MartinDomm, Author at AS Need Family Thing

Air-Source Heat Pumps vs Gas Boilers

March 26, 2024 by admin

As homeowners grow increasingly aware of their energy usage and environmental footprint, the choice between adopting heat pumps and sticking with traditional gas boilers for heating and hot water becomes pivotal.

boiler on wall

Both systems present distinct advantages and disadvantages, shaped by factors like upfront and operational costs, environmental effects, and installation demands. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of heat pumps versus gas boilers, aiming to furnish you with the insights needed to make a more enlightened decision regarding your home’s heating solutions.

Pros of Heat Pumps

Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps stand out for their efficiency. They transfer heat from the air or ground outside into your home, using significantly less electricity than what a gas boiler would consume to generate the same heat level. This efficiency can translate into lower operational costs over time.

Environmental Impact: Heat pumps boast a smaller carbon footprint compared to gas boilers. By leveraging renewable resources (such as air or ground heat), they emit far fewer greenhouse gases, marking a crucial step for those aiming to minimize their environmental impact.

Versatility: Offering both heating and cooling, modern heat pumps serve as an all-in-one solution for year-round indoor comfort.

Longevity: Heat pumps generally outlast gas boilers, with a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years with proper upkeep, as opposed to the 10 to 15 years a gas boiler might last.

Government Incentives: To encourage the uptake of more eco-friendly heating options like heat pumps, governments in many regions offer incentives that help mitigate the installation costs, rendering them a more economically feasible choice for homeowners.

Cons of Heat Pumps

Higher Initial Cost: Installing a heat pump system can incur a higher initial expense than a new boiler fitting by a gas safe engineer Glasgow. This upfront investment can deter some homeowners, despite the promise of eventual savings.

Performance in Extreme Cold: Although advancements have made heat pumps increasingly effective in colder climates, their efficiency may wane in extreme cold, necessitating additional heating sources.

Installation Requirements: The setup for heat pumps, particularly ground source types, can be more complex and intrusive, possibly requiring significant changes to your property’s landscape and the laying of underground pipes.

Pros of Gas Boilers

Lower Initial Cost: The acquisition and installation costs for gas boilers are typically lower than those for heat pumps, appealing to budget-conscious individuals.

High Temperature Heat: Capable of producing high-temperature heat swiftly, gas boilers are well-suited for colder regions or large homes needing quick and efficient heating.

Familiar Technology: Many households are already configured for gas boilers, simplifying the process of replacing or upgrading without necessitating extensive modifications.

Cons of Gas Boilers

Environmental Impact: Operating on fossil fuels, gas boilers contribute to carbon emissions and the greenhouse effect, posing a significant concern for environmentally conscious individuals.

Running Costs: Subject to the volatility of gas market prices, the operational expenses of gas boilers can surpass those associated with the more stable electricity costs for running heat pumps.

Lifespan: Generally, gas boilers have a shorter lifespan than heat pumps, potentially leading to more frequent replacements over time.

Create highly realistic wood effect floors with Amtico

January 4, 2024 by admin

There is a reason that vinyl, laminate, and more recently LVT flooring has all been designed to resemble wood flooring as closely as possible over the years.

There is simply no getting around the fact that wood flooring just looks fantastic. It adds character to your space, brings a warmth and comfort that is simply unmatched by other designs and brings a sense of the natural world inside the home.

However, for most people, installing genuine hardwood flooring is probably not their best option. It is a little bit more effort to maintain than other flooring types and is certainly a bit more expensive.

The solution? Step forward Amtico, one of the World’s leading designers of Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).

Amtico go above and beyond to ensure that the tiles they produce are as realistic as possible and accurately replicate all of the imperfections, notches, and ridges that make wood flooring so unique.

Why not just get a real hard wood floor?

You could! If you decide that you simply must have the real thing and no alternative, no matter how realistic, will ever do, then go for it.

We have a great selection of wood for you to pick from and would be delighted to help.

LVT flooring

However, there are a few potential downside of real hardwood that it is definitely worth taking into consideration.

Without the right care and attention, natural wood will often shrink, or warp, leading to significant repair or replacement costs. Its sensitivity to water also means that it isn’t advised for use in bathrooms and kitchens where high moisture levels and spillages are a common occurrence.

LVT flooring from Amtico Glasgow, on the other hand, can be used in almost any area of the home, is also specifically designed to work over all forms of underfloor heating, and is incredibly easy to look after.

All it takes to keep Amtico floors looking as fresh and vibrant as the day they were installed is a quick mop every now and them.

LVT floors are also much less prone to scratches and staining and given the realism of the sophisticated printing techniques used at Amtico, many of our customers decide that this is by far the more convenient, cost-effective, and simply better option.

What types of wood designs are available with Amtico?

That is the beauty of LVT flooring. As the top layer is printed on, the options for designs are almost unlimited and the Amtico range is vast, with every single option offering the same high standard of finish and feel.

From powdered out to salvaged timber, it really is no exaggeration to say that there is something in the Amtico range for everyone, no matter what your taste or preference may be.

The Amtico flooring range is split into a number of collections including form, signature, and more to allow you to narrow down your search, with numerous designs created with individual rooms in mind, whether that be kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, or anywhere else.

A guide to double glazing in listed buildings

December 1, 2023 by admin

Some of the most beautiful and historic buildings in the UK are listed, meaning there are incredibly strict rules and regulations regarding the changes that you can make to their structure or appearance.

Living in a listed building has plenty of pros and cons. On the plus side, you get to live somewhere with significant historical importance, and listed buildings are some of the most aesthetically impressive anywhere in the world.

On the other hand, many of the changes that a modern homeowner would like to make to improve security or energy efficiency cannot easily be made.

Arched & arch wooden window. Casement & awning window frames. Flat icon set. Vector illustration. Isolated objects on white background

If you have single glazing in your property, upgrading to more thermally efficient Advanced Double Glazing is a no brainer. That is unless you live in a listed building, in which case replacing the existing windows could be seen as inappropriate and may be rejected on conservation grounds.

Whether this is right or wrong is a discussion for another day, but in this article we are going to investigate some alternative options for listed building residents if installing new double glazing is not a possibility.

Secondary Glazing

Yes, this is different to double glazing. Rather than removing the existing window and replacing it, secondary glazing involves installing an additional layer of glass alongside the original to improve thermal performance.

As long as the glazing bars match, and the original window is not damaged during the process, this can be a clever way to avoid breaching conservation laws without costing yourself a fortune during the winter months.

Window Repair

If replacing single glazing really isn’t an option, the least you should do is to repair any sections of the window or frame that have been compromised.

Sure, single glazing isn’t great, but it is better that zero glazing. Although we do not install single glazing ourselves, many of our window systems work in a similar way to traditional windows so we know what we are doing.

Furthermore, many of our expert window fitters have been working in the industry for a few too many years that they would like to admit and are all too familiar with windows designs from the past few decades.

Installing Double Glazing

Yes, we know what we said earlier. However, in some cases it is possible to replace the windows of listed properties, as long as you stay faithful to the original aesthetic.

You might not be able to install the very latest uPVC frames, and your windows might not quite achieve the same U-Values as units in a more modern home with no development restrictions, but any way you can upgrade from single to double glazing is certainly worth doing and will result in an immediate improvement in your energy use and reduction in energy bills.

We have a huge selection of window styles and designs on display in our showroom and have installed windows in listed properties many times over the years.

Get in touch to learn more about how we could assist you.

Mobile Tyre Fitting vs Garage fitting

October 25, 2023 by admin

If you need new tyres for your van, car, motorbike, or any other roadworthy vehicle, there are a few different ways of having them fitted.

If you are an experienced motorist, you might decide to order the tyres to be delivered to your home and simply install them yourself.

For most of us, however, we will choose the convenience and peace of mind that comes with leaving this important task to a professional tyre fitting expert.

So, now the question is whether you should take your car to them, in your local garage, or arrange for them to come to you, in the form of a mobile tyre fitting service.

In this article we will discuss the benefits of each option, helping you to make the decision of which option is the best for you.

new tyres

Benefits of mobile tyre fitting

Saving time

One of the biggest arguments for visiting a garage in-person is that they tend to be a little cheaper than a mobile tyre fitting service.

However, you have to factor in the travel time to a garage and time that you have to take out of your day whilst you wait around for the work to be done.

In comparison, a mobile tyre fitter will come directly to you at a time that suits. They do say that time is money after all.

No time without a vehicle

If you live in a major city, having to navigate the day without a car might not be too much hassle. However, travel a few miles outside the city and things become a lot more inconvenient.

With mobile tyre fitting you can pick a time and place for your fitter to come to you whilst you are busy working or doing anything else of your choosing. This will mean that you are never stuck stranded without a vehicle when you need one the most.

Benefits of Garages

In many situations, mobile tyre fitting makes sense, but not all. If you are having other work done on your car at the same time for example, or an MOT/Service is being carried out, it makes sense to have all the work done at the garage, including the tyre fitting itself.

For convenience, however, mobile tyre fitting is in a league of its own.

Great in an emergency

In an emergency situation, where you get a blowout at the side of the road, mobile tyre fitting is the obvious and most sensible choice.

Emergency tyre fitting Edinburgh is a service offered by top mobile tyre fitting companies who are available 24/7 to travel to your location and get you back on the road or off the roadside.

For obvious reasons, if you are stuck at the roadside, travelling to a garage to have your tyre replaced isn’t an option. You could fit the spare tyre to do so, but this is very dangerous to do on the side of a busy road and should never be attempted by anyone other than a highly experienced REACT trained tyre fitter.

3 most common methods of pest control

September 1, 2023August 29, 2023 by admin

The mere thought of pests is enough to send shivers down the spine of most people, but for those in the hospitality industry it is something that must be managed carefully on a daily basis.

Without the correct control methods in place, a pest problem will quickly escalate out of control and there are incredibly strict legal regulations around the control of pests in any area where food is being prepared.

In this article we will look at what pest control is and three of the most effective control methods that a professional company such as Harvey Environmental may use to protect restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality sectors.

What is Pest Control?

Pests pose a serious risk to human health by spreading disease and damaging property. Pest Control are the methods used to minimise this rick, and pest technicians are the ones responsible for implementing these methods.

No two pest problems are the same so it takes fast thinking, expert knowledge of pest behaviour, and an array of different pest control methods to be able to tackle them effectively.

As a business, you should leave this key role to the professionals, giving you peace of mind that everything is under control and letting you crack on with building your business.

3 Common Types of Pest Control

Physical Pest Control

When you think of traditional pest control, physical control methods are almost certainly the first thing that comes to mind. Traps, nest destruction, shooting, and installing physical barriers to prevent pests accessing the property all fall into this category.

There are no insecticides or other chemicals involved in this form of pest control which means it is considered environmentally responsible and provides immediate tangible results.

On the downside, if there is a large pest infestation present, insecticide may well be needed to tackle the entire population as trapping hundreds of insects or rodents is unrealistic.

Chemical Pest Control

The most common form of pest control in the UK and almost certainly the most effective. Pesticides, when used responsibly, are the backbone of the professional pest control industry and can be used to remove large infestations of a certain species. Whether they are applied using bait boxes, fogging, or in any other way, pesticide use should be reserved solely for trained professionals and using chemicals on your own property without supervision is not advised.

The only real downside of chemical pest control is that the area affected often needs to be left alone for a certain period of time to avoid harming humans.

Biological Pest Control

Biological pest control is not a method often used in the hospitality sector but can sometimes be used in agricultural settings. It basically involves introducing a predator to the area to ward off any pests or kill those that remain.

Falconry is a good example of a predator being used to tackle pest bird infestations whilst farmers will often use dogs such as terriers to keep rats under control.

The problem of violent crime in the UK

June 26, 2023 by admin

Violent crime offences are some of the most common crimes heard in UK courts, but what exactly falls into the category of a ‘violent crime’.

One understandable mistake that people make is assuming that physical harm has to be done to someone for the incident to be considered as a violent crime.

This isn’t actually the case, although many cases to involve injured victims, and the threat of violence alone can often be enough for a crime to be considered as a ‘violent crime’.

Some of the most common crimes that you are likely aware of that fall into this category include all forms of assault, robbery, sexual crimes, manslaughter, and murder.

Is violent crime a growing concern?

The threat of violent crime is not a new one, but there are certainly growing concerns over the rate at which incidents are occurring across the nation.

Since 2010, violent crime offences in the UK have more than doubled, and there are no signs of this trend subsiding anytime soon. This is a worrying trend, and one that is closely linked to the culture of drinking that is to entrenched within Scottish and UK society.

According to the Office for National Statistics around 70% of all violent crime incidents taking place in the evening or weekends were fuelled by alcohol, and that is before any other substance abuse is taken into consideration.

The defence of being so drunk that you acted out of character is not one that goes down well in the UK courts and those who commit crimes whilst under the influence are held to the same standards as those who are stone cold sober.

How to reduce violent crime

Reducing violent crime is an aim of pretty much every Government in the world and the UK/Scottish Government is no different. There is no easy solution to this incredibly large and complex problem but there are a few widely recognised steps that are recommended by those who have done extensive research into the causes and motives behind violent crimes.

Some of the steps that are recommended include:

Ensuring the appropriate police/security guard presence

There are numerous security measures that can be taken by businesses and other establishments to guard against violent crime.

These include hiring security guards for licenced establishments and ensuring a suitable police presence at events and in high-risk areas during high-risk times. Keeping police response times to an absolute minimum when a call come sin regarding a violent crime is also essential and slow response times are a rising concern across the UK.

Security technologies such as alarm systems and CCTV cameras can also help to deter criminals and keep areas safe.

Control alcohol

Stricter punishments for serving alcohol to those who are already inebriated and for those who are drunk and disorderly could discourage the excess drinking that has been identified to fuel many violent crimes.

There is a clear connection between alcohol and violence and reducing the use of one will impact on the occurrence of the other.

Increase weapon control

Gun control laws are very strict in the UK, but there are still a number of incidents involving firearms that occur every year. These also happen to be the crimes with the highest potential threat to human life. Funding gun control campaigns, educating the youth on the dangers of guns, and tightening gun legislation even more is a must for reducing violent crime but is only the beginning of weapon related changes that must be made.

As you probably know, knife crime is a major issue in the UK, and stabbings make up a dis-proportionate number of violent crime offences in comparison to the rest of the world. Putting more efforts into knife crime education and introducing stricter penalties for carrying knives are both moves that are recommended highly by researchers who have been investigating the potential ways to reduce the number of violent crimes in the nation.

What to do if you are accused of a violent crime?

With so many different crimes falling into the category of a violent crime, thousands of people across the nation find themselves accused of committing one each and every year.

Sometimes the allegations are true, sometimes they are false, but either way every single person accused or charged with a crime has the right to legal representation. Seeking this representation is the very first thing that a person should do if they find themselves under arrest or think they might be charged in the future.

Wherever you live in the country you can rest assured that there are many local lawyers in your area who specialise in violent assault Scotland law cases so get in touch with one today to learn about what they can do for you.

A guide to a career as a security guard

June 6, 2023 by admin

Security guards are in high demand, with the security industry one of the few to thrive in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some people see security guarding as a rather limited career path, however, with progression opportunities limited beyond simply becoming a guard conducting mobile patrols on one property or another.

The truth, however, is there are not only plenty of opportunities for advancement within security guarding itself, but the skills and experience that you can earn in the role are highly transferable and can set you up nicely for a switch into a different field if you feel like making a change further down the line.

Whether you have just qualified as a security guard and gained your SIA licence, congratulations if you have, are considering becoming a security guard, or have already been in the industry for some time and are considering a change, this article will help you create a more effective future career plan.

Why work in security in the first place?

If you are still considering if security is the career for you , you might be wondering what the biggest perks of the job actually are.

Firstly, it is a stable career that helps you pay the bills. Perhaps not the most glamorous of benefits, but securing the financial future of you and your family is the most important thing after all.

Many people also enjoy the flexibility that the role offers, with a range of different part time and full time positions available at all times of the day and night. It is a fantastic option either as a full-time career or simply as a way to earn a bit of additional cash alongside your other commitments.

In this role, you will meet all sorts of different people on a daily basis whilst carrying out your security services Manchester, and people orientated professionals usually make the best security officers.

During this article we will talk about the progression opportunities and possible career switches available to security guards, but that isn’t to say that there is anything wrong with being a security guard for your entire career. Many people do and are very happy doing so.

Why would you want to make a change?

The reasons that people choose to change career from a security guard are incredibly varied.

The most common is to use their experience to find a higher paying role, as a head door supervisor or similar, but others may decide to opt for a less stressful and high pressure career.

As a security guard you are given a huge amount of responsibility to protect your charges, with people often putting their livelihoods and even their lives in your hands. This sort of responsibility can take its toll over the years and it is fully understandable that you might wish to move to a more relaxed environment.

That said many of the career change option we mention below are just as fast-paced as a security officer role, if not more so, so if this is not something you are interested in, you might be better off going down a slightly different route

Security Guard Walking Building Perimeter With Flashlight At Night

What other careers are available to security officers?

Here is a list of some of the roles that former security officers often find themselves in:

Police officer

Police officers share many of the same traits as security guards, and if it is a passion for doing good and protecting people that inspired you to become a security guard in the first place, this may be the natural progression.

Police officers earn more, on average than security guards and your job remit is likely to be wider, with more variation in your day-to-day work.

Whilst being a security guard will assist you in becoming a police officer, the roles are not directly aligned and you will still need to undertake all the medical and physical assessments and pass background checks in order to be accepted.

Security consultant

Security companies often provide risk assessments to businesses and event managers, helping them to identify the security threats they face and implement solutions to deal with them.

Whilst security officers are usually the ones responsible for helping to implement these solutions rather than identify them, during your time you will begin to learn how to do so and gain knowledge that is extremely valuable to business owners.

Once your time in the field is over, you might decide to use this asset to become a security consultant, or even start your own security firm.

Security managers

The most popular and natural career progression for any security guard. As you progress within the security firm you work for and become more senior among your peers, you will develop management skills that can be used to become a security manager, responsible for overseeing major security projects of your very own.

Botox vs fillers: Which is the difference and which one to choose?

May 8, 2023 by admin

The world of cosmetic injectables is an ever changing place and can be a daunting one to enter, especially for the very first time.

To simplify the industry slightly, we are going to take a look at the two most popular injectable treatments used by people across the world to achieve their dream appearance and tackle the unwanted signs of aging.

Both Botox and Dermal fillers are incredibly effective treatments in their own right and whilst they are often confused, are actually very different. As you might imagine, fillers fill in any areas of your face that have lost volume over the years, helping to smooth skin and allowing you to achieve a younger looking wrinkle free complexion.

Botox, on the other hand, immobilises the muscles that are responsible for the formation of wrinkles in the first place, making it the better choice for those looking to take preventative action to help slow the aging process.

As you can see, these are two pretty different treatments, but, as injectables designed to reduce and reverse signs of aging, are understandably interlinked and often mentioned together.

To help you make the most well-informed decision possible about which of the two treatments are best for you, we have put together a list of the differences between fillers and Botox. Read on to discover more about whether a filler or Botox Glasgow City Centre treatment is the best option for your needs.

What is Botox?

Botox is a neuromodulator that paralyses the muscles it is injected into, helping to relax the area and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Whilst Botox injection can be used to smooth out existing fine lines and minor wrinkles, its main use is to prevent their appearance in the first place by preventing the movement responsible for deep wrinkle formation.

As well as a variety of cosmetic uses, Botox is also used extensively for medical purposes and is one of the most adaptable and customisable injectable on the market today. Just a few of the ways that Botox is used that you might not expect include to prevent excessive sweating by sealing sweat glands, providing relief from arthritis pains, and reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.

The term Botox is actually a brand name for a version of the botulinum neurotoxin that is now commonly used to describe all treatments using the substance. It may be that when you arrange an appointment at a cosmetic clinic to discuss your treatment that your doctor ends up recommending a different brand, but rest assured they will be just as effective and are all fully approved for safe use by the FDA.

When you go for a Botox treatment you will initially take part in a consultation with a doctor to discuss your goals and medical history. Once you and your doctor are happy that Botox is something that is suitable for your needs a series of small injections will be made into the target area. Numbing cream may be used to reduce discomfort but no general anaesthetic will be used. The full effects of Botox will usually be fully visible after around a week.

There are very few side effects associated with Botox, and risks are usually limited to minor bruising and soreness that will ease after just a couple of days.

What are fillers?

dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are another popular injectable used to reduce signs of aging. Rather than paralysing facial muscles, fillers do this by adding volume under the skin to smooth out the surface and stimulating the production of elastin and collagen.

Fillers are far superior to Botox when it comes to dealing with static wrinkles; those pesky lines that are visible when the face is at rest.

Dermal fillers made up of hyaluronic acid, do share one similarity with Botox in that the risk of any side effects is very low. This is mainly due to the fact that hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body, so the risk of an allergic reaction is slim.

These fillers can also be dissolved by your doctor if required using an enzyme known as Hyaluronidase meaning that if something does happen to go awry, or you decide that you detest your new look and want to go back to your original appearance you can.

The temporary nature of dermal filler can be frustrating if you, like the vast majority of other are delighted with the way they enhance your appearance, but is also reassuring, especially for those who are visiting a cosmetic clinic for the first time. After around 9-12 months the effects of dermal fillers will naturally fade and the filler breaks down and you will be able to decide if you wish to return for a top-up.

Surgical Facelifts vs Non-Surgical Facelifts: What are the pros and cons?

May 29, 2023January 15, 2023 by admin

Age is one of life’s inevitabilities and at some point, you might decide to reverse some of the most common signs of aging by having a facelift.

Facelifts are some of the most popular cosmetic treatments in Glasgow and across the entire world, and for good reason.

A facelift can give you a new lease of life, restoring your youthful features by reducing sagging, eliminating fat, producing smoother and fuller looking skin.

The majority of people choose to have a facelift in their early fifties, and this is when the biggest effects will likely be seen, but a facelift can have a dramatic impact on people of all ages.

It is at this stage of life that volume loss occurs most quickly, and smile lines become most prominent, and these are just two of the areas where a facelift can be highly effective.

Both surgical and non-surgical facelifts can target the cheeks, jowls, neck, and the skin around the mouth.

However, this is where the similarities begin to end and if you have decided that a facelift is for you will need to decide between the two. To help you in this difficult decision, we have compiled a list of the pros and cons associated with both surgical and non-surgical facelifts.

Surgical facelifts

Surgical facelifts are conducted under general anaesthetic and involve incisions being made in the skin of the face. The fat underneath may be resulted or removed, muscles tightened, and skin drawn tight. Once excess skin is removed and new contours created, the wounds are stitched closed.

Pros of surgical facelifts

Complete reconfiguration

Surgical facelifts do not simply draw loose skin tight, they involve the complete reconfiguration of the underlying structures of the face.

This produces much more long lasting and impressive results and means that the facelift will last significantly longer than would otherwise be the case.

Long-lasting

The effects of a surgical facelift can last upwards of 7-8 years, meaning that this is a surgery that does not need to be repeated very often.

More affordable than ever

It is also much more affordable than it once was meaning that more and more people are enjoying the fabulous benefits of looking years younger after a single treatment.

Cons of surgical facelifts

Higher risk

Surgery of any kind that involves general anaesthetic comes with an inherent risk no matter how highly trained a surgeon may be. However, these procedures are safer than they have ever been before, and the chances of any complications is extremely low when you use a well respected and qualified surgeon.

Cost

Surgical facelifts have never been more affordable but they are still significantly more expensive than the non-surgical alternative and coming in at around £8000-£12000, the savings you could make by going for non-surgical (£4000-£6000) are large.

Recovery

Those who have a facelift operation almost always have to take some time off work and should expect to rest for 6-8 weeks before resuming normal activity.

If you simply cannot take several weeks off work, or would rather not, you’re probably better off avoiding a surgical facelift.

Non-surgical facelifts

Non-surgical facelifts are conducted under local anaesthetic and involves the application of radio frequencies that melt fat and increase collagen production.

Pros of non-surgical facelifts

Cost-effective

Non-surgical facelifts have made the fantastic benefits of facelifts available to a much larger market than ever before.

If you are looking to save money without compromising on the quality of results this is the perfect choice.

Limited discomfort

There is very little pain or discomfort involved in getting a non-surgical facelift. This makes it a very attractive first-time cosmetic treatment for those concerned about more invasive alternatives.

Quick procedure

Non-surgical facelifts can be completed in around 1 hour, and with no general anaesthetic required this is not a procedure that will take a huge amount of your valuable time.

Fast recovery

With a non-surgical facelift you will only need to take a very limited time off work and will be back to normal in just a couple of weeks.

Low Risk

There are very few potential complications that can occur when having a non-surgical facelift with the chances of infection almost zero.

Cons of non-surgical facelifts

Slightly less long lasting

The effects of a non-surgical facelift do last slightly longer than the surgical alternatives but only slightly.

Non-surgical facelifts last for around 5-6 years meaning that eventually you will need to return for further treatment if you wish to maintain the youthful appearance that you have enjoyed since the initial treatment.

Less dramatic

Surgical facelifts will produce an instant and very noticeable chance, completely reshaping the face in many situations.

On the other hand, the impressive results of a non-surgical facelift will be slightly more subtle, BUT they will improve even more over time as fat continues to melt.

How to install a home sauna Scotland

January 14, 2023 by admin

If you have decided that you want a piece of the action and want to join the thousands up and down the country who are enjoying the luxury and health benefits of owning a home sauna is s time to start researching the exact product you want.

When it comes to installing a home sauna you have 3 options to choose from.

Having a bespoke home sauna designed, delivered, and installed by a professional home sauna company
Purchasing a pre-built or kit sauna and building/installing it yourself
Building your own home Sauna from scratch by buying all the materials and hardware components

Each of these methods has their own pros and cons but professional installation is almost always the sensible and most cost effective choice.

Kit Saunas

Off the shelf ‘kit’ saunas are the cheapest home saunas that you can purchase, starting at just £1,000 and ranging up to an average of around £8,500.

Whilst this price is highly attractive, you need to be aware that these kits won’t offer anywhere near the same quality or features as a professionally installed sauna.

By building a kit yourself you are risking accidental damage that won’t be covered by a warranty in many situations.

You will also need to hire an electrician to carry out the required safety checks before you are able to use the sauna, all of which cuts into any savings that you will make by going down this route.

When you take the kit approach, you are also limiting yourself to a certain selection of designs and sizes and will have to gamble on the fact that a certain sauna looks good once installed.

If you are looking for a bespoke design that perfectly fits a certain area or matches the aesthetic of the rest of your home, you are much better off having one professionally installed instead.

Even so, if you are on a tight budget and are looking to benefit from some of the effects of a home sauna system, a kit is the way to do just that.

Pre-Built saunas

Purchasing a pre-built sauna is the middle ground between the bespoke design of a professionally designed sauna and the budget price of a kit.

This is not a good compromise, however, and this is generally considered as a poor choice both in terms of quality and price.

Pre-built saunas can be just as high quality as professionally installed saunas, only you will have to do the installation part yourself.

You will only save money here on the installation cost itself and will have to take a huge amount of risk in moving and installing the unit, knowing that any damage will be incredibly expensive and will come directly out of your pocket.

Building your own sauna

If you are a DIY obsessive, you might be considering building your own sauna from scratch.

A few planks of hardwood, a heating system and away you go right?

Wrong. Installing a working home sauna is incredibly difficult and should only ever be attempted by a trained joiner.

DIY saunas break down far more often than professional ones, and any issues will have to be resolved yourself.

Surprisingly, because you have to purchase all the materials individually rather than working with a supplier like professional companies do, building your own sauna is rarely much cheaper than using a professional.

The main benefit of designing your own sauna is that you have almost unlimited customisation options and can design a unit specifically to meet the look and space of your home.

However, many professionals now offer a custom design service for just this purpose, giving you the best of both worlds in terms of design and installation guarantee.

Unless you are a professional joiner and are looking for your next DIY project with a pretty hefty budget in hand, DIY sauna building should be avoided.

Professional Sauna Installation

The last, and generally the most sensible way to secure your lovely new home sauna is to use the services of a professional sauna provider.

If they are as well respected and reliable as we are, these companies will have both joiners and electricians as part of their expert team ensuring that absolutely nothing goes wrong during the installation.

There are a huge selection of styles and designs available, not to mention the opportunity to work with some companies to design your very own bespoke sauna room.

Home sauna installation cost will also come with an installer guarantee that will protect you against faulty components and accidental damage for years to come.

The extra £2,000 or so you will have to pay to have your sauna installed professionally may seem a lot, but one problem with your DIY installation and suddenly it is looking like a very good deal.

Over the lifespan of a home sauna, professional installation is almost always the most cost-effective option.

Is it possible to get free solar panels in 2022?

January 13, 2023 by admin

The thought of generating free, completely clean, energy has always been one that has appealed to homeowners across Scotland.

With energy prices escalating at an alarming rate, however, and the current climate emergency at the forefront of all our minds, more people than ever are looking to solar panels to reduce their carbon footprint, and energy bills, in one fell swoop.

Across the UK as a whole, nearly 1 million homes currently have solar panels installed, and with prices falling dramatically over the past decade, there has never been a better time to jump on board the renewables train.

This article will answer some of the most common questions regarding solar panel funding, giving you all the information that you need to decide if this is the right approach for your energy needs.

Does the Government provide solar panel funding?

Just because solar panel installation is cheaper than it has ever been before, does not mean that it is not still a significant investment to make, and no-one wants to spend more than necessary.

You may have heard from your friends or family who have installed solar panels on their properties in the past, that the Government paid for part or all of the installation costs.

Unfortunately, most of the Government schemes that provided grants for solar panel installation, such as the Green Deal, have now ended.

The only remaining fund that can potentially be used to fund the purchase of solar panels is ECO4.

ECO4

ECO4 is the latest variant of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, aiming to assist low income and vulnerable households in making their homes more energy efficient.

This is not a grant specifically designed for solar panel installation, but, if your home’s heating system is currently powered by electric, you may qualify for solar panel installation via the scheme as it will have a direct impact on your ability to heat your home.

There are certain criteria that a household must meet before qualifying for ECO4 funding.

For a start, the entire household must earn less than £31,000 per year and you must be recommended for funding by a third party such as your energy provider, local council, or a doctor concerned about how you will be able to heat your home.

If your home is poorly insulated, the chances are that any funding will have to go towards resolving that before solar panels are considered.

Is solar panel installation still worth it?

For the majority of people in Scotland, there is no longer significant Government help to assist with the installation of solar panels, so are they really still worth it?

The answer, in almost all circumstances, is a resounding YES!

The fact is, that as solar panel prices have fallen by 88% since 2010, even if those you know who installed solar panels over the past decade had installation partially funded, there is a good chance that you will end up paying less anyway.

For context, just a decade ago, a standard three bedroom household could expect to pay upwards of £20,000 for solar panel installation, where as the same system is now available for around £5,000

Furthermore, as the cost of energy rises, the value of the energy that you generate in your own home also rises, and the savings you will make by using solar panel generated electric rather than purchasing it directly from the grid have never been higher.

It is estimated that a 10 panel 3.5 kW solar array will save the average household over £500 every single year.

Can I sell electricity generated from my solar panels?

Another way to make your solar panels Scotland as financially beneficial as possible is to sell any excess energy that is not used in your own home, back into the grid.

In the past, this was done through the Feed-In-Tariff that paid households not only for excess energy but also for every single unit of electricity that they generated.

Unfortunately, the FIT ended in 2019, with the Government choosing to focus instead on commercial projects but it was replaced, in part, by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The SEG requires all energy providers with more than 150,000 customers to offer a tariff for buying energy generated via renewable sources by their customers.

In some ways, the SEG is even better than the FIT as the Government only ever used to pay homeowners for 50% of the electricity they generated, whilst with the SEG you will make the most of every single unit.

However, there is no minimum tariff requirement that providers must offer, it is worth doing some shopping around when looking for an SEG provider.

Making sure your boiler is ready for the Winter

January 12, 2023 by admin

There is nothing more frustrating during the winter than having your central heating system fail, especially as we get into late winter. If you are having to deal with boiler breakdowns it can be incredibly disruptive and a huge pain.

If you find yourself suffering from boiler breakdowns there’s some things you can do to stop it from happening in the future, mainly by prepping the boiler for the winter weather. In this article, we’ll go over some of the things you can do to ensure your boiler is ready for the winter.

Prepping in the run up to winter

You should always test your boiler (as well as your central heating system) in the run up to winter.

One way to do this is to run the boiler for a few hours one evening before the really cold winter weather sets in. This will ensure you know if your system is running correctly or not. You can check for any cold spots, listen out for any strange noises, and check for any other problems.

By keeping your boiler healthy before and during the winter you’ll ensure your home is kept both safe and warm. Furthermore, it’ll cut down the cost of maintenance in the long term as well.

Annual Service

Getting an annual service is incredibly important to ensuring you’ve a warm, comfortable home as well as ensuring you have a dependable central heating system during the winter. You should try and get your boiler serviced before the winter, because this is when engineers will be most busy, but it’s still possible to book your service during the winter.

A boiler service like CHS Home Glasgow will involve the engineer checking and cleaning the parts and components of the boiler to guarantee they’re in a good, working order. Even if you have not noticed any issues with your boiler, making sure you get an annual service is vital.

System Filter

To help your boiler remain healthy for a longer period there’s several handy accessories you can fit.

One of these is the magnetic system filter. This is a fantastic option. The magnetic boiler filter works by attracting metallic particles, preventing them from entering the boiler system. Magnetic filters stop these particles from disrupting the flow of the water, and stop them from becoming a dense, sludge-like substance (which can cause serious issues in the long term).

Checking and bleeding your radiators

Switch on your heating and once your home is properly heated, check your radiators for any cold spots. If the radiator is cold near the top but hot near the bottom, it becomes necessary to bleed them.

Bleeding radiators is an important process. Air can become trapped inside of radiators, stopping warm water from circulating properly. As a result, the radiator becomes cold near the top, but warm near to the bottom. This results in your central heating system not working properly.

Checking the boilers pressure

By checking the boilers pressure regularly you’ll save a huge amount of money in the long term.

If your boilers pressure is not kept at the correct level, then you can suffer serious issues. A boiler which loses pressure will have its efficiency significantly diminished. It can end up having a significant knock-on effect on the rest of the central heating system.

However, it is relatively simple to have the pressure of the boiler topped up by an engineer.

Insulate the Pipes

Low temperatures during the winter months can end up causing serious problems for your central heating system, especially if they end up freezing. Keeping your heating on low temperatures can prevent this from happening but it is obviously expensive to do.

During the winter any ‘standing water’ which is produced by condensation can cause serious problems, including freezing inside of the pipes. If the external condensate pipes freeze, the boiler can stop working. Freezing water can also result in the pipes bursting, which can result in a total disaster.

You can try and defrost pipes by using a hair dryer. You should avoid pouring hot water over the pipes. If they continue to freeze, then the best option is to call in an engineer. If you discover cold spots across the pipes, you should insulate them to stop the pipe from splitting and resulting in any leaks.

Conclusion – Preparation is Key

By preparing your boiler and heating system you can avoid a swathe of serious issues when it comes to cold weather.

The Day-to-Day work of a Human Rights Lawyer

January 11, 2023 by admin

Human rights lawyers engage with one of the most comprehensive areas of the law there is and work across a huge variety of important legal subjects. While much of their day-to-day work is like other lawyers, the broad nature of their work means it is defined by specific experiences.

In this article we will discuss the kind of work that dominates the day-to-day duties of a human rights lawyer.

What is Human Rights Law?

Human rights law is typically said to cover issues relating to human dignity, civil rights, and equality. It is by far one of the broadest (and most important) areas of the law.

Human rights was originally outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the UK human rights became their own aspect of the law in 2000 under the Human Rights Act 1998. The act covers a variety of rights, from the right to life to freedom from degrading treatment to the right to a fair trial.

The broad nature of the human rights act means that the application of human rights can come up in matters concerning the right to work, the right to education, refugee and immigration rights, and discrimination.

Lawyers specialising in human rights law tend to defend and define the laws which surround violations of human rights, effectively working to ensure human beings can maintain them properly. Many human rights lawyers specialise in subjects. These include,

Workers’ rights and labour rights
Freedom of speech
Racial discrimination
Refugee and immigration rights
Domestic abuse
Prisoners’ rights and the treatment of prisoners
LGBTQ rights

Many of the issues involved in human rights work is highly contentious, especially immigration and refugee related matters.

What do Human Rights lawyers do?

In effect, a human rights lawyer’s job is to defend and uphold human rights. Their actual work is largely the same as any other lawyer, so they will often spend their time researching material for cases, talking with clients, and negotiating with representatives of other parties. They will also of course spend their time in court representing clients.

What really differentiates human rights lawyers from other lawyers is the kind of cases they are handling. Because human rights law is such a broad area a human rights lawyer will require a broad understanding of many different laws, from immigration law to family law. Often a human rights lawyer will have experience in many areas, and the best human rights lawyers are highly experienced in practically every time of law.

The clients of human rights lawyers vary hugely as well. Typically, human rights law clients are those people who believe their civil liberties have been violated or abused – either by another individual or public authorities. A common case are people who feel they have been discriminated against in work for a disability or mental illness. Another common issue are prisoners who feel they have been abused by staff.

Like with any other lawyer, a human rights lawyer will need to talk with their client regularly to ascertain the full facts of the case. They will gather statements, evidence, and research the relevant laws. Like other lawyers it’s vital they research previous cases to better understand what their client is dealing with. It is vital they can do this successfully as it will provide them the ability to negotiate with the representative of other parties.

Research

Research is often an underplayed element when it comes to the practice of law, and the typical image of lawyers, solicitors, and barristers does not consider the extensive academic research they have to do. Lawyers must be able to understand the cases they are engaging with and so must look at how previous cases and laws have been argued to formulate their own arguments. They also of course must understand the facts of the case, so they do not make costly errors.

Specialisation and working practices

Where a human rights lawyer focusses on will tend to depend on how they are employed by and working for.

Government employed human rights lawyers tend to focus on ensuring the policies of government departments comply with human rights legislation, for example. Private practice human rights lawyers on the other hand may be conducting proceedings against the government, targeting discriminatory practices or potential violations of important laws. Others will be engaged in similar proceedings against large organisations or businesses. Many human rights lawyers provide advice to the police.

Pro bono (voluntary) work is a common practice for many human rights lawyers and is frequently the bulk of many human rights lawyer’s jobs. This is often taking up the case of an individual relating to their speciality and providing them with assistance. Many human rights lawyers have cut their teeth performing pro-bono work and it is often considered a vital part of working in the field. It is also often a source of excellent experience, and many human rights lawyers have developed their careers via work in NGOs and charities.

The character and skills of a human rights lawyer

Human rights lawyer above all else requires a huge deal of empathy and patience. The cases they face are often very demanding and many clients are extremely vulnerable.

Other skills required are academic ability – the qualifications required to enter law, combined with the need for research of previous cases, makes academic ability invaluable. There is also resilience – work hours are long and demanding, not to mention the stressful nature of cases.