Skul Plumbing

Bathroom Radiators & Heating – A Quick Guide

It’s never a pleasant experience to walk into a cold bathroom especially first thing in the morning.  Fortunately there are a number of bathroom heating options that can make using your bathroom much more comfortable.  From traditional bathroom radiators to underfloor heating and towel heaters UK homeowners have a great deal of choice.

Most people looking to add extra warmth and comfort to their bathroom will first consider installing a standard bathroom radiator.  There is a huge variety available from traditional cast iron to ultra modern flat radiators.  Whether you simply require a practical solution or something that will enhance the overall look of the room there is something to match all bathroom designs.

Similar to regular bathroom radiators towel heaters have the added feature of being designed to keep hand and bath towels warm and dry.  This type of heater will typically consist of a series of rails or rings that will hold one or more towel.  The downside of this type of heating is that generally it isn’t the most effective way of heating the bathroom and unless you have room for a very large towel heater then you will most likely find that you need to install an additional heating system.

Underfloor heating has become more popular in recent years and is a great way to add extra luxury to your bathroom.  This type of heating comes in two different versions.  The first is fluid filled, similar to a traditional radiator but fitted under the floorboards.  This type of system can be difficult to install and so isn’t necessarily the best choice.  The other option is to install an electric coil or mat under the floor which is then linked to the homes electricity supply.  This system is fitted with a thermostat and can be turned on and off as needed making it perfect for the bathroom.

For bathroom radiators UK visit Express Bathrooms. Based in Cheshire, Express Bathrooms supply a wide range of bathroom furniture including stainless steel bathroom accessories.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/bathroom-radiators-heating-a-quick-guide-1079922.html

July 29, 2009 - 9:17 AM No Comments

Septic System Alternatives That Save Money

For anyone who has recently installed a new septic system or is thinking about putting one in, you probably already know that the cost can be prohibitively expensive.  Especially during these tough economic times when everyone is trying to save money, it can be difficult to conceive of spending $10,000 or more to put in a new septic system.  Now more than ever, consumers are becoming interested in septic system alternatives that can not only save them money now, but down the road as well.

When we talk about alternatives to the traditional septic system, the first thing to understand is that your home’s wastewater is divided into two categories: gray and black water.  Black water is what you flush down your toilet.  Because it contains human waste, black water has to be handled in a very specific way so as not to contaminate the environment or make anyone sick.  Gray water, on the other hand refers to everything else; it encompasses all the water used in showers, sinks, and laundry.  Gray water is easier to deal with, because it doesn’t have high nitrogen levels from fecal contamination.  For this reason, it is possible to install filtration systems that will recycle the gray water from your home so it can be used again for other purposes.

Gray water handling systems are not inexpensive; they can run as high as $5,000 to have them professionally installed.  However, when evaluating the cost, it’s important for homeowners to factor in the cost savings down the road, too.  When you consider that about two thirds of all wastewater in the United States is gray, imagine how much money the typical U.S. household could save by being able to use that water a second time.  With the right filtration system, you can reuse your gray water in toilets or for outdoor irrigation, potentially saving your household hundreds of gallons each week.

As we mentioned, black water has to be dealt with in a different way.  If your goal is to avoid installing a septic system, one good alternative might be a composting toilet.  Composting toilet systems are clean, odorless, and come in many styles and configurations to accommodate almost any situation.  If your goal is to save as much money as possible, you may be interested in a composting dry toilet that is waterless.  However, there are also composting toilet systems on the market today that feature very traditional looking low flush toilet fixtures in the bathroom, connected by standard PVC plumbing pipe to a central composting unit in the basement where the waste is actually handled.  When the composting process is complete, the end product is clean, dry compost that will look and smell like any other ordinary compost you’d buy from a garden center.  This compost can then be applied to your lawn or flower gardens.  Composting toilets can range in cost from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the size of system you need, but most homeowner’s will easily recuperate that expense over the first few years of ownership.

Septic systems may have been the standard of the past for anyone living in rural or remote areas, but they most likely will not be the standard of the future.  Septic system alternatives such as gray water recycling beds and composting toilets are quickly becoming mainstream as consumers strive to save money and natural resources.

For more information on septic system alternatives or to request a free catalog, visit the Composting Toilet Store at http://www.composting-toilet-store.com/Alternative_Septic_Systems_s/44.htm

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/septic-system-alternatives-that-save-money-1076947.html

July 28, 2009 - 6:44 PM Comment (1)

Swimming Pool Heaters

Some people may think that a swimming pool heater is of no use to them because they live in a very warm climate, but often these are the pool owners who can benefit most from having a heater, making the swimming season two, and sometimes three times longer than before. Without a swimming pool heater, the water can cool considerably while the days are still quite warm, but a heater will let pool owners enjoy their investment many more days out of the year. There are three types of swimming pool heaters: electric, gas, and solar.

Electric swimming pool heaters run the water past heated coils and pump it back into the pool. While an electric pool heater is often more expensive in up-front costs, it is often less expensive to operate than a gas heater. With an electric swimming pool heater, the water will take longer to heat up, but once it is warm, it is less expensive to keep it warm.

Gas powered pool heaters do a great job of warming up a pool quickly, so they’re a good option when keeping a pool heated for long periods of time is not necessary. This is good for vacation houses, or for special pool parties after the “unheated” swimming season is over.

Solar pool heaters are very energy efficient, but are expensive to install. The solar panels need to have approximately the same surface area as the surface area of the pool. To maximize efficiency of solar pool heaters, running the pump constantly on warm days and shutting it off on cooler or cloudy days will help.

With any type of pool heater, a pool cover is a very wise investment. A good insulating pool cover can cut heat loses by up to half when used properly.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/bath-showers-articles/swimming-pool-heaters-1073485.html

July 27, 2009 - 6:44 PM Comment (1)

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