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Home & Garden Articles
Save Money, and the Planet - Home Improvement Loan Lenders
Mon 04 Dec 2006 - 08:53
Save Money, and the Planet - Home Improvement Loan Lenders
By Brian Long
In the British Isles the standard of our homes has never been better. Whilst this is obviously very good, we are now so much more aware of the need to be energy efficient and reduce CO2 emissions, that there is still more we can do. So there are very good reasons to be considering home improvement loan lenders, even for the cash poor households, as they may be equity rich (because of the ever increasing value of homes), or maybe entitled to home improvement grants.
It could be that as many as 90% of UK homes are energy inefficient in some way. It could cost as much as £50 billion to bring all UK homes up to standard. Whilst the government should be looking at how it can help with things like VAT reductions on home improvements and energy efficient products, we should all do our bit to help.
Lenders have different names for their products, like Investment Property Loan, or Home Building Loan, but they all are aimed at allowing equity to be utilised in order to re-invest back into what is still the biggest investment we generally make here in the UK. It also makes sense as the re-investment will add value to the property in question.
Cavity wall and loft insulation
Cavity wall insulation can save as much as 35% of your heating bill. Always choose a CIGA registered installer who will be able to offer an independent 25 year guarantee.
Loft Insulation is now recommended to be 270mm for a mineral wool product, so if you have less than 150mm then a top up is sensible. Other types of insulation vary, so a little research helps to ensure you are maximizing its effects.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in the UK took up simple energy efficiency measures such as those being used in a recent rural initiative in Northampton, £7.5 billion could
be saved from energy bills, reducing CO2 emissions by 50 million
tonnes.
Boilers and Central Heating
If your boiler is more than 15years old it would be a good idea to consider a change out. You will find that modern boilers can save up to 30% on your heating and hot water bill. Thermostatic radiator valves can make savings by setting the heat output for each room separately, rather than just heating the whole house to the same temperature.
Something as simple as hot water tank jackets and draft exclusion helps as well, along with the now common use of double glazing.
Active Roofs
"Active roofs" are being designed that can include a multitude of energy generating or saving devices. Solar thermal modules, photovoltaic panels and micro-wind appliances.
Winter and the Elderly
Spare a thought for the elderly, or better still take some action to help, as sadly 40,000 die each year in Britain. This is higher than other developed countries which endure similar climates and temperatures.
Summary
Saving money by spending money is more than possible when you consider home improvement.
When you get round to searching for good home improvement loan lenders, do the math and research the best secured loans, personal loans or even re-mortgaging if that is a good option.
So go on make yourself more comfortable, save some money and help save the planet too!
Brian Long is the the author of numerous articles. He has an MBA and writes about various finance and investment related topics. For more information on a Holiday Home Loan, Home Building Loan, or Home Improvement Loan Lenders visit (Second Home Loans). http://www.2ndhomeloans.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Long
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