We couldn’t resist sharing it.
Welcome to DIY Doctor's blog
Nov 30
An article in the press has sparked some debate on how sheds affect us but health experts have stated that there is evidence to suggest that it could have a positive effect on mens health.
Research done by a professor in Mens Health from Leeds Metropolitan University is due out today but he thinks that ‘pottering’ in a shed can relieve stress and lower blood pressure. In fact, so many people back this idea that groups are springing up around the country offering communal ”Men’s Sheds’ so that men can get together, make things, and share and maybe even learn new skills.
The idea originates from Australia but the idea is spreading over here with one such initiative having been set up by the charity Age UK and Men’s Health Forum. Focussing on the over 55′s, it is called ‘Men in Sheds’ and it gives men the opportunity to get together, do some DIY and drink cups of tea and chat! Sounds great to us!
If you would like advice on how to build your own shed, we have a project with step-by-step instructions and also a project on building a shed base which gives advice on constructing a concrete base for your shed.
Nov 29
Is geothermal heating for you?
We have a great project page on ground source heat pumps which gives loads of information on what they are and how they work and how they can be beneficial.
But if you are considering the major change of installing one in your garden you need to be aware of a several things. As your garden will need to have a certain amount of digging done in it, you will definately need to be able to get a digger in, so access is key. Once the equipment is installed though, it needs very little maintenance.
Another consideration is if you are trying to tie it in to an extisting heating system. The ground source heat pump works best with low heat systems such as underfloor heating, not trying to heat radiators on a conventional system.
Ground source heating works best and saves you most when you are looking at replacing electric, LPG or solid fuel such as coal. The Energy Saving Trust estimate that your annual savings could be in the region of £480 if you use electric heaters, £200 if you use solid fuel and £180 if you use oil.
If you would like to receive free no obligation quotes for installers of ground source heat pumps and geothermal heating you can go to our Find a Trademan page.
Nov 29
Congratulations to survey prize draw winner Ron Teder from Manchester. Ron was sent his prize of £200 of Screwfix vouchers when his name was picked from hundreds of completed surveys.
We contacted Ron immediately and we are very happy to publish his reply:
Dear DIY Doctor,
Thanks so much for the prize. You’ve got a really great website and I’m on it almost every weekend. I can’t even begin to work out how much money you have saved me over the last 5 years and now, with this prize, I’m even getting paid to save money.
Many shops and websites ask for feedback and surveys simply to get names and bombard people with offers, especially at Christmas but in the time I’ve been using DIY Doctor I can actually see that you listen to feedback and do something about it on the website.
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Ron