Everest industry news
DIY plumbing not recommended
07 May 2008
Homeowners looking to make their house more energy efficient are advised against overhauling their heating and plumbing themselves.The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) has insisted that it "does not support DIY installations" and would always recommend bringing in the experts.
Home improvement professionals would always suggest cosmetic improvements that can also help reduce energy usage, such as double glazing or a new boiler.
As well as helping to minimise fuel wastage, saving on energy bills and reducing your home's carbon footprint, double glazing also shuts out most external noise.
IPHE senior technical engineer Danny Davis is also encouraging homeowners to do their bit for the environment by turning down their thermostats.
"As far as reducing energy consumption in the home, consumers can reduce the temperature setting on their room thermostat by one degree centigrade and this can reduce a central heating bill by as much as ten per cent," he said.
The expert also explained how modern condensing boilers were more efficient, as flue gas temperatures were lower, while extracting more heat from the combustion process than a traditional boiler.
Homes with eco-friendly and water-conserving plumbing are more appealing to environmentally conscious buyers, he concluded.
