Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to think about getting the patio all ready for the first barbecues of the year, or maybe just getting it looking fresh so you can sit out and relax. There’s probably a huge list of jobs that need to be done in the garden for spring, but getting the patio ready is a good first step. De-Grime Your Patio The first job is to get rid of any clutter. Remove all the plants and patio furniture, sweep up any leaves and debris, then rinse the entire patio with a hose. If there are any stubborn stains or spots, use a cleaner and a stiff brush to give them a good scrub, and then rinse well. Clean off Outdoor Furniture Cleaning off your outdoor furniture is a good idea when it comes to preparing your patio for the Spring and Summer months. Remove any cushions or textiles from the furniture and wash them according to their specific directions. Wipe down the furniture to remove any excess dirt and debris. Replace any furniture or cushions that are unable to be cleaned or broken. Add Pops of Colour If your furniture could use a fresh coat of paint, consider choosing a bright colour. Not only can re-painting your furniture revitalise its appearance, but it can also change the style completely. Choose Lighting Add some ambient lighting to your outdoor space. You can string twinkle lights around the umbrella or the fence, and add solar lights to fence posts or railings. Lights can be very useful for those beautiful, warm evenings that you just want to stay outdoors. Decorate Creating a sitting area is really just the bare bone essentials of enjoying your outdoor space. You can turn your space into a beautiful getaway with gorgeous little accents and décor. Plants Displaying plants can help to dress up your outdoor space, but depending on what you choose to plant, they can also be used for repelling those pesky bugs and pests away from your patio. The season for outdoor entertaining is upon us, celebrate with a beautifully clean patio. If you’re looking for patios and driveways in Knutsford, then contact us today .

Of all the exterior places of your property, the driveway needs to be one of the hardest and most durable areas. It’s tasked with taking the weight of all manner of heavy vehicles, most of which weigh over a tonne. Therefore choosing the right material to be up to the task is essential. A gravel driveway is a forever popular option. It offers a unique set of perks which makes it the perfect choice in certain situations. But what exactly are these perks? Let’s take a look. 1. Cost A reason why gravel is so popular a choice for driveways is the cost. It is exceptionally cost-effective in terms of initial installation and maintenance and is a good choice for large and long driveways. You’ll get much more for your money with a gravel driveway, saving you money to spend elsewhere on your home. 2. Durability Unlike concrete and pavers, gravel won’t crack or sink, offering the ultimate in driveway durability. Even if channels appear in the gravel from the passage of car tyres over time, simply raking the gravel to even the surface is all it takes to get it looking as good as new. 3. No cleaning required A gravel driveway does not need to be scrubbed, swept, or hosed down. It’s entirely capable of self-cleaning. A good rain will wash the gravel, taking away most of the dirt and grime, and by careful planting at the driveway’s borders , you can make sure the rainwater is returned to the soil. A properly installed gravel driveway will be resistant to weeds also. For more information about gravel driveways in Knutsford, get in touch with our team today .

London in the sun is unbeatable – until you step inside. How to keep cool in the hot sun? There are a range of ways to keep cool when temperatures rise across the U.K. With the effects of global warming taking hold and temperatures on the rise, these handy tips for keeping cool will help you to sleep at night, stay focused and keep your cool. We know that London swelters when the U.K. gets hot. According to the telegraph.co.uk, the hottest temperature ever recorded in the U.K. was 38.5 °C in 2003 in Faversham, Kent. London came close that same summer with 38.1 °C recorded at Kew Gardens, London. It may be hot outside but you still have to function. So what are the best ways to stay cool when it gets hot in the UK? Keeping cool in a heatwave Aside from ice lollies and plenty of cool drinks, knowing how to stay cool in a heatwave is essential. When things get hot in London, things can get dangerous and overheating can even prove fatal, so how best to keep cool in a heatwave? Air conditioning in London Dampen a cloth and place it on the back of your neck or splash yourself with cold water for a quick fix. Alternatively pop your feet in a tub of cool water. Keep blinds and curtains closed in rooms that are not in use or swap darker curtains for lighter ones. Alternatively pop reflective material outside the window. Take a lukewarm shower and stick to light -coloured, airy clothing. How to stay cool at night If there is a room that is cooler, sleep in there if you can. Sleep with only a light sheet which can be placed in the freezer for a short while before you go to bed. Giving your feet a soak in cold water for 10 minutes before bed or taking a cooler shower can help. If you are still hot you could use cool, dampened cloths on each wrist to help you to cool down. Try to maintain a normal sleep routine by fending off the constant desire to nap when it is muggy during the day. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can actually help you to sleep better because your body is properly hydrated, so take some water to bed with you too. The best way to keep cool with air conditioning The ultimate solution to unbearably hot indoor temperatures in London? Wall mounted split air conditioning or VRF conditioning if you are a London business. Why split or VRF air conditioning? Split or multi split air conditioning systems deliver power air conditioning with the minimum fuss. Split systems are ductless so installation is easy and you can have wall mounted units placed in multiple rooms with only one wall mounted unit on the outside wall. Forget portable air conditioning that is ineffective, clunky and noisy. Split air conditioning is the way to go. Quiet, energy efficient, discreet and eco-friendly, split air con is the proper way to keep your home cool during the hot summer months. Air conditioners come with multiple functions so you can use them during the cooler months as well. Find out more about using a split air conditioning system to keep your home or business cool at tfairconditioning.com/installation. VRV or VRF air conditioning are the best way to keep your larger London business cool and functioning at its best throughout the year. VRF, Variable Refrigerant Flow and VRV, Variable Refrigerant Volume systems deliver superior, complex air conditioning solutions to businesses. VRF/ VRV systems are precise, intelligent, efficient and energy-saving. Everything you need to keep your business running properly whatever the weather. Discover more about using VRF/VRV air conditioning system to keep your business running at tfairconditioning.com/installation. How to use ventilation to keep cool Keep the windows closed and use a ventilation system to keep your home or business cool, delivering much-needed with fresh, clean air whilst also reducing humidity levels. When it is hot, waiting for cool air to flow through the windows and doors doesn’t work. A ventilation system can do that for you. Learn more about using a ventilation system to cool your London home or business at: tfairconditioning.com/installation. We have been delivering all types of air conditioning installation, repairs and servicing to homes and businesses across London for over 22 years. To find out more about ventilation, split air conditioning, VRV/VRF air conditioning or any other air conditioning, visit our website, or give us a call on: 0207 561 8865. Trade Force Air Conditioning, London.

Let me guide you through the top types of air conditioning that you should know if you are thinking about getting air conditioning installed at home or work. First let’s begin with a quick definition of air conditioning. 1. What is air conditioning? AC, air con, air conditioning units or air conditioning systems - all different terms for air conditioning. What is it? Air conditioning is the removal of warm air from an indoor commercial or domestic space, which is replaced with cooler air. In contemporary language air conditioning refers to a system where warm air is replaced with cold air. However the general definition of air conditioning covers any equipment used to alter the temperature of the air, such as a ventilator or dehumidifier. Most air conditioning takes place via a refrigeration cycle system during which air is exchanged from one place to another whilst changing the temperature of a space. On occasion some types of air conditioning may use an evaporative cooler system or free cooling. When was air conditioning invented? The idea of using equipment to cool a room dates back to Ancient times when the Persians used wind towers and the Ancient Egyptians used damp reeds placed in windows to help them to stay cool. Meanwhile Chinese Emperors were pampered with huge man-powered and water-powered fans. Eventually, in 1902 the first electric air conditioning was invented. The innovative system used coils of cold water to cool the air as it passed through. Yet, it was fifty years until sales of air conditioning really took off when mass consumption took hold. Where was air conditioning invented? The first modern air conditioning system was invented in New York, in the US. However, it was the culmination of many developments all over the world, including England where Michael Faraday discovered how to chill air and Australia where James Harrison developed an ice-making machine. Who invented air conditioning? Willis Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning, but there were many others who helped along the way. Carrier’s invention would not have been possible without the works of scientists such as, John Gorrie who developed an ice machine to keep his patients cool and Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley who carried out invaluable research into how evaporation could be used to chill an object. 2. What is portable air conditioning? Portable air conditioners (PACs) are smaller cooling units that can be moved around. They use Freon, a chemical, to cool the air. Meanwhile warm air generated must be transported out of the room via a hose that is positioned through a wall or window opening to send the air outside. Do portable air conditioners work? In short, no. According to consumerreports.org, testing showed that ‘these units barely get a room below sweltering’, ‘bigger, noisier and expensive’, large numbers ‘are returned each season by dissatisfied customers’. 3. What is split air conditioning and how does it work? What is wall mounted air conditioning? Wall mounted air conditioning and split air conditioning are the same thing. A split or multi split air conditioning system has any number of wall mounted air conditioning units inside, plus an air conditioning unit outside, all connected by wires. The indoor unit is mounted on the wall whilst the accompanying outdoor unit is positioned on the outdoor side of the same wall or one near it. This is a popular, quiet and versatile air conditioning system that is easy to install because it is ductless, which also makes it energy efficient and eco-friendly. For more about split air conditioning systems, installation or repair across Islington, north London, central London, and all other London boroughs visit Trade Force Air Conditioning at tfairconditioning.com/installation. How does central air conditioning work? Central air conditioning can operate in two ways, either through a split system or a packaged unit. A split system involves air passing through a condenser and compressor unit outside, to an indoor evaporator which usually works alongside a furnace or pump. In a packaged air conditioning unit there is only one unit which houses everything inside. The outdoor unit is positioned on the roof or at the bottom of the building. Packaged units are usually used in commercial properties. Find out about central air conditioning installation or repair across Hackney, the City of London, north London, or other parts of the city at Trade Force Air Conditioning, London. What is the difference between VRV and VRF air conditioning? VRF or Variable Refrigerant Flow is a superior air conditioning system created by Daikin which uses advanced technology. It comprises a single unit outside and multiple units inside, each with the capability to have their own individually controlled temperatures. Variant Refrigerant Volume, VRV, is Daikin’s registered trademark name for the system, whereas VRF can be used by other companies. For more out about VRV/ VRF air conditioning installation or repair across Brent, Barnet, north London, central London and all other London boroughs visit Trade Force Air Conditioning at: tfairconditioning.com/installation. For all types of air conditioning installation, repairs or servicing across London visit our website, or give us a call on: 0207 561 8865. More about air conditioning systems to buy or repair More about refrigeration or ventilation Link to next related blog

Let me give you a quick guide to the benefits of installing air conditioning in your home or business in London or anywhere else in the U.K., including the best type of air conditioning for your home or business. 1. Health: This may come as a surprise, but air conditioning can aid your health. The filtration that occurs during air conditioning just so happens to hold back a lot of the toxic dust, debris and pollen that can spark many allergies and breathing issues, such as asthma. Additionally, reduced humidity helps to prevent mold and bacteria from developing, whilst deterring dust mites who love to breed in damp spaces. Another bonus for allergy sufferers. Using a HEPA filter in your air conditioning system can boost filtration further. We have all experienced the frustrating tossing and turning that comes from being too hot at night, or the embarrassing nodding off that creeps up on you in a muggy room. Keep everyone alert during the day and properly rested at night with effective air conditioning. 2. Low humidity: Air conditioning creates lower levels of humidity, meaning that decor and belongings will last longer as they are freed from damage caused by moisture-loving mould, bacteria and damp. Property maintenance issues will also be reduced without the havoc that damp can cause to your property. Preventing damp will also keep your home or business smelling fresh too. 3. Electronics: Electronics will also improve their longevity as lowered temperatures will stop electronics from being damaged or destroyed by overheating. The more expensive the tech, the more prone it is to overheat, so save yourself some serious money and ensure that your technology remains cool with air conditioning. 4. Wall mounted split air conditioning: Split or multi split air conditioning systems are an effective and easy way to install air conditioning in your home or business with little disruption. A multi split system can enable any number of spaces to be connected with only one exterior unit required outside. Each space has its own thermostat so that you can regulate the temperature of individual rooms across your home or business separately. Conveniently positioned on the wall, each slimline interior air conditioning unit only takes up a tiny amount of space within your domestic or commercial building. Delivering quiet, discreet and powerful ductless air conditioning with only simple installation, it is easy to see why split systems are so popular. Without ducts, split and multi split systems do not incur the energy losses experienced with central systems which involve leaky ducts. Split systems are energy efficient and eco friendly. Perfect for city living, split systems are a popular choice for air conditioning in homes throughout London. For more about split system installation or repair across Islington, north London, central London and all other London boroughs visit Trade Force Air Conditioning at: tfairconditioning.com/installation. 5. VRV or VRF air conditioning: VRF, Variable Refrigerant Flow and VRV, Variable Refrigerant Volume systems utilise cutting edge technology to enable advanced, individually controlled temperatures across a multi-unit system. Ductless VRF systems only require a small amount of space and are easy to install. Energy efficient and quiet, intelligent VRF and VRV systems enable each space across your business to be kept at the exact temperature that is comfortable for the staff within each space. Precision refrigerant technology ensures that there is no wastage incurred and the innovative system is even able to redistribute heat for use elsewhere in the building. Variable Refrigerant Flow systems are ideal for businesses across the capital that want a dynamic air conditioning system that will endure. To find out more about VRV/ VRF air conditioning installation or repair across Islington, north London, central London and any other London boroughs visit Trade Force Air Conditioning at: tfairconditioning.com/installation. For air conditioning installation , repairs or servicing of split system, VRF or any other air conditioning across London, email us , or give us a call on: 0207 561 8865 .