How to Understand Boiler Jargon

Have you ever had a boiler service and not completely understand boiler jargon that the engineer was using? You are probably not alone. Many homeowners and consumers are not really familiar with boiler- related technical terms. While this dilemma is quite common, you don’t have to be stuck with the problem. In fact, as a boiler user, you should fully understand boiler jargon. That way, when your gas safe registered engineer explains what is wrong with your boiler and what needs to be done to  fix it, you know exactly what he is talking about. (Learn how to check if your engineer is gas safe registered.) We have outlined a few tips to help you understand boiler jargon. Below are some of the common things your engineer will discuss with you.   Your engineer says: You need to upgrade from a standard-efficiency boiler to a high-efficiency boiler. Your engineer means: Your boiler is an older model and is not working efficiently anymore. There are recent changes in the UK law that requires all newly- fitted gas boilers to be high- efficiency models. You should: Consider upgrading to a condensing boiler. Modern models have up to 90% efficiency and can help you save up to 30% in your energy bill. Your engineer says: You need a combi boiler, system boiler or open-vent boiler. Your engineer means: Your engineer is making recommendations on what type of boiler you should purchase. You should: Read our Guide to Boiler Types to learn more about each type, and then decide which is best suited for your home and your needs. Your engineer says: “This boiler is very efficient and has a fantastic...

How To Clean Your Stovetop

Learning how to clean your stovetop properly will help keep your stove in good condition.   Most common gas range problems can, in fact, get fixed quite easily. One example of this is when your burners don’t work. (Read more about how to deal with faulty gas rang burners here.) Typically, the main cause of faulty stove burners is build up of food and dirt that block the holes in the burner. This can easily be resolved by cleaning the stove. However, knowing how to clean you stovetop properly and safely is important.   Follow our tips below on how to clean your stovetop and make sure your burners are dirt free all the time. Turn off the burners and make sure they have completely cooled off before starting. Make a soapy mixture by filling your sink with hot water and adding ample amount of liquid dishwashing soap. Remove the grates, surface burners and knobs. Soak them in the soapy mixture long enough for the grease to be easily removed. While soaking, scrape off dried food on the surface of the stove. Use a plastic knife or spatula. Metal scrapers can scratch the surface of the stove. Wipe off the dirt you scraped off using a damp cloth. Mix two parts baking soda with one part water. Use this paste and a wet rag to scrub away stubborn dirt that did not come off right away. Pour a small amount of dishwashing soap on a cloth or sponge and wet with water. Squeeze most of the water out so it doesn’t drip all over your stove. Wipe the range clean....

Gas Stove Burner Not Working

Learn how to do a few DIY tricks if your problem is a gas stove burner not working.   Any engineer or technician will tell you that a gas stove burner not working is one of the most common gas range problems. As a home owner, you have surely experienced at least one burner breaking at one point. While troubleshooting a gas range may seem like such a feat, there are really basic steps that you can take to fix a gas stove burner not working.   How to Fix a Gas Stove Burner Not Working Try turning the burner on. If it does not spark, but you hear sparking in the other burners, the non- working burner is probably clogged with dirt and food particles that have accumulated. Making sure that the burner is completely cooled, remove it and clean it thoroughly. Use a toothpick to poke through the orifices to remove any particles that may be clogging them. If this does not fix the problem, then the igniter or burner switch is probably worn out and need to be replaced. If your stove has several burners and none of them are working, check to make sure the pilot light is on (if your stove has one). Ignition systems for gas stoves are powered by electricity. Make sure the unit is plugged in. The plug is usually located behind a freestanding range or at the back of the cabinet right below a built in stove. Also make sure that your circuit breaker is on or that it has not been tripped. Check to make sure you have sufficient...

Troubleshooting a Gas Range

Troubleshooting a gas range may sound like an impossible task. However with the help of a few simple tips, you can fix the most common gas range problems by yourself in no time.   Your stove / range / oven is one of the most important appliances in your home. Cooking your daily meals is one of the things your family surely appreciates and enjoys. Those special home made birthday cakes or warm casseroles in the winter are surely etched in your family’s memory forever. Your cooking appliances are even more critical to you if you use them for business. A broken stove or range is surely frustrating, especially when it happens when you are in the middle of cooking something or there is a special occasion being celebrated. Learning a few techniques in troubleshooting a gas range is the answer to this dilemma.   Troubleshooting a Gas Range In fact, troubleshooting a gas range is not all that hard. You have to remember a few things though. One, you are working on a gas appliance and you must take all necessary precautions at all times to avoid accidents and risking your and your family’s safety. Second, if you are not sure about what to do, have no previous experience working on gas ranges or gas appliances, or if you don’t feel confident that you can do the job seamlessly, call for a qualified gas safe registered engineer (read more about how to check if your engineer is gas safe registered). Top / surface burner won’t light – If your stove has an electric igniter, make sure it is plugged in....

Troubleshooting a Water Heater

Learn a few tips in troubleshooting a water heater here. Water heaters are usually reliable appliances, but they are ultimately machines and will break down at one point or another. And while they are quite expensive to buy, simple repairs are not. In fact, troubleshooting a water heater can be done at home. Simple problems can be fixed easily DIY.   Troubleshooting a Water Heater Here are some of our tips in troubleshooting a water heater. No Hot Water Check if the pilot light is on. If it is not, you can try to relight it. If that does not help, or if you do not know how, call for a gas safe registered engineer. Check if the gas line is on. Also check your gas meter or gas tank to make sure you have enough gas to operate your appliances. Leaking Check for cracks. Internal cracks usually means you water heater needs to be replaced. If the leak is coming from the top of the water heater, a fitting or plumbing part may have malfunctioned and need to be repaired. Pilot will not light Check to make sure the gas line is turned on. It is possible that there is air in the gas line. You can hold the pilot button down and try to relight it. Check if the vents are clogged. You can remove the vents to clean them. If the gas control valve is defective, it will need to be replaced. Pilot light will not stay lit Check the thermocouple. The thermocouple probe’s tip must be in the pilot flamr and it must be tight at...

Oven Not Heating

If you have an oven not heating, you can learn how to do a DIY repair to get it working again. Here’s how. An oven not heating is the worst scenario you can encounter especially if you’re baking for a special occasion or if you are selling your baked goods. But ovens are generally not complicated in terms of operation. Here is how an oven works: when you set the temperature on your gas oven, the switch sends electricity to the ignitor to light the burner. Older models may have a thermocouple rod that continuously burns the pilot light. While built in and electric ovens (read more about electric oven repair) must only be repaired by a professional gas safe registered engineer, a homeowner can do simple checks and fixes on a gas oven not heating. If you determine that your gas oven not heating is caused by a faulty thermocouple rod or igniter, you can replace these yourself. Remember that you are working on a gas appliance and must always take the necessary precautions. Replacing the Ignitor: Unplug the oven’s power cord. Access the shut off valve for the gas line located behind the oven and turn it off. Remove all the shelves in the oven. Take out the oven bottom and set it aside. Remove the metal flame spreader. You can now see the ignitor and electrical wires. Take note of the colors of the wires for the ignitor and the tabs on the switch that they belong to. Use needle nose pliers to pull the metal connectors for each of the wires off the tabs. Remove...