30/03/2012 New planning rules

After arguments about the effect on the countryside, guidelines for new planning rules have been amended.

Minister say that a key part of the planning decision should be a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”.

The new framework includes encouraging development on Brownfield sites and ‘five guiding principles’ of sustainable living: living within the planet’s means, ensuring a healthy and strong society, achieving a sustainable economy, using sound science responsibly and promoting good governance. The new framework also protects back gardens and playing fields.

Hilary Benn, shadow communities secretary, says the planning system should produce homes and jobs as well as protecting green spaces, but may end up neither.

"Far from giving us certainty, there is likely to be delay as developments are held up by appeals and by the courts having to rule on a new and untested approach," Mr Benn said, adding that this would lead to "uncertainty and chaos".

I guess we will have to see how it works!

22/03/2012 Why you shouldn't ventilate your home by opening a window

Now spring has finally sprung the weather is sunnier, brighter and most importantly warmer, it's tempting for many of us to ventilate our homes by opening the window!

Although it's true that open windows do let in fresh air, not only does this compromise your home's security and possibly invalidate your household insurance, it isn't that effective. With no filtration system at work, pollens and allergens enter the property and are likely to cause problems for allergy sufferers. What's more, because fresh, air isn't properly circulated, condensation from wet rooms is likely to remain a problem and pose a serious risk to fixtures and fittings. Increased noise pollution is another drawback of trying to ventilate, your property with an open window. In terms of financial and environmental costs, leaving windows open is highly inefficient, wastes heat and dramatically increases your household's energy consumption, carbon footprint and monthly utility bills.

The best way to make sure your home is adequately ventilated is by fitting a Heat Recovery Ventilation System. Not only are they energy efficient and highly reliable, they are also surprisingly affordable in both the short and long-term.

16/03/2012 It's the start of hayfever season again!

Did you know experts can now predict the start of the hayfever season? This year they predicted it to start yesterday, 15th March 2012, in the South of England slowly moving Northwards, this is earlier than usual. The reason, according to Professor Jean Emberlin of Allergy UK, is that the amount of birch pollen has probably tripled due to the mild winter followed by the cold spell. There are of course different kinds of hayfever depending on what type of pollen you are allergic to.

Would you have ever thought that the ventilation system in your home could help ease your symptoms? It's true, a heat recovery ventilation system filters these seasonal pollens and particles from the incoming air, resulting in you being able to breath easy in the comfort of your own home! Read about how we helped one homeowner tackle his allergies and how we could help you.

09/03/2012 The increased popularity of Heat Recovery

The popularity of Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems is increasing with the end user. This has been influenced by the rising energy prices and increased legislation, including the need to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes. Heat Recovery is easy to implement and the result are instant.

It is now the responsibility of the installer of the heat recovery unit to ensure the end user knows how to use their system and understands how it works. Legislation have tightened up due to the complexity of the units.

Read this H&V special report in full.