Welcome to Planet South Lakes Blog

With fossil fuel supplies dwindling and sustainable energy in its infancy, our wasteful ways have become not just a political football, but a global emergency. Awareness of the issue has reached new heights over the last decade, but a cavalier attitude to energy and energy-saving still persists. Each time a light is left on, a window left open and an unnecessary boilwash done we sap the national grid of its precious power for no reason other than carelessness. There are a few very simple ways in which we can make our homes more energy-efficient, less expensive to run and still maintain the all mod con lifestyle to which we’re so accustomed.

Lighting is probably the most consistent drain on your energy supply, and it’s easy to forget how much you rely on it, especially during the dark days of winter. Energy-saving lightbulbs may be slightly more expensive to buy, but they last a lot longer. Halogen bulbs usually run with 35 watts of power, but you could be greener still with a 9 watt candle, and lend a dickensian mood to your home into the bargain. Switch lights off not only when you leave the house, but as you leave each room.

Washing machines can waste an enormous amount of energy. If you wash clothes at lower temperatures not only will they last longer but you will hugely reduce your energy expenditure. Next time you buy a new washing machine – or any other appliance for that matter – look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Any product carrying this logo has met strict criteria on energy efficiency and will therefore cost less to run and reduce carbon emissions.

Boilers play a huge part in our energy consumption, typically accounting for around 60% of domestic carbon emissions. How old is your boiler? If it’s more than 15 years old, then it’s probably time to look for a new one. Fit a high efficiency condensing boiler and you could save around £200 per year on your bill. A new boiler works by recovering the heat that it would traditionally have wasted, making it around 15% more efficient than a conventional boiler. British Gas offers a comprehensive range of new boilers as well as a boiler maintenance service to ensure it is kept in good working order.

Half of the heat that escapes from your home is lost through the walls and the loft. It stands to reason that you could make huge energy savings by installing insulation, or looking into how efficient your current insulation is and improving it. Have you ever thought how much heat you could be losing through that rickety letterbox? Fitting a brush is a simple measure you can take to prevent such heat loss. Double-glazing and pipe insulation are also highly effective energy-saving methods.

Home information packs (Hips) are set to face further changes in the new year.

Once considered the bête noir of the property market, and already stalled and cut back sizably before their launch last year, the collapse of the property market has put them on the back burner as an issue.

The government is now increasing what is to be included in packs and how quickly they must be provided.

A new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) will be included with flood risk information, gas and electricity safety, service charges, structural damage, and parking arrangements.

From April 6th 2009, Hips must also be provided on the first day of marketing a home – and not after 28 days as current regulations stand.

The government claims the changes will place no further burden on estate agents and the packs have not caused a slowdown in the housing market.

Margaret Beckett, housing minister, said: “Home information packs are potentially a vital aid to consumers who are seeking to purchase a home, and I am firmly committed to ensuring they work as well as possible.

“It is essential that all buyers are able to see the Hip as early as possible to ensure they are benefiting from this important information, and that sellers are getting to see the pack they are paying for.”

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has welcomed the move, claiming aspects of Hips are not working well.

Gillian Charlesworth, Rics director of external affairs, said: “We have said many times that the Hip has not brought about any benefit for consumers and we are pleased that the government has recognised how much more can be done if they work with responsible property professionals rather than allowing vested interests to dictate policy.

“The challenge now is to ensure that by April we have a Hip that does what the government claims, and brings genuine benefit to home buyers and sellers.”

Yesterday the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) also announced an investigation into estate agents in the UK and ways to improve the home-selling industry.

A HIP must currently include evidence of title, terms of sale and standard searches, along with an energy efficiency rating.

Mortgage approvals fell to a nine-year low in November, according to new statistics from the Bank of England, and lending is expected to fall further in the coming months.

There 27,000 house purchase mortgage approvals recorded.

A total of 42,000 remortgages were approved in November – substantially down on the 72,000 recorded in October.

Lending to consumers and businesses is also not expected to improve in 2009.

The Bank of England’s Credit Conditions Survey shows lenders expect a further decline in the availability of mortgage lending – with banks over the last three months lowering loan-to-value (LTV) rates on mortgages tightening credit scoring criteria.

This fall in lending is being put down to expectations of further house price falls and concerns about the economy.

As supply of mortgages drops, demand remains stable, the survey of lenders reveals, meaning borrowers are now left in the situation where they must really seek out a mortgage deal.

Andrew Montlake, partner at mortgage broker Cobalt Capital, said: “It may be 2009 but the ghosts of 2008 will continue to haunt us, and for some time yet.

“The November mortgage lending figures are just another grim reminder of the death, last year, of easy money and consumer confidence, and there will be many more in the months ahead before things finally start to improve.”

The Bank of England survey also shows a rise in people defaulting on mortgages and larger losses for mortgage lenders from defaults – as house prices fall.

Default rates are expected to rise further in 2009.

Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable said: “It does appear that the inevitable big correction in the housing market is being exaggerated by the complete collapse of mortgage lending by the banks.

“The government is completely paralysed at this crucial moment.

“Ministers should consider promoting a simple, standardised mortgage with a market guarantee for the first few years of interest payments in order to help first time buyers who can genuinely afford to take on home ownership.”

This is not something that immediately springs to mind when we think of the onset of global warming but, with house values falling and energy prices constantly on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important for home owners to make sure that they pay more attention to the upkeep of their existing properties. Energy efficiency has become a topic that needs to be given increasing credibility in today’s modern economic climate.

Firstly we need to examine where our homes are most likely to be losing heat from.  One of the obvious places would be the loft space and the walls and to make sure that the house’s insulation was doing its job, but one of the areas that may be overlooked is the windows and doors of a property.

Obviously we cannot avoid opening the windows and doors and this is where we think we lose most of the heat from within our homes, when we have to leave the house or open the windows for fresh air, but if the windows and doors are of a certain age then we could be losing unneeded energy for the sake of an upgrade. By making an investment now we could be saving thousands of pounds in the long run and also enhance the value of the house, at a time when taking into consideration how much a property is worth is as important as ever.

Did you know for instance that all modern windows have an energy rating the same as fridges, boilers and washing machines do?  This is to allow the consumer to make the most informed choice possible, especially now that there is lots of different type of glazing on the market.  Basically if you have something like an A-rated energiMAX™  PVC window installed then you stand to lose absolutely no heat from your home.

Not only will you increase the value of your property and become more energy efficient, resulting in cheaper heating bills, but you will also be helping to save the planet by producing less CO2 emissions.  Now that can’t be a bad thing can it? Saving money and making the world a better place to live for future generations just by making a modest investment in some home improvements.

The advantages of having modern, sealed, PVC units doesn’t end their though.  To use the example of the energiMAX™ window above, by combining the right types of glazing, the windows that face southwards will trap the Sun’s warmth in the house and actually contribute to heating the house, which will see even more of a reduction in your heating costs.

So, having new doors and windows fitted that not only prevent the property from losing heat but actually help to produce energy is a way we can all contribute to cutting down on the amount of CO2 that is produced.  It is thought that by having properly sealed units installed by a reputable home improvement company that a house can reduce its emissions by as much as 2 tons of Carbon Dioxide a year.  Imagine how far that would go to reducing the accelerated effects of global warming.  By combining this with other simple energy saving measures like not leaving household appliances on standby etc we can all make one massive contribution to saving the planet, whilst at the same time saving a bit of money for ourselves in the long run.

Planet South Lakes are delighted to announce a host of special offers designed to beat the credit crunch and blitz the cold winter weather for anyone looking to buy any of their conservatories, windows or doors throughout the Lancaster, Morecambe, Barrow-in-Furness or Kendal areas.

A spokesperson from Planet South Lakes made this statement last week;
“We are determined to make sure that people are given the best chance possible to remain energy efficient and safe in their homes, in spite of the recent economic conditions that have coupled with the rise in fuel costs over recent years.”

Examples of the offers being made by Planet South Lakes include.
- 12 Months interest Free on all conservatories
- 12 Months interest Free on all windows and doors.
- 123 Guarantee on all conservatories and glazing products.

Anybody wishing to take advantage of the offer on conservatories and placing their order this month will also receive some fabulous discounts and free add-ons.  So there are many things to feel good about with Planet South Lakes at the moment.

What is the 1-2-3 Guarantee?
Planet South Lakes realise that, although most householders want to make their home more energy efficient and in the long term will potentially save thousands of pounds in energy costs by doing so, they also realise that for many people having new windows, doors or a conservatory fitted is an investment that needs to be carefully considered.  This is why they have teamed up with the Conservatory Outlet to come up with the ingenious but simple 123 guarantee to give their customers not one, not two but three reasons to have peace of mind with their glazing investment.

Number 1 - £1000 Security
Planet South Lakes are so confident with a Conservatory Outlet installation that in the unlikely event of a break-in succeeding due to the failure of their products that they will pay you £500 for any inconvenience caused and pay the cost (up to £500) of replacing or repairing the forced window or door.

Number 2 – 10 Year Manufacturer’s Guarantee
Deposit indemnity insurance is automatically included in your contract for no additional cost.  This means that all Conservatory Outlet supplied products, including window frames and hardware, will have a 10 year manufacturer guarantee in addition to your dealer’s standard guarantee.  This covers you for any remedial works that may be required after the installation of your products is complete.

Number 3 – Insurance Backed Guarantee
Conservatory Outlet dealers also offer a separate insurance backed guarantee. Your local dealer will be able to give you more information on which insurance Backed Guarantee scheme they can offer you. Separate insurance guarantees are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) who is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services.

For more details about Planet South Lakes and the Conservatory Outlets’ full range of products and services, to get a FREE Online Quotation or to book a FREE Consultation then please browse www.planetsouthlakes.com, call free phone 0800 612 2255 or visit their Kendal Showroom.

House prices fell 2.2 per cent in December, as the property slowdown looks set to continue into 2009.

The Halifax house price index shows a 16.2 per cent drop in house prices over 2008 – with the average home how worth £159,896, the level last seen in April 2003.

Halifax managed to gain some positives from the dismal figures, as the level of decline is at least stabilising – dropping 5.2 per cent in the final quarter of 2008 and roughly matching drops of the previous two quarters.

Martin Ellis, Halifax chief economist, predicted further housee price drops in 2009.

“Continuing pressures on incomes and the negative impact of the dislocation of the financial markets on the availability of mortgage finance are expected to exert further downward pressure on the market over the coming months,” he said.

“But a number of factors will help to support demand and should help to limit the downturn.

“Improving housing affordability and an easing in the pressure on the majority of households’ finances should support market activity and prices. The house price to earnings ratio – a key affordability measure - is at its lowest for five and a half years.”

Halifax also claims UK consumers are better prepared to face the recession than in the 1990s.

The percentage of home owners with mortgages reporting payment problems is now around half the levels seen in the early 1990s, and levels of mortgage arrears and repossessions – although rising – are at low levels compared with the early 1990s.

“The Halifax reported that house prices plummeted by a further 2.2% in December, after plunging by 2.7% in November and 2.4% in October. Consequently, house prices were down by 16.2% year-on-year in the three months to December. Furthermore, house prices were down 18.9% year-on-year in December itself,” said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at Global Insight,

“This is a sharper drop than was seen in the early 1990’s housing downturn.”

He added the outlook for the housing market remains bleak with a further 15 per cent drop in house prices predicted for 2009 and the first half of 2010 should see a further five per cent drop.

This would put house prices at the end of the down turn at £129,116 – 35 per cent down on the peak of the market and at the same point as mid-2003.

“Even if government measures to get banks to step up their lending increasingly take effect, it will clearly take time for confidence to improve and mortgage lending to pick up significantly,” Mr Archer said.

“These factors are likely to continue to outweigh the beneficial impact of lower mortgage interest rates resulting from the Bank of England slashing interest rates, particularly as it is still very difficult to get a mortgage.”

Halifax itself is not publishing a house price prediction for 2009 due to its merger with Lloyds TSB.

The sole purpose of a conservatory is to enjoy the surrounding landscape within your home whilst being sheltered from unpleasant weather conditions. As conservatories are mostly made from glass it is important that they last for a long time which means they withstand external conditions such as severe weather. They should also insulate your home and provide security and comfort. For these purposes it is beneficial for your conservatory to be made from double glazing.

Double glazing was filed for a US patent in October 1989 by inventors Dariush Arasteh, John Hartmann and Stephen Selkowitz and the patent was issued just over two years later in November 1991. Double glazing works by spacing two or more sheets of glass apart and then hermetically sealing them to form a single glass unit with air between each sheet. The technical term for double glazing windows is insulated or thermal glass as the production of such windows was not solely exclusive to two panes of glass. However as most of the windows were manufactured using only two sheets of glass the term double glazing stuck.

Double glazing is one of the simplest ways of saving energy in your home as they greatly reduce the amount of heat that is lost in your home. Due to this they can be classed as a very sustainable piece of technology as the use of central heating in the home is immensely cut. Moreover the troublesome condensation and damp problems caused by single glazed windows is non-existent in double glazing. Condensation is created due to the contrasts of the air within our home and the outside environment. The air in our homes contains many droplets of water resulting from the use of kettles and even our breathing. The warmer the air gets the more water it can hold until it reaches a limit and becomes saturated. When the saturated air comes into contact with a surface which is cooler then itself it forms vapour on the surface. Double glazing combats this as the trapped air within the two panes of glass does not mix with either the room air or the outside air, and therefore creates an insulation barrier.

For the same reasons double glazing also prevents the amount of noise that enters the home. The trapped air or ‘insulation barrier’ also creates a vacuum of air which prevents the majority of sound frequencies from entering our home. In a world of increasing noise pollution created from cars on our roads and airplanes in our skies this is another perk that double glazing offers. This is important for your conservatory as there is a large amount of glass meaning that a lot of noise can enter the home.

Double glazing windows also give your home a heightened sense of security. The robust frames that now come with these types of window feel much more durable and the fact that they are visibly more secure gives you a much added sense of comfort within your home. For these reasons double glazing windows are ideal for windows in your home or business and are a very good for conservatories which require many groups’ windows within a confined space of the home.

Aesthetically double glazing is also superior to its predecessors in that they come in many different styles and materials and so really make your conservatory look modern. They do commonly come in UPVC which is what may spring to mind if you think of double glazing however they are also come in wood which gives them a more traditional look.

Modern design should really take into account sustainably in a world where there is apparent global warming. Double glazing is the way forward now and is not just an investment in improving your home and standard of living but also an investment to improve the future.

Home improvements are an easy way to increase the value of your home. Many people will increase the value of a home purely through redecoration, however another option that can add value to your home is PVC Windows. They can improve the overall look of your home, whilst also providing effective insulation and heat retention.   There are a wide range of PVC Windows currently on the market, something to suit your needs. With such a great range, you can effectively chose a style that complements you home and is in keeping with the current features. Some of the popular styles of PVC windows are casement windows, sliders, double hung windows, bay windows, bow windows, garden windows, and skylights.

Each style of window ranges in its design and structure. For instance, casement windows normally consist of one or two panes and are hinged on one side. They are opened by rotating a crank 15 to 30 degrees. This is enough to let in light, but not much else. Slider windows consist of two offset sashes and operate much like a sliding glass door. Double hung windows allow free flow of the air either from the top or the bottom of the window. In general, PVC windows are mainly consisting of two offset slashes that move vertically. They are best suited in the living rooms or other formal areas of the home.

PVC Windows have many advantages over wooden framed traditional styles. With a complete PVC structure, they are durable and clean with no painting or maintenance required. They are well insulated, no gaps or holes, which can save money on heating bills come winter.

Planet South Lakes offer a great range of PVC windows which are now available in a wide range of styles and colours and maintaining the style and architecture of the home. If you wish to buy PVC windows online look no further than Planet South Lakes. At Planet South Lakes you’ll get useful advice from the most helpful and professional people around in the business.

So if you are considering refurbishing your home, PVC windows may be just be the thing to give your home a new look. For more information on PVC windows, PVC window, PVC doors, PVC double glazing, and double glazing PVC visit www.planetsouthlakes.com now.

At Planet South Lakes we have a team of architects, interior designers and technical staff who are devoted to creating and developing a project with the customers, from start to finish. They blend different materials to come out with unique and sophisticated designs based on the customers requirements.

There are a wide range of French doors available in the market, such as patio doors, sliding doors, wooden doors, PVC doors and others. These doors have high safety hooks, the locking system has anti pick device and the frame is steel reinforced for added security. These doors have slide stainless steel track and rollers which makes it opening and closing easier. They are attractive and very stylish. In these doors hinges are used which ensure weight circulation, and hinge protectors are also used to avoid break ins. These doors meet every kind of need; be it aesthetically pleasing or for security reasons. Planet South Lakes provide quality products to suit individual needs.

Planet South Lakes provide ever expanding selection of quality doors ranging from decorative patio doors, to bespoke conservatory styles. Available at affordable prices, these doors don’t require any special care or maintenance.

French Doors are great if you need to either increase the light or space of a room, or to add additional access, PVC French doors are a maintenance free, well insulated option, which could even save you money on your utility bills.

Planet South Lakes are committed to achieving high quality standards in the products that they produce. The PVC option is durable, withstanding weathering for many years.

If you are interested in more information and updates on high quality French doors, patio doors their quality, range and different styles then log on www.planetsouthlakes.com

Planet South Lakes is the leading manufacturer and installer of conservatories, windows and doors throughout Cumbria and parts of Lancashire. Exceptional growth during 2008 has created new opportunities from our Kendal Showroom for an experienced PVC window fitter.

Will suit enthusiastic individual with a strong customer care focus and ability to maintain the highest quality standards. Current driving license essential.

• Can you meet our high standards?
• Looking for a new challenge?
• Want to work for the best home improvement company in Cumbria?

For more information telephone 01539 738989