Heating & Plumbing

A Guide to Heating & Plumbing
It is probably the most important decision you will make when self-building or renovating, and certainly the most complicated. Mark Brinkley explores the world of heating and plumbing systems.

Toilets Explained
You’ll need at least two, so it pays to have some understanding of how they work. We delve into the mystery that is the toilet with a detailed diagram explaining all the workings.

An Introduction to CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
Many people think that combined heat and power units are the future of home energy generation — problem is, they’ve been saying that for a while. Tim Pullen reports on the latest developments in combined heat and power.

Chimneys Explained
If you are planning on having a fire or stove, you’ll need to understand the inner workings of a chimney. With the help of a detailed diagram, we guide you through the chimney, from flue to hearth.

Showers Explained
Whether fitting a new shower in an old house, or building in an area with poor water pressure, take a close look at the inner workings of a traditional gravity-fed system with an in-depth explanation of each shower part.

How to Heat Your Home
With so many ways in which to provide hot water and heating for your home, it can be hard to know which system to choose. Mark Brinkley explains the options

Why Have Warm Floors?
Why underfloor heating has become a modern phenomenon, how it works and how to choose a system

Choosing the Right Radiator
Today’s radiators have become a feature in their own right - twenty-first century radiators are increasingly inventive in style, colour and form - but don’t lose sight of their function

How To Balance Radiators
Hot and cold spots throughout your home? Some radiators cold, others hot? They need balancing. It’s an easy job for a DIYer — and our weekend project shows you how

How to Choose a Central Heating System
Key factors to consider when choosing the heating system for your new home. Plus we asked three different heating experts to specify the best system for five typical projects

Plumbing Solutions
As much as 10% of the average build cost of a new house goes on plumbing. Mark Brinkley takes a look at the key decisions you will have to make to ensure you get the system you want for the right price

Inglenook Fireplaces
An inglenook fireplace will provide a wonderful central feature for the living room, but it is not always easy to get them to burn well or look quite right. Steve Newman investigates