Important Reasons To Consider Changing your Boiler

Despite their hardy nature, the boiler in your home is not going to last forever. Here are a few important reasons from Absolute Gas Services to consider changing your boiler and how you should proceed.

It’s on the blink


If you have ever run a hot bath only to find that upon stepping in the water was cold as ice, you may think, “Time to get a new boiler.” But, WAIT!

If you haven’t checked the digital display on the boiler you have you should do this first (if your boiler has a digital display, that is). When you do you may find that your boiler is registering some kind of ERROR.

In this case, the best thing to do will be to consult the owner’s manual or run a Google search for the best way to proceed in this situation. The problem could be a very simple one and may only require checking the water pressure or resetting the system.

If you are unable to figure out the cause of the error, the next thing you can do will be to contact a boiler repair specialist. An expert may be able to restore your boiler to full functionality. Minor repairs will cost significantly less than a brand new system.

It’s definitely beyond repair

If you call in the experts and they tell you that the cost of repairs will be equal or pretty close to that of a new system, it may be best just to get a new boiler. In which case you can speak with the fitter about the best option for your house.

It could be that the boiler you have was suffering undue stress due to a workload that exceeded its capacity and a replacement is the best course of action anyway. You will then be left with a solution that better fits your home and this will be more energy and cost-efficient for you in the long run.

It’s old and inefficient

Older boilers lose functionality and efficiency with the passage of time. This comes from older models lacking the design and superior construction of newer models. You may be very happy and emotionally attached to your 30-year-old water boiler, but the sad truth is that the old device is costing you more energy and resources to maintain – time to retire the older model and bring in a younger option to handle the demands of your home.

Your needs are changing


Will you be adding a new bathroom to your home? Will your elderly parents be moving in or your youngsters all set to leave the nest? Different boilers are best suited to different demands. We have already written extensively on this subject. Consider reading up on the subject to get a better idea of how to match the boiler to the needs of the home.

Another important point in this subject is that different boilers require the support of different systems. If you will be changing from the combi boiler to a system boiler, there will be extra tanks and pipes to install.

However, if you will be going in the other direction, from a system to a combi boiler, you will find that the current setup you have will be more than sufficient. This can save you in the long run. 

You’re selling your home

There are two types of home buyers, the type that wants to move in right away and just begin enjoying their new home and then the type that is ok doing some work so long as they enjoy a slightly lower cost. If you will be selling to the first group of homebuyers, they will be happy to pay the slightly increased price to buy a home with a brand new boiler.

If you are looking to sell fast and don’t mind keeping a lower more negotiable price you may actually choose to leave the older boiler where it is. There are plenty of professional developers in the real estate market who are experts in setting up a home and know exactly where they will find the boilers they want. They will also have their own fitters they work with regularly who can make the best decision for the projected demands of the home.

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6 Ways to Give Your Anniversary Travel a Special Twist

Celebrating your wedding anniversary? Travelling is a great way to build memories and know your partner in an even deeper way, whether or not you're marking a milestone year. From Spain to India, Dubai, and Zimbabwe, there are unique spots in every continent to explore. If you can't travel now, you can still have fun planning for when you can travel in the future.

If you need ideas, here are some places you and your partner may want to consider:

1. Celebrate the coming of your little one

pregnant woman beach

Give yourselves a chance to reconnect before childbirth. Try Hotel Healdsburg and Spa in Sonoma, California for menus designed for expectant moms, or wear a maternity bikini and take a dip at the pools of Breezes Bahamas in Nassau. You can also get a motherhood massage at Jamaica's Half Moon resort. Just make sure to plan your vacation based on your ob-gyn’s advice.

2. Go to an open-air cinema

Watch a film by the beach in Maldives' private coral island of Velassaru or at the Soneva Fushi and Jani Resorts. Morocco's Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains projects movies in a small amphitheatre by the pool, while viewers are provided with wireless headphones. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a private theatre experience when you stay in one of Mexico's cabanas at Las Ventanas al Paraiso.

3. Stay at one-of-a-kind accommodation

designer hotel

Want to sleep under the stars in the middle of the South African safari? Book a treehouse at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Northern Lights from the transparent bubble domes in Finland (Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort) and Iceland (Bubble Hotel). You may also enjoy the glass pods of Skylodge Adventure Suites located at the edge of the Peruvian Sacred Valley mountains. For something exotic, the cave hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey are worth a try.

4. Dine in unique settings

Eat your favourite meals while viewing sea creatures swimming behind the see-through walls and ceilings of the Andasi Phuket underwater restaurant in Thailand, or dine at the Ithaa or Anantara below-sea-level restaurants in the Maldives to view the Indian Ocean's rich marine life.

Meanwhile, there are no walls to speak of when you reserve a seat at "sky-high" restaurants such as Belgium's famed Dinner in the Sky. It features a platform with a dining table and kitchen hanging from a crane suspended 150 feet from the ground. Seatbelts secure diners on their chairs while kitchen crew and waiters wear harnesses for safe movement.

You can also try tree pod dining at Thailand's Soneva Kiri resort, inspired by nests of local birds. Ziplining waiters bring food to your bamboo pod raised 23 feet from the ground.

5. Go for a sporty getaway 


Skiing couples can head for the snowy slopes of Whistler, Sun Peaks, Fernie, and Banff in Canada. You can also visit Switzerland's top ski resorts in St. Moritz and Zermatt – there’s nothing more romantic than a fairytale Swiss town,  While in Zermatt, stay at one of the igloos of Iglu-Dorf. From the Swiss mountains, you can go cross-border skiing to Italy, France, and Austria. 

If you prefer water sports and marine life interaction, you'll enjoy snorkelling in Belize or the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, watersports in the Philippines' Boracay Island or Thailand's Phuket, and swimming with seals and other water creatures around Ecuador's Galapagos Islands.

Meanwhile, hikers would love Oregon's Sunriver Resort, Canada's Buffalo Mountain, or New Zealand's mountain ranges.

6. Go on a cruise

What's more romantic than a couples cruise? Renew your wedding vows, book a veranda stateroom, and reconnect during your shore excursions while visiting new places together. A cruise can be the ultimate anniversary treat. 

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A Worry-Free Holiday Without Breaking The Bank: Expert Tips

We often spend extra money to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and there is nothing wrong with investing in your own safety. That said, there is no need to spend a fortune just to make sure that the entire holiday, from start to finish, is nothing but enjoyable.

Choosing a package holiday is a great way to start. Packages often put you with a group of likeminded people and make sure you are taken care of throughout the trip. There are other things you can do to stay safe and save money when going on a holiday too.

Go on Tours


Group holidays and predefined tours are more affordable because you are travelling with a group of people, to select destinations or attractions, and with a guide helping you every step of the way. Tours are also safer because of the presence of tour guides and other supporting services.

When you want to explore new cities, for instance, it is much safer and more affordable to go on guided walking tours. You will still be able to see the best of the city without risking getting lost or running into problems along the way.

Research

map

Before going on a trip, make sure you take the time to research your destination. For example, by finding out where you can find grocery stores near your hotel, it will be cheaper to stock up on supplies here rather than raid the hotel minibar and pay a fortune for water or chocolate. It's also worth researching information about emergency services and pharmacies nearby.

These are small details that can be found easily, but they are the kind of details that will help you when you run into problems during the trip. If you lose your medication, for instance, you will know which pharmacies carry them even before departing.

Get Insured

accident

Taking out a travel insurance policy that provides extra coverage without breaking the bank is a great idea. Travel insurance protects you against common issues such as flight delays and lost baggage, plus it can cover emergency medical assistance when you are abroad. When you think that medical bills in the USA can run into millions it's worth doing.

Staysure offers single-trip travel insurance to help you buy the right policy for your needs and cover the medical conditions required. For many, the reassurance of having travel insurance can make for a more relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Time Your Trip

tourist

Timing your trip correctly is another great way to save money while remaining safe. When travelling during low season, you will be dealing with smaller crowds of travellers, and there are fewer risks to worry about. The trip will be both safer and more enjoyable.

At the same time, you save money on travel expenses when you travel in low season. Hotels and flights are more affordable; local restaurants and tourist attractions offer more discounts and special offers; you can pre-book virtually everything online or organise your tours before departing too. 

Make Final Preparations


There are extra preparations that you can do to be safer when travelling, starting with making sure that you have multiple copies of your travel documents, and that they are stored in different bags. This may seem like a small thing to do, but it will save you in difficult situations.

Carrying extra medications, making sure your carry-on bag is packed with bottled water and snacks and bringing extra charging cables for your devices are also small things that you can do to be more prepared for the trip. With boarding passes being available on a mobile phone these days, the last thing you want is no phone battery.

At the end of the day, being more prepared for the trip is what this is all about. In order to stay safer and save money in the process, give yourself time to do research, find good deals, prepare extra measures, and have a great trip.

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My Home Renovation Plan

I’ve talked on the blog before about the renovations I have previously completed in my home and if I had the money and opportunity, there is plenty more that I would do! My kitchen is my pride and joy and I’d love to feel that same feeling throughout the rest of my home. They say that people always want to change something about their home and I’d definitely agree with it - there is always something I want to change!

my kitchen

So what would I do? First of all, I’d rip out all the carpets and change the flooring option to some engineered oak flooring. I find carpets can get so grotty and threadbare so quickly and it is much easier to sweep and hoover wood flooring than it is a carpet, especially one that has seen better days.

Why engineered wood flooring? It is the most popular real wood flooring option for a reason - it is durable and long-lasting, it is moisture resistant and it has the same quality finish and design that you’d expect from solid wood flooring. Not only that but it is super easy to install too. It gives a stunning look to any room it is in.

I do love a carpeted floor but I just don’t love the upkeep of them. Our carpet in our lounge has faded badly. Also, they trap dirt and I don't think that's great for hygiene and allergies. Other flooring options look just as good and are far less work to maintain - exactly what I need with a husband and adult son at home. I find that once you don’t have carpet in a home, it suddenly feels much bigger and a lot more open and airy - how about you?

Las Vegas print

Once I’ve taken out all the carpets and replaced them, I would also change some other things around the home. Some rooms would probably only need a change in furniture and soft furnishings whereas others may require a little more TLC. I'm looking to get some new travel-inspired prints for my lounge. I already have a Las Vegas print that I love, and I recently ordered some Venice prints from the company Desenio. I'm just waiting for them to arrive.  

A lick of paint would definitely be welcome in many of my rooms - my lounge walls are very neutral, but even though I love the colour I think neutral walls can be calming in a lounge. I had a statement red wall once in our bedroom and it got sort of boring, to be honest. Maybe I should be brave and try a colour or wallpaper on a statement wall in the lounge- what do you think? There are some great wallpaper designs these days too.

front door

Finally, I think I’d have to show the front of my home some love. We need to paint the front and replace the front door. We have a door that's really cheap looking and I want a really solid front door is our Edwardian home and paint it a nice historic Edwardian blue or grey.  We have lovely mosaic tiles on the front path, but they are broken so a renovation of these would be lovely if we can get together the money. 

These are just some of the renovations I’d love to do in my home - are there any renovations you’ve currently got in the pipeline? Have you recently completed a project?

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Win A Silver Heart Personalised Bracelet With The Engravers Guild Ends 06/12

There is something special about personalised gifts. Having a message, initials or name on a gift makes that gift mean so much more. Engravers Guild are a company that produce lovely gifts and I'm going to show you my favourite items on my blog today. You can also have the chance to win a silver heart bracelet with a personalised message. This is an ad.

Who are the Engravers Guild?

You can win this bracelet

The Engravers Guild was founded by Elliott Bishton in 2017 with the ambition to deliver the best possible personalised gift experience. Elliott's family has a long rich history of working with jewellery going back over a hundred years. Having a base in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham using the newest technology means that they can offer fanatic service from start to finish.

You can order from the Engravers Guild website online and I found the website easy to navigate with gifts in categories 'For Her' and 'For Him'. There was a decent selection of gifts for him including engraved pens, watches and cufflinks, as well as personalised hip flasks, tankards and aftershave. The gifts for her included engraved bracelets, necklaces and watches, as well as personalised pens, perfume and christening gifts.  There is a lot to choose from and I personally thought the gifts to be high quality. Below are my favourite gifts from this lovely website.

My favourite gifts from the Engravers Guild

heart locket

Silver diamond set personalised locket silver £60

I like the classic lines of this gorgeous silver locket. In a heart design, the locket is embellished with a real diamond in the centre, and the back is left so it can be engraved with a number of characters. It has a chain that can be adjusted from 16 to 18 inches too. A beautiful gift for someone special.


rose heart necklace

Swarovski birthstone heart necklace rose gold £49.50

I love this contemporary heart necklace in rose gold on silver. The Swarovski birthstone crystal adds a gorgeous touch to the heart, making it sparkle in the light. It can also be personalised with up to eight characters. On a rose gold plated chain that's adjustable from 16 to 18 inches, this would make a lovely gift or a treat for yourself. 

hip flask

Leather personalised hip flask black £24.95

My next choice is this leather hip flask above that would make a great gift for someone that likes their whiskey (although other spirits are available!) The real black leather sets off the chrome metal and brings a lovely tactile feeling to this men's accessory. The personalisation of up to 14 characters makes it a lovely gift for a retirement, anniversary, birthday or Christmas.  A pouring funnel and two steel cups are included and the hip flasks come in a luxury presentation box too.black wallet

This luxurious black leather wallet by Visconti is one of the best sellers on the website. A classic design, it is made to carry both cash and coins as well as credit cards. It has RFID protection to keep all your personal data safe. Personalised with gold, silver or blind embossed initials it will make an excellent gift for the man in your life.

Silver heart chain personalised bracelet £35

If you want to show how much you care for someone this silver heart chain personalised bracelet is perfect. A simple silver chain that is adjustable from 6 to 8.5 inches has a sold silver heart tag on the end which can be personised free. I love this beautiful bracelet especially as it's well-priced too.

So here are some of my favourite gifts from Engravers Guild. Today on my blog I am giving you a chance to win this pretty silver heart bracelet above with your choice of engraving. While you are here don't forget to check out the other competitions I have running too. Good luck!


Win a silver heart bracelet
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Why Are Curtains So Expensive?

When we buy our curtain fabrics many of us prefer the cheaper ones over the ones that cost more. Yet, when buying curtain fabrics, if we settle for the low-cost ones we often disregard its quality. Sometimes I feel it's worth paying for quality. This is an ad.

So, what makes curtain fabrics expensive?

Fabric type



There are so many curtain fabric varieties and types to choose from as well as a variety of colours and patterns. We often think that the designs make the fabric more expensive and designer fabrics can cost more, but often it's the fabric type that can make curtains more expensive. Generally, the heavier and thicker the fabric, the higher cost. This is because thick fabrics require a lot of material and fibres to produce.

Moreover, each fabric has different fibres that are sewn and woven together. For example, cotton fabrics are inexpensive because it is widely produced and widely available in the fabric market, making it cheap. On the other hand, fabrics like silk and velvet are not commonly produced and are more in demand due to limited availability.

Custom made curtains



If you buy a dress in a high street store, you will find other people wearing the same dress as you. Yet, when buying from a designer store, your dress would look unique, it would be more expensive to buy and you'll rarely find someone wearing the same. If you go to a tailor your outfit is more expensive again as it is made to your measurements.

Just as buying curtain fabrics, custom made curtains can also be expensive. Custom made curtains are not mass-produced because they will have your own specifications and measurements. This can be very convenient as you do not have to alter your curtains again, as they are uniquely tailored to your home and handmade by a seamstress. Custom made curtains are therefore very convenient and hassle-free for those who want a ready-made curtain that's perfect for their home decor. 

Durability of fabric



Many shops offer cheap fabrics but these fabrics may be poor quality and last not as long as more expensive fabrics. However quality curtain fabrics can be more affordable if you're buying at the right place. Trusted fabric mills like the Yorkshire Fabric Shop sell high quality durable fabrics that are affordable too. They can also do made-to-measure curtains with direct delivery to your home as well making it easy for the customer to buy.

Other costs



If you buy extra fabric for lining your curtains this can also add to the cost, as well as a needle suitable for the thickness of the material and the cotton needed. You also need to factor in net curtains and curtain poles, as well as tie backs for your overall look and expense, and of course a sewing machine to make the curtains in the first place. 

So these are some of the reasons why curtains are so expensive. Do you like curtains in your home?

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