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Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)
Home Improvement Programme
Tenant Aftercare Guide
Kitchen and Bathroom
Useful information
Please keep safe
Tenant Aftercare Guide
Introduction
Working together to
care for our homes
We are delighted to have
worked in your home. Now that
the work is complete, we would like
to provide you with some information
about how to look after and maintain the
improvements. We have provided some or all
of the installations covered in this guide.
Please refer to those sections which apply
to your home.
Please contact NPT Homes
Customer Services for any
maintenance problems.
Tel: 0300 777 3000
1.0 Care and Cleaning Advice
Kitchen
4
Bathroom
8
Windows, Doors and Walls
10
Flooring
12
Base Fan Heaters
13
EnviroVent
14
2.0 Useful Information
Stopcock
16
If you smell gas or think that you have a gas leak
16
Landlord’s Permission
16
3.0 Household Advice
This publication can be made
available in large print, braille or
audio by contacting your Tenant
Liaison Officer.
Condensation and Mould
18
Recycling
20
Energy Saving Tips
22
Unblocking Drains
24
4.0 Useful Contacts
Contacting NPT Homes
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
26
Care and Cleaning Advice
Tenant Aftercare Guide
3
Kitchen Cleaning and Care Advice
Congratulations on the installation of your
new kitchen. The following pages tell you how
to look after your kitchen and how to keep it
looking as good as new.
General Kitchen Care
Apply a little oil each year to hinges and drawer
runners.
Doors are fitted with adjustable hinges and after
time, movement will occur which may require
hinges to be adjusted back to their original
position.
Cleaning
A solution of warm water and a mild household
detergent is recommended to clean kitchen
units. Once cleaned, remove any excess
moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
The use of other substances such as abrasive
cleaners, wax furniture polish or solvents is not
recommended as they may damage surfaces.
Concentrated juices, corrosive liquids and food
colourants such as orange juice, curry etc must
be wiped off immediately to prevent stains.
Preventing Damage
It is advisable to load shelves evenly and not to
overload them, particularly against the backs of
the units.
Do not pour cooking oil or fat down the kitchen
sink, as this will cause it to block.
Screw fittings should be checked regularly to
ensure that they are secure.
Do not position any appliance which creates
large amounts of heat or steam underneath a
wall unit, e.g. kettles, steamers. Excessive heat
or moisture can damage units.
Never use abrasive cleaners or strong
chemicals. Melamine and laminates are best
cleaned with a damp cloth, warm water and a
mild detergent.
Do not allow water to stand
on surfaces, always wipe
dry immediately with
a clean cloth.
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Worktops
For routine cleaning of worktops, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent.
Care of Laminate Worktops
To Do
Avoid
To prevent damage from hot
objects, use heat resistant mats,
trivets or hot rods on the surface of
the worktop. Always use ashtrays
for cigarettes.
Avoid placing objects taken
directly from the oven or hob
directly onto the laminate surface
as this may lead to blistering.
Always use chopping boards when
preparing food.
Crockery items, kitchen utensils
and other objects sliding across
your worktop will produce fine
scratches in the laminate.
Wipe spilt liquids away from
joints and cut-outs immediately.
Ensure that all inset appliances
are properly sealed with a suitable
waterproof mastic.
Moisture will not harm the laminate
surface itself but it is advisable to
wipe away any spillage as soon as
possible, especially around joints
and cut-outs.
Dos and Don’ts for Worktops
✔ Always rinse worktops thoroughly after cleaning –
residue from cleaning solutions can cause damage
to laminate surfaces
✔ Wipe up spills right away and rinse thoroughly,
particularly harsh chemical liquids such as oven
cleaners, drain cleaners, rust removers and toilet cleaners
✔ If the worktop has a textured surface, a soft nylon nailbrush
can be used to ensure more thorough cleaning
✘ Do not expose the surface to household bleach for long
periods as this may result in discolouration
✘ Abrasive scouring powders, creams and polishes should be
avoided
Tenant Aftercare Guide
5
Care of Sinks
Stainless steel can be cleaned by
wiping surfaces with a warm clean
cloth with either a mild detergent
or soap and then rinsing with warm
clean water and drying with a clean,
dry cloth.
Dos and Don’ts for Sinks and Taps
✔ Take care when using a plastic washing up bowl as
particles of grit or glass can become embedded in
the base, which can scratch the sink.
✔ Dilute bleach to the strength specified by the
manufacturer and never leave in contact with the sink
for longer than 30 minutes. Rinse the sink thoroughly
after use.
✘ Cleaning agents containing bleach should not be left in
contact with the sink as this will lead to discolouration.
✘ Do not leave wet cloths, pads or containers on the
sinks or draining board as this causes water marks.
✘ Do not use cleaners which contain strong acids which
could discolour the sink.
✘ Corrosive foodstuffs e.g. fruit juices,
damp salt, vinegar, mustards, pickle
and mayonnaise can cause
corrosion if left in contact with
the sink for long periods.
✘ Acids can damage stainless
steel. If contact occurs, it
should be immediately washed
off with plenty of clean water.
When there are more stubborn
spots or stains, a mild nonscratching cream or polish
compatible with stainless steel
can be used (e.g. Cif). This can be
applied with a cloth or sponge and
rinsed with warm water.
Carbon steel brushes and carbon
steel wire wool should not be used
on stainless steel as they can rust
the surface.
Tap Care and Maintenance
Taps should be cleaned with
mild liquid detergent or soap
and water and dried with
a cloth. Use of unsuitable
cleaning agents would
invalidate any warranty and
may cause the finish to become
discoloured or damaged.
Potential issues with stainless steel sinks
Issues
Oil and grease
Likely Causes
Oil/ grease/ fingers coming into
contact with surface.
Tea stains
Tea/tea bags coming into contact
with surface.
Rusting
Your new sink has been
manufactured with stainless steel
and cannot go rusty.
Limescale and
white stains
Build up of mineral deposits from
standing water.
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Solution
Remove with washing up liquid and hot
water but a solvent may be required
(e.g. white spirit). Care must be taken to
use proper safety precautions if using
solvents.
Remove with a hot water solution of
sodium bicarbonate (washing soda) and
water, applied with a soft cloth or sponge.
Normal mild cleaning agents, such as
“Cif”, together with a soft cloth can be
used to remove rusted particles from
the surface. Ensure that you follow the
grain of the steel in order to minimise the
potential of scratching the surface.
Normal mild cleaning agents can be used,
such as “Cif”, together with a cloth.
Stain or
Mark
Dry cloth
or duster
Foodstuffs
Tea
Coffee
Milk
Fruit juice
Curry
Red wine
Vinegar
Lemon juice
Beetroot
General Household Items
✓
Dust or light dirt
Soap residue
Oils-Mechanical/
Engeering/Vegetable
Water based paint
Solvent based paint
Washable dyes
Permanent dyes
Shoe polish
Wax crayon
Biro/pen
Chalk
Lipstick
Nail varnish
Bleach
Other
Fingermarks
Blood
Nicotine
Damp
cloth
Warm
water and
detergent
Non
abrasive
cleaner
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
White
spirit
Nail polish
remover
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tenant Aftercare Guide
7
Bathroom Cleaning and Care Advice
China Toilets and Sinks
Clean regularly with warm soapy water or a mild
detergent. A little disinfectant can be added.
Cleaning after use will prevent the build up of
limescale. Stubborn stains may be removed by
use of a mild scouring powder.
Occasional use of mild bathroom
limescale removers is acceptable.
Use in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions,
rinsing well with plenty of water
immediately after use.
Toilet pans should be cleaned
regularly with a bathroom
manufacturer’s association approved
cleanser. Always use a soft brush and
clean under the rim. Flush after cleaning
to remove any deposits of cleanser.
Do not put bleach in the cistern – this can
damage the internal fittings.
Never leave strong cleaners or bleach in
overnight. Never mix different cleaners together
in the toilet – they can react and give off a
poisonous gas.
Enamelled Steel Baths
Enamelled baths should be cleaned regularly
with warm soapy water and rinsed with clean
water. Some household cleaners have an
adverse reaction to enamel so be sure to read
the manufacturers guidelines. Do not use bleach
on your bath as this will cause damage.
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Fix dripping
taps to avoid
staining and
limescale
build up.
Plastic Toilet Seats
Use warm water, a cream or multi-surface
cleaner for the seats. Minor scratches and
abrasions can be polished out with a mild
polish.
Taps and other Chrome Fittings
Clean chrome fittings (taps & mixers, bath grips,
WC buttons) with warm water containing a
few drops of washing up liquid and rinse well
immediately and dry with a soft dry cloth.
Do not allow toilet cleaners or
strong bleaches to come into
contact with plastic seats.
Occasional use of mild bathroom limescale
removers is acceptable. Use in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions,
rinsing well with plenty of water
immediately after use.
DO NOT
dispose of nappies,
sanitary items or excess
toilet tissue in your toilet.
Such items will block your
toilet. Please be aware that
the cost of clearing such
items will be your
responsibility.
Hardwood Bath Panels
Wipe down hardwood bath panels with
a damp cloth and mild soapy water and
then dry thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth
to avoid damage to the wood.
Tenant Aftercare Guide
9
Windows and Doors
Windows on the first floor, which have
side-opening sashes, will be fitted with egress/
easy clean/restrictor hinges.
Egress
Window will open at 90 degrees for fire
evacuation.
Easy Clean
● Press the button on the back end
face of the hinge, sash away from
the hinge side of the window frame
about a quater of an inch
● Do the same to the other hinge
● Place both hands on the centre of the
hinge side of the window and gently
slide it away from the hinged side of the
ean
frame, this will allow you to clean
Note:
the window from the inside
Windows on
● To re-engage the hinges,
the first floor, which
close the window normally,
have large top openings
the sash will re-locate
and side opening sashes,
the hinge mechanism
will be fitted with restrictor
automatically
hinges which prevent falls.
(Note: This does not
include small
To Open the Window Fully
fanlights).
● Press both buttons on the
hinges marked with a red/green
en
press symbol simultaneously
● Push the sash out to the required distance
● On closing the sash the restrictor is
re-engaged automatically
Note:
All first floor
window handles
are non-locking,
this is to ensure that
escape in the event
of a fire is not
delayed.
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
To Lock Back Doors
● Close door so that it latches on the centre
latch
● Lift handle to full lock
● Turn the key towards the edge of the door
● Your door is now locked
To Lock Front Doors
● Close door so that it latches on the centre
latch
● Lift handle to full lock
● Turn the thumb turn cylinder if locking from
the inside or key if locking from the outside
● Your door is now locked
Walls
New Plaster Shrinkage
As new plaster becomes established it is normal
for hairline cracks to appear during the drying
out process. These cracks can be filled with
appropriate filler as part of
your normal internal
decoration routine.
It is advisable to wait
for a few months
before filling and
decorating to allow
the plaster
to dry completely.
To Open Your Front Door from the Inside
● Turn the thumb turn cylinder
● Push down on the lever handles
To Open Your Front Door
from the Outside
Note:
● Turn the key
Beware of
being locked out
To Prevent Being
T
should your door
Locked Out
L
slam shut and you
● Hold the inside handle
have no key.
d
down on the door.
Th
This will retractt the
Note:
centre latch and
The internal
push the black plastic
door security chain
slide switch to hold the centre
is to only be used when
latch in
answering the door. This
chain should not be placed
Doors and Windows
on the door all of the time,
● Use a mild soapy detergent
especially if you live alone
in water or apply a non
due to the possibility of
abrasive cleaner to a damp
emergency access
cloth for more stubborn stains
being needed.
● Oil all moving parts i.e. hinges,
locks and handles from time to
time with a mild three in one oil
Tenant Aftercare Guide 11
Floor Cleaning and Care Advice
Vinyls
It is important to clean the floor regularly to
avoid any build of dirt and grit which can
damage the surface.
Be sure to sweep the floor thoroughly.
Use a small amount of liquid cleaner in warm
water to clean the floor. After cleaning, rinse the
floor with clean water to remove all traces of the
cleaning product.
Dos and Don’ts for your Vinyl Flooring
✔ Take care with cigarettes, kitchen
utensils, hot or heavy objects which,
if dropped, can damage the floor
✔ It is advisable to use felt pads or castor
cups underneath any furniture which is
moved on a regular basis, e.g chairs etc.
✔ Wipe up any spillages immediately to
minimise the risk of staining the floor
✔ Take care this type of floor covering can be
slippery when wet
✘ Dragging heavy appliances or furniture
across the floor without protection may
damage the floor
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Base Unit Fan Heaters
The Dimplex base unit heater installed in your
new kitchen is a space saving, innovative
solution for heating small rooms.
It has been designed to neatly fit
WARNING:
into the base of the kitchen units,
● Do not cover or obstruct the
where we have been unable to
air inlet or outlet grill. If the appliance is
accommodate a wall radiator.
covered, there is a risk of fire
● This appliance is not intended to be used
by children or other persons without assistance
or supervision if their physical, sensory or mental
capabilities prevent them from using it safely
● Do not use this heater in areas where excessive
dust exists
● Do not touch or obstruct the grill areas when
the heater is in operation
● If the power supply cord is damaged it
must be replaced to avoid a hazard
Operation
1. Switch on electricity supply to the heater
2. Switching the switch marked “l” turns the
blower on and lights up the neon
indicator
3. Select “l” and switches marked
and as required:
l+
= Cooling
l+
+ • = 800W heating
l+
+ •• = 1600W heating
l+
+ •• = 2400W heating
Note:
If the heater
is switched on and
the room temperature
is above that selected
on the thermostat
knob, the heater will
not operate.
Operation of Thermostat
1. The heater incorporates a variable thermostat
controlled by a knob which is situated on the
top right hand side of the front panel.
The knob is marked 1 - 6, MAX, representing a
temperature range of 5°C to 30°C. The lowest
setting provides a frost protection level.
2. Turn thermostat knob to maximum. When the
room has reached the desired comfort level
turn back the knob until the thermostat clicks
off. If the knob is left in this position the room
temperature will be maintained automatically
at the chosen level.
MAX
Do Not Cover
3
Do Not Cover
Tenant Aftercare Guide 13
General Cleaning
NOTE: Disconnect the
power supply before carrying
out maintenance.
Note:
Disconnect
the power supply
before carrying out
maintenance.
The outside of the heater
can be cleaned by wiping
occasionally with a damp cloth.
For stain removal, a weak soap
solution can be used, then wiped dry.
EnviroVent
To help prevent the build up of dust and fluff in
the heater, vacuum the grille occasionally with a
brush attachment (fig. 1).
Safety – Overheat Protection
For your safety, the appliance is fitted with a
thermal cut-out. In the event that the product
overheats, the cut-out switches the heater off
automatically. To bring the heater back into
operation, remove the cause of overheating,
then turn off the electrical supply to the heater
for a few minutes. When the heater has cooled
sufficiently reconnect and switch on the heater.
If the cut-out operates repeatedly, contact NPT
Homes on 0300 777 3000.
Filterless Extractor Fan
The Filterless Extract Fan fitted in your home is
designed to deal with condensation problems in
kitchens and bathrooms. It controls the humidity
level immediately as it begins to rise at source.
Easy Cleaning
The cleaning of the fan can be carried out
quickly and easily. There is a small magnet
which deactivates the fans as soon as the front
grill is removed.
The grill can be cleaned in a sink or dishwasher
and the fan can be wiped clean with a cloth.
Energy Saving Vapour Tracking System
Within the fan is the intelligent vapour tracking
Procedure for Resetting the Cut-Out
system which constantly monitors the humidity
1. Disconnect the electricity supply to the
level. As humidity rises and falls, the motor
appliance by switching it off at the isolating
rises and falls in direct
speed ris
switch panel or switching off at the plug.
correlation. This controls
correl
2. Determine what has caused the
condensation quietly and
con
Annual fan
cut-out to operate and rectify.
efficiently, reducing the
ef
running costs of
periods of time when
p
£1.97 for a bathroom
3. After a short time delay to allow
tthe fan operates on
and £4.05 for a kitchen
the appliance to cool down,
maximum, saving energy.
m
with an electricity cost of
switch the electricity supply back
£0.15 per unit (kWh), based
on to return the heater to normal
on constant running with
operation.
two hours boost
It is essential that the extractor
per day.
fans are switched on continuously
so that the property and its contents
ts
are protected from condensation.
14
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Useful Information
Tenant Aftercare Guide 15
Stopcock
A stopcock is a water valve usually located
under the kitchen sink and looks like a tap.
This valve can prevent the flow of water into
the property if maintenance is taking place or if
there is a leak. Turning off the stopcock if there
is a leak may reduce the amount of damage to
your property.
What to do if
there is a leak:
● Locate stopcock
● Turn it in a clockwise
direction to stop water
● Call 0300 777 3000
to report the leak
Landlord’s Permission for
DIY and improvements
Before attempting any DIY or improvements
that may disturb the internal or external fabric
of the building you must contact NPT Homes
on 0300 7770000 to get Landlord’s Permission.
This includes removing, sanding, scraping or
using power tools on any materials that may
contain asbestos such as textured wall and
ceiling coatings (Artex). Landlord’s Permission
will not be withheld unreasonably.
Asbestos materials do not present a risk
unless they are damaged or disturbed.
However, when asbestos becomes broken
or degrades there is a possibility of fibre
release which can then be breathed in.
If you are in any way unsure whether the work
requires permission or if you accidentally disturb
a material you suspect of containing asbestos,
please contact NPT Homes on:
Tel: 0300 7770000.
If you smell
gas or think you
have a gas leak
How to Check your Stopcock
1. Run the cold water tap in your
kitchen.
2. Turn the stopcock in a clockwise
direction to check if the water stops
running.
Your stopcock is located
Do Not
● Smoke or strike matches
● Turn electrical switches on or off
● Use your landline telephone
Do
● Put out naked flames
● Open doors and windows
● Keep people away from the affected area
● Turn off the meter at the control valve
and contact the national gas
emergency number
................................................................
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
0800 111 999
Household Advice
Tenant Aftercare Guide 17
Condensation and Mould
What is condensation and How do you
Prevent it?
Condensation is arguably the most common
form of dampness and can eventually
ly
How do you spot
lead to the growth of black mould.
condensation?
Condensation forms on internal
surfaces when the temperature
● Streaming windows and walls
outside drops sufficiently below
● Damp areas can appear on walls,
the temperature of air inside the
especially behind furniture
property.
and in corners
You should watch out for it
because, if left to develop,
condensation can lead to an
unsightly, musty property. More
importantly, it can also aggravate
or trigger health problems such
as asthma and wider complaints.
Wallpaper can start to peel
● Blackened window frames
● Mould growth, usually black mould, starts
to appear
● Soft furnishings and fabrics become
prone to mould and mildew
●
What are the causes?
Day to day activities such
as cooking, washing,
bathing, ironing and
even breathing can all
add to the problem.
In a property of four
people, each will
contribute approximately
four pints of moisture per
day, adding up to well over
100 pints per week! In the past,
there would be a natural escape
for this hot, damp air through window
frames, doors, uncarpeted floorboards
and so on. However, building
features designed to cut down heat
loss such as cavity wall insulation,
double glazing and draught proofing,
decrease ‘natural ventilation’. Instead,
the air is trapped inside, commonly
causing streaming windows, which
will inevitably lead to musty smells,
dampness and ultimately mould growth.
Tips on reducing
condensation in your home
✔ Try to keep the inside temperature
reasonably constant for as much
of the time as possible
✔ Avoid drying clothes indoors. If you have no
choice, place the clothes rack beside an open window
in a room with the door shut
✔ Ensure any tumble driers are properly vented or the
condensation drawer regularly emptied
✔ Keep furniture away from walls
✘ Do not dry clothes over any radiators
✘ Do not supplement your heating with paraffin/
Calor gas type heating
It is essential that the extractor fans
✘ Do not disable any extractor fans
are switched on continuously so thatt the
property and its contents are protected
ted
from condensation.
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NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Mould Spores
Mould spores are
known allergens.
Their microscopic
spores are often
powdery and become
airborne at the
slightest disturbance.
The Solution is Correct Ventilation
Your EnviroVent fan has been installed
to help overcome the problems
of condensation and mould.
It will ensure that your indoor
air quality is improved, having a
positive effect on your health and
also your fuel bills.
These microscopic
spores are then inhaled
and have been attributed
to being a trigger for asthma,
dust allergies and hay fever.
During growth, fungal colonies can produce
gases known as ‘volites’. These are
musty mildew-like odours, that you
may associate with damp basements.
Exposure to these gases has been
associated with a number of symptoms
from headaches to nausea and fatigue.
The vast majority of products used
to build and furnish homes are made
from organic materials. Fungal spores are
microscopic and are present in any indoor
or outdoor environment and they can easily
enter any dwelling undetected. The main source
of water for mould is from the air around it, so if
relative humidity in your home is high the mould
will thrive. Therefore, to reduce the risk of mould
growth in a property you
must reduce the
relative humidity.
What is mould
growth?
The three basic ingredients
to start a colony of mould are:
Annual fan
running costs of
£1.97 for a bathroom
and £4.05 for a kitchen
with an electricity cost of
£0.15 per unit (kWh), based
on constant running with
two hours boost
per day.
Organic material
● A fungal spore
● Water
●
Tenant Aftercare Guide 19
Recycling
Keep it Simple
Make space next to your bin for a recycling container, then it’s as simple to
recycle as it is to throw it away.
Make Life Easy
If you are unable
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Nea
to put your recycling
operate a fortnightly kerbside collection on
op
out for collection and
the same day as refuse collection in the
th
need some help please
majority of areas. Recycling should be
m
contact NPT County Borough
separated
s
and placed in the clear sacks
Council on 01639 68 68 68
p
provided.
Refuse collection and plastic
to ask about an assisted
recycling
is collected on alternate weeks
r
collection for the elderly
(see
(s below chart).
or disabled.
Check the Bathroom
Lots of items from the bathroom can be recycled too. Shampoo and shower
gel bottles are often forgotten about. Putting a recycling bin in your bathroom
to collect all those empty bottles and cardboard tubes from inside the toilet
rolls is a great idea.
20
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
What to Recycle...
What not to Recycle...
Paper
●
Newspapers
● Magazines
● Junk mail
● Catalogues
● Yellow pages
● Shredded paper
● Envelopes
●
Food wrappings
● Paper contaminated with food residue
● Kitchen roll
● Tissues
● Laminated paper
● Wallpaper
● Paper food and drink cartons
Textiles
●
Clothes
● Curtains
● Shoes
● Bedding
●
Good quality items that could be re-used
or taken to charity shops
Cardboard
●
Cardboard boxes
● Cereal boxes
● Corrugated cardboard
● Food packaging
●
Large cardboard items should be taken to
the Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Call NPT Council on 01639 68 68 68 to
find your local centre
Plastics
●
Bottles: drinks, shampoo/shower
gel; washing up liquid, household
cleaning & laundry bottles.
● Margarine tubs & ice cream tubs;
● Plastic food trays
● Yoghurt pots
● Bubble Wrap
● Plastic bags & carrier bags
●
Garden
Waste
●
Grass cuttings
● Hedge trimmings
● Dead plants & flowers
●
Cans and
Glass
●
Food & drink cans
● Glass bottles & jars
● Aerosol cans
●
All other types of plastic including:
■ CD cases
■ Garden furniture
■ Casings from electrical equipment
● These items should be taken to the
Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Call NPT Council on 01639 68 68 68
to find your local centre
Branches
● Soil/earth
● Stones
● Plant trays or pots
Broken glass
● Window glass
● Mirrors
● Pyrex
● Paint tins
● Aluminium foil
● Foil food trays
Tenant Aftercare Guide 21
Ways to Save Energy and Money
1. Turn the Heating Down
Try turning your room thermostat down by
one degree. Leave it for a day and if you still
feel warm enough, try turning it down another
degree. Carry on until it feels a bit too cool and
then turn it back up one degree.
This could save you around £65 a year on your
heating bill.
2. Turn Lights and Appliances Off
Make sure you turn your lights, appliances and
chargers off when you’re not using them.
Nearly all electrical and electronic appliances
es
Save
can safely be turned off at the plug without
Money whilst
upsetting their systems – the main
saving the Planet!
exceptions are satellite and digital TV
Most Households can take
recorders.
steps one, two and three
A family could save between £50 and
without having to spend a
£90 a year by remembering to turn
penny. So if you’re not doing
things off, if they don’t already do this.
them already, start now
and you could save up
3. Kitchen
to £255 a year!
You could potentially save another £140
a year by being careful how you use your
kitchen appliances:
Set your washing machine to wash
at 30°C
● Only use your tumble dryer
when you can’t dry your clothes
outside
● Don’t fill your kettle right up
every time – just boil the
amount of water you need (this
can save up to £100 a year).
●
22
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
How Much Energy are you Using?
The amount of electricity varies significantly depending on which make and model of appliance
you use.
Appliance:
Average Watts per Hour:
Cost per Hour:*
Low energy lightbulb
11
0.16p
Digibox
12
0.17p
Wii games console
17
0.24p
DVD player
25
0.36p
Printer
25
0.36p
Extractor Fan
75
1p
Laptop computer
75
1p
Conventional lightbulb
100
1.5p
Stereo
100
1.5p
Television
100
1.5p
Video recorder
110
1.5p
Fridge
125
2p
Desktop computer
150
2.2p
Freezer
300
4.3p
Playstation
380
5.5p
Hair dryer
750
11p
Microwave
750
11p
Vacuum cleaner
800
11.5p
Toaster
1000
14.5p
Iron
1000
14.5p
Dishwasher
1000
14.5p
Bar heater (1 bar)
1000
14.5p
Washing machine
1200
17.5p
Cooker (1 ring)
1300
19p
Oil filled heater
2000
29p
Fan heater
2000
29p
Bar heater (2 bars)
2000
29p
Deep fryer
2000
29p
Cooker / Oven
2150
31p
Kettle
2250
32p
Immersion heater
3000
43p
Tumble dryer
3400
49p
Electric shower unit
8000
£1.15
Cooker (all on)
11500
£1.65
* Based on 14.39p per kwh - see your
electricity bill for tarriff
Tenant Aftercare Guide 23
How to Unblock a Drain
Kitchen Sinks
If a blockage occurs and the sink is
full of water, try and remove the
blockage by using a sink unblocking
product which can be bought
at hardware shops and
supermarkets. Please follow the
product instructions carefully.
With care, you could try
pushing a flexible rod down
the plughole or try using a
suction cup plunger to force
the water up and down the
waste pipe.
Avoid blockages by using
a sink waste catcher,
available from most
hardware shops
● Do not pour fat or oil or large
particles of food down your sink
as this will block the system
● Put all food waste into your bin
● Fat and oil (when cool) should be put into
an empty tin or carton and discarded in your
bin rather than down the drain
●
Baths and Wash Handbasins
To prevent blockages please remove hair and
soap form the plug area. If water begins to
drain away more slowly, use an appropriate
unblocking product, following instructions very
carefully.
Toilets
Never flush disposable nappies, sanitary items,
food or similar items down the toilet. Please
be aware that the cost of clearing drains
blocked by this type of waste will be your
responsibility.
24
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Useful Contacts
Tenant Aftercare Guide 25
Useful Contact Details
NPT Homes Out of Hours Emergency
Tel: 0300 777 0000
Gas Emergency
Tel: 0800 111 999
Bulky Waste Refuse Collection
Neath Port Talbot Council (£10 charge):
Tel: 01639 68 68 68
Enfys Foundation
Collects (free service) and sells furniture and household
items able to be re-used.
Tel: 0845 009 4646
Email: [email protected]
Contacting NPT Homes
By Telephone
NPT Customer Services Helpline
Tel: 0300 777 3000
By Mail
NPT Homes, Tŷ Gwyn, Brunel Way, Baglan Energy Park,
Neath Port Talbot, SA11 2FP
In Person
NPT Homes, Pontardawe One Stop Shop, Holly Street,
Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4ET
Opening Hours: 9am - 4pm Tuesday and Thursday
NPT Homes, 23 Windsor Road, Neath, SA11 1NB
Opening Hours: 9am - 4pm Monday - Friday
NPT Homes, 6 Forge Road, Port Talbot, SA13 1NU
Opening Hours: 9am - 4pm Monday - Friday
26
NPT Homes Welsh Housing Quality Standard
Notes
Head Office: Tŷ Gwyn Brunel Way Baglan
Energy Park Neath SA11 2FP
NPT Homes is a charitable
Industrial & Provident Society (31047R) WG
registration No. L1S4
Printed by Print & Graphics, Unit 12
Millland Road Industrial Park, Neath SA11 1NJ
NPTH 0096
www.npthomes.co.uk