Posts Tagged ‘carbon foot print’

It Is A Snap To Lessen Your Carbon Foot Print With Sash Window Draught Proofing

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

If you live in an older house with sash windows it’s sort of a mixed blessing. The windows may be beautiful and since they have been around for decades (or centuries) they are no doubt steeped in tradition and character. But they are also old and have probably lost some of their efficiency and functionality. With new advancements, however, it’s become amazingly easy to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing.

You have probably seen advertisements from window replacement shops touting how great new window technology has become. Their position is that it is best to remove older sash windows and to replace them with new, ‘modern’ units. They offer double-paned, gas-filled vinyl (plastic) framed windows as the alternative.

The best advice regarding older windows is to repair whenever possible and to replace only if absolutely necessary. Old windows are almost always worth saving and, with proper restoration, can be made to look and operate as they were designed to. And new, modern windows do not really look good on an older house.

Your older windows were built to last as long as the house and the house has not fallen down yet, right? But if they are old they are also tired and worn and they need some attention to get back into form. Your windows may have never worked for you the way they were meant to work but they can with some proper maintenance.

Paint may need to be scraped and sash cords may need to be replaced. Counter weights may need balancing and pulleys may need servicing. But the most important thing to complete on older sash windows is draught proofing.

It is easy and cost-effective to reduce your carbon foot print with sash window draught proofing. Not only will a proper job stop the draughts but it will also minimize dust and noise. It will even help eliminate rattling of the panes. It will help the heat stay in during winter and stay out during summer. It’s a very sound strategy.

Sash window repairs London professionals provide make your older home more attractive. A sash window renovation is a good choice when upgrading your home or business structure.

Desiring Environmental Benefits Of The UK Govt Reducing VAT On All Insulation To 5%

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

As the report by the Industry Taskforce For Peak Oil and Energy Security has pronounced, within five years UK faces oil scarcity. But, the sluggish efforts of the Government reveal it is not ready for the prognosis. Our habit patterns need changing. The VAT reduction to 5 percent already available to professional installation; but, excluding nonprofessional installation should be changed. The environmental benefits of the UK government reducing VAT on all insullation work to five percent would benefit all excluded potential beneficiaries.

One group left out is the householder. Yet, under the credit crunch and falling market price of houses era we face, householders are likely to go the do it yourself route. Not surprising the Construction Products Association has seen the light and said it supports the extension of the reduced rate to those who decide to do renovations this way.

It has been noted that the market for thermal insulation has grown due to favourable regulation and rising energy prices. A reduced rate would enhance the appeal for this measure. A test mimicking the VAT exemption increased sales by 120 percent to reveal the potential of what is possible if this is done. This would lead to reduction in CO2 emissions.

The Construction Products Association is well aware that homeowners can install insulation without professional hires. But, the current Government tax policy seems to ignore this fact. Any further potential for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions should be entertained and supported as buildings are the largest energy-using segment in the region.

A study commissioned by EU has found that a reduced VAT rate on insulation products might not be passed through fully by installers to the consumers. Despite the rate cut for commercial installation, this is one reason it has been surmised why the uptake in the UK market has been low. This is because since the installer purchases the product on behalf of the residential customer, the reduced rate may not be clearly apparent to the end consumer. Of course, when the residential owner is the installer, this is not the case.

The experiment of the Isle of Man of a rate reduction, which led to increased revenue from taxation shows the economic gains that are a potential ignored by the UK government. The improvement in the stock of existing housing and a reduced push on development of green field location reveal the ancillary beneficial results. The UK government should learn from the example set by the Isle of Man Government. A change uncurrent Government policy would demonstrate the Government would like consumers to participate in doing what they can to aid the environment. It can also point out the economic gains to be had by taking this path to prod them in this direction. Meanwhile, the Government should keep in mind the message of that report about peak oil and how this rate reduction would encourage people towards changing their consumption habits.

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We Can Help To Save The Planet By Installing Double Glazing

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Installing double glazing in your own home or office can help you to reduce your carbon footprint. But what is a carbon footprint? Well, this is usually worked out by looking at how you live and how you spend your recreation. How many tonnes of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide do you use in a year? It might surprise you to learn that by simply installing double glazing in your home or office, you can dramatically cut down this footprint.

The quickest and easiest way to work out your own carbon footprint is to go online. Rather than sitting down with a piece of paper, there are many websites now which will calculate it for you by asking you some simple questions. Such as how many holidays you take each year, and questions about your home. This is your primary footprint.

Next, it asks questions about your indirect carbon usage. This is your secondary footprint and involves things such as where your produce comes from. Do you buy sugar produced in your own country or shipped in from far away for example?

Double glazing is an excellent way to trim down your carbon footprint. They act as insulators for your home. They trap air between two panes of glass - a sort of mini greenhouse effect, and keep your house warmer.

Adding double glazing to a property can have an immediate impact on the energy efficiency of the house. It can significantly reduce your monthly bills. It can also have an immediate impact on your carbon footprint by reducing it by up to 740kg a year as soon as you have it put in!

If we all decide to do this in our homes, then not only can we be a little richer, we can know that we are helping to save the planet too!

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Repairing Sash Windows Is More Friendly For The Environment Rather Than Installing New Ones

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Sash windows date back to the Victoria or Gregorian times and are still featured in many homes today. Because the original windows are made of softwood, they are likely to deteriorate over time and could warp or rot. You will need to consider the options to replace or repair your original windows and it is important to note that. Repairing Your Sash Windows Is Better For The Environment Than Replacing Them And Also Could Save You Some Money Too.

If you want to maintain the historical integrity of your home then you should consider repairing the windows and the new ones never carry the same look and feel and people will be able to tell that they are not the original windows. This could also affect the sales price of your property as many people will pay for original features.

Original sash windows will feature the additional top pane which opens separately to the two horizontal panes. This extra window increases the flow of air and can help you save on your air conditioning bill. Any new sash windows which you may purchase today will not come with this additional feature which not only takes away from the functionality of the window but from the original look and feel.

You may be experiencing higher energy bills in the colder months because of the deterioration of your old windows but this does not mean you have to replace them. By simply sealing them correctly and filling in any small holes in the wood you can increase their effectiveness.

Also remember that when you replace your windows, the old ones end up thrown on land fills which does not help the environment.

Most people think that replacing the windows will be better in the long run but it is wise to remember that quality is not the same as it used to be and most new windows need to be replaced every ten years or so. Think about the fact that your original windows have been serving the house well for a very long time and with some TLC they could give another few good years.

You will find that sash windows can be fixed rather then changing them and harming the environment. You can find companies that can get your sash window renovation London. You can get with sash window company London.

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