Ask the experts

Ask the

EXPERTS

Our panel of those in the know answer your home improvement dilemmas

Dimplex Bayport log effect electric stove, £399, AO.com

QI am looking to buy an electric stove fire. Do you know if there are any that are silent? Caroline Morris, London

AWill Jones, Heating and Air Treatment expert at AO.com, says… Electric stove fires are significantly quieter than other types of traditional fires or fan heaters. However, most models when turned on to provide heat are not 100 per cent silent, generating a small amount of noise to produce the heat. This is minimal and wouldn’t cause disruption to the house. The majority of electric stove fires do, however, feature a ‘flame only’ setting, which gives the ambiance of a fire without any heat. This feature is silent and would be a great choice if you want the look and feel of a fire in your home but don’t want the heat or you need silence. Take a look at Dimplex’s Gosford or Bayport or the Warmlite Rochester log-effect electric stoves on AO.com, which all offer a flame effect without heat.

Sloan black flatweave rug, from £79.99 for a 66cm x 200cm runner, Rugs Direct

QI have laminate flooring and I’d like to get a rug to warm up the kitchen. What type is the most durable and easiest to keep clean? Jane Nash, Chichester

ANick Acaster, Managing Director of Rugs Direct and Stair Rods Direct, says… Generally, rugs that are suitable for indoor/outdoor and made with polypropylene are the best choice for kitchens, as they are the easiest to clean. Polypropylene is stain-resistant as well as strong and durable so it will withstand the wear and tear of kitchen life. Flatweave rugs are also a good choice as they tend to be colourfast so keep that ‘new’ look. Some of the smaller designs can go straight in the washing machine. A thick pile or shaggy rug is a definite ‘no’ in a kitchen – food will get trapped in the long fibres and they are hard to clean. It is worth considering an anti-slip rug or using an anti-slip mat as a rug underlay to avoid any accidents, especially on laminate, tiled or wooden flooring. Q I’m on a tight budget this winter and would love some energy efficiency tips and advice for saving money? Lena Nowak, Brentford

ABrian Horne, Senior Insight and Analytics Consultant at the Energy Saving Trust, advises… The first step to reduce energy usage is to take control of your heating, including setting controls to only heat the rooms you need, when you need them. Turning your thermostat down by one degree can typically save you around £55 a year, while installing and correctly using a programmable room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could save you £70 a year and reduce your carbon emissions by 305kg.

Your home may be losing heat through gaps around windows and doors, floorboards or through chimneys. Quick and cost-effective DIY solutions include fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes around doors and windows, and sealing gaps between floors and skirting boards. Such simple measures have a potential saving of £25 a year on bills.

Insulating any exposed hot water pipes and fitting an extra hot water cylinder jacket for about £15, can save £18 a year. The average UK household spends £35 each year powering appliances left on standby, so switch these off, too.

Snowy Day draught excluder, £29.99, Celina Digby