How has 2022 been so far? How's the economy affecting you? Any tips?

[pirate]

I get the Irn Bru gag, obviously....
Also, FYI (as the kids say!) I am an Audi driver, A6 3Litre AWD...and it's great at scaring folks in the snow!

 

[nicebutdim]

Getting back to the original topic...

Judging by choices of transportation, it appears the answer to Dan's question is 'not at all'.

 

[pirate]

It's 17 years old...so not flash at all!

 

[nicebutdim]

It's 17 years old...so not flash at all!

Don't come at me with those 'extenuating circumstances'

 

[Moley]

It's 17 years old...so not flash at all!

Has it got the Bosh Jetronic HP pump in the centre if the 'V'? Very prone to failing. It get's too hot. Happened twice to mine (2.5 V6) and to someone else I know. It's a known fault and plenty of places who will refurb the units.

 

[brianmoooore]

No problem with Range Rovers, as long as they have a tow bar at the rear and a bit of mud on them.

 

[Zerax]

100% BTL was a disaster. They need to urgently start heavily taxing 2/3/4 homes etc .And limiting foreign investors "stock piling " dirty money via properties in London

In the same way that whatever the question, the answer is very rarely "I'll ask the kitchen fitter"... when it comes to running the country, the answer is very rarely... "let's tax it". Taxes are fundamentally wicked, nasty and evil... it's been proven time and time again that government intervention invariable results in unintended consequences.

The solution to foreign investors using 'dirty money' to buy property is to properly vet the source of funds (we do already via AML regulations)

2nd/4rd homes are not BTL... BTL are for letting, so someone will be living there. There's no doubt that BTL has provided a large number of high quality homes for those that choose to rent. If you want to reduce 2nd homes... it's more about everyone having large amounts of money !

 

[Dave OCD]

As the old jokes go:

How do you spot the unmarked police cars? They are the only BMWs with working indicators.

Audi = Achtung! Untrained Driver Inside

Or my favourite - A55hole usually drives it.

 

[RoryDickerson]

1. How has 2022 been so far? How's the economy affecting you? Any tips?
   
   This email has been sent to all members of the forum. I thought we could help each other out.
   
   How is your business doing? How has the economy (and I hear recession being said here and there in the news now) affected you at home and your business?
   
   Any tips for these big fuel bills, energy bills etc?

   Hi.
   I can provide some general tips that may help with reducing fuel and energy bills:
   
   1. Invest in energy-efficient appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can help reduce energy consumption and save money on utility bills over time.
   2. Switch to LED lighting: Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can also help reduce energy consumption and save money on electricity bills.
   3. Use a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat can help regulate heating and cooling systems and save money on energy bills.
   4. Consider using renewable energy sources: Installing solar panels or wind turbines can help reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and save money on electricity bills in the long run.
   5. Improve insulation: Proper insulation can help reduce heating and cooling costs by keeping indoor temperatures stable.

 

[LukeD]

1. 
   Hi.
   I can provide some general tips that may help with reducing fuel and energy bills:
   1. Invest in energy-efficient appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can help reduce energy consumption and save money on utility bills over time.
   2. Switch to LED lighting: Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can also help reduce energy consumption and save money on electricity bills.
   3. Use a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat can help regulate heating and cooling systems and save money on energy bills.
   4. Consider using renewable energy sources: Installing solar panels or wind turbines can help reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and save money on electricity bills in the long run.
   5. Improve insulation: Proper insulation can help reduce heating and cooling costs by keeping indoor temperatures stable.

All cost money.... Many out there are absolutely broke .

 

[Dustydazzler]

It still amazes me the amount of homes I do work in and they have naff all insulation in the loft and eaves spaces.
The government could give vouchers to people to buy rolls of loft insulation form Wickes, which would make a big difference Imo

 

[DPG]

It still amazes me the amount of homes I do work in and they have naff all insulation in the loft and eaves spaces.
The government could give vouchers to people to buy rolls of loft insulation form Wickes, which would make a big difference Imo

There have been a few government schemes over the years where you can get loft insulation and cavity wall insulation for a really cheap fee. Trouble is a lot of people won't spend anything on things they can't see or can't show their friends.

We got cavity wall insulation done for about a hundred quid I think under one of the schemes. Only reason I didn't get the loft done is cos it was jam packed with stuff

 

[Dustydazzler]

There have been a few government schemes over the years where you can get loft insulation and cavity wall insulation for a really cheap fee. Trouble is a lot of people won't spend anything on things they can't see or can't show their friends.

We got cavity wall insulation done for about a hundred quid I think under one of the schemes. Only reason I didn't get the loft done is cos it was jam packed with stuff

The 1st 2 things I did when we moved into our current 1980s semi ,is 1 insulate the loft as it had no insulation when we moved in and 2 replaced the old crappy windows with new Upvc ones. the old windows had gaps around them big enough to fit your fingers through.

 

[brianmoooore]

It still amazes me the amount of homes I do work in and they have naff all insulation in the loft and eaves spaces.

I know. Lovely, isn't it.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I know. Lovely, isn't it.

Lovely for running and clipping cables

Absolutely useless for energy efficiency

 

[brianmoooore]

When I'm horizontal in some remote part of the eaves, their energy efficiency isn't my first priority!

 

[LukeD]

There have been a few government schemes over the years where you can get loft insulation and cavity wall insulation for a really cheap fee. Trouble is a lot of people won't spend anything on things they can't see or can't show their friends.

We got cavity wall insulation done for about a hundred quid I think under one of the schemes. Only reason I didn't get the loft done is cos it was jam packed with stuff

Cavity wall insulation can create damp issues ... Its a minefield !

The 1st 2 things I did when we moved into our current 1980s semi ,is 1 insulate the loft as it had no insulation when we moved in and 2 replaced the old crappy windows with new Upvc ones. the old windows had gaps around them big enough to fit your fingers through.

ONly trouble is when the loft is so rammed full of insulation right down to the eaves and the loft is not ventilated well etc . We seem to have sealed up homes but not also invested in good ventilation .This in cold weather combined with people not wanting the heating on so much is why so many have bad condensation issues. I am a great fan of good PIV systems and its one job Clients see a benefit from quickly

 

[Dave OCD]

We install a fair amount of PIV units and the changes they make are remarkable. Often by the very next day customers report no condensation on the inside of their windows, one of the very best benefit vs cost things you can do for a home I'd say. But of course you do need fresh air circulating in the loftspace so too much rammed-in insulation will have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of the PIV unit.

 

[LukeD]

We install a fair amount of PIV units and the changes they make are remarkable. Often by the very next day customers report no condensation on the inside of their windows, one of the very best benefit vs cost things you can do for a home I'd say. But of course you do need fresh air circulating in the loftspace so too much rammed-in insulation will have a detrimental effect on the effectiveness of the PIV unit.

I fit the heated versions and as mentioned ..There is no chance a client wont be happy >I advise anyone to fit them .

 

[nicebutdim]

Oddly enough I'd been looking at PIV units a couple of days back. No real issues with damp or condensation, but like to keep it to a minimum and felt it was a good means of introducing airflow.

Think I've settled on the Nuaire Drimaster Eco Heat HC. Don't intend using the heater much, but it seems a sensible option to have in colder weather.