Q1:  What is this Part P building regualations about?

A: Since the 1st January 2005 all electrical work in dwellings (houses) has needed to comply with the Building Regulations electrical requirements known as Part P. Plus they must be carried out by persons who are competent to do the work. The best option for you is to find an electrician who can self certify their own work through a Competent Person Scheme .

Q2:  When I asked estate agent help to let my property, they ask me to do the PAT. What is PAT?

A: PAT stands for portable appliance test. Click below to find more.

PAT testing!

Q3:  I live in Reading and am going to replace my electrical shower. It is 8.5kw Mira. Can I have a 9.5kw shower?

A: Maybe not. You need to check a couple of things.Click below to find more.

Electric shower!

Q4:  What is a consumer unit?

A: It also used to be called fusebox. But modern ones dont have fuses inside any longer. Click below to find more.

Consumer unit!

Q5:  Why there are 2 consumer units in my flat?

A:For modern block of flats, sometimes there is no gas supply. The heating system is using electrical storage heater which normally works during night. So the power supplier has installed 2 meters for 2 dirrerent rates. One for day rate and one for off peak rate. The storage heater is using off peak energy and cheaper than day rate. If you have a sylinder installed in the flat, it can also use off peak electricity.

Q6:  I am using an electrical shower. But water flow is quite weak. Can i install a booster pump?

A:It depends if you have a water tank in your loft or not. Most electrical showers use main water rising which can not work with a pump. If you insist you can ask a plumber to alter the cold water supply to water tank in the loft. But this can be costly. Then you can have an external pump installed or just buy a electrical shower which has a integrated pump inside.

From my experience, in most situations, the shower head has been blocked by limescale. You can take it off and clean it or just buy a new shower head. Generally this can improve the water flow significantly.

Q7:  A lot of people are talking underfloor heating system. Is it good?

A: Underfloor heating system can be water heating system or electrical heatingsystem. Water heating system is like to relocate the radiators under floor and it is still quite complicated. Modern electrical heating system has quite a lot advantages. Please click the following link to read more.

Underfloor heating system!

Q8:  I am thinking to do loft conversion and change it to a bedroom. Do I need planning permission?

A: Normally not. But in some situations you do need it. Such as:
1.The newly converted space is over 50m3.
2.The dormer is beyond the plane of the existing roof slope on the front elevation.
3.You live in a specially designated area such as a Conservation Area or your home is listed.

You must contact your local building control if you are not sure.

Q9:  Do I need planning for a new garage in my garden?

A: Normally not. But in some situations you do need it. Such as:
1.Your garage/shed is to be higher than certain height designated by local council.
2.You live in a specially designated area such as a Conservation Area or your home is listed.
3.You garage is for business purpose.

You must contact your local building control if you are not sure.

Q10:  My friend has used a scale inhibitor in his heating system, should i do it as well?

A: Scale inhibitors have been more and more widely used. Please click the following link to read more.

Scale inhibitors!