Home User Guide - Broadland Housing Group
Contents
1. section Thermostatic radiator temperature valves control the radiators Extractor Fans Extractor fans have been fitted in the kitchen and bathroom these are operated by either a pull cord or switch Renewable Energy if applicable Solar Panels Heating or Photovoltaic PV Electricity Solar Thermal Panels or PV Photovoltaic for electric generation and associated controls have been fitted by a qualified installer and should therefore not be tampered with in any way Air Source Heat Pumps Air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air This heat can then be used to warm water for radiators or underfloor heating systems or to warm the air in your home Ground Source Heat Pumps Ground source heat pumps use pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the ground This is usually used to warm water for radiators or underfloor heating systems It can also be used to pre heat water before it goes into a more conventional boiler Any maintenance or repair to the renewable energy sources should be reported to Broadland Housing in the usual manner Instructions for use are included in the User Guides Instructions and Certificates section Smoke Detectors The smoke detector alarm is wired directly into the main supply and by passes the RCB system thereby ensuring that should any circuit breaker switch off due to overload or fault the smoke alarms remain fully operational Smoke detectors are fitted with2. Home User Guide For Rented Accommodation All about your home Contents Your New Home Utility Services Saving Energy Facilities Provided Housekeeping and Money Saving Tips Cleaning Advice Recycling and Waste Home Security Fire Safety in the Home Further Information 21 22 23 Welcome to Broadland Housing Association This handbook contains everything you need to know to manage your home Customer Services 0303 303 0003 3 All about your home Your New Home New homes should be run in gently over the first 12 months A modern building contains a variety of materials that will have absorbed water during construction This will not be noticeable but it does need to evaporate slowly and be ventilated away Drying Out As your home is lived in and heated timber and other materials will shrink and the appearance of minor cracking or small areas of blistering of paint may occur which is best to leave until the end of the 12 month defects period when these faults can be corrected To minimise cracking try to keep a reasonably even temperature throughout your home even in rooms which are not occupied Your home needs to be kept well ventilated to allow moisture to evaporate as the structure dries out Leave windows or at least the trickle vents Slotted vents in the window frame open for as long as you can each day but remembering to close all windows before leaving Any problem of this t
3. Opening times Monday to Thursday 8 30am 6pm Friday 8 30am 5pm Norwich City Football Club Jarrold Stand Carrow Road Norwich NR1 1HU Tel 0303 303 0003 Fax 01603 750222 Dereham Office Opening times 9am 5pm 7 Aldiss Court High Street Dereham NR19 1TS Kings Lynn Office Opening times 9am 5pm Pleasant Court Hospital Walk King s Lynn Norfolk PE30 5PR Lowestoft Office Opening times 9am 5pm 31 Milton Road East Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 1NU Customer Services Lines open 9am 5pm Monday to Friday Website www broadlandhousing org Email enquiries broadlandhousing org 008 tenantsoniine www broadlandhousing org Customer Services 0303 303 0003 Emergency out of hours 01732 781974 Adora This can be supplied in a format to suit you IN A V TRAN communication for all
4. the surface of the paintwork using a solution of warm water with a proprietary domestic cleaner Normally no damage will occur to the surface through mildewing Efflorescence This takes the form of a white chalk like appearance and can be characteristic on brickwork and plywood surfaces as a consequence of drying out This is caused by natural salts coming out of the wall materials and is quite normal It is not harmful and usually disappears over time If efflorescence occurs on internal walls it can be wiped or brushed away If efflorescence persists internally it could indicate a water leak in which case you should contact Broadland Housing Utility Services Please familiarise yourself with the services and equipment in your home as detailed on the following pages and detailed in the My Home supplement Services Locations Please refer to the My Home supplement Location of Equipment Please refer to the My Home supplement External Services If when digging in your garden you locate any services please report them to Broadland Housing immediately It is most unlikely that you will come across any unless you are digging very deep never dig deeper than 450mm 18 in your front or rear garden without prior consultation which in any event should be avoided It is quite normal for services to be located in your front garden as these will be servicing your home GAS Please contact your gas supplie
5. another building of the same type This allows prospective buyers tenants owners occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment The certificate is important because nearly 50 per cent of the UK s energy consumption and carbon emissions arise from the way our buildings are lit heated and used Even comparatively minor changes in energy performance and the way we use each building will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption The certificate for your property is included in the User Guides Instructions and Certificates section All about your home Saving Energy Code for Sustainable Homes Code homes are built to the standards set in the Code for Sustainable Homes the Code They are more energy wee ea a and water efficient produce fewer carbon emissions THE CODE FOR and are better for the environment SUFIOMES Code homes also encourage their owners to live a more sustainable lifestyle and are built in a more efficient way using materials from sustainable sources This creates less waste and also means Code homes have lower running costs There are nine categories in the Code covering energy water the materials used in the home through to health and wellbeing and pollution with points assigned to each category When a builder chooses to incorpora
6. grass and generally keep an eye on the home while you are away e Never leave valuable and easy transportable items like video dvd units where they can be seen by looking through a window The temptation may prove too much for a passing burglar Hide small valuable items like jewellery or even better take them to your bank before going on holiday Walk round your home imagining that you are a burglar and look for weak points where a burglar could gain entry Your windows and doors will have been fitted with security locks please make entry more difficult by using them A security chain fitted to the front door will prevent forced entry Make your back garden private and secure Lock rear entry gates Keep front hedges and fences no more than waist high so that neighbours can see your front and where applicable side doors Make sure that the contents of your home are adequately insured against fire and theft and that any terms about declaring valuable items etc are complied with e Photograph valuable items and use one of the recommended marking methods available so that your goods can be traced if stolen In the event of criminal damage Broadland Housing can put in an insurance claim to its insurance company if a crime number is obtained from the police If no crime number is obtained the tenant is responsible Useful website www homeoffice gov uk and search secure your home 21 All about y
7. requested to ensure that these are kept tidy at all times to prevent nuisance arising and to avoid attracting pests and vermin Large items of rubbish such as old furniture mattresses etc can be disposed of by arrangement with your local authority cleansing department and must not be disposed of with general recyclable waste For further information regarding your refuse collection please contact your local authority Recycling It is very important to try and recycle as much of your household waste as possible the following statements show how much energy can be saved by recycling 1 recycled tin would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a 60 watt light bulb for 3 hours 70 less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials Refer to the My Home supplement for further contact details for local household and DIY waste recycling centres Sustainable DIY Every year in the UK billions of pounds are spent on timber paints varnishes and other materials for home DIY projects By re using materials buying certified sustainable wood and greener paints and selecting your projects carefully you can make a real difference to the effect you have on the environment Using Greener Materials The materials and finishes you choose for your DIY jobs can have an impact on the environment Friendly materials do not ne
8. sanitary items and excess toilet tissue are flushed down the toilet the drain will block Please be aware that the cost of clearing WCs blocked by this type of waste will be your responsibility 17 All about your home Cleaning Advice Kitchens The kitchen range and colour fitted within your property is detailed in the My Home supplement Apply a little light oil annually to hinges and drawer runners All doors are fitted with adjustable hinges and with continual use of the doors movement will occur which will require hinges to be adjusted back to their original operating position It is advisable to load shelves evenly and not to overload the unit particularly against the back of the units Please do not put cooking oil or fat down the kitchen sink as this will cause it to block Carcass Back Panels and Drawer Boxes Do not polish carcass laminate or use bleaches scouring powders multi surface cleaners or abrasive pads A damp cloth with soapy water will clean off most spills Concentrated juices corrosive liquids and food colourants must be wiped off immediately Foil and Laminated Doors Use a soft damp cloth with soapy water to clean off spills Corrosive liquids food colourants and concentrated juices must be wiped off immediately Wall Units Do not position any appliance which creates large amounts of heat or steam underneath a wall unit e g kettles Excessive heat or moisture can damage unit car
9. Broadland Housing QA During the first four to six weeks after completion it is very important to 1 Make sure your lawn is never short of water Water in dry weather early in the morning and late in the afternoon with a fine sprinkler Keep people and machinery off When all lawn areas are between 75mm and 100mm high cut grass with a sharp mower blade set in a position to leave the cut grass 50mm in height and collect grass cuttings If gaps appear in turfed lawns due to lack of water mix soil sand and peat and put into gaps After 3 to 5 cuts the height of cut may be lowered to a suggested cutting height of 25mm to 35mm After 12 months apply a good quality feed and weed to lawn areas during spring and autumn Housekeeping and Money Saving Tips The following tips will reduce your energy use CO2 and also running costs Set the room thermostat on your central heating no higher than 17 C 65 F Use the time switch programmer to reduce the time the boiler is in use to a minimum Turn down thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting Vary the settings for the time of year and for what you are doing In the autumn and spring you can save by using heating only when really necessary When you are working about your home you will not need the same temperatures as when you are sitting still But be careful older people and young children need more heat It takes a long time for a cold b
10. Fridges Don t leave the door open longer than necessary as cold air will escape Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge allow it to cool down first Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply If it tends to frost up quickly check the door seal And if you absolutely have to site your fridge next to the cooker or boiler leave a good gap between them Dishwashers Try and use the low temperature programme and ensure you wash a full load Pots and pans Choose the right size pan for the food and cooker the base should just cover the cooking ring and keep lids on when cooking With gas the flames only need to heat the bottom of the pan If they lick up the side then you re wasting heat And don t use more water than you need because it doesn t only waste energy but it spoils the food Kettles Only heat the amount of water you really need and if you re using an electric kettle make sure you cover the elements Jug type kettles need less water as they have smaller elements 16 Cleaning Advice The following list gives the method of cleaning recommended for the majority of the building materials and equipment Frequency of cleaning varies with atmospheric pollution position and usage and the importance of appearance To keep all materials at their best a regular and appropriate cleaning schedule should be adopted It should be remembered that no material is entire
11. back up batteries which should be tested regularly and replaced annually Check the operation of smoke detectors using the test button as detailed in the service guide Remove dust regularly from smoke detectors by using vacuum attachments Cooker Connection A qualified installer should carry out the installation of cookers 11 All about your home Facilities Provided Washing Machines The property is plumbed for an automatic washing machine Please ensure the waste pipe is not capped prior to connection and that any unused pipes are sealed Flexible hoses may be connected in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions Please ensure that the hoses are in good condition and that the connecting rings and washers are watertight after connection The waste hose should be clipped or wired to the connecting pipe Washing machines should not be connected to sink or basin taps Once your machine is installed you must observe the following points f the machine waste pipe is not connected to a proper trap any appliance into which it discharges must be capable of handling the waste water without risk of overflowing The machine pipe must be secured to prevent displacement under vibration Inspect the machine hoses and connectors frequently for deterioration It is advisable to turn off supply valves when away from the property for a length of time You will be held responsible for any damage caused to your ho
12. cass and doors 18 Worktops Although very hard wearing a chopping board should be used at all times to prevent scratching by sharp knives Do not place hot pans or utensils directly on to the worktop always place on a mat When cleaning a damp cloth will clean off most spills do not use bleach abrasive pads or scouring powder Corrosive liquids food colourants and concentrated juices should be wiped off immediately All exposed worktop edges are sealed with a waterproof sealant to prevent moisture ingress Spills should be mopped up immediately Timber Doors Timber Handles and Trims Timber is a natural product and as such is liable to colour changes and figure variation When exposed to natural light timber especially lighter coloured varieties will mellow and develop subtle variations All of your doors are sealed with a protective lacquer and should be cleaned with a damp cloth or polished when required with a quality furniture polish solvents should not be used Recycling and Waste The local authority will be responsible for your refuse collection Two bins have been provided one for general waste and a further bin is provided for recyclable waste Dustbins wheelie bins plastic refuse sacks etc are provided by the local authority and it is your responsibility to ensure that the bins are available for emptying in the prescribed manner Some of Broadland Housing schemes have larger communal bins and you are
13. cessarily cost more and many are widely available Use reclaimed wood this saves energy and resources Buy certified wood it is estimated that at least a quarter of the timber arriving in to the UK has been produced illegally Sustainable timber and other sustainable wood products can be found by looking for labels from the Forest Stewardship Council FSC www fsc uk org the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes PEFC or other forest certification schemes 19 All about your home Recycling and Waste Paints Finishes and Preservatives Most paints contain volatile organic compounds VOCs which can be harmful to humans wildlife plants and even building materials When you are choosing a paint finish or preservative try to find the one with the lowest impact possible for the job you are doing Many paints have a label showing VOC content choose the lowest VOC product you can Check to see if there is a hazard warning on the label If you have the choice choose a product without a hazard warning e Natural or all natural paints milk paints and white washes can have a lower impact than ordinary paint e Try not to buy more paint than you need a lot of paint that people buy is never used e Look for the European Ecolabel for indoor paints which indicates they contain no lead mercury or other heavy metals and are manufactured with reduced solvent
14. damp cloth regularly and after the defects period redecorate periodically to maintain an acceptable and satisfactory finish Carpet Fitting Some rooms may require floor finishes Please note that Broadland Housing s contractor will not shorten any doors that catch on new carpets this must be arranged with your carpet fitter It is advisable to use double sided carpet tape rather than an adhesive when fitting foam backed carpets The floor construction does contain pipework therefore hole drilling is not recommended without prior consultation All about your home Facilities Provided Privacy Handles Privacy handles have been fitted to the bathroom door In the event of a child accidentally locking the door or any other emergency the door lock can be released from the outer side by inserting a screwdriver or small coin into the slot beneath the handle and rotating the lock mechanism Ironmongery Annually Lightly oil internal and external door handle mechanisms particularly those with a three point locking system Lightly oil window hinges Every 6 months lightly oil door hinges Lightly wipe clean and lightly grease high performance door hinges and lock cylinders Landscaping The front and rear gardens have been paved and planted where applicable Do not worry if paths or paving develop minor cracks as the ground slowly settles in during the first two or three years but such faults should be reported to
15. e of something to do with cooking e Keep electrical leads from trailing over or going near the cooker e Don t hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker and don t put oven gloves down on the cooker after you ve used them e Keep the oven hob and grill clean as a build up of fat and bits of food can start a fire e Don t leave pans on the hob when you re not around take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen even if you think it will only be for a moment while you answer the door or phone e More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires caused by anything else If you do have a fire don t take any risks get everyone out of your home and call 999 More advice at www firekills gov uk Further Information Tenants Online Manage your BHA account online www broadlandhousing org Oe S tenantsonline You can find lots more information online at the following websites Home Information Pack HIP www homeinformationpacks gov uk Home Condition Report HCR www homeinformationpacks gov uk Energy Performance Certificate EPC www communities gov uk Energy Saving Trust www energysavingtrust org uk UK water companies www water org uk WRAP The Waste and Resource Action Plan www wrap org uk Recycle now www recyclenow com Direct Gov www direct gov uk en Environmentandgreenerliving GreenChoices www greenchoices org DEFRA www defra gov uk environment 23 Norwich Head Office
16. emissions and waste by products Disposing of Paints Finishes and Preservatives Paints finishes and preservatives need to be disposed of properly as they can be toxic This is particularly important if they display an orange hazard label e Always read the label Do not pour paint or other chemicals down the drain e f paints are poured into drains or disposed of in normal household waste then hazardous chemicals can get into the environment contact your local authority for guidance on disposal You can usually take paint to your local civic amenity site or some councils will collect it 20 Home Security Useful Tips on Keeping Your Home Secure The following tips from the police will help you keep your home more secure Whenever you leave your home even to visit a neighbour for a short time make sure that all doors and windows are securely locked Most thefts and burglaries are opportunist Do not leave a window even an upper story window open for the cat If a cat can get through a window a burglar probably can as well Do not leave ladders steps etc visible in the garden Keep them locked in a shed e Try at all times to make the house look as if it were occupied Leave a low energy light on in the evening or use an automatic time switch Remember to cancel papers milk and other regular deliveries before going on holiday Arrange for a neighbour or friend to cut your
17. er is not provided by the heating boiler switch on the immersion heater as and when hot water is required Use an economy tariff e Always turn off lights when you leave a room and adjust your curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day Low energy lighting most of us are now familiar with low energy lamps These lamps have two major benefits they last a lot longer than the old fashioned GLS lamps and they are considerably cheaper to run To cut down on wasted energy avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave them on charge unnecessarily But check the operation manual to make sure this won t reset the appliances memory Taps in just one day a dripping hot tap can waste energy and enough water to fill a bath Make sure they re off Report dripping taps or leaks early to prevent water wastage Low flow taps and showers heads may have been fitted within your home this is a simple way to increase water conservation and save you money Use a waterbutt to store water for watering the garden You may find discounted waterbutts from your water supplier Showers an ordinary shower uses only two fifths of the water needed for a bath Washing machines wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine and remember you rarely require the hottest wash i il i u ni Nil ih i Hy All about your home Housekeeping and Money Saving Tips
18. ers and consumers alike When purchasing white goods it is recommended you consider the energy efficiency rating which should clearly be stated on the Eco Label attached to the product Wherever possible you should purchase appliances that have an A rating as these are the most efficient and environmentally friendly This label also details such information as energy and water consumption noise output and appliance performance The purpose of these labels is to allow consumers to easily compare the performance of appliances Energy consumption and running costs show how much electricity is used under standard conditions measured in KWh year kilowatt hours for refrigeration appliances or KWh cycle for washing machines and other appliances Water consumption capacity and other information is provided to help you choose the best appliance for your own needs Energy Performance Certificates Energy Performance Certificates EPCs for new homes are required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates and Inspections England and Wales Regulations 2007 The certificate records how energy efficient a property is as a building and provides A G ratings These are similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines They are produced using standard methods and assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with
19. ly maintenance free Floors Non slip vinyl flooring has been laid in the kitchen and bathroom Regular maintenance will protect the appearance and durability of the floor It is recommended that vinyl flooring be maintained by wet mopping or machine scrubbing using a flooring detergent according to the manufacturers directions The floor should then be rinsed thoroughly with clean water and allowed to dry Polish or other surface treatments should not be applied Ceilings Artex or skimmed finish and should be redecorated periodically to maintain a satisfactory finish Windows Exercise care when cleaning windows windows can be cleaned from inside Do not use ladders externally to gain access for cleaning windows Do not use an abrasive cleaner on the glass or the frame as this not only damages the surface but may also destroy the glazing seals Wash down windows and frames with warm water and mild detergent at least every 6 months Condensation should be dried up immediately to avoid mould growth If mould growth occurs wipe with suitable domestic cleaner er a 0 e T DOPE eee Bathroom The make and range of sanitary ware installed is detailed in the My Home supplement The taps should be cleaned with a damp cloth or washing up liquid on stains Chemical scouring powders and bleach should not be used on sanitary fittings under any circumstances Please note that if disposable nappies or
20. me or a neighbouring property by flooding from your machine This is one of the many reasons why you should maintain a comprehensive insurance policy Remember that the combination of electricity and water can spell danger so observe the usual precautions with regard to electric plugs and leads e f you use a tumble dryer indoors you must use a ventilating hose or duct discharging out of a window Failure to do so causes serious condensation damage to the property for which you will be held responsible Television A television point has been supplied with a cable to the roof space It is your responsibility to arrange for an aerial to be fitted in the roof space If within a communal block then a communal aerial system has been installed and will be maintained by Broadland Housing 12 Telephone Sockets have been provided You are responsible for their connection and resulting charges Storage Residents are advised not to use the roof space for storage because of the possibility of damage to belongings from condensation and the risk of personal injury and damage as the loft is not boarded Due to the way the houses are insulated the roof space is very cold in winter Although it is ventilated the ventilation may not be sufficient to deal with the amount of warm moist air which gets in when the hatch is opened and condensation may result The roof space is also not designed to carry loads and storage should be re
21. our home Fire Safety in the Home Useful Tips on Fire Safety in your home e Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home on the ceiling and in hallways and landings e Keep them free from dust and test them once a week Danger points to consider e Is your upholstered furniture fire resistant If it was made before 1988 it won t be meaning it can catch light easily and will produce clouds of poisonous smoke e Take extra care in the kitchen especially when cooking with hot oil e Keep your cooker clear of flammable objects such as cloths oven gloves and the curtains e Never leave young children alone in the kitchen e Make sure your toaster is cleaned out from time to time as bread caught inside can catch fire and that it s located away from your curtains e Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or where children are on their own e Make sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that doesn t burn and are away from any materials that could burn Keep exits clear e Make it a habit to keep the exits from your home clear so that people can escape if there s a fire Ensure communal corridors and stairways are kept free of obstructions and clear of any obstacles plants bikes pushchairs furniture etc e Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find the keys for doors and windows always keep them in the same place 22 General Fire Safety e Nearly two thirds of all domestic fires start becaus
22. r to have the supplies put into your name as soon as you move in Details can be found within the My Home supplement Alternatively you can arrange your supply from a wide range of utility suppliers once you have received your first bill from your current supplier Please make any arrangements direct with the relevant company If you suspect a gas leak e Extinguish all naked flames e Turn off the gas at the meter Open all doors and windows e Call National Grid on telephone 0800 111 999 also inform Broadland Housing e Do not turn on any switches or electrical apparatus In the event of any gas installation equipment defect or a suspected gas leak you should report the matter in the usual manner to your gas supplier or make an emergency call to National Grid on 0800 111 999 All about your home Utility Services ELECTRIC Please contact your electricity supplier to have the supplies put into your name as soon as you move in Details can be found within the My Home supplement Alternatively you can arrange your supply from a wide range of utility suppliers once you have received your first bill from your current supplier Please make any arrangements direct with the relevant company The electricity consumer unit contains the mains on off switch which controls the supply to your home and a number of circuit breakers Each of these protects a different circuit and will be labelled for your informa
23. reephone customer advice line 0800 512 012 Low Energy Lighting Most of us are now familiar with low energy lamps These are often stick shaped which has made them unpopular with some people However they now come in all shapes and sizes including candle shaped and ones that look more like a traditional globe These lamps have two major benefits they last a lot longer than the old fashioned GLS lamps and they are considerably cheaper to run For example an 18W or 20W low energy lamp will give the same level of light as a 100 watt GLS lamp Some people say a low energy lamp is not as bright as a GLS lamp This is often because the low energy lamp takes a minute or so to come to its full brightness it can be quite dim when it is first switched on In fact it gives off just as much light measured in candelas as the equivalent GLS Cm O a v a oo w Energy Efficient White Goods The EU Energy Label is a compulsory notice that is applied to all white goods and home appliances sold within the EU It allows consumers to clearly see the efficiency and energy consumption of a product The system used by the EU Energy Label runs from A to G and primarily shows energy efficiency Other details shown by the scheme including various performance related ratings also scaled A to G Since its introduction in 1995 the EU Energy Label has become a widely recognised and respected guide for manufactur
24. stricted to light loads only such as empty suitcases Glazing Replacement of broken glass is your responsibility and you are strongly recommended that a competent firm carry out re glazing as your home will probably have been glazed originally with an energy efficient glazing system Broadland Housing will recommend suitable firms if you have difficulty in locating one Walls Before fixing anything to the wall or floor check for the location of pipes and cables The following special wall fixings are recommended these are available from DIY stores refer to the My Home supplement for wall types within your home Internal Walls Plasterboard into the batten Use British Gypsum Drywall Timber Screw Plasterboard into the cavity behind the plasterboard Use Rawl Interset M6 x 52 Through the plasterboard only Use Rawl Metal Self Drive with Rawl Uno Plug Separating Walls Through the plasterboard use Rawl Spring Toggle Through double layer plasterboard use Raw Uno Plug Small or light items may be hung from picture hooks Decoration You are responsible for the internal decoration of your home Decoration work must be carried out in a safe and workmanlike manner using if necessary a competent tradesperson and taking the precautions detailed on the decorating material containers and packaging Interior walls are dry lined plasterboard and are emulsion painted Clean down the walls with a
25. te a specific feature they are awarded points which when added together form the basis of a hotel style star rating system The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level The rating a home receives depends on how it measures up in nine categories Energy and CO2 Emissions Pollution Water Health and Wellbeing Materials Management Surface Water Run off Ecology Waste Ke 2 NI Gm Gal B 9 IS S Useful website www communities gov uk and use the search facility 10 Facilities Provided Heating and Hot Water Broadland Housing will service and maintain heating appliances installed by them with a copy of any required testing certificates being made available to you in the User Guides Instructions and Certificates section It is your responsibility to ensure that any gas and or other appliance supplied by you is regularly maintained and tested by a competent person Do not allow anything to obstruct the boiler flue Broadland Housing in accordance with The Gas Safety Installation amp Use Regulations will service boilers each year Look out for signs of corrosion or leakage from any part of the system This may be the first indication that it is in need of repair and Broadland Housing should be advised For further information on the operation and maintenance of your gas boiler please refer to the product literature found in the User Guides Instructions and Certificates
26. they involve us changing behaviour This is not always as easy as it sounds because we tend to do bad things like switching off the television with the remote control almost without thinking about it We need to think about what we do and make a conscious effort to change so that it becomes a habit The following are just a few things we can do When making a cup of tea boil only the amount of water you need don t automatically fill the kettle Don t leave appliances on when there s no one in the room Don t have windows open when the heating is on if you want to air a room turn the heating off for half an hour or so Turn the television off at the set not with the remote control standby it is still using electricity when on standby Defrost your fridge and freezer at least every three months unless you have a frost free model e Hang heavy lined curtains in winter they help stop draughts and will keep warmth in the room Energy Saving Tips As you may know the suppliers of electricity and gas are now de regulated and are able to offer a range of services You may now purchase your electricity or gas from a variety of suppliers Many of these suppliers offer you the chance to buy more than one service TIP Compare costs of utilities for a variety of suppliers Further advice can be obtained from The Energy Savings Trust good practice guidance www energysavingtrust org uk or f
27. tion These circuit breakers are very sensitive much more so than the fuses you may be familiar with RCD s Residual Current Devices have a test button located in the consumer unit and you should carry out a test every six months as detailed on the unit or user guide Remember to reset electrical equipment with timers after testing Should the electricity circuit become overloaded the breaker will trip This can be re set manually by pushing the switch back to its original position NOTE We receive many reports of faulty electrics or trip switches in new properties but these are usually due to faulty appliances Your appliance may have worked perfectly at your old address but the new sensitive circuit breakers will detect any small fault that may not have been apparent under the old system If the circuit breaker trips more than once you will have to find out which appliance is causing the problem To find out which appliance is faulty 1 Switch every appliance off 2 One by one slowly turn appliances on until the system trips If it is the washing machine you may have to wait for it to complete a full cycle In general try not to overload the circuits by having a large number of appliances on at the same time Electrical works can be extremely dangerous and only undertaken by a qualified electrician appointed by Broadland Housing For your own safety please refrain from attempting any works to the electrical circ
28. uilding structure to warm up so it is better to have a small amount of heat for a long period than a lot of heat for a short period Programme the central heating to come on about 30 minutes before you want the house warm and turn it off about 30 minutes before bed The exact times will vary from house to house and depend upon weather conditions Gas boilers will normally heat the hot water supply more cheaply than an immersion heater if it is using full price electricity Don t constantly heat unused rooms No harm will be done providing the temperature does not fall below about 10 C 50 F You must air and heat the unused rooms occasionally to prevent them becoming damp Keep doors to unheated rooms closed Heavy or lined curtains drawn across windows are effective insulation The sooner you draw the curtains the more heat you will save Turning down the central heating thermostat by one degree Celsius can save up to 10 per cent of heating costs Do not put furniture in front of radiators or heaters It will prevent maximum circulation of heat e f you have a water storage cylinder this will be well insulated and the water will remain hot for long periods Try heating the water for a short period in the morning and evening f i iy i I i AA MT HM NS UA AN AN I k j i NI mt N MN Y iN Mi A N Turn down the hot water cylinder thermostat but not below 60 C 150F If hot wat
29. uits in your home Broadland Housing will maintain all appliances which have been installed by them WATER Please contact your water supplier to have the supplies put into your name as soon as you move in Details can be found within the My Home supplement The internal stopcock should be turned off and on again every 6 months to prevent seizure If you think your pipes are frozen do not turn on the hot water taps as this will empty the hot water cylinder Where pipes run under the floor they are normally identified with a marker or pencil line Care should be taken when fitting carpets not to damage concealed pipes As well as being irritating dripping taps can stain sanitary ware they should be attended to as soon as possible Do not allow water to overflow from storage tanks or cisterns In time it may damage the fabric of the building If water is seen running from any of the overflow pipes IMMEDIATELY investigate In the case of the WC cistern it may simply require adjustment of the ballcock Report any persistent overflow to Broadland Housing who will arrange for a plumber to attend In your new home you will be charged for the consumption of water as recorded by your water meter Useful websites www anglianwater co uk www water org uk All about your home Saving Energy There are many things you can do to save energy that cost nothing These are often called behavioural methods because
30. ype encountered in the property within the first 12 months should be drawn to the attention of Broadland Housing at the time of the defects inspection or by phoning Customer Services should cracking be severe Condensation Condensation occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a cold surface During the initial drying out period of a building particularly the first 12 months it is likely that the internal air will be more moist than usual and it is essential that good ventilation be maintained To reduce condensation to a minimum it is important to maintain a warm but not over hot temperature and to keep all rooms ventilated Particularly great care should be taken to ensure that the room is well ventilated when carrying out operations involving a lot of steam and water vapour such as cooking bathing washing and drying clothes Under no circumstances should paraffin or Calor gas heaters be used as these generate considerable moisture through combustion Condensation should be mopped up regularly where it accumulates on window sills to prevent damage to plaster Mildew Mildew growth finds suitable conditions on timber plaster and particularly emulsion painted surfaces where there is dampness and lack of ventilation Mildew is particularly likely to occur in small closed rooms Cupboards and in corners of larger rooms where the ventilation and air movement is poor In most cases mildew can be quite simply wiped off
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