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

When your air conditioning system isn’t working you need a quick solution so that everyone can keep functioning as normal and avoid dozing off. Use this quick troubleshooter to find the answer to common air conditioning problems across London and the UK. Or give us a call on 0 207 561 8865 for air conditioning repairs and servicing across London . With over 22 years in the business and 24-hour emergency repairs, we’ll have your air conditioning problem sorted in no time. Help with common air conditioning problems Why is my air conditioning running but not cooling the house? There could be a number of reasons why your air conditioning system is not cooling down the house. It could be: a signal that there is a problem with your air filter or vents. If the air filter needs cleaning or replacing air will no longer be able to pass through the air filter effectively interrupting the system. Try changing the filter. Alternatively your air vents could have an obstruction somewhere. the evaporator coils inside the system may have become frozen. If your air con feels particularly cold in the area by the filter it could be frozen from extensive use or a dust-clogged filter. Turn off the air con. Check the filter. Switch the air con to fan mode for a few hours to get rid of the ice. If you’re still stuck and live in London, give us a call on 0207 561 8865 and we’ll have your air conditioning back up and running in no time. Trade Force Air Conditioning, London Air conditioning won’t turn on? If your air conditioning won’t turn on, the problem could be caused by: a faulty thermostat which could be preventing your ac from turning on for any number of reasons, including old age or an internal fault. an electrical fault caused by overloaded circuit breakers or a wiring issue. a damaged motor that is no longer running. worn evaporator coils. Our experienced engineers work are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to fix your emergency repairs for you, anywhere across north London, central London and all other London boroughs. If your air conditioning won’t turn on give us a call on 0207 561 8865 and we’ll send an expert round to get to the root of your problem. For emergency 24 hour repairs call: 07598 183 383 . Trade Force Air Conditioning, London. Why is my air conditioning blowing hot air? The last thing you need is an air conditioner that is blowing hot air into a room which is already warm and muggy. Your air conditioning system may be blowing warm air for various reasons. The most common causes are: a simple error with the thermostat settings – it is always worth double checking that all of the settings are as they should be. Simple mistakes can happen easily. dirty air filters and coils may have caused problems within the system’s compressor or the circuit breaker could be broken. Wherever you are in north London, central London or any other part of the city, drop us a line on 0207 561 8865 and we’ll send an experienced engineer out to solve your air conditioning fault for you. Trade Force Air Conditioning, London. Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside? If your air conditioning is leaking water, you will want to get the problem diagnosed and fixed quickly before any major damage occurs. The leak could be caused by: a problem with your evaporator coils. If they are covered with ice your evaporator coils have frozen. You should turn off your air conditioning immediately and give us a call. On the other hand they may have become clogged with dirt and dust. Or there could be an insulation problem from damaged insulation that is leaking water. Incorrect installation or low maintenance that has caused a problem with the drainage, which is no longer draining away effectively. If you live in London, give us a call straightaway on: 0207 561 8865 if you have any leaking from your air conditioning. Our engineers are available around the clock for any type of air conditioning repair. Whether you are in north London, central London or another London borough, get in touch and we will get an engineer out to you quickly. Trade Force Air Conditioning, London. We have been delivering all types of air conditioning repairs, as well as installation and servicing to homes and businesses across London for over 22 years. To book a repair or service with us for 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