Boil the kettle, start the fire or just cozy up a little, because this week “CityNews” has some warm inspiration for the colder months.

THE capital is starting to get chilly, and while there is more cold weather to get through, it does have its upsides.

Around the region, there are also businesses that know how to keep things toasty. Boil the kettle, start the fire or just cozy up a little, because this week “CityNews” has some warm inspiration for the colder months.

Family providing all things meat

THERE’s nothing quite like a slow-cooked, rich-in-flavour osso bucco on a winter’s night, says Unique Meats’ owner Mathew Hicks.

Or Mathew’s favourite, a T-bone with veggies and a good gravy.

But, no matter what it is, Unique Meats, based in Fyshwick, has provided everything regarding meat since 2001.

“We’ve got lamb that’s grown out in Cowra, through to organic meats, through to Halal-certified meats, too,” he says.

There’s premium quality steaks, roasts, a large range of gourmet gluten-free sausages (made in store) and Unique Meats also produces its own smoked ham and meats.

“Our smoked bacon is far superior than the manufactured bacon you’d buy from the big companies,” he says.

Mathew, his wife, and now their son are working together in the family business to provide for the Canberra community.

“Our son was born into it, he’s become a butcher now and is taking over the business,” says Mathew. “It’s all done by us.”

Mathew says they also get weird and wonderful requests such as crocodile and eyeballs and, for a while, they were selling possum regularly.

Proud of the well-presented and clean store, he says Unique Meats has great staff, who take pride in its carefully handled, trimmed meat.

“We also do wholesale and provide meat trays to a lot of the Raiders and Eastlake Clubs,” he says. 

Unique Meats, Fyshwick Markets, G19 Dalby Road, Fyshwick. Call 6295 8573 or email unqmeats@tpg.com.au

Keep warm without high bills

WINTER is almost here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping homes warm while also keeping energy bills low, says Benn Masters, CEO of SolarHub.

“SolarHub, Canberra’s leading solar and battery installers and a rapidly expanding air-conditioning retailer, have both the expertise and solutions to efficiently heat your home by utilising the sun’s energy,” he says.

“By focusing on energy-efficient appliances, SolarHub can provide a comprehensive solution that maximises energy efficiency and minimises power costs.

“Given that heating and cooling represent more than 60 per cent of the average Canberran household energy usage, an efficient ducted air conditioning system is usually the lowest hanging fruit to reduce energy consumption.”

To make the transition to solar and electric heating successful, SolarHub recommends oversizing the solar system and opting for a heat pump.

“By installing a larger solar system that anticipates higher winter consumption, homeowners can ensure they have access to sufficient energy throughout the year”, says Benn. 

“A heat pump is a heating system that transfers heat from the outdoor air to warm the inside of a building, using electricity to power the process, making it more efficient than gas heating or resistive electric heating as it uses the ambient heat energy from the sun. 

“To help finance upgrades, interest-free finance options are available in the ACT, such as the ACT government’s Sustainable Household Scheme and ActewAGL’s Appliance Payment Plan.”

SolarHub, 2/157 Flemington Road, Mitchell. Call 1300 213422 or visit solarhub.net.au

Flooring options to keep the home cosy

ENDEAVOUR Carpets offers the largest range of top-quality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien. 

Established in 1970, and still a family run business, Endeavour will this year celebrate its 53rd anniversary.

“To celebrate, we have a sale running until the end of May on selected carpet ranges, including underlay upgrades,” she says.

Taylor says the business has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, bamboo, timber, laminate, cork floating floors, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

Taylor describes their Fyshwick-based showroom as Canberra’s “greatest floor show” with thousands of samples on display, and an experienced team of flooring specialists to make the customer’s experience as easy as possible. 

“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send their customers to view our huge range of top-quality floor coverings,” she says.

As a member of the Independent Carpets group, Taylor says it means Endeavour Carpets can offer customers greater choice and the best available prices.

“As a family business, Endeavour Carpets appreciates that customers are spoilt for choice in a competitive market place, and so maintain an objective to offer the best service and products available and for the best possible price,” she says.   

When customers visit Endeavour Carpets, Taylor says they experience a good, old-fashioned service from a long-standing, local family business. 

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” she says.

“At Endeavour Carpets, we don’t just endeavour, we do.” 

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132, or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au