A Bates Guide to Plumbing Ethics

It’s a fact of life that as 24 hour London plumbers, we sometimes get a rough deal thanks to less reliable companies who give the trade a bad name. But unlike some other plumbing companies, at Bates we go out of our way to make our customers feel comfortable from the moment they pick they phone up. Why? Well, because we consider ourselves to be ethical London plumbers.

There are certain company policies that separate us from the rest and put customers in a much more relaxed frame of mind.

Going Green

At Bates we fix problems quickly and without fuss. We’ll let you know your options before we start work, and our recommendations, for example a greener solution, but you’ll never feel any pressure.

In fact, our dedication to offering homeowners a greener alternative is a major plus point that many of our customers like. Environmentally friendly alternatives often end up saving money in the long run, and we always have your long term needs in mind when we visit.

Smartly Presented, Clear on Pricing

You may have a certain image of what a plumber looks like - scruffy and covered in dust, perhaps? Not Bates London plumbers. We turn up looking smart and professional. What’s more, our pricing is clear and will be discussed before we start work. We don’t charge a call out fee - simply a minimum charge of one hour on all jobs with further work billed in 30 minute increments. Try getting this information out of some other plumbing companies and you’ll struggle, I can tell you!

At Bates we keep it simple, which is why we feel we’re amongst the most trusted London plumbers in the capital.

The Renewable Heat Incentive and Solar Panels

Without going into too much detail, the government has launched the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is a scheme designed to support businesses and homeowners by rewarding those who reduce their dependence on fossil fuel heating systems. Quite a mouthful isn’t it?

So in short, by switching over to renewable energy systems such as solar heating, you could be rewarded by the government. From October 2012 onwards homes may qualify for tariffs for each kWh (Kilowatt hour) of renewable heat they produce themselves. This is quite an incentive in my eyes, and a further indication that solar heating is the way forward for homes throughout the capital.

These tariff payments would be made quarterly over a 20 year period, so consider that if you’re still wondering whether solar panels would be worth the investment.

If you’re interested in finding out more about solar heating or the Renewable Heat Incentive give me a call. I’ll talk you through it all and give you specific examples of how much you could save on your energy bills or receive in tariffs if you qualify.

Do I Qualify for Solar Heating?

Do I qualify? This is one of the most common questions people ask me when it comes to solar heating and solar panels. And with good reason, as not all homes do qualify unfortunately. But if you’re unsure, leave it to me. After arranging a free no obligation survey with Bates, my team will inspect your property and see if your home is suitable for solar panels.

The first job is deciding whether your roof is suitable or not. A sloping roof will have to be free from shading and cover and face south, south east, south west, east or west. Ideally, a south facing roof is best. If your roof is north east, north west or north facing you will still get some power from the solar panels, but in all honesty you may not generate enough to support the financial outlay you’ll need to install it in the first place.

Don’t worry; we know everything there is to know about positioning and installing solar panels on sloping roofs and I’ll tell you straight whether it is worth you having them or not.

If you’re lucky enough to have a flat roof, solar panels would be a perfect addition, although I may need to gain planning permission on your behalf before I can start work. Just leave it to me – I know these regulations and red tape can get people confused but I’ll do all I can to make it as painless and trouble free as I possibly can.

To find out for sure if you qualify, book a free no obligation survey. With summer just around the corner you could soon be making significant savings on your energy bills – savings that will carry on all year round. Give me a call today and I’ll set up a meeting.

The Real Facts about Solar Heating

Ask most people about solar power and the only thing they’ll know is that it uses energy from the sun to provide an alternative source of heating and hot water in the home. It’s a good start and is certainly true, but there’s so much more that needs to be said about solar heating and the benefits it can bring.

According to Total Solar Energy, the average household uses the equivalent of 3000kW hours of power per year to heat water via a traditional system. Solar panels can collect up to 1300 kW hours per square metre per year so it’s easy to see how savings could be made.

In fact, if your solar power system produces more energy than you use, your utility company may even decide to buy the energy from you.

Another misconception is that solar panels only deliver energy when it’s sunny. The fact is, the latest vacuum panels can draw in energy even on the dullest of days, so even in the winter or on a cloudy day you will still benefit.

Solar panel heating is something I see growing in popularity day by day and I believe it’s a worthwhile investment. If you’d like to find out more about the benefits and installation costs give me a call and I’ll arrange to visit you to see if it’s a viable option for your property.

The Genius of Air Source Heating

I’ve been installing quite a few of the latest energy devices lately: air source pumps. They absorb heat from the air outside and then use it to heat the home. It’s a simple concept, and one that’s very effective.

I know what you’re thinking though, what if it’s cold outside? That’s why this is such a genius piece of kit, because air source pumps can find heat in temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees.

Air source heating can help to lower fuel bills, reduce the carbon footprint and requires very little if any maintenance.

There are two different systems to choose from. An air-to-water system distributes heat via a central heating system. An air-to-air system produces warm air which is circulated around the home by fans.

If you’re interested in finding out more I’ll talk you through both types and help you decide which would be most beneficial in your home. It’s not suitable for every property type; there has to be sufficient space outside for the equipment to be installed but I’ll do a survey for you when I visit and let you know.

How Healthy are your Pipes?

You don’t need me to tell you that the past few months have been extraordinarily cold, and with snow and ice covering the whole of the country for a good few weeks, your pipes will have taken quite a battering.

But what’s surprising is that if damage has occurred, it will not become apparent until the thaw sets in. So with temperatures nowhere near as bitter as they were in December, now is a good time to check your pipes for damage.

There are a number of things you can do. You could wrap any external pipes in foam to protect them from the effects of a sudden thaw, or visually inspect them for signs of damage.

If there are any clear signs of splits, then call a 24 hour plumber. At Bates we regularly check pipes for damage and I encourage you to do the same. What’s more, I’ll put a few preventative measures in place to protect your pipes from the effects of any further cold snaps that can easily creep up just as you think spring is setting in.

Use this relatively mild weather time wisely. It could save you serious money in the long run. Otherwise you might find yourself calling me up in the middle of the night as the frost sets in, complaining about a burst pipe.

The Link between your Health and your Boiler

Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a threat in every home. You may not realise it, but a faulty boiler can be a killer.

I’ve looked a few stats up and found that there were 83 suspected cases of Carbon Monoxide poisoning between 2009/10 in London alone. But what is even more tragic is that these instances most probably could’ve been easily prevented.

Usually they are caused by a boiler or flue system not being installed correctly. This could be the fault of a rogue trader or a homeowner who is looking to save a bit of money and decides to install the boiler themselves. Never attempt to do this. It might save you a few quid, but could end up costing you a lot more in the long run, and not just in monetary terms.

For anything boiler or gas related, give me call. If you’ve just moved into a new home, call my 24 hour London heating engineers so they can give your system the once over. If you’ve had a boiler installed but something didn’t seem right about the person who installed it, let me check their work.

If it’s not up to scratch, I’ll get it sorted for you and I’ll let you know what to do about pursuing the person who did the original job. Everyone I employ here at Bates is Gas Safe registered. Don’t settle for anything less.