Ask the experts
Our panel of those in the know answer your home improvement dilemmas
Your decorating dilemas sorted
Q I’m looking for a new oven and I wondered if self-cleaning models really work?
Fiona Nicholls, East Sussex
A Sue Flowers, Group Marketing Manager at NEFF offers her advice… NEFF ovens have two selfcleaning programs: Pyrolytic and EasyClean, both designed to take the hassle out of cleaning the oven. When you activate the Pyrolytic self-cleaning program, high temperatures of up to 485 º C turn food residue and grease spatters into dust. Once the oven has cooled, you can simply wipe the residue away with a cloth. It takes up to two hours, depending on how intensive a clean is required.
The EasyClean program offers a handy in-between clean for lightly soiled ovens. Just add water and a drop of liquid detergent to the base pan and the EasyClean program will soften baked-on residue so that it can be wiped away.
Pyrolytic programs are safe to use, as the oven door locks while the program is running and the door remains cool to touch. Modern ovens with pyrolytic programs are so well insulated that they’re very efficient when it comes to electricity usage. It’s also more environmentally friendly to use a self-cleaning program than harsh chemical oven cleaners.
Q Can a food waste disposer be fitted to any kitchen sink and how noisy are they? Jen Stephen, Tamworth
A Anne Kaarlela, Marketing Comms & Customer Service Manager for InSinkErator, Europe and Russia, says… The largest model from InSinkErator is 33cm x 23.4cm and is designed to fit easily under all sinks. An InSinkErator food waste disposer is a great eco-gadget, safely grinding waste such as vegetable peelings with ease. The waste particles are then hygienically rinsed down the drain, through the standard plumbing. Waste disposals are designed to be maintenance-free and the best way to keep yours in good condition is to use it regularly. To freshen it up, simply grind half a lemon in the disposer and rinse with water. A common myth is that they’re a noisy appliance but InSinkErator’s M Series 66 model has a low noise level of 26dB. Prices start at around £250.
Q What are the benefits of installing smart home security products?
Emma Ali, Northampton
A Kevin Spencer, Head of Product Management for Yale, advises… Today, home security isn’t just about keeping your property safe and secure. Homeowners are also looking for the added bonus of convenience, which is where the benefits of smart home security products are a plus for busy families.
A smart home alarm is a great first step if you’re looking to embrace smart home technology. Giving the ultimate in control, a smart security system allows you to arm, disarm and receive alerts and notifications if the alarm is triggered – all via your smartphone. Offering total peace of mind, a smart home alarm, such as Yale’s award-winning Sync Alarm, allows you to check in on your property anytime, anywhere and to always be ‘in the know’ when it comes to your home’s security.
You can expect to pay around £200 for a high-quality smart alarm and most security brands offer systems that can be professionally installed or fitted by a competent DIYer. Premium security brands also offer additional accessories to create an integrated smart home that provides both protection and convenience.
Q Should I switch home insurance companies every year or will I get a better deal staying loyal? Sabrina Harris, Swindon
A Camilla Yates, home insurance expert at Money Super Market, recommends… To make sure you get the best price for your home insurance, it’s important to shop around and compare policies when your renewal date is coming up. Don’t rely on your current provider to offer you the best deal, even if it appears competitive and is an easy option. Use a comparison website such as Money Super Market to compare dozens of policies, making sure your policy details are all up to date.
Home insurance prices can fluctuate based on various customer factors, from a change in credit profile to amendments to policy requirements. External factors, such as changes in local crime rates, can also influence prices. If you notice an increase in your policy price, shop around for a more competitive quote.
The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced a new regulation, to take effect from January 2022, that forces firms to ‘offer a renewal price that is no higher than the equivalent new business price for that customer through the same sales channel’. But getting the same price as a new customer doesn’t guarantee the best price on the market, so comparing policies is still worthwhile. While switching won’t always give you a better deal, shopping around will ensure your policy suits you and is competitively priced. Typically, you can build a no claims discount bonus up for five years and insurers will usually allow you to transfer it to a new policy with a different provider. For more info, visit moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/no-claims-discount.
Q We’re planning a kitchen extension for our narrow terraced house. What’s the best way to bring in plenty of natural light? Keeley, Glasgow
A Grant Sneddon, Director of regional product management and business insight at VELUX, offers his advice… When building a kitchen extension on a terraced property, try to give as much space to glass as you can, without compromising workable space for preparing meals. VELUX recommends no less than 20% of wall space is glazed.
Bear in mind that when you extend a property, you’re pushing the natural light away from the original space. Roof lighting is a great way to overcome this, as it can bring natural light to all parts of the space. Seven out of 10 extensions don’t have roof windows, so most extensions are missing out on more daylight, more fresh air and more ‘wow’ factor. Roof lights work well whatever direction the room faces, as the light comes from above, so they could be a great option for your terraced property extension.
VELUX offers a variety of options, including Smoke Ventilation windows that can be installed in a flat roof or on those with pitches between 15° and 90°, which can be opened via a button or a smoke sensor within 60 seconds.
It can be hard to visualise the effect of light, which is why VELUX has developed a free web tool – the ‘Daylight Calculator’ – to help you simulate quantity and quality of daylight in your space, so you can inform the architectural design – super useful for a kitchen extension project.
Prices vary depending on factors such as window size, glazing options and control mode – for an estimate check out VELUX’s price configurator tool online at velux.co.uk/roof-window-configurator for a guide.