athome
issue 1: winter 2006
Safety in the home:
Carbon Monoxide: the invisible killer Problems solved:
Your 4 step guide to beating condensation
SIGN UP TO CLIMATE BALANCE AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE Every time we use the washing machine, switch on the lights or cook a meal we’re affecting the planet. That’s because the majority of the energy we use is produced in a way that releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which is believed to be one of the main contributors to climate change. Sign up to Climate Balance and you can help invest in a range of sustainable projects designed to reduce the impact of the carbon emissions associated with your gas and electricity usage. The more of us who sign up, the greater the effect we can have on reducing one of the most serious threats facing our planet. Climate Change.
ORE TO FIND OUT M TO ON K IC CL JUST alance8 eb at lim edfenergy.com/c
Home improvement:
Flawless floors The way to health and happiness is right under your feet
ch PLUS: how mu ng ensi could a cond u? boiler save yo
Welcome to
athome
YOUR tipS
Flawless floors: page 8
I’m pleased to wish you a warm welcome to the first issue of At Home, the new magazine that’s designed to help your home look and feel better. As you might expect, there are articles here about how you can control your energy bills and run your home efficiently, but there’s a lot more as well. We’ve got important information about keeping your space as safe and healthy as possible, including combating condensation and EDF Energy’s half-price Carbon Monoxide Detector offer, and there are lots of ideas for improving the way your home looks. Finally, we’ve included some interesting facts you may not know about the far-flung, and sometimes strange, places that the UK’s energy comes from. Some of them may surprise you. We really hope that you enjoy this issue and that you find it both interesting and useful. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions for stories you would like to see. You can email me at editor@edfenergy.com Enjoy your magazine.
Jo Steven Director of Marketing, Customers Branch
We’ve talked to people like you about their ideas for making a home run better, and we’d love to hear from you if you have any tips or suggestions. Email us your ideas for improving a home at editor@ edfenergy.com
contents 02 energy matters
15 How it works
04 home truths
16 The simple things
06 Safety briefing
17 checklist
News from EDF Energy Beating condensation Carbon Monoxide 08 feature
Flawless floors
Energy efficient boilers Preheating the oven
Every suggestion we print will earn a £50 book token, so make sure you include your contact details.
What you can do next Going Carbon Neutral: page 14
Want to take control of how your home feels? Start looking under your feet.
12 Feature
Where does the UK’s energy come from? Many different countries, and some unexpected technologies, help to power the UK.
14 feature
Going Carbon Neutral
How cutting the carbs can help fight climate change.
this magazine, e advice you need in if you can’t find th 89* 51 1 gy on 0808 10 try calling edf ener 6pm Saturday. Monday to Friday, 8am ramme. *Lines open 8am - 8pm of our customer care prog part as d itore mon and Calls may be recorded
OUR EXPERTS Thanks to Patrick Bankhead of Patrick Bankhead Design, James Nelmes of Bennetts Associates and Liz Wilson of Van Heyningen and Hayward, our resident panel of architects.
Welcome to
athome
YOUR tipS
Flawless floors: page 8
I’m pleased to wish you a warm welcome to the first issue of At Home, the new magazine that’s designed to help your home look and feel better. As you might expect, there are articles here about how you can control your energy bills and run your home efficiently, but there’s a lot more as well. We’ve got important information about keeping your space as safe and healthy as possible, including combating condensation and EDF Energy’s half-price Carbon Monoxide Detector offer, and there are lots of ideas for improving the way your home looks. Finally, we’ve included some interesting facts you may not know about the far-flung, and sometimes strange, places that the UK’s energy comes from. Some of them may surprise you. We really hope that you enjoy this issue and that you find it both interesting and useful. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions for stories you would like to see. You can email me at editor@edfenergy.com Enjoy your magazine.
Jo Steven Director of Marketing, Customers Branch
We’ve talked to people like you about their ideas for making a home run better, and we’d love to hear from you if you have any tips or suggestions. Email us your ideas for improving a home at editor@ edfenergy.com
contents 02 energy matters
15 How it works
04 home truths
16 The simple things
06 Safety briefing
17 checklist
News from EDF Energy Beating condensation Carbon Monoxide 08 feature
Flawless floors
Energy efficient boilers Preheating the oven
Every suggestion we print will earn a £50 book token, so make sure you include your contact details.
What you can do next Going Carbon Neutral: page 14
Want to take control of how your home feels? Start looking under your feet.
12 Feature
Where does the UK’s energy come from? Many different countries, and some unexpected technologies, help to power the UK.
14 feature
Going Carbon Neutral
How cutting the carbs can help fight climate change.
this magazine, e advice you need in if you can’t find th 89* 51 1 gy on 0808 10 try calling edf ener 6pm Saturday. Monday to Friday, 8am ramme. *Lines open 8am - 8pm of our customer care prog part as d itore mon and Calls may be recorded
OUR EXPERTS Thanks to Patrick Bankhead of Patrick Bankhead Design, James Nelmes of Bennetts Associates and Liz Wilson of Van Heyningen and Hayward, our resident panel of architects.
news
Energy
Reach out
matters
The latest news and money saving ideas from EDF Energy.
Lock up your
energy bills With worldwide energy prices remaining volatile, it pays to protect yourself from the possibility of rising energy bills in the future. EDF Energy’s Fixed Price 2010 Tariff is designed to do just that. If you sign up before 31 March 2007, you can guarantee that your gas and electricity prices will stay the same until 31 July 2010, no matter what happens to the energy market. Fixing your prices costs from as little as £1.10 a month extra for electricity, and from as little as £2.86 a month extra for gas compared with our standard tariffs. And there are no cancellation charges if you decide later that you don’t need the protection. Participation in the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme is subject to you transferring to, and remaining on, the EDF Energy Fixed Price 2010 Tariff and is strictly subject to the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme Rules. Please see www.edfenergy.com for full details.
8 101 5189* or It’s free to sign up. Call 080 com/fixedprice gy. log on to ww w.edfener , 8am - 6pm Saturday. *Lines open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday mme. as part of our customer care progra Calls may be recorded and monitored
at home winter 2006
Energy fact:
Dual Fuel by Direct Debit could save you up to £50 If you buy both gas and electricity from EDF Energy, you could qualify for a discount of up to £25.20 per year. If you choose to pay for your Dual Fuel by Direct Debit you could save up to a further £25.20, which means you could save up to £50 in total. Quoted savings based on a customer switching from EDF Energy’s standard Credit general purpose tariff to EDF Energy’s standard Direct Debit general purpose tariff and assume customer has not chosen to collect Nectar points for paying by Direct Debit. Some products (i.e. certain online tariffs) are not eligible for Direct Debit or Dual Fuel discounts. For details of charges applicable to other products please call 0808 101 5189*. Calls may be monitored and recorded as part of our customer care programme.
to older neighbours this winter Gloria Hunniford has joined EDF Energy’s campaign to raise awareness of the risks to elderly people during the winter months. The TV presenter is working alongside EDF Energy’s ‘Safe, Warm and Well’ scheme to draw attention to older people who find themselves isolated during cold weather, and who may face problems keeping their homes safe and warm. According to the General Household Survey, 250,000 older people in the UK never see friends or relatives, whilst National Statistics show that almost 750,000 over-70s never go out alone, even during the day. If you have an elderly neighbour, see if you can spare a few minutes during your week to check that they are okay. Just seeing a friendly face on a regular basis can play a big role in countering the threat of isolation and depression.
Take control with Read. Reduce. Reward A couple of minutes staring at your meter every three months could turn out to be a very rewarding way to spend time. Under EDF Energy’s ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’ Scheme, you can earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year for entering your gas and electricity meter readings online. Reading your own meter helps ensure you pay for the exact amount of energy you use, and people who read their own meter tend to be more successful at controlling their bills. If you do reduce your energy usage from one year to the next, we will reward you with even more Nectar points.
To register, log on to www.edfenergy.com/ readreducereward
how much the Energy Saving Trust estimates can be saved in The big That’s energy bills every year by insulating a gas-heated, three-bedroom, home, with no existing insulation. With an energy number: semi-detached efficiency grant from EDF Energy, you could have your loft or walls
£380
insulated for as little as £255, which means the work pays for itself in energy savings during the first year. Installing insulation will only take a few hours, but you’ll feel the benefits for years to come. Please see www.edfenergy.com for more information.
And if you plan to sell your home… To arrange your insulation, and to find out if you could save even more through extra government grants, call 0800 085 1439** **Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme .
Home Information Packs, due for introduction next year, will rate the energy efficiency of your home. Investing in insulation could improve your property’s value.
at home winter 2006
news
Energy
Reach out
matters
The latest news and money saving ideas from EDF Energy.
Lock up your
energy bills With worldwide energy prices remaining volatile, it pays to protect yourself from the possibility of rising energy bills in the future. EDF Energy’s Fixed Price 2010 Tariff is designed to do just that. If you sign up before 31 March 2007, you can guarantee that your gas and electricity prices will stay the same until 31 July 2010, no matter what happens to the energy market. Fixing your prices costs from as little as £1.10 a month extra for electricity, and from as little as £2.86 a month extra for gas compared with our standard tariffs. And there are no cancellation charges if you decide later that you don’t need the protection. Participation in the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme is subject to you transferring to, and remaining on, the EDF Energy Fixed Price 2010 Tariff and is strictly subject to the Fixed Price 2010 Scheme Rules. Please see www.edfenergy.com for full details.
8 101 5189* or It’s free to sign up. Call 080 com/fixedprice gy. log on to ww w.edfener , 8am - 6pm Saturday. *Lines open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday mme. as part of our customer care progra Calls may be recorded and monitored
at home winter 2006
Energy fact:
Dual Fuel by Direct Debit could save you up to £50 If you buy both gas and electricity from EDF Energy, you could qualify for a discount of up to £25.20 per year. If you choose to pay for your Dual Fuel by Direct Debit you could save up to a further £25.20, which means you could save up to £50 in total. Quoted savings based on a customer switching from EDF Energy’s standard Credit general purpose tariff to EDF Energy’s standard Direct Debit general purpose tariff and assume customer has not chosen to collect Nectar points for paying by Direct Debit. Some products (i.e. certain online tariffs) are not eligible for Direct Debit or Dual Fuel discounts. For details of charges applicable to other products please call 0808 101 5189*. Calls may be monitored and recorded as part of our customer care programme.
to older neighbours this winter Gloria Hunniford has joined EDF Energy’s campaign to raise awareness of the risks to elderly people during the winter months. The TV presenter is working alongside EDF Energy’s ‘Safe, Warm and Well’ scheme to draw attention to older people who find themselves isolated during cold weather, and who may face problems keeping their homes safe and warm. According to the General Household Survey, 250,000 older people in the UK never see friends or relatives, whilst National Statistics show that almost 750,000 over-70s never go out alone, even during the day. If you have an elderly neighbour, see if you can spare a few minutes during your week to check that they are okay. Just seeing a friendly face on a regular basis can play a big role in countering the threat of isolation and depression.
Take control with Read. Reduce. Reward A couple of minutes staring at your meter every three months could turn out to be a very rewarding way to spend time. Under EDF Energy’s ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’ Scheme, you can earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year for entering your gas and electricity meter readings online. Reading your own meter helps ensure you pay for the exact amount of energy you use, and people who read their own meter tend to be more successful at controlling their bills. If you do reduce your energy usage from one year to the next, we will reward you with even more Nectar points.
To register, log on to www.edfenergy.com/ readreducereward
how much the Energy Saving Trust estimates can be saved in The big That’s energy bills every year by insulating a gas-heated, three-bedroom, home, with no existing insulation. With an energy number: semi-detached efficiency grant from EDF Energy, you could have your loft or walls
£380
insulated for as little as £255, which means the work pays for itself in energy savings during the first year. Installing insulation will only take a few hours, but you’ll feel the benefits for years to come. Please see www.edfenergy.com for more information.
And if you plan to sell your home… To arrange your insulation, and to find out if you could save even more through extra government grants, call 0800 085 1439** **Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme .
Home Information Packs, due for introduction next year, will rate the energy efficiency of your home. Investing in insulation could improve your property’s value.
at home winter 2006
home truths
How to beat
your condensation battle plan: a four step guide
condensation
Reduce the moisture you produce
Moisture and damp have been troubling homeowners for centuries, causing damage, frustration and ill-health. Fortunately, we’ve developed some very effective ways of winning the battle.
Where possible dry clothes outdoors or in a cool area of the home. Don’t be tempted to put them on radiators. If you do have to dry clothes indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated. Use extractor fans to remove moisture from kitchens and bathrooms. A dehumidifier is another effective option.
A
at home winter 2006
Improve ventilation Cross-ventilate your home by opening a small window upstairs and another downstairs, on the opposite side of the house. If you live in a flat, choose windows that are diagonally opposite. Open interior doors at the same time, to allow drier air to circulate. Doing this for half an hour every morning reduces overnight condensation.
Insulate your home properly Reducing the amount of cold surfaces in your home is one of the most effective ways of keeping condensation at bay. Insulate lofts and cavity walls and fit double glazing if possible. Insulating your home properly can cut your energy bills too.
by everything from boiling a kettle to breathing, condensation can never be entirely eradicated; the good news is that it can be beaten into retreat time and time again. Bathrooms and kitchens will always release moisture to travel around the home and condense on cooler surfaces. It’s the way you run your home that decides whether you or this moisture gets the upper hand. n
“The flat I shared with my family seemed to be permanently damp and I knew it was affecting our health. It was difficult to insulate the building because we didn’t own it, we had few windows and we had no option but to dry clothes inside. Eventually I bought a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of wet air that we were producing and it made a spectacular difference. I’d recommend one to anybody.” Marc Backwell Croydon
Maintain a consistent temperature illustrations: aman khanna
S EVERY GOOD Geography student knows, condensation naturally occurs when warm air carrying moisture comes into contact with something colder and deposits its load as water. We’re used to seeing this on diagrams of the water cycle, showing seas, clouds and mountains. The trouble is that such a water cycle can just as easily form within your own home, in fact it often does. For centuries architects and builders have been battling the threat of condensation, and with good reason. The resulting damp can damage walls and floors, and create misery and ill health for homeowners. It’s been happening since the early Middle Ages (and most likely even earlier), when entire homes had to be regularly replaced due to rotting timbers. Many homes built since the 1930s benefit from modern construction techniques that are designed to reduce condensation. In older, or poorly constructed buildings, the warm, wet air leaving a home passes through walls until the masonry becomes cold enough for it to condense, forming a ‘dew point’. If this dew point is too close to the inside wall of the building, then condensation will form within the wall and seep into rooms and window frames. Modern buildings use a ‘vapour barrier’ within the walls to prevent this happening. However, since moisture is produced
YOUR tipS
Heating one room to a high level and leaving others cold actually increases the likelihood of condensation forming. It is far better to have low to medium heat throughout the house than for some rooms to be significantly warmer than others.
at home winter 2006
home truths
How to beat
your condensation battle plan: a four step guide
condensation
Reduce the moisture you produce
Moisture and damp have been troubling homeowners for centuries, causing damage, frustration and ill-health. Fortunately, we’ve developed some very effective ways of winning the battle.
Where possible dry clothes outdoors or in a cool area of the home. Don’t be tempted to put them on radiators. If you do have to dry clothes indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated. Use extractor fans to remove moisture from kitchens and bathrooms. A dehumidifier is another effective option.
A
at home winter 2006
Improve ventilation Cross-ventilate your home by opening a small window upstairs and another downstairs, on the opposite side of the house. If you live in a flat, choose windows that are diagonally opposite. Open interior doors at the same time, to allow drier air to circulate. Doing this for half an hour every morning reduces overnight condensation.
Insulate your home properly Reducing the amount of cold surfaces in your home is one of the most effective ways of keeping condensation at bay. Insulate lofts and cavity walls and fit double glazing if possible. Insulating your home properly can cut your energy bills too.
by everything from boiling a kettle to breathing, condensation can never be entirely eradicated; the good news is that it can be beaten into retreat time and time again. Bathrooms and kitchens will always release moisture to travel around the home and condense on cooler surfaces. It’s the way you run your home that decides whether you or this moisture gets the upper hand. n
“The flat I shared with my family seemed to be permanently damp and I knew it was affecting our health. It was difficult to insulate the building because we didn’t own it, we had few windows and we had no option but to dry clothes inside. Eventually I bought a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of wet air that we were producing and it made a spectacular difference. I’d recommend one to anybody.” Marc Backwell Croydon
Maintain a consistent temperature illustrations: aman khanna
S EVERY GOOD Geography student knows, condensation naturally occurs when warm air carrying moisture comes into contact with something colder and deposits its load as water. We’re used to seeing this on diagrams of the water cycle, showing seas, clouds and mountains. The trouble is that such a water cycle can just as easily form within your own home, in fact it often does. For centuries architects and builders have been battling the threat of condensation, and with good reason. The resulting damp can damage walls and floors, and create misery and ill health for homeowners. It’s been happening since the early Middle Ages (and most likely even earlier), when entire homes had to be regularly replaced due to rotting timbers. Many homes built since the 1930s benefit from modern construction techniques that are designed to reduce condensation. In older, or poorly constructed buildings, the warm, wet air leaving a home passes through walls until the masonry becomes cold enough for it to condense, forming a ‘dew point’. If this dew point is too close to the inside wall of the building, then condensation will form within the wall and seep into rooms and window frames. Modern buildings use a ‘vapour barrier’ within the walls to prevent this happening. However, since moisture is produced
YOUR tipS
Heating one room to a high level and leaving others cold actually increases the likelihood of condensation forming. It is far better to have low to medium heat throughout the house than for some rooms to be significantly warmer than others.
at home winter 2006
safety in the home
The dangers of
carbon monoxide
Would you knowingly share a house with a silent and indiscriminate killer that poisoned thousands of people every year? Probably not, but many of us unwittingly do and suffer serious consequences.
C
ARBON MONOXIDE IS a highly cause dizziness, nausea, convulsions and toxic gas that asphyxiates its eventually, death. victims by entering the lungs and People suffering from health displacing oxygen from the bloodstream. problems, children, expectant mothers It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and pets are often affected by Carbon and is produced by the incomplete Monoxide poisoning faster than others combustion of fossil fuels, which means in the household and may be the first to it can escape from many different show symptoms. If you or any member household fittings and appliances. of your family suffers from persistent, Dangerous amounts of Carbon unexplained illnesses like flu, fatigue, Monoxide can be released into the home stomach upsets, lethargy or muscle when appliances are badly installed, pain, or if you find yourself frequently poorly maintained or damaged, and falling ill when returning from holiday, when rooms are not ventilated properly. then Carbon Monoxide may be the Ensure that chimneys and fireplaces are cause. In these cases, ask your doctor to kept clear and swept at least once a year, test levels of the gas in your blood. and that gas fires, ovens and grills are Rather than wait for symptoms to regularly serviced. Boilers, furnaces and develop, it is far preferable to fit a stoves should also be checked regularly. Carbon Monoxide Detector near suspect It’s a tragedy that, although Carbon appliances and give Monoxide is entirely preventable, many yourself early warning spend years suffering from the debilitating of the presence of symptoms without ever realising the the gas. n cause. According to NHS Direct, around 30 people every year to order a half price die from the presence of the gas carbon monoxide at home. At low levels Carbon detector from edf enerGy, Monoxide poisoning gives flucall 0808 101 5181* like symptoms, which worsen at higher concentrations to Friday. *Lines open 9am - 5.15pm Monday to at home winter 2006
carbon monoxide: the warning signs
Clear flue
Fumes
Steady blue flame
A safe appliance
Blocked flue
Scorched or sooty stains
Yellow or orange flame
Fumes
✔
If the flames of gas appliances burn orange or yellow instead of blue, then you have a problem.
✔
Look for sooty stains appearing on or just above appliances. This is an indicator of Carbon Monoxide.
✔
If coal or wood fires are difficult to light, burn slowly or go out, then Carbon Monoxide could be the cause.
✔
If the appliances in your home do not have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide. Check that all rooms are ventilated properly, especially if you have double glazing installed.
✔
Blocked or cracked chimneys and flues are a frequent cause. Watch out for nesting birds or plants growing in walls.
✔
Tiredness, headaches, dizziness and chest pains could all be caused by the gas.
✔
A Carbon Monoxide Detector should give you early warning of the presence of the gas.
A dangerous appliance
edf energy offers wiring and gas safety checks. call 0800 28 28 78** for full det ails
**Lines open 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care progra mme.
at home winter 2006
safety in the home
The dangers of
carbon monoxide
Would you knowingly share a house with a silent and indiscriminate killer that poisoned thousands of people every year? Probably not, but many of us unwittingly do and suffer serious consequences.
C
ARBON MONOXIDE IS a highly cause dizziness, nausea, convulsions and toxic gas that asphyxiates its eventually, death. victims by entering the lungs and People suffering from health displacing oxygen from the bloodstream. problems, children, expectant mothers It is colourless, odourless and tasteless and pets are often affected by Carbon and is produced by the incomplete Monoxide poisoning faster than others combustion of fossil fuels, which means in the household and may be the first to it can escape from many different show symptoms. If you or any member household fittings and appliances. of your family suffers from persistent, Dangerous amounts of Carbon unexplained illnesses like flu, fatigue, Monoxide can be released into the home stomach upsets, lethargy or muscle when appliances are badly installed, pain, or if you find yourself frequently poorly maintained or damaged, and falling ill when returning from holiday, when rooms are not ventilated properly. then Carbon Monoxide may be the Ensure that chimneys and fireplaces are cause. In these cases, ask your doctor to kept clear and swept at least once a year, test levels of the gas in your blood. and that gas fires, ovens and grills are Rather than wait for symptoms to regularly serviced. Boilers, furnaces and develop, it is far preferable to fit a stoves should also be checked regularly. Carbon Monoxide Detector near suspect It’s a tragedy that, although Carbon appliances and give Monoxide is entirely preventable, many yourself early warning spend years suffering from the debilitating of the presence of symptoms without ever realising the the gas. n cause. According to NHS Direct, around 30 people every year to order a half price die from the presence of the gas carbon monoxide at home. At low levels Carbon detector from edf enerGy, Monoxide poisoning gives flucall 0808 101 5181* like symptoms, which worsen at higher concentrations to Friday. *Lines open 9am - 5.15pm Monday to at home winter 2006
carbon monoxide: the warning signs
Clear flue
Fumes
Steady blue flame
A safe appliance
Blocked flue
Scorched or sooty stains
Yellow or orange flame
Fumes
✔
If the flames of gas appliances burn orange or yellow instead of blue, then you have a problem.
✔
Look for sooty stains appearing on or just above appliances. This is an indicator of Carbon Monoxide.
✔
If coal or wood fires are difficult to light, burn slowly or go out, then Carbon Monoxide could be the cause.
✔
If the appliances in your home do not have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide. Check that all rooms are ventilated properly, especially if you have double glazing installed.
✔
Blocked or cracked chimneys and flues are a frequent cause. Watch out for nesting birds or plants growing in walls.
✔
Tiredness, headaches, dizziness and chest pains could all be caused by the gas.
✔
A Carbon Monoxide Detector should give you early warning of the presence of the gas.
A dangerous appliance
edf energy offers wiring and gas safety checks. call 0800 28 28 78** for full det ails
**Lines open 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care progra mme.
at home winter 2006
feature
Flawless
floors N
OTHING SHAPES YOUR experience of a room quite so much as the choice of floor covering it. Paint, furniture and soft furnishings can all dramatically alter the way a room looks; but the key to the way it feels is usually to be found underneath your feet. Floors define how you can use a space and come with a sense of permanence that doesn’t really apply to wallpaper or curtains: whereas other elements seem like decoration, a floor is part of the structure of a room. Mankind has been experimenting with different floor coverings for thousands of years. Prehistoric tribes wove rough mats from dry stalks and roots, or used cured skins as an early form of carpet. The ancient Greeks used water-worn pebbles to line their homes. Today architects are advising homeowners to use different floor coverings to define areas within their homes and suggest the flow of movement between different spaces. This can reduce the need for too many internal walls, and improve the quality of natural light. at home winter 2006
“You can dictate the feel of a home by your choice of materials,” says architectural designer, Patrick Bankhead. “A floor creates a real heart to a room.” Because it has so many different effects, a choice of floor is shaped by many different factors. You can choose to prioritise durability, practicality, sheer good looks or, of course, price. Wood is enduringly popular because, for most rooms in the house, it can satisfy all of these criteria. “It’s warm, tactile and easy to keep clean,” says architect Elizabeth Wilson. Wood often looks even better with wear, and if it comes from sustainable sources, it can be an environmentally-friendly option too. The huge range of wood on the market means that good looks are available for almost any budget. Simple pine is very cheap, but can be dressed up to great effect using stains and varnishes. A beautiful walnut floor, meanwhile, sends out messages of enduring luxury and elegance. Carpet – which 97% of us choose for at least one room in the home – can
▼
Changing a floor can sometimes seem an intimidating task – but it’s the best way to take control of how your home feels.
at home winter 2006
feature
Flawless
floors N
OTHING SHAPES YOUR experience of a room quite so much as the choice of floor covering it. Paint, furniture and soft furnishings can all dramatically alter the way a room looks; but the key to the way it feels is usually to be found underneath your feet. Floors define how you can use a space and come with a sense of permanence that doesn’t really apply to wallpaper or curtains: whereas other elements seem like decoration, a floor is part of the structure of a room. Mankind has been experimenting with different floor coverings for thousands of years. Prehistoric tribes wove rough mats from dry stalks and roots, or used cured skins as an early form of carpet. The ancient Greeks used water-worn pebbles to line their homes. Today architects are advising homeowners to use different floor coverings to define areas within their homes and suggest the flow of movement between different spaces. This can reduce the need for too many internal walls, and improve the quality of natural light. at home winter 2006
“You can dictate the feel of a home by your choice of materials,” says architectural designer, Patrick Bankhead. “A floor creates a real heart to a room.” Because it has so many different effects, a choice of floor is shaped by many different factors. You can choose to prioritise durability, practicality, sheer good looks or, of course, price. Wood is enduringly popular because, for most rooms in the house, it can satisfy all of these criteria. “It’s warm, tactile and easy to keep clean,” says architect Elizabeth Wilson. Wood often looks even better with wear, and if it comes from sustainable sources, it can be an environmentally-friendly option too. The huge range of wood on the market means that good looks are available for almost any budget. Simple pine is very cheap, but can be dressed up to great effect using stains and varnishes. A beautiful walnut floor, meanwhile, sends out messages of enduring luxury and elegance. Carpet – which 97% of us choose for at least one room in the home – can
▼
Changing a floor can sometimes seem an intimidating task – but it’s the best way to take control of how your home feels.
at home winter 2006
feature
be similarly luxurious and warm. It’s a particularly good option in bedrooms, where we often walk around barefoot, and on stairways, where it is useful for absorbing noise. Designs are increasingly discreet. “Seventies swirly-patterned carpets are not much in evidence anymore,” says Bankhead. “Carpets are generally used as a neutral backdrop, allowing walls and furniture to stand out.” Another material that has reinvented itself is the lino or rubber option. Again, it’s a good insulator of noise, and now comes in a fantastic variety of colours and finishes. It’s also a more practical option for bathrooms and a great choice
for child-friendly areas, since it’s easy to keep clean and free of dust. Harder floors made of tile or stone are the most difficult to lay but are still popular on aesthetic grounds, and a frequent choice for bathrooms and kitchens. “It’s an English thing,” says Bankhead. “People like to think of their homes as little castles.” The coolness of stone and tile can be a good thing on a hot day but a drawback in winter. Ancient Romans designed ingenious underfloor heating systems to keep their stone floors warm and it pays to take a leaf out of their book today. Electric heating mats are an increasingly affordable option. n
YOUR tipS “I recently had my cellar refurbished to make a playroom for the kids. We considered a wood floor to tie it in with the rest of the house, or a carpet to make the area more cosy. In the end, though, we went with an apple green rubber floor, which is very practical and brightens up a dark space.” Emma Hall Highbury, North London
What’s right for you? nailing down the right flooring
Carpet
Wood
Stone/Tile
Vinyl/Rubber
Pros: ✔ Soft underfoot and non-slip ✔ Noise absorption ✔ Covers a multitude of sins on an uneven surface ✔ Good heat insulation
Pros: ✔ Warm when insulated ✔ Easy to clean and maintain ✔ Wears well – hardwood floors last a lifetime ✔ Unsightly damage can usually be repaired by sanding or filling
Pros: ✔ Waterresistant, good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Durable, good for areas of heavy traffic such as hallways ✔ Cool in summer
Pros: ✔ Hygienic and easy to clean ✔ Extensive colour and design potential ✔ Waterresistant and good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Many affordable options
Cons: ✘ Not recommended for bathrooms ✘ Can harbour dust mites ✘ Absorbs and retains smells ✘ Difficult to clean – may stain, and vacuuming is a bore
10 at home winter 2006
Cons: ✘ There is no defence against the stiletto heel! ✘ Danger of shrinkage and expansion – may ruin the look ✘ Not generally advised for bathrooms
Cons: ✘ Cold in winter ✘ Hard surface means that objects often break on contact and children can hurt themselves if they fall ✘ Difficult to lay
Cons: ✘ Relatively easy to damage ✘ Can absorb grease and may stain ✘ Possibly a long wait to get the colour you want
11
at home winter 2006
feature
be similarly luxurious and warm. It’s a particularly good option in bedrooms, where we often walk around barefoot, and on stairways, where it is useful for absorbing noise. Designs are increasingly discreet. “Seventies swirly-patterned carpets are not much in evidence anymore,” says Bankhead. “Carpets are generally used as a neutral backdrop, allowing walls and furniture to stand out.” Another material that has reinvented itself is the lino or rubber option. Again, it’s a good insulator of noise, and now comes in a fantastic variety of colours and finishes. It’s also a more practical option for bathrooms and a great choice
for child-friendly areas, since it’s easy to keep clean and free of dust. Harder floors made of tile or stone are the most difficult to lay but are still popular on aesthetic grounds, and a frequent choice for bathrooms and kitchens. “It’s an English thing,” says Bankhead. “People like to think of their homes as little castles.” The coolness of stone and tile can be a good thing on a hot day but a drawback in winter. Ancient Romans designed ingenious underfloor heating systems to keep their stone floors warm and it pays to take a leaf out of their book today. Electric heating mats are an increasingly affordable option. n
YOUR tipS “I recently had my cellar refurbished to make a playroom for the kids. We considered a wood floor to tie it in with the rest of the house, or a carpet to make the area more cosy. In the end, though, we went with an apple green rubber floor, which is very practical and brightens up a dark space.” Emma Hall Highbury, North London
What’s right for you? nailing down the right flooring
Carpet
Wood
Stone/Tile
Vinyl/Rubber
Pros: ✔ Soft underfoot and non-slip ✔ Noise absorption ✔ Covers a multitude of sins on an uneven surface ✔ Good heat insulation
Pros: ✔ Warm when insulated ✔ Easy to clean and maintain ✔ Wears well – hardwood floors last a lifetime ✔ Unsightly damage can usually be repaired by sanding or filling
Pros: ✔ Waterresistant, good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Durable, good for areas of heavy traffic such as hallways ✔ Cool in summer
Pros: ✔ Hygienic and easy to clean ✔ Extensive colour and design potential ✔ Waterresistant and good for kitchens and bathrooms ✔ Many affordable options
Cons: ✘ Not recommended for bathrooms ✘ Can harbour dust mites ✘ Absorbs and retains smells ✘ Difficult to clean – may stain, and vacuuming is a bore
10 at home winter 2006
Cons: ✘ There is no defence against the stiletto heel! ✘ Danger of shrinkage and expansion – may ruin the look ✘ Not generally advised for bathrooms
Cons: ✘ Cold in winter ✘ Hard surface means that objects often break on contact and children can hurt themselves if they fall ✘ Difficult to lay
Cons: ✘ Relatively easy to damage ✘ Can absorb grease and may stain ✘ Possibly a long wait to get the colour you want
11
at home winter 2006
feature
Where does the UK’s
energy come from?
Turning on our lights is a global business.
W
HAT LINKS A Colombian miner, a defecating Norfolk chicken, and a giant freezer, whirring amid the desert heat of Qatar? Answer: they are all playing an increasingly important role in powering the UK. It may not be the best-known fuel, but burning chicken litter can generate electricity – as it does for some 93,000 houses near Thetford. As such it represents one of the smallest es from coal, 33% of our electricity com as far afield es of the UK’s increasingly diverse sources of ntri cou in ed min is ch whi energy. as South Africa. The vast bulk of the UK’s energy is supplied by the remains of animals much older than our Norfolk chicken: over 70% of the UK’s electricity, and 90% of the total energy consumed by the country, continues to come from fossil fuels. Oil and gas pumped from the North Sea account for around 75% of the UK’s energy needs, but production rates have Oil, much of it fro m been in decline since 1999 and, despite countries like Saud Middle Eastern recent discoveries, they are expected to almost 100% of thei Arabia, powers UK’s transport. continue to fall in the future. This means that the UK’s fossil fuel is increasingly imported from overseas. Around 37% of our electricity is generated by natural gas. Currently we import only around a tenth of our gas, mostly from Norway. However as the need for imports grows, we can expect to become more dependent on supplies from farther afield: gas piped 3,000km from Russia, or chilled to -160°C (at which point it becomes liquid) and shipped in this form from countries like Natural gas accounts for Algeria, Nigeria and Qatar. 37% of the UK’s electricity, A further 33% or so of our electricity comes from coal, of with an increasing amount which the UK now imports slightly more than it produces. Today, imported from Norway. the coal that powers your home could as easily have been dug 12 at home winter 2006
lar y (wind farms, so Renewable energ biofuels) generates d an r we po and tidal ctricity. 5% of the UK’s ele
ctricity comes 20% of the UK’s ele most of which is r, we po ar from nucle generated here.
from Colombia, Australia or South Africa as from Yorkshire, Wales or the Midlands. Meanwhile, oil, most of which is transported from the Middle East, powers almost the entire UK transport system. The amount of energy that we derive from fossil fuels has long concerned environmentalists. The Government is exploring other energy sources that could help manage the UK’s Carbon emissions and leave the country less exposed to political instability abroad. Around 20% of the UK’s electricity currently comes from nuclear power, most of which is generated at home. The Government is looking at arguments for increasing this, since nuclear power stations don’t contribute to global warming. Renewable sources currently generate just 5% of the UK’s electricity. These include water, wind, sunshine and biofuels (crops and animal waste, such as that of our Norfolk chicken). The UK’s climate and geography don’t favour solar power, but our status as the windiest country in Europe could mean a growing role for wind farms. n
How they work: Wind farms
Wind farms use wind-rotated turbines to power an electricity generator. Sensors within the turbines monitor wind speed and direction, turning the blades into the wind to capture as much energy as possible. Offshore wind turbines are larger and sturdier than their onshore counterparts and are designed for the stronger, more consistent winds occurring off the coast. EDF Energy is currently developing a number of onshore wind farms in the North East and, as part of our commitment to expanding our renewables portfolio, is evaluating possible offshore wind farms. We also buy energy from wind farms developed by our sister company, EDF Energies Nouvelles, in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as from third parties.
13
at home winter 2006
feature
Where does the UK’s
energy come from?
Turning on our lights is a global business.
W
HAT LINKS A Colombian miner, a defecating Norfolk chicken, and a giant freezer, whirring amid the desert heat of Qatar? Answer: they are all playing an increasingly important role in powering the UK. It may not be the best-known fuel, but burning chicken litter can generate electricity – as it does for some 93,000 houses near Thetford. As such it represents one of the smallest es from coal, 33% of our electricity com as far afield es of the UK’s increasingly diverse sources of ntri cou in ed min is ch whi energy. as South Africa. The vast bulk of the UK’s energy is supplied by the remains of animals much older than our Norfolk chicken: over 70% of the UK’s electricity, and 90% of the total energy consumed by the country, continues to come from fossil fuels. Oil and gas pumped from the North Sea account for around 75% of the UK’s energy needs, but production rates have Oil, much of it fro m been in decline since 1999 and, despite countries like Saud Middle Eastern recent discoveries, they are expected to almost 100% of thei Arabia, powers UK’s transport. continue to fall in the future. This means that the UK’s fossil fuel is increasingly imported from overseas. Around 37% of our electricity is generated by natural gas. Currently we import only around a tenth of our gas, mostly from Norway. However as the need for imports grows, we can expect to become more dependent on supplies from farther afield: gas piped 3,000km from Russia, or chilled to -160°C (at which point it becomes liquid) and shipped in this form from countries like Natural gas accounts for Algeria, Nigeria and Qatar. 37% of the UK’s electricity, A further 33% or so of our electricity comes from coal, of with an increasing amount which the UK now imports slightly more than it produces. Today, imported from Norway. the coal that powers your home could as easily have been dug 12 at home winter 2006
lar y (wind farms, so Renewable energ biofuels) generates d an r we po and tidal ctricity. 5% of the UK’s ele
ctricity comes 20% of the UK’s ele most of which is r, we po ar from nucle generated here.
from Colombia, Australia or South Africa as from Yorkshire, Wales or the Midlands. Meanwhile, oil, most of which is transported from the Middle East, powers almost the entire UK transport system. The amount of energy that we derive from fossil fuels has long concerned environmentalists. The Government is exploring other energy sources that could help manage the UK’s Carbon emissions and leave the country less exposed to political instability abroad. Around 20% of the UK’s electricity currently comes from nuclear power, most of which is generated at home. The Government is looking at arguments for increasing this, since nuclear power stations don’t contribute to global warming. Renewable sources currently generate just 5% of the UK’s electricity. These include water, wind, sunshine and biofuels (crops and animal waste, such as that of our Norfolk chicken). The UK’s climate and geography don’t favour solar power, but our status as the windiest country in Europe could mean a growing role for wind farms. n
How they work: Wind farms
Wind farms use wind-rotated turbines to power an electricity generator. Sensors within the turbines monitor wind speed and direction, turning the blades into the wind to capture as much energy as possible. Offshore wind turbines are larger and sturdier than their onshore counterparts and are designed for the stronger, more consistent winds occurring off the coast. EDF Energy is currently developing a number of onshore wind farms in the North East and, as part of our commitment to expanding our renewables portfolio, is evaluating possible offshore wind farms. We also buy energy from wind farms developed by our sister company, EDF Energies Nouvelles, in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as from third parties.
13
at home winter 2006
how it works
feature
Condensing
Cutting the
Carbs Funding projects that help to cut levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 )can give you a new weapon to fight climate change.
A
New regulations and big energy savings mean recycling hot air makes a lot of sense.
How big is your Carbon footprint and what can you do to reduce it? The good news is it’s never been easier to lessen your impact upon our environment. Climate Balance is a new product from EDF Energy that helps offset the impact of the CO2 emissions connected with the supply of gas and electricity to your household. When you sign up, we’ll transfer you to our Climate Balance Tariff, which costs the average three-bed semi-detached household an extra £3.50 a month. This additional money will be invested in a wide range of projects around the world designed to help balance the CO2 emissions associated with your gas and electricity. These include providing energy-efficient cooking stoves for communities in the Developing World and reforestation projects across the globe. Climate Balance is a small way to help prevent one of the biggest threats facing our planet: climate change.
URRENT REGULATIONS REQUIRE any new boiler fitted in the UK to meet certain energy-efficiency standards. With a few exceptions, ‘condensing’ boilers are the only models to do so. Here’s how they manage it. As everyone knows, the job of a boiler is to heat water, which enters it cold, is roasted by a burner, and then passes out into the central heating system via radiator pipes. In heating the water (via something known as a ‘heat exchanger’), the boiler naturally generates a great deal of hot air. In old boilers, this was simply blown out of the combustion chamber (and out of the house) by an electric fan. A condensing boiler remedies this waste by recycling the hot air before it gets rid of it. The air passes over a second heat exchanger, which uses it to heat up the cool water returning from the radiator pipes. In doing so, the hot air condenses on the cool radiator pipe, releasing even more latent heat back into the combustion chamber, and giving this type of boiler its name. n
S MORE AND more of us look to play our part in combating climate change, calculating the CO2 that we generate could become as popular as poring over the carbohydrate content of our food. But just as with the toughest diets, counting the carbs can prove a lot easier than getting rid of them altogether. Living energy-efficient lives is the most important contribution we can make to reducing the amount of CO2 that is emitted, however the pressure to travel for work and the realities of the energy market make it frustratingly difficult to remove our ‘Carbon footprint’ altogether. This is where the growing ‘Carbon Neutral’ movement comes in. This works on the principle that we can help reduce the amount of CO2 we generate by helping to fund projects that tackle climate change. These projects can take different forms. Regenerating woodland and rainforest can help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere because trees function as a ‘Carbon sink’, releasing Oxygen and locking To register for Cl Carbon away. However, many argue that imate Balance an d start offset tin prevention is better than cure, and other projects g your ca rbon emissions, lo fund renewable energy schemes that cut back the g on to w w w.edfenerg amount of CO2 being emitted in the first place. n y.com/
climatebal ancE 8
14 at home winter 2006
boilers
Climate Balance from EDF Energy
C
Money watch: How condensing boilers add up Condensing boilers cost around £500 more to install than traditional models, however, in cutting energy bills by over 30%, they can pay back the extra cost within three years. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save up to £240 a year with a condensing boiler. It could also make it easier to sell your home once energy efficiency is rated in Home Information Packs next year.
Condensing Exhaust gas is not very hot and has a characteristic plume
Electric fan Primary heat exchanger Burner
Hot flow to radiators Cool return from radiators Condensation drain
Non-condensing Exhaust gas is very hot and has a characteristic shimmer
YOUR tipS “The boiler in my flat was quite old and was costing a fortune in repairs, so we replaced it with a new, condensing model. Last year we put the flat on the market, and all the people who came round to look at it asked about the boiler. You could tell the energy efficiency thing made a difference. I’m sure it helped us get the price we were asking.” Natalie Littler York
Electric fan Heat exchanger
Burner
Hot flow to radiators Cool return from radiators
t energy efficien t more about you can find ou dfenergy.com w.e boilers at ww 15
at home winter 2006
how it works
feature
Condensing
Cutting the
Carbs Funding projects that help to cut levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 )can give you a new weapon to fight climate change.
A
New regulations and big energy savings mean recycling hot air makes a lot of sense.
How big is your Carbon footprint and what can you do to reduce it? The good news is it’s never been easier to lessen your impact upon our environment. Climate Balance is a new product from EDF Energy that helps offset the impact of the CO2 emissions connected with the supply of gas and electricity to your household. When you sign up, we’ll transfer you to our Climate Balance Tariff, which costs the average three-bed semi-detached household an extra £3.50 a month. This additional money will be invested in a wide range of projects around the world designed to help balance the CO2 emissions associated with your gas and electricity. These include providing energy-efficient cooking stoves for communities in the Developing World and reforestation projects across the globe. Climate Balance is a small way to help prevent one of the biggest threats facing our planet: climate change.
URRENT REGULATIONS REQUIRE any new boiler fitted in the UK to meet certain energy-efficiency standards. With a few exceptions, ‘condensing’ boilers are the only models to do so. Here’s how they manage it. As everyone knows, the job of a boiler is to heat water, which enters it cold, is roasted by a burner, and then passes out into the central heating system via radiator pipes. In heating the water (via something known as a ‘heat exchanger’), the boiler naturally generates a great deal of hot air. In old boilers, this was simply blown out of the combustion chamber (and out of the house) by an electric fan. A condensing boiler remedies this waste by recycling the hot air before it gets rid of it. The air passes over a second heat exchanger, which uses it to heat up the cool water returning from the radiator pipes. In doing so, the hot air condenses on the cool radiator pipe, releasing even more latent heat back into the combustion chamber, and giving this type of boiler its name. n
S MORE AND more of us look to play our part in combating climate change, calculating the CO2 that we generate could become as popular as poring over the carbohydrate content of our food. But just as with the toughest diets, counting the carbs can prove a lot easier than getting rid of them altogether. Living energy-efficient lives is the most important contribution we can make to reducing the amount of CO2 that is emitted, however the pressure to travel for work and the realities of the energy market make it frustratingly difficult to remove our ‘Carbon footprint’ altogether. This is where the growing ‘Carbon Neutral’ movement comes in. This works on the principle that we can help reduce the amount of CO2 we generate by helping to fund projects that tackle climate change. These projects can take different forms. Regenerating woodland and rainforest can help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere because trees function as a ‘Carbon sink’, releasing Oxygen and locking To register for Cl Carbon away. However, many argue that imate Balance an d start offset tin prevention is better than cure, and other projects g your ca rbon emissions, lo fund renewable energy schemes that cut back the g on to w w w.edfenerg amount of CO2 being emitted in the first place. n y.com/
climatebal ancE 8
14 at home winter 2006
boilers
Climate Balance from EDF Energy
C
Money watch: How condensing boilers add up Condensing boilers cost around £500 more to install than traditional models, however, in cutting energy bills by over 30%, they can pay back the extra cost within three years. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save up to £240 a year with a condensing boiler. It could also make it easier to sell your home once energy efficiency is rated in Home Information Packs next year.
Condensing Exhaust gas is not very hot and has a characteristic plume
Electric fan Primary heat exchanger Burner
Hot flow to radiators Cool return from radiators Condensation drain
Non-condensing Exhaust gas is very hot and has a characteristic shimmer
YOUR tipS “The boiler in my flat was quite old and was costing a fortune in repairs, so we replaced it with a new, condensing model. Last year we put the flat on the market, and all the people who came round to look at it asked about the boiler. You could tell the energy efficiency thing made a difference. I’m sure it helped us get the price we were asking.” Natalie Littler York
Electric fan Heat exchanger
Burner
Hot flow to radiators Cool return from radiators
t energy efficien t more about you can find ou dfenergy.com w.e boilers at ww 15
at home winter 2006
the simple things
Checklist Here’s a quick reminder of the advice in this issue – and what you can do next:
Don’t preheat too early Manufacturers generally recommend that you preheat your oven for only 10 to 15 minutes prior to cooking. Anything longer simply wastes energy without speeding up cooking. If your cooking time is an hour or longer, there is probably no need to preheat at all. You can save even more energy (and money) by resisting peeking at the food, and turning the oven off a few minutes before the cooking time has elapsed to make the most of lingering heat.
✔
Take control of your energy bills and earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year with ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’. You can register at www.edfenergy.com/readreducereward
✔
With an EDF Energy grant it could cost you as little as £255 to insulate a loft or wall cavity, saving you up to £380 a year in energy bills. Call 0800 085 1439* to find out more, and log on to www.edfenergy.com to check the cost of insulating your home
✔
Carbon Monoxide is a killer, yet many people live with it unawares and suffer the consequences. Log on to www.edfenergy.com for more details of the half price offer on a Carbon Monoxide Detector
✔
If your home is too damp, don’t just grit your teeth and bear it. Read our simple guide to beating condensation on page 4
✔
If you’re aiming to reduce your Carbon footprint and do your bit to combat global warming, then Climate Balance from EDF Energy can help. There are more details on page 14
*Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.
16 at home winter 2006
EDF Energy is a trading name used by EDF Energy Customers plc. Reg. No. 02228297. Registered office 40 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7EN, incorporated in England and Wales.
17
at home winter 2006
the simple things
Checklist Here’s a quick reminder of the advice in this issue – and what you can do next:
Don’t preheat too early Manufacturers generally recommend that you preheat your oven for only 10 to 15 minutes prior to cooking. Anything longer simply wastes energy without speeding up cooking. If your cooking time is an hour or longer, there is probably no need to preheat at all. You can save even more energy (and money) by resisting peeking at the food, and turning the oven off a few minutes before the cooking time has elapsed to make the most of lingering heat.
✔
Take control of your energy bills and earn up to 4,000 Nectar points a year with ‘Read. Reduce. Reward’. You can register at www.edfenergy.com/readreducereward
✔
With an EDF Energy grant it could cost you as little as £255 to insulate a loft or wall cavity, saving you up to £380 a year in energy bills. Call 0800 085 1439* to find out more, and log on to www.edfenergy.com to check the cost of insulating your home
✔
Carbon Monoxide is a killer, yet many people live with it unawares and suffer the consequences. Log on to www.edfenergy.com for more details of the half price offer on a Carbon Monoxide Detector
✔
If your home is too damp, don’t just grit your teeth and bear it. Read our simple guide to beating condensation on page 4
✔
If you’re aiming to reduce your Carbon footprint and do your bit to combat global warming, then Climate Balance from EDF Energy can help. There are more details on page 14
*Lines open 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and monitored as part of our customer care programme.
16 at home winter 2006
EDF Energy is a trading name used by EDF Energy Customers plc. Reg. No. 02228297. Registered office 40 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7EN, incorporated in England and Wales.
17
at home winter 2006
athome
issue 1: winter 2006
Safety in the home:
Carbon Monoxide: the invisible killer Problems solved:
Your 4 step guide to beating condensation
SIGN UP TO CLIMATE BALANCE AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE Every time we use the washing machine, switch on the lights or cook a meal we’re affecting the planet. That’s because the majority of the energy we use is produced in a way that releases carbon dioxide (CO2), which is believed to be one of the main contributors to climate change. Sign up to Climate Balance and you can help invest in a range of sustainable projects designed to reduce the impact of the carbon emissions associated with your gas and electricity usage. The more of us who sign up, the greater the effect we can have on reducing one of the most serious threats facing our planet. Climate Change.
ORE TO FIND OUT M TO ON K IC CL JUST alance8 eb at lim edfenergy.com/c
Home improvement:
Flawless floors The way to health and happiness is right under your feet
ch PLUS: how mu ng ensi could a cond u? boiler save yo