English Tourism Week to lead the recovery
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10 ultimate budget nursery buys you need that cost less than £25
Check out these budget nursery buys to help you save some money when it comes to decorating (or re-decorating) this all-important room. Whether your baby is on the way or you’re already getting good use out of their nursery, there’s bound to be one thing you’ve missed when it comes to decorating. Whether that be aesthetic or practical (or both).
We’ve made a list of the must-have buys for your nursery, all of which are budget-friendly and they’ll be sure to make for an easier life for you and your tiny human. Because let’s face it: baby stuff is expensive. From prams to cots, high chairs and the necessary car seat, there’s a lot to tick off your list before going into labour.
For those of us who are on a budget thanks to energy prices rising across the country, we’re here to tell you exactly what you should get with £25 to spend on your nursery. We’ve also got plenty of nursery ideas up our sleeve when it comes to putting these products to use and placing them in the right positions. One thing to remember: though affordable, these buys really will last your child for years to come.
10 stylish nursery essentials you absolutely need at home
Prices from low to high
1. Drawer Organisers 8 Pack: £3.50 at Dunelm
Use these clever drawer organisers to keep their clothes in check, and to ensure their drawers stay neat and tidy. An easy way to sort their short-sleeved sleepsuits and their long-sleeved ones. They should also help you squeeze more into their drawers, too.
2. Dunelm Set of 30 Plastic Coat Hangers: £12 at Dunelm
A cheap price to pay for a total of 30 hangers, use these in their wardrobe for everything from cute dresses to winter coats and their dressing gown. While they are basic, so long as they won’t be on show, you’re getting a bargain, plus they come in white or grey.
3. Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Advanced Nappy Bin: £13.99 at Amazon
The last thing you want is your lovely new nursery smelling of nappies, what a way to ruin an aesthetic! Enter this specially designed bin that will sit discreetly in a corner of your nursery (ideally right beside your changing table) to collect, bag and hold used nappies until it’s your bin collection day. The best part? It’s made to be more eco-friendly from sustainably sourced sugarcane and recyclable plastic.
4. BabyDam The Original Bathwater Barrier: £38.99 at Amazon
Let’s face it: baby bathtubs are not nice to look at, even worse they are so difficult to hide away when guests come over. The Baby Dam is popular for a range of reasons, but mostly because it fits a range of tub sizes, it rids the need for you to clean another tub, and also because you can slide it between a toilet and a sink after use, to hide it away, or in a cupboard with ease. It can also save you time – since you won’t have to run a full bath – and it will save you money on your water bills. It comes in three colours – grey, blue or pink – and you can position it anywhere in the bath you like, meaning you can use it as your child grows.
5. John Lewis & Partners Spot Changing Mat: £10 at John Lewis
Wedge changing mats are highly searched for online, mostly because they are safer than classic changing mats as they can prevent baby from falling – wherever you are changing them. This budget-friendly changing mat features a phthalate-free PVC cover that’s wipeable and it’s filled with foam to make it comfortable. You can easily move it from room to room with ease or slide it underneath furniture to store it away. With high walls to keep your baby in the middle of the mat, it’s a lot safer than other options we’ve seen – as well as cheaper.
6. uwows Premium Wood Baby Wardrobe Dividers: £12.97 at Amazon
These wardrobe dividers will make their clothing collection a lot tidier, and they ought to make an easy life for you. Naturally, you will end up with lots of different size clothing, so to ensure you don’t end up putting your newborn into a 12-month sleepsuit, this is a game-changer – especially when you’re sleep-deprived.
7. Baby Diaper Caddy Organiser: £12.99 at Amazon
A Mrs Hinch must-have, this diaper caddy is great for storing essentials, and it has handles for you to take it from one room to another with ease. It has a range of compartments to hold anything from nappies to muslins, baby wipes and more, and it can be tucked underneath furniture when not in use. It saves you rummaging through copious drawers to find what you need when they’re crying.
8. Tommee Tippee GroEgg2: £28.99 £16.99 at Amazon
This nursery must-have comes highly recommended by reviewers as it doubles as a night light doubles and a temperature checker, to let you know whether it’s hot, cold or just the perfect temperature in their nursery as they nap. It’s USB powered and compact enough to hide amongst a shelf, plus it’s colour-changing and you can adjust its brightness Parents comment that they can’t live without this handy device…
9. Vesta Baby Over the Door Hanging Organizer: £20.99 at Amazon
Need some extra storage space in your nursery? Hang this organizer over a door to make way for extra toys, clothes, nappies plus more. Boasting a gender-neutral grey star pattern, it’s anything but an eyesore, plus its pockets are see-through so that you can easily check what’s in there when you’re in a rush. For just over £20, this might revolutionise the way in which you use your nursery.
10. Dream Art Anywhere Portable Blackout Curtain: £23.99 at Amazon
For home or away, this portable blackout curtain will help keep the sunlight at bay when your baby naps in the day. Fit it to your window using suction cups and your little one should sleep for hours on end. Available in more colourways than black, this is a great alternative to fitting a blackout blind that you might only use for the first few months. It comes with a dust bag, too, so that you can take it abroad or to grandparents’ houses.
For more money-saving tips to help you tackle the rising costs of energy bills, we’ve got plenty of tips on how to save energy at home.
The post 10 ultimate budget nursery buys you need that cost less than £25 appeared first on Ideal Home.
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How much is a boiler service? And the five things that can affect the cost
Getting a boiler service is an essential home maintenance task. But how much is a boiler service and why is it so important to get one?
Having your boiler checked by a professional at least once a year is vital whether you’re experiencing problems with yours or not. Joanna Flowers, a British Gas service and repair engineer, tells us: ‘People often don’t give much thought to their boiler until something goes wrong with it. But getting your boiler serviced regularly can prevent problems from arising and help keep it running safely and effectively.’
During a boiler service, engineers will check that your boiler is both working efficiently – to ensure your home stays properly heated – and that there aren’t any potential issues which could cost you money or pose serious issues to your health. Ultimately, getting a boiler service isn’t a cost you can avoid. But how much will it set you back?
Image credit: Toasti
How much does a boiler service cost?
The cost of your boiler service will vary depending on a few different factors. Generally, however, a boiler service will cost on average between £50 and £100.
The price will change depending on the type of boiler you have. Matthew Jenkins, heating expert at MyJobQuote, says that a gas boiler, which is more common, will generally set you back around £50-£65. While an oil boiler – a less popular option – will be slightly pricer, at around £60-£85.
Combi boilers are also generally cheaper to service, as they tend to be less prone to issues and therefore, breakdowns. However, this price will increase a fair bit if any repairs are necessary, with most experts estimating that you could fork out up to £200 for any replacements of parts.
For the price, Louise Murton, Customer Service Director at Baxi Boilers, notes that ‘the service should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It should include a thorough safety check, inspection and testing of components, check for leaks and corrosion, and completion of the Benchmark service record.’
Why do I need to have a boiler service?
A boiler service might seem like just another tiresome item to tick off of the life-admin to-do list. But it’s important to schedule in, to avoid any safety or financial repercussions that could arise if you put it off. During a service, your engineer will check the general health of your boiler. They’ll ensure it’s working efficiently, and assess whether any parts need to be repaired or replaced.
Even if your boiler appears to be working fine, having a check-up from a Gas Safe registered engineer could help you to avoid bigger problems that could cost you more to fix later down the line.
Even more seriously, a service can help you spot early issues that could potentially affect the health of you and your family. ‘Without a service, faults may go unnoticed which could lead to preventable breakdowns which cost money,’ says Matthew Jenkins. ‘And, more seriously, those faults might cause carbon monoxide leaks, which can be fatal.’ If not serviced regularly, boilers are also at risk of packing in altogether – a situation which could leave you without hot water and/or heating.
An annual service can even help you cut down on your heating bills. ‘A well-maintained and regularly serviced boiler will work more efficiently’ says Louise Murton. ‘This means you are using less fuel and reducing your energy bills.’
Getting regular boiler services is also vital for ensuring you don’t invalidate your warranty, as many are only valid as long as you are having yearly checks.
Image credit: Baxi
What can impact a boiler service cost?
1. Your location
If you live in a more expensive area, expect to pay more for your boiler service due to the higher labour costs. For example, ‘If your property is located in London, then you can expect to pay around £10-£20 more for the cost of labour than in the North or rural countryside,’ says Matthew Jenkins.
2. The type of boiler
As mentioned, the type of boiler you have can affect the price you pay, with more common boilers costing less to service.
3. The time of year
In order to keep costs down, it’s best to get yours serviced in the summer. Why? Nick Paulson, heating expert at PlumbNation explains… ‘Engineers are often busiest during the winter due to boiler breakdowns, as people start using them more frequently when temperatures drop.’
By scheduling your boiler service to take place in summer, you’ll find that engineers are less in demand, which means they don’t command as high of a fee for a call-out. Getting your service done in summer also means it’ll be ready to go for winter, when you’ll inevitably use it more often.
4. How long you’ve had your boiler
If you’ve had your boiler for years, and/or it’s been a long while without a service, the cost of your service will likely rise, as there may be more repairs to do to get it running efficiently and safely again.
5. If you call out of hours
Calling an engineer out of hours in an emergency – if for example, your boiler has stopped working – will likely set you back more too. Generally, out of hours counts as weekends and nights.
Image credit: Worcester Bosch
How can I reduce the price of a boiler service?
A boiler service is one of those essential costs you can’t just skimp on. However, there are a few simple ways to shave precious pounds off of the yearly price.
1. Take out an annual service plan
Many gas/boiler companies offer an annual service plan that you pay for monthly, which can often work out cheaper in the long run if you have the recommended one service a year. ‘There are different plans on the market for different levels of cover, so make sure you do your research,’ says Vic Wheeler, Operations Director at Gregor Heating. ‘Lots of smaller companies offer good cover for a competitive price.’
Nick Paulson explains that a plan can really pay for itself if your older boiler needs repairs. ‘If your boiler is older than 10 years, it is usually better to take out an annual servicing contract, because it will be more prone to developing problems.’
2. See if any local tradespeople will do it cheaper
‘It is always a good idea to shop around and see if any local gas safety certified tradespeople will do the job cheaper,’ says Matthew Jenkins. Oftentimes they can perform the service at a lower rate than an engineer from your boiler company. But as mentioned, make sure that they are Gas Safe registered. You can check their credentials on the Gas Safe Register.
3. Check if the price is covered under warranty or insurance
If your boiler has been recently installed, the price of a service may be covered under your warranty. ‘If this is the case, get in touch with the manufacturer and they should be able to help,’ says Nick Paulson. You may also be able to shave off some of the cost if your home insurance covers boiler care. ‘If it does, then contact your insurance company and they will be able to send an engineer to come and fix it for you, covering the cost partly.’
4. Get a newer boiler installed
Knowing when to replace a boiler can be tricky. But even though it’s not a short term saving, installing a newer boiler now can save you a lot of money in the future. A new heating system is unlikely to need major repairs, whereas boilers that are over 10 years old tend to develop costly problems.
That’s why most boiler companies advise that you replace your boiler after 10-12 years.
Get a free quote for a new boiler
Ideal Home has partnered with boilerguide.co.uk to provide a free quote for your new boiler.
The post How much is a boiler service? And the five things that can affect the cost appeared first on Ideal Home.
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Types of glazing for your windows, explained: a complete guide
There’s more than just aesthetics to think about when choosing types of glazing for your home. With energy costs on the rise, thermal performance will be a key factor in your window decision, too. When it comes to replacement windows, there’s a lot to get your head around. So it’s worth getting familiar with the industry terminology around all the different glass specifications.
‘The older the glazing, the worse the thermal performance,’ says Dave Mechem, director of inspection and assessment at RISA, part of the Glazing & Glass Federation. ‘Up to 24% of heat energy can escape from old, draughty glazing.’
Inert gas fillings, solar control coatings and acoustic glass are all possibilities to boost your windows’ performance. Plus, if you have ambitious goals for your property’s thermal capabilities, it’s worth looking at the benefits of upgrading to triple glazing over double.
The types of glazing you choose impacts on how much heat is retained vs lost. ‘The energy rating of windows, from A to G, reflects this absorption of heat,’ says Neal Harper, managing director at Wolverhampton Glass. ‘The top rating is given to windows that absorb as much heat as they lose. This includes both double and triple glazed solutions.’
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by installing A-rated double-glazed windows in an entirely single-glazed detached house, you could save between £120 and £155 per year on utility bills.
What is window glazing?
Image credit: Future plc/Tim Young
Glazing is the glass component encased within the window frame. Multiple factors determine the thermal performance of your windows. This includes the quality of the installation and frame material (UPVC, timber, metal etc).
‘The type of glazing you choose can make a huge difference to the thermal performance of your property,’ says Matt Higgs, director at Kloeber. ‘Heat loss from inside to outside (measured in U-values) is a big consideration. As is the thickness of the glass and the width of the space between panes.’
What types of glazing are there?
Image credit: Future plc/Olly Gordon
When it comes to specification, remember that your chosen glazing will impact on other areas of performance. This includes the design, acoustics and overall light levels. Security and privacy are other key areas to consider when looking at types of glazing.
Insulating glass
This type of window reduces heat loss by comprising multiple panes of glass, sealed into one unit, with a gas filling in the middle. ‘A double pane insulated glass unit (IGU) is a system with two panes separated by a gas. A triple pane IGU contains three panes of glass,’ says Liam Hulme, managing director at Global Windows. Typically, argon or krypton are used between the panes of glass. Because of the dense qualities, they help reduce the rate of heat conductivity between the panes.
In today’s energy conscious climate, it’s rare to fit single glazing in any property. The exception, perhaps, is in historic homes where like-for-like period replacements are required by the conservation officer. Most new build homes come with double glazing as standard to ensure Building Regulations are met (in terms of heat loss). Mixing double and triple-glazing is another option if you have higher aspirations for your house’s energy performance. Consider installing triple-glazed units on the cooler, northern side of the house, and double-glazing on the warmer south side.
‘Changes to Building Regulations announced in 2021 have increased the performance required by new windows and doors. So check that the products you’re choosing comply with the new, stricter standards,’ says Edward Stobart, sales manager at IDSystems.
Solar reduction glass
Some types of glazing feature a special metal oxide coating to reduce the amount of heat entering the building. ‘The coating is invisible to the naked eye and prevents short wave radiation from the sun entering your home,’ says Shannon Normoyle, digital marketing executive at IQ Glass. This finish helps prevent overheating. It’s typically used on the south-facing side of properties that get the most sun.
‘There are a variety of specs for solar control coatings, with the most popular being 70/35. This means it lets through 70% of light whilst reducing the G factor (how much radiation can pass through the glass) to 35%,’ says Shannon Normoyle. Not only does this help with cooling costs during summer, but also allows occupants to install large areas of glazing without worrying about the possibility of overheating.
Noise reduction glass
Also known as acoustic glass, this type of glazing reduces the amount of noise that can enter your home from outside. This is great news if you live near a busy road or train line. ‘It works by preventing sound waves from travelling through the sealed unit, either by absorbing or reflecting them,’ says Edward Stobart from IDSystems.
If we take double glazed windows as an example; the two panes of glass will have slightly different thicknesses. There is also a sound laminate sound dampening core to help reduce noise transference.
Window safety glass
Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole
In areas where glass presents a potential hazard – for instance, structural roof glazing that’s installed overhead – safety glass is used. The glass is typically strengthened via a heat treatment process. This means it splits into tiny pieces when it breaks, rather than shattering into large and dangerous shards.
‘Another option is to use some sort of interlayer, such as a PVB (polyvinyl butyral). If the glass is broken the panes are held in place,’ says Shannon Normoyle.
Structured glass
Often used to create design wow-factor, large sheets of frameless glass take some of the weight of the surrounding structure. ‘Completely frameless sliding glass doors are one example,’ says Steve Rawding, sales and marketing director at SEH BAC. ‘Glass extensions are increasingly popular with homeowners as a way of increasing space and natural light without the frames and limited structural possibilities associated with a traditional conservatory.’
Other options include structural glass roofs, glass walls or streamlined picture windows. However, the design and engineering for structural glazing is typically quite complex, so it’s important to work with a specialist glazier who has plenty of experience working with this type of installation.
What is double glazing?
This type of insulating glass comprises two panes of glass, with a gap in between that forms a thermal barrier. The cavity between the glass can be filled with an inert gas (eg krypton, argon or xenon) to further boost your window’s thermal performance.
What is triple glazing?
While double-glazing works by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass, triple-glazing provides extra insulation by adding in a third sheet to form an additional thermal barrier. ‘There are many benefits to triple-glazing, such as better insulation, lower energy bills and a warmer home in winter,’ says Liam Hulme from Global Windows. Triple-glazing is most often specified in homes in particularly chilly or exposed locations, or as part of projects where energy-efficiency is a top priority (eg Passivhaus self builds).
What type of glazing is better? Double or triple?
Image credit: Future plc/Anna Stathaki
While triple-glazed windows will help save more energy, the initial outlay for supply and installation will be greater than for double-glazed windows. ‘It’s not always a case of the more panes of glass, the better,’ says Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin. ‘It would seem logical that triple-glazing would be the pinnacle choice for glazing doors and windows. In our experience demand for this solution is dropping.’ Unless you have specific energy goals for your home, high-quality double-glazing should hit your thermal performance objectives without any issues.
In some cases, it might be better to invest in types of glazing with a special coating. ‘When you’ve got special coated glass you can not only get the same level of insulation you would with a triple glazed unit, but you can get extra benefits. This includes enhanced security and improved noise reduction,’ says Steve Rawding from SEH BAC. ‘Smart low-e coatings provide a one-way door for trapping and holding energy and will stop 56% more internal heat escaping.’
The post Types of glazing for your windows, explained: a complete guide appeared first on Ideal Home.
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