tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30561486916761573432024-03-19T08:30:02.834+00:00Woolgar ElectricalMiscellany & everything else... the day to day events of one of Bedfordshire's best electrical contractors.. how can we help you???Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.comBlogger2186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-66930439010087300142018-05-23T09:30:00.000+01:002018-05-23T09:30:01.832+01:00Can it really be a quarter of a century???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRcikMUMIonvqgB8zzsldxGhho-GqruZOFTqo3CDOB8P7bwdlJzeuZBVln9zP24QCXC7cE5TkQh1QqaFXy5vRYrpoWmOy0x07NlIm9hzkYyZTJCauZsuV3JIESXSpEpEqdmiQF_iaZ0/s1600/Romania+trip+from+27th+May+1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRcikMUMIonvqgB8zzsldxGhho-GqruZOFTqo3CDOB8P7bwdlJzeuZBVln9zP24QCXC7cE5TkQh1QqaFXy5vRYrpoWmOy0x07NlIm9hzkYyZTJCauZsuV3JIESXSpEpEqdmiQF_iaZ0/s1600/Romania+trip+from+27th+May+1993.jpg" height="596" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-3404002867456914392015-12-26T20:19:00.000+00:002015-12-26T20:19:00.222+00:00Friday Fact Lions enjoy chewing discarded Christmas trees.<br />
<br />
<em>From the BBC, Jan 2015</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-23010731869158781102015-10-24T20:24:00.000+01:002015-10-24T20:24:00.054+01:00Friday Virus factThe virus behind the common cold is much happier in a cold nose.<br />
<br />
<em>keep your nose warm...</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-79995013151532361852015-10-01T11:31:00.000+01:002015-10-01T11:31:00.238+01:00Heater safety advice The Nights are drawing now so please be safe when you turn your electric heaters back on<br />
<br />
Don't overload plug sockets - An extension lead or adaptor will have a limit to how many amps it can take so, to help reduce the risk of fire, be careful not to overload them.<br />
<br />
Regularly check for frayed or worn cables and wires - Check to see if the cable is fastened securely to the plug and check the socket for scorch marks. You should always carry out these checks before you plug an appliance in.<br />
<br />
Unplug appliances when not in use - This helps to reduce the risk of fire. Unplug appliances when you go to bed or when you go out unless they are designed to be left on, like freezers.<br />
<br />
Keep electrical appliances clean and in good working order - Look out for fuses that blow, circuit-breakers that trip for no obvious reason and flickering lights to prevent them triggering a fire.<br />
<br />
Check for British or European safety mark - Make sure an appliance has a British or European safety mark when you buy it.<br />
<br />
Always check that you use the right fuse to prevent overloading - When you're fitting or replacing a fuse, it's important to use the right fuse for the appliance to make sure the cable doesn't overheat and that the appliance is protected in the event of a fault.<br />
<br />
Get Out, Stay Out, Call 999 - Never use water on an electrical fire and don't take any risks with your safety. Pull the plug out or switch the power off if it is safe to do so. Get out, stay out and call 999.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-87098975683305483422015-10-01T10:36:00.000+01:002015-10-01T10:36:00.776+01:00Landlords - are you compliant with the smoke detector law that came into force today?<br />
Changes in legislation for Landlords<br />
Today new legislation will comes into force that concerns Landlords of residential premises.<br />
<br />
Landlords are required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties in England.<br />
<br />
Who does the legislation cover? <br />
This new legislation will cover private landlords. Communities Minister Stephen Williams said yesterday: "We're determined to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector – a key part of that is to ensure the safety of tenants with fire prevention and carbon monoxide warning." <br />
Even so, Aico would recommend that any type of landlord (private or social) should recognise the duty of care they have for their tenants to install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.<br />
This new legislation is for England only.<br />
<br />
<em>Landlords in Scotland are already required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide under existing legislation.</em><br />
<br />
On the Government's website it reads as:<br />
<br />
"The proposed changes to the law would require landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.<br />
<br />
Landlords would also need to install carbon monoxide alarms in high risk rooms – such as those where a solid fuel heating system is installed.<br />
<br />
This would bring private rented properties into line with existing building regulations that already require newly-built homes to have hard-wired smoke alarms installed."<br />
<br />
Section 150 of the Energy Act states: "the appropriate standard", in relation to a smoke alarm or a carbon monoxide alarm, means the standard (if any) that is specified in, or determined under, regulations;"<br />
<br />
What we know:<br />
<br />
•Private landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties in England.<br />
•These alarms should meet the relevant European and British Standards.<br />
•This new legislation will come into force on the 1st October 2015 (subject to Parliamentary approval).<br />
•Local Authorities will enforce this legislation.<br />
•Landlords could receive a penalty charge of up to £5000.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.woolgarelectrical.co.uk/" target="_blank">Are you ready? can we help?</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-87593146987307055472015-08-13T09:00:00.000+01:002015-08-13T09:00:06.188+01:00International left handers Day!!!The writer of this blog is left handed... can you tell<br />
<br />
I cant figure why we only get 1 day when the 'righties' get the other 364.<br />
<br />
Today we are doing a special offer of 10% off all left hand sockets and switches.<br />
<br />
Don't delay - phone now for our special offer.<br />
<br />
Todays offer is supported by some notable lefties.<br />
<br />
Robert De Niro<br />
Angelina Jolie<br />
Prince William<br />
Lady Gaga<br />
Morgan Freeman<br />
Barack Obama<br />
Julia Roberts<br />
Bruce Willis<br />
Ben Stiller<br />
Tom Cruise<br />
Scarlett Johansson<br />
Bill Gates<br />
Hugh Jackman<br />
Eminem<br />
Jennifer Lawrence<br />
David Cameron<br />
Bart Simpson<br />
<br />
Are all lefties <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-27209248213536678772015-08-04T08:57:00.003+01:002015-08-04T08:57:48.872+01:00Why didnt The Green Deal work?The Government has cut odd the funds, all but killing off the much troubled Green Deal scheme.<br />
<br />
we agree the theory was good, but it came down to bad execution.<br />
<br />
The scheme was over engineered, difficult to market and a nightmare to access.<br />
<br />
The decision to scrap Green Deal funding comes less than two weeks after the government also abandoned its <strong>zero-carbon homes</strong> policy and just a day after it emerged it was consulting on plans to axe <strong>small-scale solar farm subsidies</strong>.<br />
<br />
The govt cant push us to be Green, then kill or abandon all the support. it needs investment and look at long term goals.<br />
<br />
Green initiatives always seem to be plagued by bureaucracy and red tape. I do wonder why they don't learn how to get the right balance between making the funding available and making sure it is spent on the right project.<br />
<br />
The amount of solar PV installations has actually increased in recent months, which makes the latest decisions even more incomprehensible.<br />
<br />
There is still, clearly, a public interest in getting these technologies as people try to get a grip on rising energy costs in the home. with an expected 25% increase in energy costs over the coming years. this will become more apparent.<br />
<br />
What a waste. <br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-26483393079145595432015-07-31T20:20:00.000+01:002015-07-31T20:20:00.051+01:00Friday FactBarack Obama calls David Cameron "bro".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-78136394806593329682015-07-24T20:22:00.000+01:002015-07-24T20:22:00.326+01:00Friday FactThere is little international trade in onions - about 90% are consumed in their country of origin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-17286958248965501712015-07-18T19:47:00.000+01:002015-07-18T19:47:00.591+01:00Is Flash safe?Adobe's Flash software is now blocked by default on all versions of the Firefox web browser.<br />
Mozilla, which develops Firefox, imposed the block because recently unearthed bugs in Flash were being actively used by cyber-thieves.<br />
<br />
The bugs were detailed in a cache of documents stolen from security firm Hacking Team that was hit by attackers last week.<br />
<br />
Adobe said it took Flash's security "seriously" and was planning bug fixes.<br />
<br />
Flash is widely used on many websites for both multimedia and interactive elements. <br />
<br />
On its support pages, Mozilla said the block would remain until "Adobe releases an updated version to address known critical security issues".<br />
<br />
Attackers were known to use vulnerabilities in Flash to install malicious software on computers and steal data, it added. <br />
<br />
The vulnerabilities in the documents stolen from Hacking Team have been quickly added to so-called exploit kits which are used by many thieves when they craft campaigns that seek to take over victims' computers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-69499582012784508122015-07-17T20:21:00.000+01:002015-07-17T20:21:00.645+01:00Friday FactBenedict Cumberbatch and King Richard III are third cousins, 16 times removed.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-70847114528905004322015-07-16T19:45:00.000+01:002015-07-16T19:45:00.539+01:00British Gas has updated its range of Hive "smart home" products, with a new thermostat as the centrepiece.The company hired Swiss designer Yves Behar to shape the look and feel of the device.<br />
Mr Behar had previously designed popular consumer gadgets like the Jambox wireless speaker and Jawbone fitness band.<br />
<br />
One expert told the BBC that consumers still needed convincing that they needed "smart home".<br />
"I don't think aesthetics are the only barrier. The rival Nest thermostat looks absolutely fantastic, but <strong>hasn't taken off in the UK,"</strong> said Chris Green, technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group.<br />
<br />
The new device is Hive's second version of an internet-connected thermostat, that lets people remotely control their heating from a smartphone app.<br />
<br />
Mr Behar said he did not build a touchscreen into the new thermostat because he found them a "distraction".<br />
<br />
found on the BBCAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-46643887011558949982015-07-15T06:30:00.004+01:002015-07-15T06:30:40.524+01:00UK spare electricity capacity to fall this winterThe risk of blackouts this winter has increased compared with a year ago according to National Grid. <br />
It says the closure of some power stations would have left spare capacity on the system at just 1.2%, the worst for a decade. <br />
<br />
It has secured extra supplies by paying tens of millions of pounds to have several plants on standby and by asking some industries to switch off power.<br />
<br />
The move means overall spare capacity is now expected to be around 5%. <br />
<br />
"It's clear that electricity margins for that coldest, darkest half hour of winter are currently tighter than they have been, due to power stations closures", says Cordi O'Hara, National Grid's Director of Market Operations.<br />
<br />
<br />To ensure the lights stay on, for the second year running, National Grid will pay firms like Centrica and SSE to keep power plants in reserve. <br />
<br />
It is also paying large energy users, such as Tata Steel, to switch off.<br />
<br />
A total of 2.56GW of power has been secured which National Grid says will increase overall margins to 5.1%. <br />
<br />
That is still lower that spare capacity available last winter after similar measures.<br />
<br />
The move will cost £36m and will add 50 pence to the typical household energy bill. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-60184126158577570852015-07-10T20:23:00.000+01:002015-07-10T20:23:00.133+01:00Friday Tax FactIslamic State levies a 50% tax rate.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-37410118145211209012015-07-03T20:26:00.000+01:002015-07-03T20:26:00.047+01:00Friday Beiber FactJustin Bieber supports Everton.<br />
<br />
Nooooooooooo!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-13205036626329045172015-07-03T08:04:00.001+01:002015-07-03T08:05:47.228+01:00Pre-pay meter energy users paid £226 a year more: Citizens AdviceEnergy customers on pre-payment meters have been paying an average of £226 a year more than they would have done on the cheapest direct debit tariff, Citizens Advice has said.<br />
<br />
The charity said the gap between the cheapest and most expensive tariffs widened by up to a third in six months.<br />
<br />
Co-Operative Energy, which had the widest gap of £405, responded by saying it was cutting its pre-payment rates.<br />
<br />
<em>found on the BBC</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-81676985785819429932015-06-29T19:25:00.003+01:002015-06-29T19:25:51.394+01:00'No going back' Solar Impulse teek to HawaiiSolar Impulse, A solar-powered plane has passed the "point of no return" in its second bid at making a record-breaking flight across the Pacific Ocean.<br />
<br />Solar Impulse took off from Japan's Nagoya Airfield at 18:03 GMT on Sunday.<br />
<br />
The journey to Hawaii is expected to take approximately 120 hours.<br />
<br />
<em>I thought a day to get to Hawaii was tiring and that was our whole journey from the UK</em> <br />
<br />
They are going to take 5 days for 1/3 of our journey.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-74028790384543608942015-06-27T20:26:00.000+01:002015-06-27T20:26:00.743+01:00Friday factHalf of the world's pigs live in China.<br />
<br />
<em>no comments about ex boyfriend please...</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-77035106229671230822015-06-22T17:54:00.000+01:002015-06-22T17:54:00.059+01:00Can I charge an EV in the vehicle in the rain?Yes, all connections are fully sealed and tested to comply with safety standards. Care should be taken when connecting the car to a power source to ensure that there are no open connections and the car should not be charged when the mains power outlet is exposed to rain.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-70551177008604486322015-06-20T16:58:00.000+01:002015-06-20T16:58:00.440+01:00Spinnaker Tower brandingA Portsmouth landmark is to be painted blue and gold following an outcry over the use of red in the previous plan. <br />
The city council announced a £3.5m deal with airline Emirates to rebrand the Spinnaker Tower earlier this month.<br />
<br />
The decision upset 10,000 people who signed a petition against a branding plan as red and white are the colours of football rivals Southampton. <br />
<br />
More than 100 litres of red paint, bought in readiness for the work, will now be given away to good causes.<br />
<br />Blue is the traditional colour of the city of Portsmouth and its football team.<br />
<br />
Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth City Council said: "We have listened to the public and created a new blue, gold and white design that is in keeping with suggestions from residents.<br />
<br />
Councillor Ben Dowling said: "It's good that the new design isn't red but we still have some fairly serious questions about the process that has taken place.<br />
<br />
The 170m high tower will be renamed the Emirates Spinnaker Tower <br />
<br />
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates said: "We listened to the feedback and worked with the council to adapt the designs in order to create something that Portsmouth residents will be proud of."<br />
<br />
An application for advertising consent has been posted on the Portsmouth City Council website.<br />
It states: "Brand logo and brand name will be adhered to the tower legs and lower ground signage base."<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-17157767485740812122015-06-19T20:27:00.000+01:002015-06-19T20:27:00.161+01:00Friday FactThe Queen once gave former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond a successful horse racing tip.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-57907297101007256352015-06-18T08:09:00.003+01:002015-06-18T08:09:21.646+01:00Earlier end to subsidies for new UK onshore wind farms<div class="story-body__introduction">
New onshore wind farms will be excluded from a subsidy scheme from 1 April 2016, a year earlier than expected.</div>
<div class="story-body__introduction">
</div>
There will be a grace period for projects which already have planning permission, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said.<br />
<br />
But it is estimated that almost 3,000 wind turbines are awaiting planning permission and this announcement could jeopardise those plans.<br />
<br />
Energy firms had been facing an end to generous subsidies in 2017.<br />
<br />
The funding for the subsidy comes from the Renewables Obligation, which is funded by levies added to household fuel bills.<br />
<div aria-hidden="true" class="bbccom_slot mpu-ad">
<div class="bbccom_advert bbccom_display_none">
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</div>
After the announcement was made, Fergus Ewing, Scottish minister for business, energy and tourism and member of the Scottish parliament, said he had warned the UK government that the decision could be the subject of a judicial review.<br />
<br />
found on the BBCAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-82035887102564029312015-06-12T10:13:00.000+01:002015-06-12T10:13:00.407+01:00Friday FactYour heart beats over 100,000 times a day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-21037063213638882272015-06-08T10:32:00.000+01:002015-06-08T10:32:00.144+01:00Changes in legislation for Landlords - smoke detection<br />On 11th March 2015 that new legislation will come into force on the 1st October 2015 that concerns Landlords of residential premises.<br />
<br />Landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties in England.<br /><br />
Who will the new legislation cover? <br /> This new legislation will cover private landlords. Communities Minister Stephen Williams said yesterday: "We're determined to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector – a key part of that is to ensure the safety of tenants with fire prevention and carbon monoxide warning." <br />
<br />We would recommend that any type of landlord (private or social) should recognise the duty of care they have for their tenants to install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.<br />
<br />
This new legislation is for England only.<br />
Landlords in Scotland are already required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide under existing legislation.<br />
<br />
Arrow What needs to be fitted and to what standards? <br /> <br />It is The British Standard BS 5839-6:2013 that is regarded as the Standard to adhere to when fitting Smoke Alarms and BS EN 50292:2013 when fitting Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms in residential/domestic premises. These define the type of alarms that require fitting and where they should be sited when complying with Building Regulations.<br />
<br />On the Government's website it reads as:<br /> <br />"The proposed changes to the law would require landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.<br />
<br />Landlords would also need to install carbon monoxide alarms in high risk rooms – such as those where a solid fuel heating system is installed.<br />
<br />This would bring private rented properties into line with existing building regulations that already require newly-built homes to have hard-wired smoke alarms installed."<br /> <br />Section 150 of the Energy Act states: "the appropriate standard", in relation to a smoke alarm or a carbon monoxide alarm, means the standard (if any) that is specified in, or determined under, regulations;"<br />
<br />Expect clarification of alarm types and siting requirements to be defined soon, but we know that landlords must fit a working smoke alarm on every storey of the property and a CO alarm in every room with a solid fuel burning appliance. Even so, Aico would recommend that a CO alarm is fitted in every room with any type of fuel burning appliance. They must be tested and in working order as each new tenant moves into the property. The Smoke and CO alarms should meet the relevant European and British Standards.<br />
<br />
Who will enforce this new law? <br /> Local Authorities will be enforcing this from 1st October 2015. Some Local Authorities are already prepared to do this as they have a licencing scheme for HMOs (House in Multiple Occupancy), where smoke alarms are a requirement. <br />
<br />What is the penalty for non-compliance? <br /> Local Authorities will be able to serve a remedial notice on a landlord where they have reasonable grounds to believe the landlord has not complied with these new legal requirements for Smoke and CO alarms. <br />
If a landlord fails to comply with the remedial notice within 28 days of the notice being served, the Local Authority under a duty (where the occupier consents) can arrange remedial action. This is to ensure that tenants are protected by working alarms and may involve action to install, repair or check the alarms are in proper working order.<br /><br />In addition, Local Authorities can impose a civil penalty charge of up to £5000 on landlords who are in breach of their duty to comply with the remedial notice.<br /><br />What we know:<br /><br /> •Private landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties in England.<br />•These alarms should meet the relevant European and British Standards.<br />•This new legislation will come into force on the 1st October 2015 (subject to Parliamentary approval).<br />•Local Authorities will enforce this legislation.<br />•Landlords could receive a penalty charge of up to £5000.<br /><br /> However, there are some uncertainties in areas of this new law, so this information may be subject to change. Aico will attempt to keep you updated as more information comes through.<br /><br />
If you are a Landlord and would like to find out more about how to fit Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms in accordance with the relevant British Standards you can register for contact us <a href="http://www.woolgarelectrical.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.woolgarelectrical.co.uk/</a><br />
<br />
found on the aico web siteAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3056148691676157343.post-24227157502531828652015-06-05T10:10:00.000+01:002015-06-05T10:10:00.619+01:00Friday factThomas Edison, who invented the light bulb, was afraid of the dark.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13581390711240133586noreply@blogger.com0