Central Heating Service

More organizations and local groups are making the effort to raise awareness on the importance of doing a regular central heating service. The dangers of unchecked gas appliances cannot be underestimated. There are also steps that a homeowner can make to maintain their central heating and help ensure it is running safely and efficiently. A central heating system typically includes a boiler, pipes, radiators and controls, and sometimes, a hot water storage cylinder or separate pump. Here are some central heating service tips: Bleed your radiators regularly. Bleeding the radiators will remove pockets of trapped air that are taking up space that hot water should be using. This results to cold spots in the radiators that will cause it to not heat properly. Learn how to do this here. Regularly check the pipes. The pipes take a lot of strain from the pressure. Make it a habit to check the pipes and look for leaks. Be aware of the sound coming from the system. Clanking sounds can be a sign that the boiler is kettling, which means that there might be limescale build up in the heat exchangers causing the water to become too hot. Read more about what to do when you have a noisy boiler. Check the water tank.  Water tanks that are tucked away in basements or lofts and it is not uncommon for them to be forgotten. It is important that you check your water tank every few months for leaks, cracks or other irregularities. Prevent the pipes from freezing during cold weather. Extremely low temperatures can cause bursting or leaking of central heating pipes. You can insulate the...

Carbon Monoxide Myths Debunked

Believing false carbon monoxide myths can be extremely dangerous. Carbon monoxide is very often misunderstood. There are lots of carbon monoxide myths that are being passed on from one person to the next. What’s dangerous about this is that carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the top causes of accidental poisoning and wrong information can lead to hospitalization or even death. Here are some carbon monoxide myths debunked: MYTH: You could smell carbon monoxide when you turn on your boiler. FACT: This gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless, hence the nickname ‘silent killer’. What you are likely smelling are combustion byproducts which should also be addressed right away. MYTH: Carbon monoxide problems are caused by old heating systems. FACT: Yes, old HVAC units including air conditioners and boilers that are not functioning properly can emit carbon monoxide. However, this is not the only cause. Carbon monoxide also build up when your heating system is not vented properly or the air in your home does not circulate well, like when you have clogged up chimneys. Pain remover chemicals can also cause CO poisoning. MYTH: Heating systems must be checked every two to three years to make sure they are properly functioning. FACT: A boiler service must be done annually. MYTH: Carbon monoxide is not too dangerous. FACT: Carbon monoxide kills more than 500 people in the US annually from unintentional poisoning and is the most common type of fatal indoor air poisoning anywhere. MYTH: People who have inhaled the gas in poisonous levels do not show physical symptoms. FACT: Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness, and loss...

Combi Boiler Myths

Let’s debunk some of the most common combi boiler myths floating around. Many homeowners who are planning to do a boiler replacement are put off when they hear combi boiler myths. If you are one of them, and you are now rethinking whether getting a combi boiler upgrade is the right choice for you, let us help you by debunking some of these combi boiler myths. Common Combi Boiler Myths: A combi boiler is slow to fill a bath. This was true some ten to fifteen years ago when combi boilers started to gain popularity in the UK. Back then, boilers were sized based on the number of radiators installed and the hot water cylinders so when they were replaced with combi boilers, they were fitted with the same output. But today, boiler manufacturers make a variety of outputs so you can choose to have a larger output with a high flow rate. The hot water takes longer to reach the tap. This is another complaint in back in the day when combis were just becoming known. Today, combi boilers have a preheat function which allows it to keep a small amount of hot water. As a result, you have access to hot water instantly. This function can be turned off. There is no electric immersion or hot water tank that I can use as a backup. This actually true. However, modern boilers come with great warranties that last up to 10 years. This is because manufacturers are confident that the products are tried and tested. Read about our suggestions on different boiler brands. Combi boilers are not efficient for large homes....

How to Recognize Boiler Problems

If you know how to recognize boiler problems, you can identify them early and possibly avoid more costly repairs. Your heating system is one of the most important appliances in your home. It is also one of the most expensive to buy and to repair. Hence, you want it to last a long time. And it will – provided that you use it with care and maintain it properly. Aside from getting an annual boiler service done, you can help prolong the life of your boiler by learning how to recognize boiler problems. If you know how to tell if your boiler is not functioning properly, you can provide a quick fix right away or call an engineer sooner rather than later. Letting a broken boiler sit without getting fixed and ignoring that it needs repair will only cost you more. That small problem will only get bigger and your boiler will perform poorly and slowly deteriorate. What may have been a need for a little tuning on the thermostat or pressure gauge can turn into a need to replace parts or even the entire boiler if the problem is ignored. How to recognize boiler problems Here are five signs that your boiler is not working okay: There is no heat or no hot water (or both) – Perhaps this is the biggest sign that your boiler is having a problem, and it’s hard to miss. If your boiler is not heating, it does not always mean that is broken. This may be solved by doing simple DIY troubleshooting, such as simply checking your thermostat. The flame in the...

How to Choose the Best Boiler

Learning a few tips on how to choose the best boiler for your home can help you make a wiser decision that will be worth your money. Here are some helpful information from us. Perhaps you have already read somewhere that 55% of your energy bill in one year comes from your heating system. So, a highly efficient boiler can make a big difference in your money saving efforts. And if you’ve been bothered by your nosy boiler, or perhaps the cold weather is getting too cold even for your old boiler, it may be time to do a boiler upgrade. If your boiler efficiency is G- rated, replacing it with an A- rated model – with a full set of heating controls – can save you up to £340 annually. Not to mention, 1,500 kgs of carbon dioxide every year. However, if you’ve done your research on the costs of a new boiler, you probably know that a new boiler installation is one of the largest single expenses homeowners face. Therefore, it is important that you invest your money on a worthwhile one. Here is an easy guideline on how to choose the best boiler for you: What is the best boiler brand? A Which? survey of more than 3,000 boiler owners revealed that the top two brands in the market are Vaillant and Worcester Bosch. These two manufacturers have been the most popular among homeowners and are regarded as the most reliable and scored a customer satisfaction rate of 83%. In the same survey, Which? said that one brand to avoid is Keston, where 79% of the owners said they...

How to Take Care of Your Boiler

Knowing how to take care of your boiler properly can benefit you in more ways than one. Boiler maintenance is important to prolong the life of your boiler. Getting a regular annual boiler service will help ensure that your boiler is in perfect working condition when you need it during the cold months. It also helps keep the efficiency of your boiler high, which in turn can help you save energy and money. Also, a boiler that is properly cared for is less likely to need frequent boiler repairs. (Read more about what to expect during a service, and its benefits.) However, there are things that you can do on a daily or regular basis to take care of your boiler and help ensure it is operating well. Here’s how to take care of your boiler properly: Do not cover your boiler. Keep the air vents open, as well as ventilation grilles, air bricks and outside flues. NEVER attempt to open the boiler cover. Only a trained and qualified gas safe registered engineer should do this. Schedule a repair if something is not working right. Use a damp cloth to wipe your boiler clean, then dry. Use petroleum jelly to remove scratches on the boiler’s body. Rub a small amount on the area where the scratch is, wipe the petroleum jelly off and then buff it using dry cloth to shine. During hot months, run your heating system once a month for about 15 minutes. This will help keep your boiler running efficiently, and avoid getting clogged. This way, the moving parts are in order for when you need your...