Students Of Success

Wood floor installation

Wood is a superior floor covering in all but wet locations. Wood flooring is available in strips, planks and tiles, either solid or laminated. Made of hardwood, generally maple, cherry or oak; the strips and tiles have tongue-and-groove joints for secure laying. Most types are available finished or unfinished, and rough planking can be up to one foot wide, although rarely used because wide boards are more susceptible to curling and cupping.

Laminated wood flooring

Laminated wood floorings are normally comprised of a hardwood veneer over a solid pine core, or several layers of hardwood glued together under pressure, much like plywood. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs, and sometimes parquet tiles will be attached to a fabric backing, to facilitate faster, easier alignment. Laminated wood flooring is usually glued in place, and can be laid over any clean, dry sub-floor. Special methods and precautions must be observed when installing hardwood flooring on concrete, especially in basements where potential humidity levels may be sufficient to cause the wood to swell and buckle upwards.

If your sub-floor is rough or uneven, an underlay of 1/4″ plywood properly installed, will aid in the installation, appearance and longevity of your hardwood floor. It will also help reduce squeaks and the potential for cracking. If the new floor is higher than any adjacent floors, the edges (especially in doorways) should be finished with rounded or tapered hardwood mouldings.

The underlay can be covered with 15 lb. felt (sometimes known as tar paper, roofing felt, or building paper) which will further reduce squeaking and add to the life of the floor. Handling and storage is extremely important, and wood flooring materials should be allowed to rest for a minimum of one week in the area in which they are to be installed. This will allow the moisture content of the wood to reach some equilibrium with it’s surroundings; otherwise the floor boards may shrink or swell, sometimes quite drastically. The flooring should parallel the room’s long dimension, scattering the end-to-end joints, and leaving a perimeter gap equal to the thickness of the boards. Experienced flooring people will know just how tight to lay the boards, depending on the moisture content of the wood, and the relative humidity level in the room(s) on the day of installation.

Nailing hardwood

The choice of nails, or other fasteners, is also critical to the successful installation of your floor. With unfinished flooring, the fasteners must be properly set, to facilitate sanding prior to finishing.

FLOATING FLOORS are made of laminated floor panels, laid over 1/8″ high-density foam Floating wood floor system, over concrete slab.underlay, and glued at the joints. For basement floors, 6-mil polyethylene vapour barrier can be laid under the foam. Consult with your materials supplier and/or other experienced people before attempting to install a hardwood floor in a basement.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Selecting, installing and finishing a hardwood floor can be a rewarding experience, but do your homework first! If you have minimal experience working with wood, or you’re unsure about the particular installation, you should consider hiring a professional. The cost of the materials is quite high as compared to other floor coverings, and a professional installation will guard against damage, and guarantee satisfaction with your new hardwood floor.

It’s hard to find good help and especially if your planning to market your home or you have just purchased one that needs some updating. Complaints about home improvement contractors rank high on consumer agency lists. Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home offers do’s and don’ts for home buyers and sellers when planning to hire an outside contractor to repair or renovate their home.

Do’s

-Verify their insurance. Ask to see copies of liability insurance and amounts before signing a contract.

-Ask for references. Request a list of references from past and current clients. Call and discuss with them the pluses and minus’ of the contractor. Take the time to visit homes where work was done, check for timeliness and attention to detail on work sites.

-Request information on suppliers and subcontractors. Contractors are only as good as their support system. Vendors and subcontractors can share insight into the business practices of your potential contractor.

-Check with local Better Business Bureaus and with local building and planning officials. Most likely you’ll need building permits and certificates of occupancy from the local office that regulates renovation and building. These officials should be familiar with you contractor and their work.

-Get at least 3 estimates. You will be surprised at how different the costs can be for the same work. Have plans and specifications in writing to deliver to contractors who bid on work. A flat fee for a project is more cost effective than time and materials. Detail materials, paint colors by brand, appliance make and model and warranties.

-Draft a complete contract. Make sure it lays out who is doing what, when it should be done by and what happens if it is not done to your satisfaction. Include payment schedules and how changes to plans will affect costs and the contract. Options should be listed separate from the main contract.

-Address refusal to complete work. It’s not likely that your contractor will refuse to complete work or abandon the project, but it pays to include a course of action if these situations arise in any contract.

-On occasion provide food treats and beverages. On hot and humid summer days or below freezing winter ones, make the effort to provide chilled bottled water, steaming coffee and a quick pick-me-up to contractors.

-Be appreciative verbally. After a rough or long day at your home, I have found it always pays to let contractors know that you appreciate their extra efforts. Staying late to complete the plumbing to get a toilet running or leaving the job site broom clean without asking is worth a hearty thank-you.

Dont’s

-Ignore making scheduled payments on time. A sure bet to get slow follow-through from contractors. If the contractor is performing as stated in the contract, so should you.

-Forget patience. Delays by cabinet or door manufactures can be out of the contractors control. Don’t be afraid to double-check though if they have been ordered to meet job lead times.

-Make the contractor guess what you want. Start a clip file before you have a contractor over to review job. Pick up some home magazines and tear out colors, finishes, appliances and overall looks for a room that you like. Develop a list of dislikes, anything helps to eliminate and communicate your thoughts.

-Be cheap. Good work costs sometimes comes at a higher price. And buyers know chintzy materials and craftsmanship. Don’t nickel and dime your contractor, and pay for all change orders you request.

-Be unavailable for contractor questions. There are always a couple of items that sneak past the drawings and specifications or surprises that you run into in an older home. Make al your contact information to your contractor so if they need to reach you to make a decision that if you don’t could hold the job up.

-Forget that we don’t live in a perfect world. It’s difficult to have strangers in our homes and even more so when the inconvenience of a remodeling job interrupts our personal refuge. Contractors like to complete work in a timely manner, but they don’t control all the remodeling moons to align them perfectly on every project.

Mark Nash’s fourth real estate book, “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home” (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, CNN-TV, Chicago Sun Times & Tribune, Fidelity Investor’s Weekly, Dow Jones Market Watch, HGTVpro.com, MSNBC.com, The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today.

Improve or repair your home using drywall. To drywall a home for repair is easier said than done; however, it is never as difficult as some lead you to believe. When you start to drywall for home improvement, you must follow a few straightforward steps. As for tools, you will need a Putty Trial, Tray, sandpaper, and joint putty, scraper, hammer, paint, thinner, patches, plaster, and a few other items to finish the task. Of course, it depends on the size of the area as to what exact tools and materials are needed.

You will need sandpaper, since you start the drywall procedure by sanding down the walls and removing any lumps. You should sand until you see clear white area. You will need a cloth to finish the procedure by wiping down the wall removing any drywall dust.

Plaster comes in handy if there are holes in the wall, thus use the putty trial and scraper to apply the joint putty to fill in the holes and patch if applicable. From time to time, a second coating of plaster is required, thus repeat the course of action until the hole is filled and scraped down to smoothness. You will need to sand the plaster when it is dry.

Never start to drywall until you have sanded down the area, smoothed out the surface, and have washed the wall, freeing the area of any dust. Furthermore, make sure the region is dry previous to sandpapering the area. Start the drywall modus operandi by following the systematic steps provided to you in the kit purchased, and not until you have a clear smooth area.

You need to ensure that you avoid simple mistakes when planning and putting up drywall. Install the ceiling drywall before installing any walls. Work from top (ceiling) to bottom (floor). Try to run the drywall sheets perpendicular to the framing and mark joint locations so they are easier to find. If you can mark the stud locations on the ceiling and floor, do it so it is easier to fasten the drywall sheets. Check the plans for provisions for insulation, ventilation, moisture control and wiring prior to using drywall. Use dry wall nails or screws and cover the wallboard tape with compound. Make certain that you sand the drywall compound to ensure a smooth finish. If not sanded correctly, the bumps will show twofold when you apply paint. Most importantly, do not apply the drywall with the wrong side exposed.

After adding the drywall for home improvement, you are ready to paint. Thus, choosing the paint and brushes appropriate for the job will help you receive a grand effect. Paint the base line area before relocating any furniture in the home. Allow the paint to dry and touch up by re-arranging the furniture, curtains, etc.

Dry walling is not difficult and does not require a lot of technical skill, rather it is time consuming…

If your walls are in serious need of construction you might want to consider other options rather than dry walling and painting the area. Sometimes you merely cover areas that are deteriorating by adding new lining, paneling, covering, etc. Thus, checking into additional options might benefit you while saving you money and time.

Sometimes you can get away with repairs rather than entire makeovers. The walls are layered, thus a bit of plaster or spackle and other tools and materials could dress of the area. If you have rotted area, again you may want to consider other options, or else hire a drywall contractor expert to repair the home.

Sometimes you simply cannot get away with home improvement by doing it yourself. At times, you may need assistance, thus preventing deterioration is critical to save you money.

If you notice areas of the home that are starting to show wear, by taking care of the problem now will save you heartache later. The repairs are easier than entire improvements, thus repairs are also cheaper.

If you have dents, cracks or holes in the walls, buy a plastering or spackling kit and follow the instructions to repair the problem now rather than allow it to linger.

For repairs you will need paintbrushes, knives, spackle, latex bonding liquid, paint, patching plaster, sandpaper, fiberglass wallboard tape, and that about sums it up. For holes, you cover the area with the wallboard tape and then spackle to make the tape stick.

After the spackle is applied, using your sandpaper sand the area repaired until it is smooth. If you notice peeling, paint or loose plaster around the area, use your scraper to remove or clear up the area. After the spackle starts to dry and is sanded, add a second coating to cover the hole entirely. Again, sand and prime the patched area. Finally, you are ready to paint.

See how easy that was. Now, if you allow it to set without attention you will be doing a lot more work later and probably paying out a lot more money. You can use spackle to fix dents and cracks in the walls as well. Plaster or spackle will cover nail holes or holes made from screws. These home repair materials are affordable, thus cover now and save later.

K Hoyng is the web master and operator of www.quickcash2u.com which is an excellent source for home improvements and much more interesting information to personally help you with your home and finances. Visit us at www.quickcash2u.com/ or www.quickcash2u.com/basementremodeling.html

Since the early part of the 20th century lighting designers have
created lamps and fixtures to captivate our senses. Much like
the tranquility one feels staring at a warming fire or the
excitement one feels staring at the spectacle of a lightening
storm, accent lamps - those with colorful stained glass
patterns, mythical figures, pastoral scenes or action, evoke our
emotions.

While illumination is a function of lighting, many of the lamps
of the sensory ilk, including lava lamps of the 50’s and 60’s,
and animated action lamps of the 20’s and again in the 1950’s,
favor more the sense of accent, entertainment and decoration
than the practical function of task lighting.

Static yet colorful stained glass lighting appeals as eye candy.
Beautiful patterns of Wisteria, Iris, and nature captivate,
whether lit or not. Not much has changed since pioneer Louis
Comfort Tiffany introduced his first stained glass art lamps
more than 100 years ago. Vintage original Tiffany fixtures can
be bought for more than the cost of a down payment for a San
Francisco home. (see:
http://www.chandeliers-and-home-lighting.com/tiffany-chandelier.h
tm )

Motion lamps, like the animated lamps of the 1920’s, feature
popular scenes such as water cascading over Niagra Falls or
flames burning around a log. It’s no wonder why advertisers
sought to reintroduce action lamps again in the 1950’s. In the
50’s these moving lamps were brought back to life featuring Cole
Swimwear models or popular snacks and drinks such as popcorn or
coke and would rest upon the counter of a bar for all to enjoy!

Lava lamps also captured our fascination with colorful lighting
and movement. Today, these, and the above mentioned vintage
lamps, continue to be popular. Collectors may seek higher valued
originals, whereas the homeowner may be just as happy with a
modern day reproduction. Adding to the feel of a place, these
kinds of fixtures are here to stay!

The shrink wrap machine is a tool that can transform your business. In this simple, even manual process, the product that you are selling is carefully cared for. Yet, there are many more advantages to using these machines. In fact, shrink wrap is something that any business that provides products for sale should consider investing in. It is affordable and reliable as well as a great way to drum up its own business.

First, what in the world does this machine do? A shrink wrap machine will place plastic around an object. Then, the machine will heat the plastic allowing it to get hot enough to melt together. It forms a protective covering for the object. This protective coating then acts as a barrier from outside forces. Water can not get in. Dirt can not get in. It keeps the object clean and shining until it is purchased. It is effective at its job but it also provides for easy removal in the customer’s hands.

Besides protecting your object that you plan to sell, what can shrink wrap possibly do for you? This product can be used to help increase the image of your object as well. Let’s say that you are selling CD’s that you have recorded. If you just hand out a CD in a case, you are likely to have others thinking that you burned it yourself. If you add the shrink wrap to the outside, not only does you CD case stay nice and clean and crisp, but it also keeps your customer happy and thinking that they just purchased high quality merchandise.

You can purchase these machines in a number of sizes. There are those that run several thousand of dollars for home business use. Then, there are those that are for commercial use and will cost much, much more. In either case, you will want to choose quality and affordability in whatever you choose. Consider the shrink wrap machine for your product needs.

for more information please see www.shrink-wrap-deals.co.uk

Summer Decor Create a Comfortable, Inviting Look

Tasneem Mirza

The summer heat calls for décor that is cool, fresh and casual.
This is perhaps why Shabby Chic ® achieved immense popularity
predominantly in the west coast. Shabby Chic ® a phrase coined
by Rachel Ashwell, a British designer-turned-Californian hit big
in the 1990’s. Till recently Shabby Chic ® was the sizzling
trend with retail stores, television shows, books, merchandise
and designers enthusiastically focusing on this décor.
Currently, the euphoria seems to have passed but this style is
still very much appreciated and demand remains strong because it
is a thrifty look, not requiring to spend thousands of dollars.
This type of design theme is synonymous with white. Think Shabby
Chic ® and what come to one’s mind: flea market finds, rose
pattern china, distressed white furniture, pastel floral, white
furnishings, white crisp drapes. You are right; the above
elements define and bring together the look. The popularity is
perhaps because it is most easy to accomplish with limited
budget and time. This décor is not only comfortable but also
easy to maintain specially with kids.

Create A Clean Bright Inviting Room For Summer You decide you
want your room to have a clean, laid-back look, which is
remarkably versatile and easy to live with. Start with
furniture; use mostly white furniture pieces that are widely
available in retail stores like Pottery Barn, Pier One Imports,
Wal-Mart or can even be easily located in flea markets or
thrifty antique stores. If budget restraint is holding you back,
you can utilize pieces that may be ready to be discarded; simply
paint them white. The paint transforms an old piece providing a
clean fresh appearance. Do you have a couch that looks worn out?
Easy fix; use white slipcovers extensively available at most
discount stores. The slipcovers can be machine washed thus
preventing anxiety with spills and other accidents

Keeping with the theme, accessories need to be distressed or
white. Lighting like a Lafayette distressed white sconce not
only adds additional light to the room but also creates a warm
cozy feel. To create a romantic ambiance, use a number of
candles and lamps. Look for candleholders, ornate candlesticks
painted white with bits of the old iron finish that characterize
this decor. The sconces, candleholders and many other distressed
white high quality accessories are available at
www.exquisiterugs.com retailing from $45.00

Add color and break monotony by using a needlepoint rug with
pink shades as shown in the image. The flowers on the
needlepoint rug provide a pattern. Throw some pillows on the
couch that complement the rug .The rug and pillows can be a pale
color palette. Beautiful decorative pillows and rugs are
available at www.exquisiterugs.com. The primary color is white
with dashes of pink pastel colors. However, instead of focusing
on pink or any other pastel soothing hue as a secondary color
you can integrate other colors, or even combine stripes or
paisleys.

Finally, the alluring look is never complete without fresh
flowers. Every one loves the appearance of attractive flowers,
or the smell of sweetly, fragrant ones. Pick some fresh pink
roses from your local grocery store and place them in a glass
bowl. Flowers are inviting, enchanting and moreover pleasing to
the eyes.

This décor is casual yet inviting and can be accomplished
inexpensively. Enhance this look with pillows and candles adding
lots of home accessories. Create a comfort-zone environment to
reflect your personal style and have your family and friends
enjoy the fresh décor all summer long.

There are some very important things that you should do to extend the life of your air conditioner and keep it working at peak efficiency at all times. One of the most important things that you can do is change your air conditioner or furnace filter every three to six months.

Every home is different and there are many factors that effect how long you should wait between filter changes. Wait too long and the efficiency of the equipment will deteriorate and operating costs go up. Change your filter too often and it’s like throwing money away. Considering the cost of some filters that could add up to a lot of money over time.

It is important to keep in mind that the more efficient your air conditioner filter is the more often it will have to be cleaned or replaced. For most people pleated filters will do an adequate job. These filters are ten to sixty percent efficient and some manufacturers claim even higher efficiencies.

Pleated filters should be changed every three to six months. If you live in an area with lots of dust then you should probably change your filter about every three months.

If you require more efficient air filtration you may want an electrostatic, electronic or even a HEPA filter. The more efficient the filter is the more often it will have to be cleaned or replaced.

Electrostatic filters probably offer the best combination of value and efficiency. You will pay between two to six times what a good quality disposable filter would cost but you just wash them with water when they become dirty and reuse them.

Electronic filters will never become dirty enough to effect airflow. They just become inefficient and there ability to remove dust from the air deteriorates as they become dirty. To clean these filters you have to remove the electronic cells and soak them in some like HVAC cleaner and then rinse them and let them dry.

HEPA filters are the most efficient filters available and become plugged very quickly. They need to be checked monthly and often cause too much restriction to airflow to be used at all. An air conditioner contractor will be able to tell you if it is worth trying one of these in your system.

If you are using economy panel filters from your local hardware store and getting a pack of four for five or ten dollars, you are not doing yourself, your family or your air conditioning equipment any favours. When it comes to rating filters, these are at the bottom of the list.

These filters do such a poor job you could leave one in your air conditioner for a year and it would not collect enough dust to require changing. The unfortunate thing is the evaporator coil of your air conditioner would need to be cleaned every year to remove the dirt that should have been stopped by the filter.

Donald Munn has been in the air conditioning, ventilation and heating industry for twenty years and shares his experience and insight into furnace filter and air conditioner filter selection, performance and care at http://www.furnacefiltercare.com

Garden and household pests - unwanted insects, including flies,
mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, termites, and moths, and
intruders like mice and rats - are annoying, destructive, and
potentially harmful to the health of humans and pets. But the
use of chemical toxins to control these pests is a problem - who
knows what some of these chemicals themselves can do to the
health of our family members?

Luckily, there are ways to combat these invaders without
resorting to potentially poisonous chemicals. Essentially, there
are four approaches to pest control; used in combination they
can go a long way to eliminating insects and rodents from one’s
home and outdoor environment.

First, make sure you’re not creating the conditions that invite
these pests onto your property. Standing water attracts
mosquitoes; take a walk through your property and make sure you
don’t have bowls of water, discarded tires, and other
receptacles that can contain rain water. If you find them, get
rid of them. Poorly stored food and stray crumbs can attract
ants, roaches, and mice. Keep your food stored in airtight
containers, wipe down counters, tables, etc., and sweep the
floor frequently, discarding the refuse and removing in from the
house.

Secondly, provide barriers, either physical or biological, to
repel insects and rodents. Properly maintained and installed
screens on windows and doors will help block flies and
mosquitoes from the home. Simple to use, nontoxic home remedies
can repel insects; for instance a brew of catnip tea, sprayed in
a solution around cupboards, baseboards, and other areas,
particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, can repel cockroaches.

Third, you can add beneficial insects and other organisms to
your environment. Adding ladybugs to gardens has been a natural
remedy for years: ladybugs just love aphids, and will eat them
before the tiny insects can ruin your growing plants. (Some
people go so far as to add a gecko or two to their homes; geckos
eat cockroaches, and will help keep an infestation under
control; you’d have to make up your mind if you really want to
live in the same house or apartment with a couple free ranging
lizards. If you have small boys, chances are they’ll be
thrilled!)

Finally, if all else fails, there are compounds, safe to humans
with normal use, but deadly to pests, that will eliminate some
insects for good. To rid your home of cockroaches, for instance,
put containers of boric acid behind counters, in the backs of
cupboards, in shelves, and other areas that cockroaches
frequent; they’ll eat the boric acid and return to their nests,
carrying more boric acid with them; the boric acid will kill
them and the other inhabitants of their nests. (Make sure you
keep the boric acids away from children and pets.)

There are also nontoxic, natural preparations sold commercially
which can be used to repel or eliminate pests without adversely
impacting your home environment. In short, there are many natural, safe
options for eliminating pests that you can use to make sure
your home is a comfortable, enjoyable environment for your
family, not for unwanted guests.

You look up at the ceiling and there’s a crack. You walk to another room, and another crack maps its way around the doorframe. Then you see up and down cracks, and cracks that are sideways. Your first thought is foundation problems. Then you instantly think the correction is piers. But cracks can indicate much more, such as a slab leak. Or, it can be less - a simple settling crack. And better yet, simple yard maintenance might correct some of the foundation issues.

Before you jump to conclusions, first notify your insurance provider. “It’s amazing how many homeowners call a foundation company before the insurance company,” says Todd Stephens, vice president of JS Engineering. “There’re necessary steps to take in evaluating a problem before deciding that the foundation needs repairing.”

After an insurance claim is filed, the insurance company will send an adjuster to photograph and look at the damage. According to the information on the report, then the insurance provider will decided what licensed professionals to send to the home. If there is a plumbing leak suspected, then a leak locating service will test and isolate any suspected leaks. If no leaks are found, the claim is ended at this point, and the homeowner can do what he feels necessary.

In many states, insurance companies investigate foundation concerns due to an “accidental discharge of water.” This includes water leaking from the sewer system, water system, bathtub and shower drains, and the sprinkler lines next to the house. All of these will be tested as part of the forensic investigation at no cost to the homeowner.

If there is a leak indicated during the plumbing test, the insurance company contacts an engineering firm to perform further testing. There is a misconception that the engineering firm works directly for the insurance company. This is incorrect. The company is employed by the insurance provider and acts as an unbiased third party. “We record data and base our opinions on the data and on the statements by the homeowner solely,” says Stephens. “We do not get involved on the insurance coverage side of the investigation - that is between the homeowner and the insurance company. We do our job, and the end result doesn’t effect the engineering firm.”

During the structural investigation the house is measured and drawn to scale. Then floor elevations are measured. An interior and exterior site inspection is performed with photographs. A crack inventory is made and the residential history is discussed with the homeowner. “These are the pieces of the puzzle that help us determine whether or not the plumbing leak caused any structural damage,” says Stephens.

After the investigation is complete and a report is submitted to the insurance company, the insurance adjuster will typically meet with the homeowner and discuss the findings.
This entire process usually takes 30 to 45 days from start to finish. The homeowner receives the original copy of the report for his records.
The report includes recommendations on how to correct and stabilize the foundation, whether it is from foundation repair from the insurance company or a lawn maintenance program - such as sprinkler system or root barriers.

Many homeowners are surprised at the extent of the investigations performed at no cost. The only cost incurred by the homeowner is the deductible that is often paid during the plumbing repairs, following the completion of the structural inspection.

Homeowners need to be aware of the time needed for inspections and repairs. Therefore, if you are considering listing your home for sale, these issues need to be tended to before putting the home on the market. Give yourself at least 60 to 90 days to check foundation or plumbing issues in your home.

So the next time you see sheetrock cracks, get prepared. Structural cracks are a good indication that there’s possibly a problem with your home.

Helena Hill is a Dallas real estate broker and a contributor to the
Flower Mound Homes Weblog.

If you’re shopping around for the cheapest supplier of electricity in your area, there are some terms that you need to be familiar with. Below is a list of the some of the commonly used terms.

1. KWh (kilowatt hour) - The standard unit of measurement for both gas and electricity consumption.

2. MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) - Your MPRN is the unique identifying number for the gas meter at your property. It’s a ten digit number, commonly referred to as an “M” number, and can be found on your gas bill.

3. Unit Price - a variable charge dependent on your level of consumption. The unit price will be applied to every kilowatt hour (kWh) of gas or electricity used.

4. Standing Charge - A fixed daily charge for the supply of energy, irrespective of your level of consumption.

5. MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) - MPAN is the unique identifying number for the electricity meter at your property. The MPAN is commonly referred to as a “Supply Number” or “S” number, and it can be found on your electricity bill.

6. Economy 7 electricity tariffs use different pricing structures according to the time of day. For example, the night rate is cheaper than the day rate.

7. Ofgem - the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, is the independent regulator of the gas and electricity industries.

8. Electricity Association - The representative body of the major UK electricity companies.

9. Green Tariff - based on the purchase or generation of energy from renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, water, and waste, or in funds being allocated to fund conservation and environment protection projects.

10. Energywatch acts on behalf of the consumer, as an independent watchdog for the gas and electricity industry.

11. Dual Fuel - Most suppliers these days provide both gas and electricity known as “dual fuel” deals. This means that you receive gas and electricity from the same supplier.

Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for The
Guide to Cheaper Electricity website at: http://www.cheap-electricity-guide.org.uk/ and he’s also a regular contributor to the Ways2Save website at:
http://www.ways2save.org.uk/.