plenty of sustainable heating systems are compatible with wet UDH	– Costs more to install than electric UDH – More complicated to install, and may require additional work such as raising your floors to fit pipes – Slower to warm up than electric UDH

A lesser-known benefit of UDH is that it minimises the movement of dust around your home, because radiators circulate air, which moves dust. For this reason, underfloor heating is particularly beneficial for people with allergies and asthma. 

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How much does electric underfloor heating cost? ↓

How much does electric underfloor heating cost?

Electric systems heat up quicker, making them ideal for small rooms like bathrooms where you want a speedy warm-up time. 

The most compatible materials to choose for the flooring that will go above your UDH include stone (and in particular marble), ceramic and porcelain tiles, wood, laminate and vinyl (but only for wet systems), and carpet. 

These prices include the cost of materials and the cost of labour. 

40 m2 retrofitted electric UDH	£1,400
60 m2 retrofitted electric UDH	£1,900
80 m2 retrofitted electric UDH	£2,500
40 m2 new build electric UDH	£1,200
60 m2 new build electric UDH	£1,500
80 m2 new build electric UDH	£2,000

The above prices do not include labour and material costs to fit new flooring over your underfloor heating system. How much you spend on flooring will depend on your choice of materials.

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How much does wet underfloor heating cost? ↓

How much does wet underfloor heating cost?

Wet underfloor heating is usually the preferred choice for larger areas, or if you’re looking to get it installed in your entire home. For smaller areas, electric UDH is better. It’s also easier to install. Both are equally easy to use, thanks to the connected thermostat that will help you regulate temperature. 

These prices include the cost of materials and the cost of labour. 

10-40 m2 retrofitted wet UDH	£3,500
60 m2 retrofitted wet UDH	£4,350
80 m2 retrofitted wet UDH	£5,250
10-40 m2 new build wet UDH	£2,200
60 m2 new build wet UDH	£2,400
80 m2 new build wet UDH	£2,800

Water based systems are usually recommended for new builds, where UDH will be the primary heating source for the whole house. Though more expensive to install, they are more cost effective to run, making them cheaper in the long term. 

The price for wet underfloor heating between 10 and 40 m² is roughly the same. The above prices do not include labour or material costs for fitting new floors above your underfloor heating. How much you spend on this will vary depending on your choice of materials.

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Labour costs for installing underfloor heating ↓

Labour costs for installing underfloor heating

The average underfloor heating installation costs (excluding the cost of materials) is around £700 – £2,600 for the whole project. How much you will spend will depend on the size of the floor you are getting fitted.  

How much you spend on labour also depends on how long the installation takes, and whether you hire one skilled tradesperson or more. Hiring several workers may not raise prices too much though, as the job will be completed faster. Where you live in the UK will also impact costs. 

To get a sense of how much you might spend on labour for your new underfloor heating, let us know what you have in mind, and get some free quotes today.

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Is underfloor heating expensive to run? ↓

Is underfloor heating expensive to run?

Electric underfloor heating running costs are higher than for wet systems, so it’s not usually recommended for people looking to install underfloor heating in large areas of their home, or all of it. 

Several things can impact how much it costs to run underfloor heating. These include: 

1. How well insulated your underfloor heating is will impact how energy efficient it is, affecting the overall running costs by reducing lost heat 

2. Room size – the greater the area, the more energy you’ll need to heat the room  

3. Other room insulation – beyond your floor insulation, draughty rooms that aren’t properly insulated also lead to higher running costs 

4. How often you use it  

5. (For electric systems) – the cost of electricity per kilowatt hour 

6. Your choice of floor covering – certain materials are better heat conductors, helping your room heat up and cool down faster. Tile, vinyl, and stone are great options, whilst carpeted floors and wooden flooring are less energy efficient, as they act as insulators (increasing running costs) 

Insulating your home properly is the best way to lower your energy bills and make the most of your underfloor heating. 

The cost of running underfloor heating, for a year, is around: 

Room size	Electric underfloor heating	Wet underfloor heating
10 m2	£384	£80
20 m2	£768	£161
30 m2	£1,152	£239

It currently costs around £161 a year to run wet UDH, and around £768 a year to run electric UDH in a 20 m2 room. To heat one 10m2 room for four hours a day will cost you around £10.80 a month using electric UDH. That’s around 10p per square metre, when run for six hours.  

Wet systems are, on average, 25% more efficient than radiators, as they can perform at 50°C, rather than the 70°C – 90°C that radiators require. 

To make sure you’re in control of your energy spending, we recommend you get a thermostat to monitor your energy usage. These are sometimes included in your package when you buy underfloor heating. 

If you want to save as much as you can on energy bills, you could even think about pairing your underfloor heating with a renewable heat source, such as a heat pump. 

Do you want to start saving money on your energy bills? Ask for some free quotes today to get your underfloor heating.  

Or check out our article on underfloor heating running costs. 

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Do you need building regulations for underfloor heating? ↓

Do you need building regulations for underfloor heating?

Though there aren’t specific building regulations for underfloor heating, there are some things you will need to consider.  

Most importantly, your flooring needs to conform to Part L of the building regulations, which has to do with conserving fuel and power by making sure buildings are efficient enough. 

This means that your new floor needs to be properly insulated during the underfloor heating installation. Regulations demand that your floor needs to have a U-value of less than 0.25w/m2k, and that when your underfloor heating is installed, the value shouldn’t be greater than 0.15w/m2k. 

To make sure your underfloor heating is sufficiently insulated, tell us about your project, and get into contact with some skilled installers who can get the job done properly.

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Conclusions

Underfloor heating can help you reduce the carbon footprint of your home and can save you money on your energy bills as well. It’s also a more effective method of heating your home and allows you to gain space by getting rid of your clunky radiators. 

With underfloor heating, you can say goodbye to cold spots and cold feet. For an accurate quote on how much you might spend on underfloor heating, let us know where you’re thinking of having it installed, and get some free quotes today.

*The Rated People cost guides are produced in collaboration with the quote-building platform PriceBuilder, and a range of tradespeople across the 30+ trades on our platform were consulted. Please note that the prices included are for guidance only – how much you end up spending will depend on the specific requirements of your project.

The post How much does underfloor heating cost in 2025? appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Over twenty-four million households are set to face an energy price cap of £3,549 this coming October. For someone with an average monthly income of £2,615 (after tax), this could mean spending 33 per cent of take-home pay just on energy next year.

This huge rise in energy prices has led to considerable efforts from homeowners to add energy-saving improvements to their homes. In fact, according to our 2022 Trends Report, 52% of homeowners we surveyed said that saving money on bills was their main motivator for buying eco home improvements.

If you’re looking for ways to live more sustainably and lower your energy consumption, the below energy saving improvements are some of the most popular eco trends homeowners are having done this year.

1. Loft insulation

An uninsulated home loses a quarter of its heat, just from the roof. It’s not surprising then that there was a 419% increase in demand for loft insulation last year, as it’s a cheap and highly effective energy saving home improvement.

In your lifetime, your insulated loft will pay you back many times for the cost of installation.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning your uninsulated loft into a 270mm insulated loft could save you up to £580 a year, depending on the type of home you have. It will also enable you to save thousands of kilograms in CO2 emissions, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint as well.

On average, a homeowner spends:

In most cases, it takes under a day to install loft insulation. There are several types of insulation, that come in a range of prices. If you’re interested in getting your loft insulated, speak to some skilled insulators, and get some free quotes today.

2. Cavity wall insulation

Like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation is another top eco home improvement that saw a 352% increase in demand last year. Adding a layer of cavity wall insulation can help trap up to a third of your home’s heat, preventing it from escaping through your walls.

Within just a few years, cavity wall insulation will pay you back for the upfront cost of installation, helping to make your home cheaper to heat. You may also be eligible for a grant under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. You can find out more on this here.

Cavity wall insulation will make your home warmer, lower your energy bills, and your carbon footprint. It can also add an average of £11,764 to the value of your property!

Not all homes have cavity walls (the chances are higher if your home was built between the 1920’s and 1980’s). You can have a survey carried out to find out whether you are eligible for this kind of insulation.

It takes between one and four hours to insulate cavity walls. There are a huge range of cavity wall insulation types, from insulation boards to wool or mineral fibre to EPS or PUR.

If you’re interested in getting your walls insulated, get into contact with some specialist tradespeople, and request some free quotes today.

3. Electric car charging point installation

Consumer demand for electric vehicles is greater than ever, with over 520,000 electric cars on the UK roads, as of July 2022.

This has also led to a demand increase of 404% for home charging points. Homeowners with electric vehicles who choose to have a car charging point installed in their home will also benefit from an average increase in home value of £11,538.

A home charging point can significantly lower your annual energy bill. This is because public station electric car chargers usually cost over double the amount your home charger does. Charging your car battery at home for 10,000 miles a year will cost you £523.18, whereas charging for the same amount at a public charge point will cost you £1,297.78, according to the Energy Saving Trust. 

This means that, within just a few years, your home charger could pay you back for the upfront cost of installation, which is of around £950 (for a 7kW charger).

Not to mention that home car chargers are incredibly convenient, allowing you to charge your car whenever you like, and to benefit from lower tariffs during the night. Keep in mind though that you need to have either a driveway or garage to have a home charger installed.

If you own an electric car, and are considering having your own car charger installed, you can request some free quotes here.

4. Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is an incredibly effective way of heating your home and does so in a far more eco-friendly way than other heating methods, like radiators. Substituting your radiators for a more efficient and low maintenance underfloor heating system will allow you to get rid of pesky cold spots and will free up your wall space, making your house seem bigger.

There are two kinds of underfloor heating (UDH), called wet UDH, and electric UDH. It costs between £1,350 and £1,850 to retrofit wet UDH in a 10 m² room, whereas it costs between £600 and £850 to retrofit electric UDH in a 10 m² room.

It currently costs around £161 a year to run wet UDH, and around £768 a year to run electric UDH in a 20 m² room. To heat one 10 m² room for four hours a day will cost you around £10.80 a month using electric UH. That’s around 10p per square metre, when run for six hours.

Wet systems are, on average, 25% more efficient than radiators, as they can perform at 50°C, rather than the 70°C – 90°C that radiators require. Though initially expensive to install, UDH does repay itself in the long run in energy savings, especially when paired with a renewable energy source.

It can take anywhere from one to five days to install underfloor heating. As well as saving you on annual energy bills, installing underfloor heating can add an average of £12,290 to the value of your property.

Underfloor heating is a top eco-trend and has seen a 27% rise (for wet systems) and 33% rise (for electric systems) in installations since last year. If you’re thinking of getting underfloor heating, let us know what you have in mind, and get some free quotes today.

5. Solar panels

Solar panels were a top ten eco improvement in 2022 and had a demand increase of 17% from last year, with over 60,000 homes installing solar panels in 2021. Though expensive to install, solar panels can add an average of £11,646 to the value of your home.

The advantages of solar energy are endless. Not only is it renewable and produces ‘clean’ energy, helping you do your bit for the planet, but solar panels are also very low maintenance. Looked after properly, they could last you upwards of 25 years without losing efficiency.  

The average cost of a 3kW PV solar panel system is of around £5,500 – £6,500, with more powerful models costing upwards of £8,000.

They can also help you save between £200 and £450 a year on electricity bills. Not to mention that you can also sell excess energy back to the grid (on average, £450 a year), making further money back on your investment.

Research has found that 66 per cent of all households that have invested in solar panels quickly begin to benefit from their presence, especially because they protect against future price hikes. Investing in solar power gives you independence and less reliance on the National Grid for electricity.

Investing in a solar battery storage will allow you to continue using energy after the sun has set. Check out our guide on solar panels, or request some free quotes today if you’re ready to upgrade to this renewable energy source.

Unfortunately, the cost of electricity is continuing to rise. Making your home as energy efficient as possible is one of the smartest things you can do to cut your energy bills and keep you and your loved ones warm this coming winter.

If you’re ready to get started, find a tradesperson in your area, and join the millions of homeowners who are also taking steps to live more sustainably this year.

The post 5 energy saving home improvements you should be considering now appeared first on Rated People Blog.

The prices in this cost guide are accurate as of 2025*

Is your boiler old, broken, out of warranty, or simply not working as well as it used to? This might be a sign that it’s time for a new boiler. Whatever the reason, a new boiler comes with lots of benefits.

For starters, old boilers have a much lower efficiency percentage than more modern models. This means that, over time, a new boiler will save you money by reducing your energy bills. Since heating and hot water make up over half of your yearly energy bill, a very efficient boiler is a worthy investment.

A new boiler will also cut your carbon footprint. Upgrading appliances to more eco-friendly and energy-efficient models is an incredibly worthwhile home improvement, because it can also increase the value of your property.

On average, a new boiler installation will cost you between £2,500 and £3,500.

The prices in this guide will always clarify where a sum includes cost of labour and materials, and where the price is referring to them separately. Lastly, the prices in this guide do not include VAT. 

Expect to pay more if you live in London and the Southeast, where cost of labour can rise by up to 20% on average.

This guide includes:

How do you know when your boiler needs replacing? ↓

How do you know when your boiler needs replacing?

 

It’s time to change your boiler when it becomes more cost-efficient to replace it than to keep repairing it in the short-term, as repairs can get expensive. 

A warning sign that you might need a new boiler is rising energy bills, despite you using your boiler the same amount as before.

Boilers tend to have a lifespan of around 10 years. If yours is around that age, and is starting to show signs of wear, then it might be time to replace your boiler. Since older models are less efficient, costing you more in energy bills, replacing yours is definitely worth it.

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What boiler should I get? ↓

What boiler should I get?

 

By law, all modern boilers are now condensing boilers, which have a 90% efficiency rate. But there are still a wide range of options for you to choose from. 

Which boiler you go for will depend on a few factors, including how much space you have, since some types, like combi boilers, are better suited for smaller houses with no space for large water tanks.

It’s also cheaper to install the same type of boiler that you already have, and it usually makes sense to stick to the same type (since it’s normally the right kind for your house). However, in some cases it makes sense to change boiler types. This guide includes the pros and cons of a range of different boilers, as well as how much it would cost you to buy and install each in your home.

Picking the right boiler is important, as it needs to be efficient enough to supply hot water to your entire home, whilst not wasting energy or leading to huge fuel bills either. If you aren’t sure which type would be best, tell us what you’re thinking and let a skilled tradesperson help you out.

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What is the average cost of a new boiler? ↓

What is the average cost of a new boiler?

 

The average cost of a new boiler is between £2,500 and £3,500.

A few things can impact the cost of your boiler installation, including what type of boiler you go with, and how large the boiler is (in kilowatts).

Cost of labour will range, depending on where you live in the UK.

On average, a new boiler installation will cost you between £2,500 and £3,500.

How much you spend will depend largely on what boiler you choose to buy:

System boiler	£3,200
Traditional boiler	£2,800
Combi boiler	£3,150
Biomass boiler	£15,500

These prices exclude VAT.

Also, keep in mind that these prices look at straightforward, like-for-like installations in the same place as the previous boiler. Different kinds of installations will cost you a range of prices. Things like magnetic filters, in-line scale, condense pumps and smart thermostats can all increase the price.

Your pipes will need a Powerflush before your boiler can be installed. This is essential every ten years, and tends to cost between £500-900, depending on which company you hire and where you live in the UK. This price has been added to the above quotes (£650).

Tell us what you’re looking for, and get a free quote today.

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How much does a heating engineer charge to install a boiler? ↓

How much does a heating engineer charge to install a boiler?

 

On average, a heating engineer will charge a rate of between £60 and £180 an hour, though this will vary depending on who you hire, and where you live in the UK. 

It usually takes between half a day and a full day to install a boiler, averaging out to anywhere between £500 and £1,000 for an installation (not including the cost of your boiler). If you also need a Powerflush, then this will take an additional day. In some instances, an installation might cost upwards of £1,500, depending on the specific requirements of your installation.

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How much does a traditional boiler cost? ↓

How much does a traditional boiler cost?

 

The average cost of a new, conventional boiler is around £2,800, or anywhere between £2,100 and £3,600. How much you end up spending will be determined by the type of boiler you buy and the intricacies of the installation, as well as your location in the UK.

Traditional, or conventional boilers, get their name from being the oldest type of boiler still regularly sold in the UK.

They need both a cold water tank, normally stored in a basement or loft, as well as a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard. This means they take up lots of space. However, their water pressure is great, and they’re good at supplying hot water to your whole house at the same time.

They’re also compatible with energy-efficient options like solar thermal systems. However, they’re less efficient than other types of boilers if you don’t insulate the cylinder well.

Pros of a traditional boiler	Cons of a traditional boiler
If you already have a traditional boiler, replacing one is easy, requiring only a little pipework Hot water can run from multiple taps, quickly and with high water pressure Compatible with energy-efficient options  Good for houses that have low water pressure Easy to maintain	You will need to install an immersion heater if you want to make sure you’ll still have hot water if the boiler breaks down Take up lots of space More expensive to install  Hot water limited to the size of your cylinder

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How much does it cost to have a combi boiler installed? ↓

How much does it cost to have a combi boiler installed?

 

The average cost of a new combi boiler installation is between £2,850 and £3,500.

Combi boilers, short for combination boilers, are the most popular type of boilers sold in the UK. 

They control both the central heating, and the hot water in your home, by heating water directly from your mains rather than storing hot water inside a tank. This means that they’re fairly compact to install, and have no limit when it comes to how much hot water they can provide.

The other great thing about combi boilers is that they can help you reduce your carbon footprint. They have a high energy efficiency and are cost-effective because they only heat the water you need at any given point during the day.

However, the water pressure can weaken if you run more than one water source at the same time. If your combi boiler broke down, it would leave you without hot water, as it doesn’t have a backup source unless you also have an immersion heater installed.

Expect to pay more if you live in London or the South East.

Pros of a combi boiler	Cons of a combi boiler
Unlimited hot water Eco-friendly Cost-effective  Doesn’t take up a lot of space (can fit in a cupboard as it doesn’t require a cylinder) Easier and faster to install than conventional boilers	Water pressure weakens when multiple taps are run  No backup water source

There are several types of combi boilers for you to choose from, depending on what fuel you want to use. Combi boilers are compatible with gas, electricity, oil, and LPG.

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How much does it cost to have a biomass boiler installed? ↓

How much does it cost to have a biomass boiler installed?

 

Biomass boilers are also called wood boilers because they run by burning sustainably sourced wood pellets. They’re the most affordable way to generate heat, so they can save you money in the long run. They’re also carbon neutral, making them a great, eco-friendly heating solution.

They’re more expensive to fit, and also have additional costs, like wood delivery service fees. However, because biomass boilers are eco-friendly, the government offers money back through the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, to encourage homeowners to buy one, making fuel costs much lower.

This means that, although it costs more to install them, they do save money in the long run.

On average, a biomass boiler will cost you £15,500 to buy and install. That’s around £10,500 for the boiler itself (between £7,200 and £12,500), and around £3,000 to £5,000 for the installation.

Prices are also affected by whether you want a manually fed biomass boiler, or an automatically fed boiler. A small (15kW), manual fed log boiler could cost as little as £4,000 (materials only), whereas large (up to 1000kW) automatically fed pellet boilers can cost upwards of £25,000. Tell us what you need, and get a free quote today.

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Pros of a biomass boiler	Cons of a biomass boiler
Affordable wood pellet fuel (renewable heat incentive payments from government means you’re likely to get your money back in the long run) Carbon neutral, reducing your carbon footprint	More expensive to buy and install than most boilers  You need somewhere to store the wood, so take up a lot of space  Require an annual service to deliver fuel

A biomass boiler can increase the value of your home by over £11,000. 

Fuel costs roughly £100 per tonne for wood chips, £210 per tonne for wood pellets, and £99 per tonne for wood logs.

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What is the cheapest way to get a new boiler? ↓

What is the cheapest way to get a new boiler?

 

The below are some tips to help you save money on your new boiler installation:

1. Always ask for multiple quotes before you make a choice on what boiler you want to buy, and who you want installing it. It’s a good idea to have a sense of how much a new boiler could cost you (upper and lower ranges) so that you can feel confident that you’re getting your money’s worth.
2. Make sure you have a clear idea of what is included in your package – hidden extras can bring up prices, so make sure the quote you get includes the cost of the boiler, installation, and any add-ons you might want, such as a smart thermostat, old boiler removal, and a system filter and cleanse.
3. Know what size boiler you need for the size and number of inhabitants of your household. This will avoid you paying for energy that you’ll only end up wasting. The below guide should help give you a sense of what size boiler you should get.
4. Buy a trusted brand – a good quality, reliable boiler may cost you a bit more up front, but it will definitely save you money in the long term. You’re better off spending money on a good boiler rather than on boiler repairs every time yours breaks down. Look out for boilers that come with a long warranty – this is usually a good sign that a product is likely to last without problems. 
5. You don’t have to buy a boiler from your energy provider. They’re often more expensive, and you will be pressured into buying on the same day to avoid you shopping around for cheaper alternatives.

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Where is the best place to put a boiler? ↓

Where is the best place to put a boiler?

 

The most common places to put a boiler in your home include your kitchen, bathroom, an airing cupboard, your loft, a utility room, or a garage.

Your kitchen is a good place for a more compact boiler like a combi, whereas lofts, garages, and utility rooms are better for larger boilers, such as traditional boilers.

One thing to keep in mind is that boilers can be fairly noisy. Though more modern models are much quieter, you might want to avoid putting yours near a bedroom. If you’re thinking of putting your boiler in a bathroom, you will have to follow a number of regulations, due to a potential electrical-hazard. Boilers in bathrooms have to be inside a cupboard, and the system’s electrical spur has to be outside the bathroom.

If you want your boiler in your garage, it will keep it out of the way, but you will also have to protect it from frost with extra pipe insulation during the winter. 

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Boiler regulations ↓

Boiler regulations 

 

You will have to make sure your boiler complies with a number of regulations, in order to be sure your new system is safe and following the current law. This includes:

1. You must hire a Gas Safe registered engineer
2. Your boiler must be condensing, and must have an A rating (92% efficiency)
3. Gas boilers must be fitted with time and temperature controls 
4. Combi boilers have to have one of these: a smart thermostat, a Load Compensation device, a Weather Compensation device, a Flue Gas Recovery System
5. A discharge pipe has to be fitted to a suitable foul water drain, due to condensation build-up

For more information on regulations, take a look at the PlanningPortal building regulations webpage.

The tradesperson who comes to fit your new boiler will know all these things, so you don’t have to worry. You do have to make sure you hire the right person though. We recommend you ask for multiple quotes. Let us know what you’re looking for, and get some free quotes today.

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Conclusions 

A new boiler might seem like an expensive item to replace, but old boilers are nowhere near as efficient as more modern models. A new boiler can help you save money on your heating bills, lowering your carbon footprint in the process.

Which boiler you decide to go with will depend largely on what you already have, and what kind of boilers your home would be well suited for. How much warm water you need (and how much you run hot water from multiple taps at the same time) will also determine your choice of model.

If you think it’s time to upgrade your boiler, let us know what you have in mind, and get some free quotes today.

*The Rated People cost guides are produced in collaboration with the quote-building platform PriceBuilder, and a range of tradespeople across the 30+ trades on our platform were consulted. Please note that the prices included are for guidance only – how much you end up spending will depend on the specific requirements of your project.

The post How much does a new boiler cost in 2025? appeared first on Rated People Blog.

So, you’ve tidied the garden, decluttered the inside of your home and feel ready for the prying eyes of potential buyers… it’s time to put your home on the market! 

Or is it?

When the time comes to sell, sprucing up your home is essential but make sure you haven’t overlooked any big mistakes which will devalue your property; if you’re leaving jobs like damp or adding insulation to be tackled by buyers, they will take the cost of these renovations off any offer they make.

5 big mistakes which will bring down the value of your home:

 1. Structural and water damage

Cracked mortar, uneven flooring, damp patches and mold are all big red flags to anyone  viewing your home and will put them off. Make sure you tackle these problems, which can be easier to solve than you think, by getting professionals in to do the jobs before you list your property. 

Looking for a damp proofing specialist? Find vetted, professional tradespeople by posting your job on Rated People. 

2. Not taking energy efficiency seriously

With energy prices as high as they are right now, and growing awareness of the need to reduce our impact on the planet, buyers will not be interested in properties that do not have a good energy efficiency rating. They will be looking for sound insulation (walls, floors and loft) as well as good ventilation, a good boiler and high quality windows – double or triple glazed. Houses with their own means of producing energy, such as solar panels, are even more popular with buyers as at the end of the day these features will save them a lot of money on their bills.    

3. Smoking indoors

It sounds obvious, but the effects of smoking indoors – the lingering smell, the stains on walls and surfaces and the negative impact on air quality – are a big turn off for buyers. If your home does have signs of smoking you will need to get it professionally cleaned and consider redecorating with fresh paint to eliminate the effects of smoke damage.   

4. Ignoring traffic and noise pollution

While there isn’t much you can do to solve traffic build-up near your home, there are steps you can take to tackle the resultant unwanted noise pollution and poor air quality that will put buyers off your home. Make sure you have double or triple glazing on your windows and install an air purification system. It’s also worth checking that your gas boiler has had a recent service as old boilers can add to poor air quality. 

Looking for a heating engineer to check your boiler? Post your job on Rated People. 

5. Removing a chimney breast  

Removing a chimney breast, in search of more space, can devalue a property. Chimney breasts and fireplaces are seen as a desirable period feature, popular with buyers, and they may also have concerns if one has been removed as they are often an important part of the load-bearing capability within a structure. If you have removed a chimney breast make sure you have documentation to prove it was done professionally, in the correct way.   

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• Over 80% of new homes in England and Wales now have a top efficiency rating.
• The number of domestic Energy Performance Certificates lodged in England and Wales has also increased by 10%.

Energy efficient homes are now more common across the UK, as new government data reveals that 84% of new homes in England were given an A or B energy efficiency rating from October to December 2020. This is a 5% increase on the same period of time in 2019.

Similarly, 87% of new homes in Wales were given an A or B energy efficient rating from October to December 2020.

How do Energy Efficiency Ratings (EERs) work?

An energy efficiency rating measures how well a home uses energy. The ratings range from A: the most efficient, to G: the least efficient. The higher the rating, the less energy the home wastes. That means it should have cheaper energy bills and less of an environmental impact.

The average energy efficiency rating for a UK home is D.

EERs are shown on a colour coded scale, similarly to how they’re shown on energy labels for home appliances.

Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

The data also shows that from October to December 2020, 10% more EPCs were lodged in England, and 14% more in Wales, compared to the same period in 2019.

A domestic EPC:

• Estimates how much it costs to heat, light and provide hot water for a home.
• Recommends things you can do to reduce your energy bills.
• Shows the home’s energy efficiency rating.

When you’re comparing homes to buy or rent, you can see each home’s EPC for free on Gov.uk. Plus, the seller, landlord or letting agent must show you the EPC of a home you’re looking at.

How to make your home more energy efficient

Towards the end of 2020, the government launched a new digital service to help homeowners find an EPC assessor. An accredited EPC assessor will give you personalised advice on how to improve the energy performance of your home. You can access the service on Gov.uk.

Some of the best ways to reduce your energy bills and cut your carbon footprint include:

• Installing home improvements that reduce the amount of heat lost from your home. Your options range from cheaper fixes like draught proofing, to bigger projects such as insulating your walls and roof.
• Upgrading to a low-carbon heating system, like a heat pump, from a fossil fuel heating system (like a gas boiler).
• Generating electricity for your home using solar panels or wind turbines.

Check out more ideas to make your home energy efficient on our Homeowner Advice Centre. 

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Gas appliances are common features in our homes. And it’s not just about boilers, there are hobs, ovens, BBQs and fireplaces to think about too. But getting these appliances serviced, repaired or replaced often slips our minds. That’s where Gas Safety Week steps in, raising awareness that if an appliance develops a fault, there’s the risk of a gas leak, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning, and that’s why your annual gas safety check is so important.

Find a vetted gas/heating engineer to complete the job on Rated People.

Five simple steps to keeping your home safe and warm

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.  

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Here are five simple Gas Safety Week-recommended checks to keep you and your family safe.

1. Check your gas appliances every year

Register for an annual email or text reminder on StayGasSafe.co.uk. Then, you can connect with a vetted gas and heating engineer on Rated People to complete the job!

If you’re renting, then your landlord is legally responsible for arranging your annual check.

2. Remind your friends and relatives

Some people might be unaware of the risk or could be unable to arrange their own gas safety check.

3. Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered and qualified for the type of gas work that you need doing

Find out if a Rated People tradesperson is Gas Safe by checking the ‘Trade Certifications’ section of their profile. Plus, they should have a valid Gas Safe ID card that you can ask to see when they arrive to do the job.

On the back of their ID card, you’ll be able to see which type of gas work the tradesperson is qualified to do.

4. Check for warning signs

According to the Gas Safe Register, the top four signs that your gas appliances aren’t working safely are:

• A lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue one.
• Pilot lights regularly going out.
• Black marks on or around appliances.
• Increased condensation on windows.

If you’re renting, then your landlord must fix any unsafe gas appliances – it’s the law! So, let them know if you have concerns about any of the gas appliances in your home.

5. Install a carbon monoxide alarm

Get a carbon monoxide alarm installed. Check that it’s marked with EN50291 and displays the British Standards’ Kitemark. We’ve answered all your frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide detector here.

It’s also important that you know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, so that you can seek medical help immediately, if needed. The symptoms are headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Read more about how to deal with gas leaks on our Homeowner Advice Centre.

The best time to check your gas appliances

The 1^st October is the most popular day that UK homeowners turn their boilers on after summer – so gas and heating engineers will no doubt be booked up to fix or check gas boilers! Beat the rush and get your gas boiler service now to make sure you’re ready for autumn and winter.

Don’t be tempted to cut corners and do a DIY gas safety check – it could have serious health and safety consequences. Plus, it’s illegal for people that aren’t on the Gas Safe register to attempt to install or repair a gas appliance.

It’s also important to check that your vents or chimneys aren’t blocked to stop draughts coming in too, because gas appliances need ventilation to work safely.

Time for a new boiler?

Is your boiler efficient and could you save money on your energy bills? If you’re getting a new boiler, you’ll need a Gas Safe engineer to install it. They can also help you figure out which gas boiler is best to buy, the most efficient and where to buy one.

Gas safety advice for homeowners – from the professionals

Here are some thoughts from some of our Gas Safe registered engineers on the most important things that homeowners should know to make sure their property is gas safe.

“You should get your Gas Safety certificate every year for gas fires, boilers and all other gas appliances. Sometimes they’re neglected for so long they become dangerous.”

Robin @ RK Gas Safe

“Many homeowners don’t know that their boiler needs to be serviced every year for the manufacturer guarantee to stay valid.”

Keith @ K Marsh Plumbing & Heating Ltd

“Heating accounts for about 55% of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference.”

Tim @ TS Gas & Electric Ltd

“If you need a gas repair to be done, you should get it fixed correctly and safely by a professional Gas Safe engineer. Never attempt or risk a cheaper alternative or cut any corners.”

Dee @ EcoHome Boilers Ltd

“Having a carbon monoxide appliance alarm installed in your home is one of the most important ways to make it gas safe.”

Karina @ Fastfix Heating & Home Services Limited

Find out how one of our Rated People tradespeople, PGS Plumbing, make sure that they provide a quality gas service in our guide to hiring a Gas Safe engineer.

Booked your annual gas safety check? Find out what will happen during your service in our guide to gas safety checks and servicing.

If you’re still looking to hire a Gas Safe engineer to complete your annual check, we’ve got plenty available on Rated People – find a vetted gas and heating engineer near you.

The post Gas Safety Week: Be sure your home is protected appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Landlords across the UK take pride in providing their tenants with a safe and warm home to live in. Similarly, British business owners work hard to create an enjoyable environment for both their customers and their employees. Making sure that all gas appliances in your property or business premises are working safely plays a big part in achieving this. Plus, legally, landlords have to make sure their properties are gas safe and business owners have a similar responsibility to maintain all gas appliances being used.

Find a vetted gas/heating engineer to complete the job on Rated People.

To mark the tenth annual Gas Safety Week (14^th – 20^th September 2020), some of our Gas Safe registered engineers have given us their thoughts on the most important things that landlords and business owners should know to make sure their property is gas safe.

Gas safety advice for landlords and business owners – from the professionals

“You should get your Gas Safety certificate every year for gas fires, boilers and all other gas appliances. Sometimes they’re neglected for so long they become dangerous.”

Robin @ RK Gas Safe

“Many homeowners don’t know that their boiler needs to be serviced every year for the manufacturer guarantee to stay valid.”

Keith @ K Marsh Plumbing & Heating Ltd

“Heating accounts for about 55% of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference.”

Tim @ TS Gas & Electric Ltd

“If you need a gas repair to be done, you should get it fixed correctly and safely by a professional Gas Safe engineer. Never attempt or risk a cheaper alternative or cut any corners.”

Dee @ EcoHome Boilers Ltd

“Having a carbon monoxide appliance alarm installed in your home is one of the most important ways to make it gas safe.”

Karina @ Fastfix Heating & Home Services Limited

Landlords – your legal responsibilities

As a landlord, you’re legally responsible for the safety of all of your tenants whilst they’re in your property.

So, you must:

• Maintain and fix any issues with all gas pipework, appliances and flues provided for tenants.
• Organise an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer in each of your properties – your tenants could report you to HSE if you don’t!
• Provide a Gas Safety Record to new tenants before they move in and to existing tenants within 28 days of the annual check.
• Keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record until two following checks have been completed.
• Remove any unsafe gas equipment before re-letting. This includes any gas appliances left by previous tenants.

Find out what will happen during a gas service in your property in our guide to gas safety checks and servicing.

Business owners – your legal responsibilities

By law, the responsible person at any workplace (so, the employer) must make sure that any and all gas appliances, installation pipework and flues under their control are maintained. This reduces the risk of injury for employees and customers.

If this duty falls on you, then you must:

• Have all gas equipment installed, commissioned and maintained by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. You may have to provide evidence of ongoing maintenance to the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) during an inspection – so be sure to ask the engineer for the relevant paperwork! If you don’t, or if the EHO has any safety concerns about your business premises, then they could serve you a formal notice stating which actions you must take to comply with the law. 

• Make sure that the engineer is qualified to work on the specific gas equipment in your business. Not all Gas Safe engineers are able to work on an LPG cooker in a mobile catering vehicle, for example.

Four simple steps to becoming gas safe

1. Get your gas appliances checked at least once a year

Register for an annual email or text reminder on StayGasSafe.co.uk. Then, you can connect with a vetted gas and heating engineer on Rated People to complete the job!

2. Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered and qualified for the type of gas work that you need doing

Find out if a Rated People tradesperson is Gas Safe by checking the ‘Trade Certifications’ section of their profile. There’s also a list of the specific services that they offer in the ‘Services Available’ section.

Plus, the engineer should have a valid Gas Safe ID card that you can ask to see when they arrive to do the job. You’ll be able to see which type of gas work they’re qualified to do on the back of their ID card.

3. Check for warning signs

According to the Gas Safe Register, the top four signs that your gas appliances aren’t working safely are:

• A lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue one.
• Pilot lights regularly going out.
• Black marks on or around appliances.
• Increased condensation on windows.

It’s also important that you know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, so that you can seek medical help immediately, if needed. The symptoms are headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Read more about how to deal with gas leaks on our Homeowner Advice Centre.

4. Install a carbon monoxide alarm

Check that it’s marked with EN50291 and displays the British Standards’ Kitemark.

Find a Gas Safe registered gas and heating engineer

Don’t be tempted to cut corners and do a DIY gas safety check – it could have serious health and safety consequences. Plus, it’s illegal for people that aren’t on the Gas Safe register to attempt to install or repair a gas appliance.

Find out how one of our Rated People tradespeople, PGS Plumbing, make sure that they provide a quality gas service in our guide to hiring a Gas Safe engineer.

Looking to hire a Gas Safe engineer to complete the annual check and regular maintenance for your property or business premises? We’ve got plenty available on Rated People – find a vetted gas and heating engineer near you.

The post Gas Safety Week 2020: The legal obligations of landlords and business owners appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Better than a mince pie and more warming than a glass of mulled wine, a toasty, inviting house is the perfect way to greet your guests this winter. But too often pesky draughts, poor insulation and a constantly opening front door can make your home feel chilly. One way to keep it cosy all season long is by replacing your windows. That’s because windows are one of the largest areas of your home where heat escapes, losing up to 24%, according to MyGlazing.com. The reason could be worn seals, failed double-glazing or simply old windows.

Good reasons to replace your windows

Can you see condensation between panes of glass, spot cracks, chips or holes or feel a draught? Then your window is in need of some TLC. If it’s no longer under guarantee or can’t be easily repaired (e.g. a failed weather seal), replacing the window completely is the best solution. The main benefit will be substantially reduced heat loss, which will trim your energy bills. Discover how much upgrading your windows can help you save with MyGlazing.com’s Energy Savings Calculator.

New windows won’t just be more energy efficient. Many designs can help cut down noise from outside while specialist coatings or film reduce glare on days when the sun is low in the sky. All of which results in a comfier, quieter, warmer home. To find a design that best suits your home, talk to a window fitting expert about your options.

Image source: Evolutions Windows

Choosing the right windows

It’s worth getting to know some common terms before you buy.

1. Double-glazing

Double-glazing uses two panes of glass separated by a layer of trapped air to insulate more efficiently than a single pane of glass. If it’s finished with a reflective coating, it’ll be even more efficient, with a coating on the outside pane preventing the sun from overheating the room in the summer and an inside coating stopping infrared from leaving in the winter, keeping it warmer. There’s also the option of self-cleaning coatings on the exterior of your windows. These use sunlight and rain to keep the glass cleaner – great for awkwardly placed windows and busy lifestyles.

2. Triple-glazing

Triple-glazing is even more thermally efficient, at approx. 60% more than standard C-rated aluminium double-glazing and 40% more than an A-rated double-glazed window. This is because there are three panes for the heat to pass through before escaping outside and two layers of trapped air. The most energy efficient glass for triple glazing is called low emissivity (Low-E) glass, which lets light in but cuts down heat loss. The gap between the panes in efficient triple-glazing is also filled with an inert, non-toxic gas, which has a greater density than air, so this will further reduce heat loss.

3. Thermally broken

This term usually applies to aluminium windows. A barrier, which doesn’t conduct heat, separates the inner and outer frame of a window. This barrier material serves to stop heat conduction through the frame from your home to the outside and the cold moving in.

For all window types, check the window’s U value. The lower the number, the less heat will be transmitted through them and the better they’ll insulate your home.

Read more: how to choose new windows

Window configurations

There’s no need to buy like for like if you’re replacing so think about whether your current arrangement works as well as it could. For example, if you don’t use fanlight windows often, could they be swapped for one larger opener? Eliminating a fanlight’s extra frame allows more daylight into your home and may even prove more cost-effective. Similarly, aligning the openers on one side of your home makes the exterior of your home more balanced – great for boosting kerb appeal.

Image source: MyGlazing.com

Read more: replacing your windows

Adding extra style

The latest window colours and materials are ideal for adding personality to your home, with white UPVC being just one choice. As well as timber effects that are even more realistic, graphite grey is becoming increasingly popular for a sleek modern look, as well as a wide variety of other colours. Alternatively, the design of aluminium windows has evolved considerably in the last few years. Not only are they better insulated than ever before, they’re more suitable for sliding and folding glass doors as the frame won’t expand and contract as much as uPVC and timber. Aluminium’s also good for panoramic windows as it can support more weight. Low-maintenance and durable, slim aluminium frames also enable more light to flood into your home, which is a big plus during shorter days.

Image source: Reynaers at Home

For a window design that’s a little bit different, check out these round windows that look just as good on a house as on a boat.

The post Choosing new windows for a warmer home appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Everyday items are becoming more hi-tech but for a clever smart home, ditch the gimmicks and invest in improvements that’ll make a difference to your pocket as well as your lifestyle.

Build your own smart system

Smart thermostats allow you to turn your heating on and off remotely and set schedules using a smartphone. Several of them, such as Hive, Nest and Tado, learn your habits, know when you’re on your way home and switch the heating on for you or adjust to suit the weather. As well as being convenient, not heating your home when you don’t have to will save you money. You can control the temperature remotely if you’re running late and they’ll show you how much heating your home costs.

Image source: Hive

The Energy Saving Trust estimate that a family can save around £85 a year* for each degree the thermostat is turned down (if you’ve yet to get a smart thermostat, you can still turn your normal thermostat down a degree and pop on a jumper). If you’re not sure which thermostat will suit your current system, speak to a heating engineer for advice.

Several smart thermostats go one step further with other remotely controlled extras, so you can build a bespoke system. These include door and window sensors, plugs that can switch appliances on and off (great for anything from lamps to slow cookers) and lightbulbs that can be dimmed, change colour and be set to schedules. Switching off appliances and chargers and avoiding standby mode, together with switching off lights when you don’t need them also helps you save.

Find out how you can save more money on heating bills, including avoiding common home heating mistakes.

Save water and energy

There’s more to saving water at home than aerator taps and a WC cistern displacer – the latest smart products can help. Some will also save energy. For example, a digital shower allows you to control the flow and warmth of the water, so you won’t waste litres down the plughole while you’re waiting for it to warm up or adjusting the temperature. This Crosswater model can also be operated remotely and changes colour when it reaches the right temperature.

Image source: Crosswater

For the water you might not know you’re wasting, there’s Roost – a smart water and freeze detector that senses water leaks, humidity and freezing that sends alerts to your phone about potential problems, allowing you to catch them before a minor repair turns into a major one. Your local plumber will be able to help in either case.

Image source: Roost

Automate your appliances

An increasing amount of WiFi-enabled kitchen kit can be controlled by apps, such as Hoover’s Wizard appliance range. Beyond being able to check on dinner in the oven while you’re watching TV or being alerted that the fridge door is open, many appliances help you to be more energy efficient, offering usage reports or recommending settings. For example, Candy’s Smart Touch washing machine uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to send and receive data from a smart phone. Using the app, it’ll help you choose the most efficient or cost-effective setting, then tap your phone on the machine to connect and begin the cycle. You can also download new washing cycles and run diagnostic ‘health checks’ to make sure it’s working as it should.

Image source: Candy

Let there be light

Lighting accounts for about 18% of a typical household electricity bill so switching off lights will help you save. The latest LED bulbs use less but even leaving them on for hours more than you need can mount up over an average year. Standalone smart lightbulbs, and some light strips, are dimmable and can be controlled remotely by an app, so you can switch them on and off wherever you are and set schedules. Which is great for not coming home to a dark house or having to leave the lights on all day. Philips Hue and Lifx lights can also change colour. For a more affordable option, look out for Ikea’s new range of smart lighting launching later this year (April).

Image source: Lifx

*http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/energy-saving-quick-wins

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Many homeowners spent the 1980s boarding up their fireplaces, tearing out the original fittings and installing storage heaters or central heating systems. The next generation of homeowners then spent a small fortune on re-establishing fireplaces and searching salvage yards for original Victorian fireplaces and surrounds, so that they too could have the real fire they were seeing in home design magazines.

But the option to knock down walls or re-establish chimney breasts is not always practical or affordable for some people. This is where the new generation of electric fires comes in. More efficient and far more attractive than their predecessors, the new electric fires are slimline models that can be wall-mounted or inset into a current fireplace. Here are our tips and answers to the questions you may have about this new range of fires for your home.

How do they work?

Most of the new electric fires are really just an advanced fan heater with variable settings. The flame you see is usually simply a visual effect, which is shown via a screen that imitates that look of a standard open fire. You can control the fire image as well as the heat given out by using buttons on the fire or using a remote control, which is supplied with most fires. You can also leave the visual fire on without having the heat on, producing a homely feel and the look of a warm and cosy room even when you don’t require extra heat.

Are they difficult to install?

In most cases you can use these modern fires straight out of the box, as they plug into a normal plug socket. However, you may wish to get an installer to fit the fire to the wall or use an electrician to fit a plug socket in the recess, behind the fire itself. This means you won’t have to see the trailing wire, giving a neat finish.

What do they cost?

As with most technology, there is a large range of prices for an electric fireplace. Modern wall-mounted slimline fires cost from around £400 to £1,000. The power of the unit will also influence price. Many premium units have a 2KW maximum output, whereas cheaper ones tend to come in at 1.25KW to 1.5kW. Inset fires are usually a little cheaper.

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How to choose?

Brand, power and looks will all be a factor when you choose your fire. The modern wall-mounted fires are by far the most attractive and practical and can be a focal point of your living room. Many look very similar to a flat screen television and can be fit flush to the wall or protruding slightly (if you want to differentiate it from a wall-mounted flat screen). Brands such as Dimplex, Celsi or Flamerite are well-respected and reliable.

Are they expensive to run?

The good news is that modern electric fires are very efficient, so you will not be losing lots of heat via a chimney or flue as you may with a real or gas fire. A 2KW model will cost you around 30p-per-hour to run on full. Having the visual effects turned on can add around 4p-per-hour. A gas fire of the same power would cost around 20p-per-hour to run, although you would lose between 25% and 50% of this heat via the flue. Installation costs for gas units are also a lot more.

Need professional help to sort your electrics? Post a job to find a local electrician.

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A chill in the air can mean only one thing – winter’s on its way. As well as layering up with jumpers and choosing stodge over salads, this is a perfect time to make your home feel warmer and more welcoming, with smart interior design tricks and practical solutions.

1. Review your windows

A staggering 50% of domestic heat is lost through your windows, so if you only have time to change one thing, this is a good option. Start by looking for any draughts around your frame: placing a lit candle nearby is helpful to see if it flickers *. Then seal up any gaps with window tape. Or maybe find a window specialist in your area to do the job for you if you’re not very hands on. Next, look at your window treatment. Light voiles are lovely in summer but not good at keeping your home snug in the colder months, so think about swapping them for heavy curtains or insulating blinds, such as Duette, which can reduce heat loss by up to 46%.

Image source: Duette

2. Keep throws and blankets handy

It’s easy to reach straight for the thermostat if your home grows cold in the evening but a better plan is to make sure you always have something to hand to snuggle up under. Throws on sofas and chairs, or in a basket nearby, are an easy way to resist the temptation to turn your heating up a degree or two. Take inspiration from Neptune’s cosy home accessorising in the below image. Likewise, make sure you have a supply of blankets easily accessible in bedrooms. Don’t forget to pop them in the washer beforehand if they’ve been in storage for a few months, so they smell clean and fresh.

Image source: Neptune

3. Rev up your radiators

We’re so used to central heating working well that we may never think about giving it a helping hand or an overhaul. Basic but beneficial, think about adding reflectors behind your radiators to bounce heat back into the room. They’re inexpensive, easy to fit and effective, especially if your radiators are below windows.

Bleeding radiators should be done before winter hits but if you have persistent cold spots in the middle and bottom, they may need a bit more TLC. Over time, they can fill with sludge, which results in a colder home, higher bills and potential damage to your heating system, and will need to be flushed. A plumber or heating engineer should be able to power flush a whole central system in less than a day or radiators can be flushed individually.

Alternatively, if radiators are past their best, try getting an energy efficient radiator fitted that uses less water, such as this wood veneer-clad model from The Radiator Centre. Less water means it heats up faster.

Image source: The Radiator Centre

4. Change your colour scheme

Greys and blues might be on-trend but you can’t beat warmer colours for giving an overall sense of cosiness. Try adding a few pops of red, orange or mustard to your home or bring in some texture too, with tartans, checks and tweed. Scatter cushions are ideal for creating a temporary snug
scheme or choose larger pieces of furniture in key tones. Velvet is set to be a huge trend for the season, so think about reupholstering your sofa or a chair in a rich, tactile shade.

Image source: Sainsburys

[* Never leave lit candles unattended]

Looking for more tips? Check out our piece on creating a cosy home and learn how to reduce your winter heating bill.

The post 4 top tips to stay cosy at home this winter appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Gas is a dangerous substance, and whilst we couldn’t do without gas appliances like boilers, gas fires and cookers in our homes, all gas appliances should be carefully maintained to avoid them becoming hazardous.

According to the Gas Safe Register, 1 in 6 homes inspected by engineers contain unsafe gas appliances. Keeping up-to-date with the maintenance of your gas appliances is essential to the safety of your home and everyone living there.

When things go wrong, gas can leak out of appliances and cause fire, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid dangerous gas leaks, all gas appliances should be fitted, maintained and serviced by qualified and Gas Safe registered professionals only.

Top tips for a gas safe home

Whilst it’s important to have a professional tradesperson install and service your gas appliances, there are a number of checks you can make yourself and precautions you can take to make your home gas safe.

Know the warning signs of a problem

You and everyone else in your home should be aware of the warning signs that there may be a problem with a gas appliance. Identifying a problem early on can help to avert a disaster and may even be life-saving.

• Pilot light flame looks yellow rather than blue.
• Black soot marks on the appliance.
• Fumes or smoke coming from the appliance.
• Increased levels of condensation in the same room as the gas appliance.
• Pilot light frequently goes out.
• Appliance becomes unusually noisy.

Keep ventilation clear and unblocked

Ventilation for gas appliances can include chimney flues and air vents and bricks. Black soot marks appearing on an appliance can be a sign that the ventilation is blocked.

Properly fit a carbon monoxide detector

Carbon monoxide is a highly dangerous colourless and odourless gas, making it difficult to detect until it’s too late without a carbon monoxide detector. All homes containing gas appliances should have a detector, which can be bought from most DIY stores and are readily available to buy online. When choosing an alarm, make sure that it meets European safety standards.

Where to safely position your alarm

Your carbon monoxide alarm should be fitted in the same room as the gas appliance and located at least one metre away from it. The alarm should be positioned at head height and should not have anything obstructing it or be located near a source of ventilation or condensation (eg. a kettle).

Maintaining and testing the alarm

Your carbon monoxide alarm should have a ‘test’ button. Make sure that you make a habit of regularly testing your alarm to check that it is still working and the batteries do not need changing.

Don’t use any gas appliances if you’re not sure if they’re working properly

If there is any doubt in your mind about whether a gas appliance is working properly or not, then you should refrain from using it until it has been properly checked by a professional.

Have your gas appliances serviced by a registered professional annually

Every 12 months you should have your gas appliances safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure that they are operating efficiently and safely.

What to do if you smell gas

Smelling gas in your home can be alarming and should be dealt with immediately, so it’s important that everyone in your household is aware of the steps that should be taken in the event of a potential gas leak. Taking immediate action can help to avoid a potentially devastating situation.

1. Evacuate the property immediately.

2. Turn your gas supply off at the gas meter.

Make sure you and other householders are familiar with where your gas meter is and how to  switch the supply off (if you can).

3. Open all windows and doors

Disperse any gas that has collected in your home be letting fresh air flow through the property.

4. Avoid using anything electrical

Whilst you’re airing your house, avoid using light switches or any electrical appliances in your home as sparks could ignite the gas and cause a fire or explosion.

5. Call the National Gas Emergency number

The telephone number to call if you suspect a gas leak in your home is 0800 111 999. Make sure that you have the number saved in your phone or pinned up somewhere easy to locate in your home. If you’re calling on a mobile phone, make sure you go to a neighbour’s house or walk a safe distance from your home before using your phone, never use a mobile phone whilst still inside your house if you suspect a gas leak.

Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

If carbon monoxide is leaking out into your home this can be more difficult to detect as it is colourless and odourless. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm or your alarm is not working properly, and carbon monoxide starts leaking into your home then you may start to experience some physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms include:

• Headache
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Visual problems
• Drowsiness

Warning signs that there may be carbon monoxide leaking into the home are the same as the signs that there could be a problem with a gas appliance.

If you suspect that you or someone else may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning it is important to act fast to remove them from the property and get them outside in the fresh air before calling for medical help.

Getting your gas appliances checked or serviced

Safety check versus service – what’s the difference?

When having your gas appliances checked it’s important to understand the options available to you to ensure that you request the appropriate service from your engineer.

The first thing to work out is whether you require a safety check or service of one single appliance, a safety check for all appliances, or an entire installation.

The exact details of what is involved for each service will vary depending on the type and model of the appliance and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Generally, an appliance safety check will just ensure that the appliance is safe to use, whilst a service is more thorough and may include more specific checks as well as an inspection of the appliance’s condition and cleaning.

A full gas installation safety check should include inspection of all gas appliances as well as all accessible pipework.

Why are gas safety checks and services so important?

Most importantly, having your gas appliances safety checked annually will give you peace of mind that they are not putting you, your family, or your home in danger, and that they are safe to use. There are other benefits of regular safety checks and services as well though.

• Keeps appliances working efficiently.
• Catch any problems early on before they become more expensive to fix.
• Regular boiler servicing makes it less likely your boiler will pack in on you in the middle of winter.
• More efficient appliances mean money saved.

What happens during a service?

The exact details of what will happen during your gas service will vary depending on the appliance or installation being serviced. However, as a rough guide, most services will include the following:

• Check that the appliance is in full working order.
• Check that the appliance is operating safely.
• Inspection of the condition of the main components.
• Check the gas pressure.
• Check for corrosion or leaks.
• Cleaning of parts if needed.

As well as having your gas appliances serviced, it is advisable to have ventilation measures and flues cleaned and maintained on an annual basis.

Hiring a Gas Safe engineer

When dealing with a substance as dangerous as gas, you will want to ensure that any professionals fitting, maintaining, or servicing your appliances are experienced and qualified to do so to avoid problems going unnoticed or appliances being installed incorrectly.

Luckily, the Gas Safe Register makes it simple for everyone to gain access to a list of reputable, professional, and competent gas engineers in their local area.

All reputable gas engineers are listed on the Gas Safe register and carry a Gas Safe identification card, anyone working with gas appliances who is not registered with Gas Safe is breaking the law.

What is the Gas Safe Register?

The Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration and licensing body in the UK, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey. For anyone that remembers CORGI, the Gas Safe Register took over from CORGI in 2009.

You can rest assured that engineers listed on the Gas Safe Register have been required to provide evidence of their qualifications and experience to prove their technical competence. The work of registered engineers is also inspected regularly to ensure that they are meeting current standards and following best practice.

As well as coordinating and maintaining the Gas Safe Register and regulating the standard of work being carried out by registered engineers, Gas Safe also raise public awareness of gas safety and investigate illegal gas work that has been carried out.

Benefits of using a Gas Safe registered engineer?

When you hire an engineer from the Gas Safe Register you can do so with confidence that:

• They can legally and safely work with gas appliances.
• They are qualified and experienced.
• They are regularly inspected to ensure high standards of work.
• You will receive a full and thorough service or safety check.

What to look for when checking your gas engineer’s ID card

When the engineer arrives at your property, don’t be afraid to ask to see their Gas Safe ID card. The ID card carries useful information to help you check that the engineer is who they say they are and that they’re qualified to carry out the job you’ve hired them to do.

Here are a few things to check on their ID card:

• Name, photo and business they work for – are they the person you were expecting?
• Start and expiry date – this is important as Gas Safe membership needs to be renewed annually.
• Their licence number – you can check that the license number is valid on the Gas Safe website here.
• Security hologram – is it present and does it look genuine?
• Are they qualified to carry out the job? – on the back of the ID card it lists what type of work the engineer is qualified to do.
• Are their qualifications up to date?

Gas safety for landlords/tenants

In the case of rented properties, it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances in a rental property that belong to them are properly maintained and have annual safety checks from Gas Safe registered engineers.

Landlords are required to arrange annual gas safety checks under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and if they fail to do so they are breaking the law.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, landlords are required to keep a record of each gas safety check for 2 years and supply each tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the safety check being carried out.

You may sometimes hear a Gas Safety Certificate referred to as a CP12 certificate. CP12 is what the certificate was called back when CORGI regulated gas safety in the UK. The new Gas Safety Certificate is essentially the same thing under a new name.

Find a local Gas Safe engineer

Need help with a gas appliance in your home? Post your job on Rated People to receive quotes from up to four Gas Safe registered engineers local to you.

The post A guide to gas safety checks and servicing appeared first on Rated People Blog.

The biggest period property trend at this year’s Listed Property Show was tweed. It was a similar story for the properties themselves, with a focus on heritage building techniques and materials, the buzz word being breathability. This concept of breathability is backed up by Douglas Kent, from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, who likens new builds to raincoats that are non-porous and period properties to overcoats that allow a certain degree of moisture in that then evaporates out.

For the 5.5 million historic buildings in the UK, undoubtedly the biggest problem faced by their owners is condensation. Pre-1919 properties were designed to circulate air to ventilate the property, but the reality is that they were intended to be draughty. Chances are that if you don’t have a draughty period property you have a condensed one.

Tips for how to get rid of condensation

Condensation is a common problem in older buildings. It occurs when a property isn’t able to breathe – often caused by misplaced draft proof initiatives. Period homes weren’t built with damp-proof courses (DPC). Providing there is adequate ventilation, this doesn’t cause a problem in itself, but when a property isn’t properly ventilated cold-bridge condensation can occur at the bottom of external walls – often mistaken for rising damp.

Causes of condensation include uPVC windows that don’t have adequate ventilation, blocked up fireplaces, washing and drying clothes inside and a lack of extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens (period properties weren’t built with power showers in mind).

The key to a comfortable home is air circulation. Far from making the property colder, keeping air circulating will remove excess moisture from the air – reducing damp and condensation problems. Ventilation bricks and extractor fans are essential modern alterations required in historic buildings that are inhabited by 21st century occupants. The consequences of a lack of ventilation can cause costly damage to the structure of the property, with the first signs of damage being peeling wallpaper, failing plaster and rotting window frames.

If properly maintained, wooden window frames can last for centuries. Their design allows them to be taken apart and repairs made to any areas of rotten timber without the need to replace the entire unit. If neglected, especially in the case of sash windows that are designed with a gap around the frame to contain the mechanism, they will become increasingly draughty.

Preserving wooden frames means regular maintenance, replacing any damaged timber and repainting the frames every 5-8 years. Taking good care of the frame will limit draughts and modern draught-proofing window systems, such as Ventrolla, can fill the gaps around the frame and reduce draughts and energy wastage by up to 30%. Bear in mind that you don’t want your windows to be 100% draught proof, as you want to maintain a moderate level of air circulation.

In the case of many listed buildings, the original windows should be preserved where possible. If they do need to be replaced many planning officers will insist on replacing them with like-for-like windows and therefore double-glazing won’t be an option. Companies like Repair Care and Ventrolla specialise in renovating neglected windows. This is often a lot cheaper than replacing the entire unit which will cost around £1,500 per window.

If your local planning office will allow you to install double glazing, make sure the windows have vents fitted or you’ll risk condensation and all the damage that it entails.

Air bricks are there for a reason, don’t cover them up! If your fireplace has been blocked up, you need to make sure a ventilation grill has been installed. Modern appliances such as cookers and showers also require modern solutions to prevent a build up of condensation. The size and location of the room and the type of appliance will determine the spec of the extractor fan you require – make sure you consult a builder as the fan will need to comply with building regulations.

Other everyday (free) tips to reduce condensation include: refraining from air drying clothes inside, turning your thermostat down by 5 degrees to reduce the amount of water suspended in the air and leaving a window partly open.

If your period property requires maintenance, it’s extremely important to hire a tradesman who has experience working on period and/or listed properties. An experienced tradesman will be able to help you with the rules and regulations (red tape) that surround listed properties and make sure that yours is still standing in centuries to come. Post your job here to be put in touch with tradespeople in your local area. Be sure to check out their profile pages for examples of previous work and recommendations and ratings from previous customers.

The post How to get rid of condensation appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Home Solar panel systems (also known as photovoltaics or PV) harness the sun’s energy to produce electricity that can be used in your home. Despite their need for sunlight, they still work on cloudy days (albeit not as efficiently), which is good news for solar in the UK. Domestic solar systems have a life-span of 25-30 years and they cost between £5,500 and £10,000 to install, depending on the amount of solar panels your household requires. The good news is that sunlight is free!

The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp), the rate at which it generates energy when it’s at peak performance in direct sunlight on a sunny day. Generally the bigger systems are more cost effective than the smaller ones and can produce up to 4kWp. A system of this size will generate more than 3,500 kilowatt hours of electricity each year (that’s a lot of electricity), about the same amount that the average household uses each year – and can save nearly two tonnes of carbon each year.

There are obviously benefits of using solar to generate electricity to power our homes, but is solar really cost effective in the UK? Well yes, and no. If the government turned off the Feed-in tariffs (FIT) solar households would be in dire trouble. Without the government’s Feed-in tariffs, based on current electrical prices, a home solar panel system’s output wouldn’t come close to covering its cost over its 30 year life – a £10,000 solar system in the south of England will produce less than £8,000 worth of electricity across 30 years.

The Feed-in tariff takes any excess electricity produced in daylight hours (the panels don’t produce energy at night), and feeds it into the national grid to be used by homeowners. This tariff rewards solar households with three times the retail price of electricity (kerching). Great for those with solar but who pays for this subsidy? Of course it’s obvious, we do, the non-solar households subsidise the tariff.

Burning fossil fuels is bad for the environment, producing nasty toxic chemicals like carbon dioxide, yet solar is eco-friendly and doesn’t produce any nasties (other than from the process of making the panels). While the government continues to subsidise solar it remains cost effective but for many people the initial install price is too high to make this an affordable investment.

If the set up costs are beyond your budget, the Rent-a-roof scheme, also known as ‘free’ solar, is an option. A company will lease your roof for 20-25 years, they’ll install and maintain the home solar panels and in return you’ll use the energy that the panels produce, but the company leasing your roof will profit from any additional energy produced. These systems often benefit the company leasing the roof more than they do the homeowner. If you’re at home a lot during the day it might be worth considering the scheme – for the typical 9-5 worker bee though, perhaps not. You should also bear in mind that if you sell the property you’ll need to find a buyer who’s willing to continue with the lease agreement.

There is of course what we’re all thinking… they’re ugly. You may be pro-eco for all things sustainable that look great (green roofs, cork lamp shades and coir carpets), but when it comes to covering your property in metallic monstrosities even the most eco of us run a mile. Their one saving grace is that they are best suited to a south-facing roof and as most people want a south facing garden with the street view of a property being north facing, kerb appeal is preserved!

Solar doesn’t have to be unsightly however, but a good looking photovoltaic system is integrated into the property’s design. Eco doesn’t – and shouldn’t – have to sacrifice style.

Panels that sit on top of the roof are cheaper than ones that are built in, such as the tiled varieties, but let’s face it neither are a design statement that we’d like to make.

If you can incorporate enough panels into a new build property to make solar an effective energy source for your household, do it. It doesn’t have to look bad (but aesthetics come at a price).

The fact is, solar is a very expensive way of producing energy in the UK. Perhaps it’s time we considered a different type of renewable energy? We may not have much sunshine, but we certainly have a lot of wind…

The post The truth about solar panels appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Jeff Learman, director of communications at Gas Safety Register, observed many property owners are not deliberately avoiding annual checks. Instead, he added many of them are not aware there is a “legal requirement” on their part to do so, as a “level of ignorance” does exist.

“It’s important for the person that lives in that house to know their rights, to know how to turn off the gas supply,” Mr Learman observed. The specialist continued by saying that people living in rented accommodation should know how the process works.

Mr Learman recently stated complacency is a big issue within the sector, as over 50 per cent of those surveyed in the north-west of England admitted they do not get their equipment checked out every year.

The post Landlords – make sure your properties are ‘gas safe’ appeared first on Rated People Blog.

We can’t get enough of writing about heating solutions. Whether it’s how to build a sauna or that it’s time to check your boiler, we’re intent on beating the cold. Today we look at underfloor heating.

Water underfloor heating

An important aspect of water underfloor heating is that it has to be compatible to the boiler its connected to. The boiler must be able to handle the pressure and a professional should always execute the installation. Hiring a professional will make it more costly, however, water underfloor heating is more efficient than radiators, so the energy efficiency costs in the long run can save money. Although it sounds like good news, these savings,  according to the EST (Energy Saving Trust),  might only save £20 per year. More about underfloor heating cost and installation.

Electric underfloor heating

Even though electric underfloor heating can be fitted by a homeowner, it’s always advisable that an electrician is consulted.  The electrician will connect the system to a thermostat, from which, you’ll be able program the heating. For instance, you probably don’t want it turned on at night, but definitely in the morning. Electric underfloor heating is an expensive system (less costly to fit, but more costly to run) and if you’re installation area is very big it will certainly costs a penny or two.

Pros and cons of underfloor heating

Pros

Whether you invest in electric underfloor heating or water underfloor heating, both solutions deliver warm, toasty floors. The idea of not having to wake up early in the morning and put your feet on cold tiles is the biggest advantage of them all.

Unlike radiators, which push heat up to the ceiling, underfloor heating produces a controllable climate and makes sure the heat is evenly distributed. As long as the rest of the house is well insulated, it’s a great energy saving solution.

Again, in insulated houses, radiators can be removed, which will free up living space. Design sensitive homeowners can also rejoice that a room will look a lot better without unsightly radiators.

Underfloor heating doesn’t just work with stoned or tiled floors; wood, vinyl or even carpeted surfaces are also a possibility. Bear in mind that the carpeted surfaces, however, can be too thick, which means that the heat won’t rise as easily.

Something to note from an investment perspective is that installing underfloor heating might increase your property value.

Cons

Underfloor heating takes slower to heat up than regular radiators, and it takes longer to cool down too.

If you don’t want to rely solely on underfloor heating, you better keep your radiators. This means that it becomes expensive to run, as you’ll be paying for heating coming both from the floor and the radiators. Installation costs can be pricey too.

Be careful where you place your furniture when decorating, as underfloor heating shouldn’t be placed underneath fittings. Consider if this will be an obstacle when you furnish a room.

For water underfloor heating, there needs to be enough space under the floor to fit the heating system. If there isn’t, the floor will need re-modelling.

If you think underfloor heating is for you, post your job for free up to three local flooring specialists will get in touch and quote. Read their ratings and pick the right one for you. When you’re walking around without slippers on your toasty floor, don’t forget to rate your floor fitter

Related posts:

• The ins and outs of water based underfloor heating
• New ways to heat your home
• ThermaSkirt: an alternative to radiators and underfloor heating

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