WWHA has properties in 14 of the 22 local authorities in Wales. To access their websites, please click on the links below:
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Merthyr Tydfil
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Swansea
Vale of Glamorgan
Wrexham
Warm Your Winter Home
Toasty tips to help warm your Winter
Bleed your radiators: to make sure they are working properly and if you have a combi boiler make sure the pressure is topped up. If in doubt on how to do this give us a call for advice.
Curtail with curtains: Hang heavy, lined curtains at windows to help keep the heat in and close them as soon as it starts getting dark. If you have Venetian blinds tilt the blades so they face down (curved side to room).
Combat your thermostat: Set your room thermostat at or around the recommended temperature of 21°c (70°f). If you turn down your heating thermostat by 1°C you could save around £60 a year.
Think ahead: If the weather is really cold, set your heating to come on a little earlier to give the house time to warm up, rather than turning up the thermostat.
Ventilation nation: Remember to leave air bricks and vents clear as your home needs ventilation to stop condensation and ensure a supply of fresh air. Wood-burning stoves, gas boilers and open fires also need a good air supply to ensure they burn efficiently.
No hot water, what next?
A little troubleshooting for those little glitches you might be able to fix yourself.
Before you call the engineer check:
- The isolation switch/plug to your boiler is turned on.
- The boiler is turned on?
- The thermostat is turned up and the clock timer is on.
- Your boiler appliance controls are on.
- The pressure gauge on the front of your boiler, (if it has one), to see if it’s at approximately one bar.
- If your appliance has a permanent pilot light, is it turned on?
- If you still have no heat or hot water then you may need an engineer.
Having clock/programmer problems?
- Check the electrical supply working.
- Have the clocks gone forward or back? Does the clock need resetting
- Check the time of day is correct and the on/off settings.
- Is the timer display showing unfamiliar symbols? Look in your user manual to see what to do next.
- If the timer/programmer has a manual override, constant or 24 hour feature you may be able to use it to overrule the settings temporarily and get your system working.
New Expanded Handyman Service for Flintshire and Wrexham
A new expanded handyman service is aiming to help keep older Flintshire and Wrexham residents living in their own homes.
Age Concern North East Wales and Flintshire-based building firm Laudan Developments have teamed up to expand the charity’s Home Solutions Service.
Handyman Mike Jones was presented with the keys to his new van by the chair of Flintshire County Council Cllr Hilary McGuill and says he is looking forward to getting out and about helping even more older people.
He said: “I have been to one lady five or six times already. On the last occasion she wanted a handrail fitted in her garden so she can hang her washing out. It was a simple job but it has made a huge difference to her everyday life.”
Age Concern North East Wales Home Solutions manager, Tracey Deans, says the handy-van service is an exciting project which is helping move the service forward.
She said: “It means we can offer our clients a full handyman service and they can have confidence they will get a good job done at a very fair price.
“Age Concern North East Wales is independent, local and we are listening to what our clients say to us. I would encourage anyone who has a job they need doing to give us a call and we will sort it out.”
To contact the Age Concern North East Wales Home Solutions team call 08450 549969.