Press Coverage

Newcastle Journal Homemaker


Tips on slashing your fuel bills

Saturday May 9 2009

Saving money on the running costs of your home is more important than ever in these tough economic times. Robin Kumar shows you how.Whether you live in a Tyneside flat, a small family home or a rambling mansion, there's a big chance that you are wasting money in your home.

In these credit crunch times, it's more important than ever that everyone saves money where they can. And as well as saving hard-earned cash, you can help in the all-important battle to save energy. People moving home now have to have a Home Information Pack prepared on their home to supply potential buyers with detailed facts about the property. This pack must contain an Energy Performance Certificate which shows the property's energy consumption and potential savings. This pack will benefit the future owner of your home, so why wait until you are selling before finding out how much you can save running your home?

You don't have to be selling or renting out a property to have an Energy Performance Certificate produced. For a cost of approximately £55, the report provides a snapshot of where a property is rated now, where it could be and the potential energy cost savings and consequential environmental impact.

In these hard-pressed times, the value of the EPC has moved up a gear - if only people realised. The survey should only be conducted by a licensed and accredited domestic energy assessor, who is police checked and fully insured. The inspection at the property takes 30-90 minutes, depending on its size and structure.

The items that influence the energy rating of a property include:

The survey does not look at appliances such as cookers, fridges and washing machine, although these will inevitably affect energy consumption. The report gives a current energy-efficiency rating and suggests home improvements and their potential cost. However, it also gives an idea of the possible fuel savings and increases in the energy rating that could be achieved by each alteration. Grants are generally available from your local authority using Warm Zone/ Warm Front or via most energy suppliers. Often this is 100% if an inhabitant is on a qualifying state benefit or over the age of 70 years.

Otherwise the costs may well be heavily subsidised - please do read the small print on the reverse of your bill to inquire or visit their website for details. We had cavity wall insulation installed for just £99 only 18 months ago and it has already paid for itself. An Energy Performance Certificate is not just for Home Information Packs. It is a valuable tool for anyone who wants advice on reducing their fuel bills, and at the same time helping the environment. It could also make a difference to the saleability of a property.

www.homemaker.co.uk

Evening Chronicle

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Robin Kumar, of Newcastle-based Robin Kumar DEA, which provides HIPS and EPCs, said: 'People have consistently undervalued the importance of the Home Information Pack and the Energy Performance Certificate.

A HIP provides vital information to help prospective buyers to make an informed decision. The EPC provides the starting point to save on fuel bills and also reduce greenhouse gases, a winwin situation.

Clients tell me that few people read the certificate.

It provides a snapshot of where a property is now, where it could be, the cost savings and environmental impact.

In these times of the credit crunch, everyone should be aware of savings they could make on their home.'

Mr Kumar can be contacted on 07799 662658.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Newcastle Journal Homemaker

Saturday April 4 2009

Robin Kumar, of Newcastle-based Robin Kumar DEA, which provides Hips and Energy Performance Certificates, said: "This change is very welcome. People have consistently undervalued the importance of the Home Information Pack and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). "The Hip provides vital information to help prospective buyers to make an informed decision. The EPC provides the starting point to save on fuel bills and also reduce greenhouse gases - a win-win situation! "I am informed by clients that few people read the certificate. It provides a snapshot of where a property is now, where it could be, the cost savings and environmental impact. In these times of the credit crunch, everyone should be aware of savings they could make on their home. "You don't have to be selling to arrange an EPC on your property to be shown where you can save money."

www.homemaker.co.uk