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Advice

What is a storage combi?

What is a storage combi? … So, you’ve read our previous blogs on the three different types of boiler system, and you think you’ve got it sussed.

You understand the differences between the three different types of boiler, and the pros and cons of each.

And then, we go and throw a spanner in the works, by telling you that there’s another variety of combi boiler – the storage combi.

Yes, you heard us right. Although a ‘combination’ boiler gets its name from the fact that it doesn’t need storage tanks or cylinders, everything it needs is in one compact unit, we’re now introducing you to the storage combi.

A storage combi has a hot water cylinder housed within the boiler unit itself, which means it is better suited to larger homes with multiple bathrooms.

If you want to understand the difference between combi and storage combis, read on!

What is a combi boiler?

Before looking at the ins and outs of the storage combi, it’s a good idea to start with a quick refresher on what a ‘normal’ combi is, so that you can see the differences between the two.

‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler because it provides both your heating and hot water from one all-in-one (combined) unit; without the need for a separate cold water storage tank or an external hot water cylinder.

It’s important to point out that whilst combi boilers provide both heating and hot water, they can only perform one of these tasks at a time, and they always prioritise hot water.

A combi works by using two heat exchangers, one for your heating (radiators) and the other for your hot water supply.

The primary heat exchanger focuses on your radiators and carries hot water around your home. The secondary exchanger is for heating the water that comes out of your taps.

Combis can heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a hot tap so they don’t need to store hot water (unlike heat-only and system boilers), because they heat it instantaneously, on demand.

What are the advantages of a combi boiler?

The main advantages of combi boilers are that they:

are space-saving because the boiler itself is the only component part.
never run out of hot water because they make it on demand.
can be more efficient due to not having stored water and being compatible with low temperature systems.
have fewer third party components required.
have more control options than a heat-only system.

What are the disadvantages of a combi boiler?

The main disdavantages of combi boilers are that they:

have a slower delivery of hot water, so it takes longer to fill a bath.
are generally unsuitable for larger homes.
can be difficult to integrate with renewable energy.
can’t be fitted with a back-up immersion heater in the event of a breakdown.
are not suitable in low pressure water areas.

Read our blog on the pros and cons of combi boilers here.

What is a storage combi?

A storage combi is similar to a standard combi boiler; however it has a hot water cylinder housed within the boiler unit itself.

In this way, storage combi boilers combine the benefits of a combi boiler and system boiler all in one, whilst generally still being much smaller than a system boiler.

Storage combi boilers can be wall-hung or floor standing.

What sort of properties are best suited to storage combi boilers?

A storage combi is best suited to properties with a high demand for hot water but that lack space for an open vent or system boiler.

Storage combi boilers allow multiple outlets to be used at the same time, whilst still being space-saving.

Storage combi or ‘normal’ combi?

Combi boilers are generally a great choice in most situations, even in larger homes, and that’s why they’re the most popular choice of boiler in the UK.

Whilst there are many benefits to having a combi boiler, they’re not right for everyone. Combis are best suited to homes with relatively small hot water demands at any one time.

If you’re a household where everyone wants showers at the same time, then a combi won’t be suitable.

If you have very high hot water demands, you might wish to consider a storage combi as well as a heat-only or system boiler.

When thinking about how much hot water you need from your central heating system, a good starting point is looking at how many bathrooms you have.

Generally, homes with multiple bathrooms have a higher hot water demand.

What is your hot water demand?

If you have two or more bathrooms, and want to have two showers running at the same time, a standard combi will struggle to meet your needs.

This is because they don’t store hot water and so the hot water that they are generating on demand is having to be split to two outlets, lowering the flow rate.

This won’t be an issue if your household takes it in turn to shower though because a combi has no problem supplying unlimited hot water to one outlet at a time.

Combi boilers will never run out of hot water because they heat water instantly on demand; unlike heat-only and system boilers, that might run out of hot water for a short time while the cylinder refills.

So, this is where it’s important to consider how you use the hot water in your home.

If you want to have more than one shower running at the same time in the morning, then you need a boiler that stores hot water, because they can supply multiple outlets at the same time.

If you don’t have the space for a heat-only or a system boiler, a storage combi might be a good option for you.

What are the advantages of a storage combi boiler?

Space-saving

Because storage combis have a hot water cylinder within the unit itself; you won’t need extra space in a cupboard and/or your loft to house any additional tanks and cylinders.

Can supply hot water to multiple outlets at the same time

If a combi boiler appeals to you, but you have a high demand for hot water, a storage combi could be a good option.

Since storage combis store hot water, they are able to supply multiple hot taps at the same time, which is perfect for larger families who all want to be using the hot water at the same time in the morning.

Storage combis are cheaper than system boilers

Storage combi boilers are generally cheaper to purchase and install than system boilers. This is because there is less pipework required and because the system itself is generally smaller.

Storage combis are compatible with solar thermal options

Unlike standard combi boilers, storage combis are compatible with solar thermal options, which helps you to save money on utility bills, whilst reducing your carbon emissions.

What are the disadvantages of storage combi boilers?

As with all things, there are drawbacks too:

More expensive than standard combi boilers

Storage combi boilers are generally more expensive than standard combi boilers because they have the added feature of the internal hot water storage cylinder.

Bigger than standard combi boilers

Although storage combi boilers are smaller than system boilers, they are larger than standard combi boilers. This is due to the fact that they need to house a hot water cylinder within the unit itself.

Different models of storage combi boilers have a different hot water capacity

As you would expect, the size of the hot water cylinder determines the capacity of the boiler, and how much hot water it will be able to supply your multiple outlets with before it needs to refill.

Each model of storage combi varies in cylinder size, so you need to check that you choose one that will meet your hot water demands.

Storage combis can sometimes have a reduction in flow rate

A storage combi can comfortably supply a larger home with multiple bathrooms with up to 25 litres per minute of hot water.

However, if you have three or four people all using hot water at the same time, you might notice a reduction in flow rate. If this is an issue for you, you might be better considering a system boiler – more on this below.

Will I need extra storage space for a storage combi?

Although bigger than a standard combi boiler, the main benefits of a storage combi is that it doesn’t require an external hot water cylinder.

They are relatively compact and generally much smaller than system boilers. You can install a storage boiler in your home, without the need for extra storage space in cupboards or your attic.

Would a system boiler be a better option than a storage combi?

If you’re considering a storage combi, you should also look at whether a system boiler is a good option for you.

System boilers feature aspects of both a conventional or ‘heat-only’ boiler and a combi boiler.

Like a conventional boiler, a system boiler needs a hot water storage cylinder to heat and store hot water for your taps. But it doesn’t need a tank in the attic because, like a combi, it takes its water supply directly from the mains.

System boilers are high-pressure systems which can provide all the heating and hot water your home will ever need, direct from the mains, with no reduction in flow rate.

What are the advantages of a system boiler?

System boilers…

work well in large households with multiple bathrooms.
can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.
don’t require as much space as conventional boilers.
can be fitted with an additional electrical immersion heater to provide you with back-up hot water in case your boiler ever suffers a breakdown.
are easy to integrate with renewable heating systems such as solar.
have a wider range of control options available, compared to conventional boilers.
can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating systems.

What are the disadvantages of a system boiler?

System boilers:

require more space than a combi boiler.
have a lack of instant hot water – takes time to heat, although this can be minimised with the correct controllers.
can run out of hot water if controls are not set up properly.

You can read more on the pros and cons of system boilers here.

The Heating People generally use ATAG system boilers due to the advanced control options available; high build quality; and relatively low cost.

Final thoughts…

If you have a high demand for hot water and are struggling with choosing between a storage combi and a system boiler, contact one of our experts at The Heating People, who can give you tailored advice.

You might also like to read our related blog: 6 Top tips for buying a new boiler.

Useful Links:

Vaillant ecoTEC Plus combi store

Worcester Bosch Greenstar CDi Highflow

ATAG Heating system boilers

Advice

6 things to know before buying a new boiler

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 15, 2022
No Comments on 6 things to know before buying a new boiler

6 things to know before buying a new boiler…

With everything going on in the news about climate change and rising gas prices, a lot of people are thinking about the health of their heating systems and are considering boiler replacements.

If you’re worried about whether you can still buy a gas boiler – don’t be! Whilst there was a lot of talk about ‘phasing out’ and ‘phasing down’ fossil fuels at COP26, the government’s ambition is to phase out gas boilers after 2035.

Any existing boilers or boilers installed before that date won’t be affected.

At the moment, switching to a heat-pump or a hydrogen boiler isn’t an option for most people – and we don’t even know if hydrogen boilers will be a thing yet!

So, most of us will be getting gas boilers for the foreseeable future. But by choosing your boiler (and installer!) wisely, you can still help to lower your carbon footprint and cut your energy bills.

Getting a new boiler is a big investment that you’ll be wanting to keep you and your family warm and comfortable for the next 10-15 years – so it’s important to get it right.

You’ll want to choose the right boiler for your home; from a brand you can rely on; installed by an expert who can help you get the best out of it.

Since buying a boiler is a big decision, we’ve created a list of 6 important things that you should consider before handing over your hard-earned money…

1. The importance of the installer

Unfortunately, people often take for granted the importance of choosing an expert engineer to install their new boiler.

And the issue here isn’t just about safety (although that’s very important!) – the installer themselves is the number one contributor to heating system efficiency, far more than the boiler you choose.

Let’s take a look at the two reasons why choosing an expert engineer is so important:

Safety

So first and foremost, safety. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally fit, fix, and service gas appliances.

Gas Safe engineers hold gas qualifications which mean that they are qualified to work on gas.

Despite the law being very clear on Gas Safety, British Gas estimates that around 1.1 million gas jobs are carried out by illegal fitters who aren’t properly qualified, every year.

This is a frightening statistic, because unsafe gas appliances pose risk of gas leaks; fires and explosions; and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Rest assured, that our engineers at The Heating People hold valid and current Gas Safe qualifications for working on gas.

Optimising the efficiency of your heating system

The second reason that choosing an expert installer is so important, is that your engineer is the number one contributor to your heating system’s efficiency.

Your choice of installer is more important than your choice of boiler. A bold claim, right?!

But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. You wouldn’t ask an ordinary mechanic who’s spent the last thirty years doing MOTs for old ladies to fine tune a Formula 1 race car, and expect it to perform to its optimum capability, would you?

Well, the same is true of boiler installation.

There’s little point in spending a fortune on an all-singing-all-dancing boiler that promises A-rated efficiencies, and then handing it to a Charlatan that doesn’t even have a gas qualification.

Choose a Heat Geek!

To get the best out of your new boiler, you need an expert engineer who understands emitter sizing, pipe sizing, hydraulic layout and principles.

An ‘engineer’ who wants to throw a boiler on the wall after simply counting your radiators either doesn’t understand these things or is just plain lazy.

Either way, you won’t get the efficiencies promised on your boiler’s box. These are only potential efficiencies. You need an expert who can commission your system in such a way that your boiler meets its potential.

Thankfully, you won’t find any of our engineers counting radiators. We install boilers the right way, following the industry standard (Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations).

Our tailored service uses scientific calculations to match you with the perfect boiler for your home and lifestyle.

The Heating People are also proud to be part of the Heat Geek Elite. If you’ve not heard of Heat Geeks before, we’ve linked to their website at the end of this article.

Heat Geek’s mission is to help the UK successfully transition to renewables whilst also improving existing heating installation efficiencies by training as many heating engineers as possible — helping reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.

This is something we’re passionate about too. We’re tired of the one-size-fits-all approach to boiler installation.

We’ve undergone Heat Geek’s in-depth heating system design courses so that you can be sure that we can obtain the highest efficiencies from your heating system.

Which leads us on to our next point…

2. The importance of an efficient boiler

Here at The Heating People, we’re passionate about efficient heating – and we’re not alone!

People are becoming a lot more aware of the importance of having an efficient boiler, not just to reduce their carbon footprint, but to save money too.

But if you’re not sure why everyone’s banging on about efficiency, here it is in a nutshell…

At its simplest, your boiler powers your heating by burning fuel (usually gas). This accounts for about 60% of your energy bill. The less fuel your boiler burns, the lower your energy bills.

Modern efficient boilers need to burn less fuel to keep you comfortable. Older inefficient boilers burn loads more fuel to do exactly the same job, which makes them more expensive to run, and worse for the planet.

So, depending on the age of your current boiler, replacing it with a newer model can save you money and reduce your carbon emissions.

The way you can tell what you stand to save, is by comparing the ‘Energy Related Products’ rating, or ErP rating of your current boiler, with the one you’re thinking of getting.

The ErP rating allows you to compare the efficiency of appliances in your home. The highest (and most efficient) rating for a boiler is ‘A’ and the lowest is ‘G’.

According to The Energy Saving Trust (EST), you can save over £300 a year on your energy bills by replacing an old G-rated boiler with an A-rated one.

All modern boilers are A-rated with over 90% efficiency. So, to increase your overall efficiency when you’re not switching from a very old boiler to a new one, you need to look beyond the boiler itself.

Heating controls to improve efficiency

All boilers should as a minimum include a programmer (time control); at least one room thermostat; and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on radiators. Systems with a hot water cylinder should also include a cylinder thermostat.

According to the EST, just having these basic controls could save you £75 a year and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 320kg.

But you don’t need to stop with the basics.

There are many other heating controls and smart controls that you can add to improve your heating system’s efficiency. The bonus is that smart controls are convenient and allow you to take control of your heating remotely.

How much money can be saved with smart controls?

Manufacturers of smart controls make bold claims about how much money you could potentially save after installing their products.

Tado says that its smart thermostat ‘will pay for itself within a year’ by reducing your heating bills by up to 31%.

Netatmo claims that its smart thermostat will reduce the energy you use by 37%.

According to Ofgem, a smart thermostat can bring savings of around £150 per year. Ofgem (2014) estimates that a multi zoned heating system could save up to £400 on the annual dual fuel bill of £1385.

But all these estimates assume that you previously left your heating on all the time, to maintain a constant temperature. So, if you already turn off the heating when you leave your home, you’re unlikely to save as much as the manufacturers claim.

When recommending your perfect new boiler, The Heating People will also be able to advise you on what your best control options are.

You might like our related blog: Does smart heating save money?

3. The importance of a reliable boiler

As well as being efficient, you’ll want your boiler to be reliable. The more reliable your new boiler, the less money you’ll have to shell out on expensive repairs.

The good news is that there are many fantastic boiler manufacturers who produce boilers of outstanding quality and reliability.

And this leads us on to a tricky question that we get asked a lot – which brand is best?!

With so many different boiler manufacturers available, each offering their own large range of models, choosing a boiler can be a daunting task.

But just as there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ boiler for everybody, there’s no ‘right’ boiler brand either.

Each brand (and individual model within the brand) has their own pros and cons, which need to be weighed up for your needs.

But it’s definitely a good idea to do a bit of research into what options are available, so that you can make an informed choice on what will be the hardest working appliance in your home for at least the next decade.

Here at The Heating People, we’re not tied to any one manufacturer, we can work with all of them. But we do have our favourites! We’re proud to be Worcester Bosch Accredited Installers; Vaillant Advance Installers; Viessmann Trained Installers; and ATAG Selected Partners.

4. The importance of boiler type

One of the first things you need to know when you’re looking for a new boiler is what type of boiler you need.

There are three main types of boilers: combination or ‘combi’ boilers; system boilers; and heat-only or conventional boilers. We’ve written separate blogs about each of these types of boilers, but in a nutshell…

Combi boilers

Combi boilers are currently the most popular type of boiler sold in the UK. They deliver your hot water and heating from one single unit, without the need for external tanks or cylinders. Combis take cold-water directly from the mains and then heat the water on demand.

System boilers

System boilers also take their cold water directly from the mains, but unlike a combi, it heats the water and stores it in a hot water cylinder. Storing hot water in a cylinder means that system boilers can provide large quantities of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Heat-only or conventional boilers

These boilers are often seen as the traditional way of heating a home, hence the name ‘conventional’. These boilers take their cold water from a cold-water tank that is kept in the attic.

The water gets heated before being sent to a separate hot water cylinder to be stored until it’s needed. Similarly to a system boiler, they can supply multiple outlets at the same time because they store hot water.

Which type of boiler do I need?

Which type of boiler you need will depend upon several factors, which The Heating People will discuss with you as part of your free survey.

And just because you currently have one type of boiler, doesn’t mean you have to have the same again.

You need to consider whether you want to replace like for like, or whether you want to take the opportunity to change to a completely different type of boiler system.

If you’re generally happy with what your old boiler offered when it was working well, then a replacement boiler similar to the old one could be a good option.

But if your circumstances have changed (maybe your family has grown) since you last had a boiler installed, you might be better switching to a different type of system.

5. The importance of size

When it comes to heating, size matters!

Investing in the right size boiler will keep you and your family comfortable, without wasting energy and money.

This is such an important (but often overlooked) point when it comes to boiler installation, that we’ve dedicated a whole blog to it – which you can read here.

Choosing the correct size boiler is crucial.

If it’s too big it will run inefficiently and will be wasting energy and money.

But if it’s too small, it might not be powerful enough to heat your home, or give you enough hot water.

In the past, the physical size of your property and the number of radiators you had, was the only thing used to determine boiler size. And unfortunately, you’ll probably still find a lot of heating engineers using this crude method!

But this is inaccurate. It wasn’t the right way to do it in the past. And it isn’t the right way to do it now.

But it’s easy to see why ‘engineers’ (see important point 1) who aren’t following industry standard will oversize boilers.

It’s easier to massively oversize a boiler ‘just in case’ rather than completing the heat loss calculations required to size it correctly. What do they care if your energy bill is sky high in a few months time?!

Size your boiler with heat loss calculations

Rest assured that The Heating People follow industry standard and carry out heat-loss calculations to determine the correct size of boiler for your home.

Heat loss is the gold standard in determining the correct size of boiler for your home under Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations. These regulations provide guidance on the conservation of fuel and power under The Building Regulations Act 2010.

Heat loss calculations determine your property’s heat transfer coefficient by looking at the thermal transmittance or ‘U-values’ of all the external fabric of your building, along with its volume and average ventilation rate.

The altitude and exposure of your home will also affect this.

The calculation provides the total space heating energy flow rate in watts divided by the temperature difference between the inside and outside air.

Or, in other words, a heat loss calculation works out how quickly heat can escape out of the fabric of your home, whether from conduction, convection, or radiation, on the coldest day of the year.

This allows you to choose the optimum size of boiler for your needs and avoid wasting energy and money whilst being comfortably warm.

6. The lowest price is not always the best

This links to our first point – finding the right installer. The right boiler installed by an expert installer will pay for itself.

But you need to think beyond the initial purchase price and consider the long-term costs.

Often people think that just because the boiler being installed is the same that the work involved is also the same.

But as we’ve explained earlier, there’s a big difference between an unqualified ‘engineer’ who deliberately oversizes a boiler to save him doing any work, and an expert who does the job properly!

You won’t need to look very far to find a fitter with no qualifications who throws boilers on the wall illegally and cheaply.

But you’ll end up paying more down the line through excessive energy bills and on boiler repairs for your boiler that is constantly ‘cycling’.

Rather than buying simply on price, you should remember that this is probably the most expensive and important appliance in your home. You want to still be happy with it 10-15 years down the line.

As with many things in life, you get what you pay for!

Final thoughts…

We hope you’ve found this article helpful.

You might like our related blogs: The best combi boilers 2022 and Your options with a boiler replacement.

For tailored advice on your boiler installation, contact us today to book your free survey. We can offer guarantees of up to 14 years, for your peace of mind.

Useful Links:

Find a Heat Geek

Energy Saving Trust: Heating Controls

Tado smart controls – savings

Which? reviews of smart thermostats

Drayton Wiser controls

Advice

Heating checks for buying a new house

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 8, 2022
No Comments on Heating checks for buying a new house

Heating checks for buying a new house…

Moving house can be stressful. And the last thing you want when you’ve moved in; is to find that you have a central heating system that’s on its last legs.

Nobody wants to move into their new dream home, to have the boiler break down just days later; or get a nasty shock when they get their first energy bill.

Buying a property with a dodgy heating system will cost you down the line. So it’s well worth giving the central heating system some thought before taking the plunge.

In this handy guide; we’ll give you some things to think about when looking at the heating in your prospective new house.

What information will I be given about the heating in my new house?

Lets start with what information you can expect to be given about the heating system in your new home…

Heating checks for buying a new house: The TA6 Form

When buying a new house, you’ll be given an important document called a ‘TA6 form’.

This form is basically a long questionnaire about the property, which is filled in by the seller.

The idea is that it gives you detailed information about the house you’re buying; so you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed or not.

In terms of heating, the TA6 form asks questions about the type of heating system; whether it is in working order; and the type of fuel that the system uses.

It also requires the seller to provide evidence that the system was installed properly; and the date it was last serviced.

Of course, this won’t tell you whether the heating is effective or efficient.

Heating checks for buying a new house: The Energy Performance Certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate or an ‘EPC is needed whenever a building is bought, sold or rented out.

It contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs; and gives recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient); and is valid for 10 years.

The EPC will therefore give you some idea of the efficiency and level of insulation at the property.

Heating checks for buying a new house: What type of fuel does the boiler use?

Most boilers in the UK are fuelled by natural gas, followed by heating oil, and occasionally liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Although rare, some boilers burn coal or biomass. It’s also possible to have an electric central heating boiler, as well as eco-friendly heat pumps.

It’s worth considering what type of fuel your new heating system runs on; because the cost of different fuels varies and fluctuates.

You should ask the seller about their annual heating bills.

Heating checks for buying a new house: What type of boiler system is installed in the property?

The next thing to consider is the type of boiler system that’s installed in the property. And whether this will suit your lifestyle and needs, or whether you’ll have to factor in a replacement.

Although there are many different makes and models of boiler, they all fall into three basic types. In a nutshell:

Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers

Heat-only boilers are often thought of as the traditional way of heating a home.

They’re designed to provide both heating and hot-water with the use of an additional cold-water tank and hot-water cylinder.

Heat-only boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms. Because they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Combination or ‘combi’ boilers

‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler because it provides both your heating and hot water from one all-in-one (combined) unit. They don’t need any external tanks or cylinders.

Combis never run out of hot water because they produce it instantaneously, on demand.

However, they struggle to supply multiple outlets at the same time, so they are generally unsuitable for larger homes.

You can see our favourite combi boilers here.

System boilers

System boilers feature aspects of both a heat-only boiler and a combi.

Like a heat-only boiler; a system boiler needs a hot water storage cylinder to heat and store hot water for your taps.

But it doesn’t need a tank in the attic. Because, like a combi, it takes its water supply directly from the mains.

System boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms; because they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Don’t worry if you don’t know what type of boiler would best suit your needs. The Heating People are experts at finding the perfect boiler for you and your family.

You might also like our related blog: 6 Top tips for buying a new boiler.

Heating checks for buying a new house: How old is the boiler?

In addition to looking at the type of boiler in the house; you should also look at how old the boiler is.

A new boiler is unlikely to need to be replaced; but an old boiler is much more likely to break-down and cost you over the odds on your energy bills.

So, what’s considered an ‘old’ boiler? Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question.

There’s a common misconception that when a boiler reaches a certain age, it needs to be replaced. But this isn’t true.

With regular servicing, some reliable old boilers will keep ticking over, without ever giving much of a grumble. However, others will start to deteriorate, and may start breaking down, and needing more frequent repairs.

Older, less efficient boilers also cost more to run because they use more energy to heat your home. An A rated boiler has an energy efficiency of 90% or more.

The Boiler Plus regulations mean that new combi boilers are at least 92% efficient.

To put this in perspective; an older G rated boiler has an efficiency of 70% or less. Which means for every £1 you spend on your heating bill you are wasting 30p on lost energy.

As well as older boilers tending to be less efficient to start with; their efficiency can also deteriorate further with age.

If you buy a house with a boiler in its golden years; ask us what you stand to gain from a replacement.

Check out our related blog: How to choose an energy efficient boiler.

Heating checks for buying a new house: Does the boiler come with a guarantee?

Ask the vendor if the boiler is covered by any form of guarantee.

The length of a boiler guarantee varies greatly depending on the make and model of the boiler; as well as the installer.

The Heating People, we can offer guarantees of up to 14 years on our boilers.

This gives you peace of mind that should anything go wrong with the boiler, the cost of repairs is covered.

Remember that you’ll need to have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain your guarantee.

Heating checks for buying a new house: What are the radiators and pipes like?

As well as checking the boiler, you should look at the radiators.

The best boiler in the world won’t be able to heat your home effectively; if the radiators and pipes are falling apart!

Check for any obvious signs of leaks or rust; and ask the vendor to switch the heating on; so that you can check the radiators are emitting heat effectively.

Old radiators and pipes may benefit from a power flush to address any cold spots caused by corrosion and sludge.

A power flush is a cleansing process which cleans your entire central heating system; removing the sludge, which would otherwise cause damage and reduce efficiency.

Heating checks for buying a new house: Do the radiators have TRVs on them?

Check whether the radiators have TRVs.

A TRV fits on the side of a radiator and allows you to control how much heat your radiator emits. And therefore the temperature of your room.

TRVs not only allow you to maximise the comfort of your home by setting different temperatures in different rooms; but they also save energy.

BEIS found that TRVs can produce energy savings of 3% in dwellings, which will benefit your wallet, and the environment.

Heating checks for buying a new house: What is the insulation at the property like?

Although often overlooked; the amount of insulation in a property has a huge effect on how efficient the central heating system is.

Insulation works by reducing the amount of heat lost from the fabric of your building; reducing the amount of energy you need to heat your home; and saving you money on your energy bills.

According to the Energy Savings Trust, a badly insulated house can lose: 25% of its heat through the roof; 35% through outside walls; 25% through doors and windows; and 15% through ground floors.

So, it’s well worth looking at what level of insulation your house has. The thicker the insulation is, the more effective it will be at stopping heat from leaving your house.

According to the EST, topping up your loft insulation from 120mm to 270mm could cost around £240. But will save around £12 a year on energy bills.

Adding cavity wall insulation could save you up to £150 a year off your energy bills (based on a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house)

Heating checks for buying a new house: Are the windows double glazed?

The EST recommends making sure all windows are double or triple glazed, to improve the efficiency of your heating system.

If the house has drafty old windows, you’ll be letting cold air in, and your warm air out.

So, you should factor in the cost of replacements into your purchase price.

Heating checks for buying a new house: Gas Safety when buying a new house

Heating issues aren’t the only thing you should be mindful of when burying a new home.

If there are any gas appliances in the house, you should get them checked.

Don’t assume that everything’s ok because you’ve had a homebuyer or structural survey.

Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally undertake gas work at a property. So your surveys might not confirm that gas appliances are working as they should.

Unsafe gas appliances can pose three main risks to life:

Gas leaks

A gas leak can cause fires or explosions. If you think you can smell gas, then you’ll need to call your emergency service provider immediately. During a gas safety check; a Gas Safe registered engineer will do a visual inspection of pipework and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks.

Fires and explosions

Safe appliances burn gas in a controlled way; but a faulty appliance or pipework may leak gas which can then be ignited; causing a fire or explosion.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

If any of your gas appliances aren’t burning their fuel as they should; they can produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO).

Exposure to this gas can lead to death; and it is especially dangerous because you can’t see; taste; or smell it.

Therefore, it’s so important to get your gas boiler serviced each year.

To avoid these risks; ask the current owners for a gas safety record or certificate for all appliances in the property.

If they can’t provide a record; or it’s been over 12 months since the last check; get in touch with a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a gas safety check before you move in.

So, what next?

An old and inefficient heating system doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker if you’ve fallen in love with the house.

But you should consider the cost of any necessary upgrades when making your offer.

Contact The Heating People to upgrade your heating system.

Useful Links:

The Law Society property transaction forms

Gas Safe Register: Buying a new home

Uswitch heating and fuel

Gov.uk: Energy performance certificates

Energy Saving Trust: Reducing Heat Loss

Advice

Condemned boiler? What to do next

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 5, 2022
No Comments on Condemned boiler? What to do next

Condemned boiler?

You’ve just received the news that everyone dreads getting from their heating engineer – your boiler’s dangerous and has been condemned. Bummer.

So, what next?

Whilst having your boiler condemned sounds a bit scary; it’s good that safety issues have been identified before any harm has been done. You and your family are safe.

But regardless of the positives, it’s still not what you wanted to hear!

To help you get sorted, we’ve put together this guide to everything you need to know about your condemned boiler; what to do next; and how you can hopefully prevent this from happening again in the future.

What is a condemned boiler?

Let’s start by looking at what a condemned boiler actually is…

Unfortunately, being condemned can be the death knell for your boiler. It means that it’s been officially declared unsafe for use.

We all know that gas can be dangerous. And if your boiler isn’t burning gas as it should, it’s dangerous and shouldn’t be used – hence it being condemned.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the end of the road for your boiler. It depends which category it falls into (more on this later) and whether it can be made safe again.

Think of it as being a bit like an MOT for your car. Your mechanic might fail your car initially because it doesn’t meet current safety standards.

Your mechanic calls you, explains what needs addressing, and how much it will cost. If economical repairs are possible, you might choose to go ahead. Your mechanic then does the repairs, and your car passes its MOT.

This might be the case for your boiler. It might be component part can be replaced to make your boiler safe again.

Why are boilers condemned?

Your Gas Safe engineer will be following the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) when assessing your boiler.

This procedure helps to protect you from unsafe gas appliances. It complies with the law under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

When looking at your boiler, your engineer will do his or her best to ensure that you’re safe.

There are many reasons why your boiler might be unsafe. There are many components which might have deteriorated or been improperly fitted or maintained.

The reason could be as simple as there being inadequate ventilation. But it could be as dangerous as your boiler leaking carbon monoxide gas.

What are the risks of having an unsafe boiler at home?

You might be wondering what the risks are with having an unsafe boiler in your home. And why condemning it was necessary…

There are three main risks of unsafe gas appliances:

1. Gas leaks

A gas leak can cause fires or explosions. If you think you can smell gas, then you’ll need to call your emergency service provider immediately. During a gas safety check, a Gas Safe engineer will do a visual inspection of pipework; and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks.

2. Fires and explosions

Safe appliances burn gas in a controlled way. But faulty boilers or pipework can leak gas which can ignite, causing fires and explosions.

3. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas. It can be especially deadly because you can’t see, taste or smell it.

According to the NHS, there are approximately 60 carbon monoxide related deaths in the UK every year.

These are all pretty scary, we know! But you can avoid the risks by servicing your boiler each year.

The two categories of condemned boiler

What happens when your boiler is condemned, depends on what category it falls into.

Under GIUSP, there are two categories used to classify your unsafe boiler; depending on how serious the problems are:

Condemned boiler: Immediately Dangerous (ID)

As you might expect, ‘immediately dangerous’ is the most serious one!

An ‘immediately dangerous’ boiler is one which if operated; or left connected to the gas supply; is an immediate danger to life or property.

In this situation, your engineer will disconnect your boiler. And you must not use it until the fault has been fixed.

If for some (crazy) reason you refuse to let the engineer disconnect the boiler; they must report the matter to the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP).

The ESP has the legal power to forcibly enter your property and make the situation safe; or disconnect the gas supply.

Condemned boiler: At Risk (AR)

An ‘At Risk’ boiler has at least one fault; which could endanger life or the property.

Again, an engineer will disconnect the boiler. And it must not be used again until the faults are fixed.

However, in a limited number of cases turning off the gas supply will not remove or reduce the risk.

In such circumstances you will be issued with a warning notice and advised whom to contact for further information.

What is an ESP Visit?

Where a gas leak is suspected, the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP) may visit your home. The ESP will put a ‘Danger do not use’ label on your boiler if they suspect it’s unsafe.

In which case, you need to find a Gas Safe registered engineer to check it over. You should not use the boiler until a Gas Safe registered engineer has declared it safe to use.

Condemned boiler – What happens?

If your engineer cannot find the cause of the problem and fix it; they will need to make the situation safe either by turning the boiler off; or disconnecting the gas supply.

Your engineer will apply a ‘Danger Do Not Use’ warning label to your boiler; in line with the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP).

The warning sticker means that your engineer has conducted a safety check and your boiler doesn’t meet current safety standards.

The sticker will categorise the boiler as Immediately Dangerous (ID) or At Risk (AR). It provides information about what needs to be done.

Condemned boiler – What to do next

We understand that it can be stressful to have your boiler condemned, so here’s what you need to do next:

Try not to panic!

Whilst it can be worrying to hear that your boiler is unsafe; you should be pleased that the fault has been found early.

Your engineer will have taken all the necessary steps to make the boiler safe. So there’s no need to worry that you are in danger now.

Get good advice

Hopefully you have an expert engineer whom you can trust to give you sound advice. If not, find one!

You need to follow your engineer’s advice on whether it’s economical to repair your boiler; or whether a replacement is the best option.

Find the right boiler

If you’ve decided that a boiler replacement is the best (or only!) option; you need to find the right boiler for your needs.

Although you may be without heating and hot water, it’s important that you don’t make a rushed decision.

A boiler is a big investment that you’ll want to keep you and your family warm for the next 10-15 years so you’ll want to get it right.

Again, finding an expert engineer whom you can trust is the answer here!

The Heating People are boiler installation specialists. We have over twenty years experience in helping families with their heating. Rest assured that we will calculate, recommend and install the right boiler for you and your family in your time of need!

You might like our related blogs: How to choose an energy efficient boiler and The best combi boilers 2022.

Can you sell a house with a condemned boiler?

You can sell a house with a condemned boiler, if you make the buyer aware of the situation. But, it’s advisable to replace a condemned boiler before selling. Would you want to pay to inherit this problem?!

Investing in a new efficient boiler could increase the value of your property, as well as making your property more attractive to potential buyers.

How to avoid a condemned boiler in the future

Now that you’ve been through this inconvenience once, you’ll want to avoid it happening again in the future.

There are several things that you can do to avoid facing this headache again:

Keep up to date with your boiler service

Prevention is better than cure, and an annual boiler service is vital in optimising the lifespan of your boiler and preventing problems from occurring.

Research by Which? Found that around two thirds of boilers that are serviced every year never need a repair. This number drops dramatically as you increase the time between services, so spending a bit on a boiler service could potentially save you a much bigger repair bill.

During your boiler service, your engineer will spot any possible issues before they cause a big problem.

Also remember that you need to have your boiler serviced annually to maintain its guarantee.

Invest in a new boiler

If you’ve been putting off replacing an old and temperamental boiler, it might be time to consider a replacement before it becomes dangerous.

To find out the warning signs, check out our related blog: Does my boiler need replacing?

You can save money on your heating bills by replacing an old G-rated boiler with a modern, A-rated condensing one. The Energy Saving Trust estimate that such a switch can save you around £350 on your bills each year.

Get a professional to fit (and service) your boiler

Only Gas Safe registered engineers are legally qualified to install, repair and service your gas boiler.

But despite this, there are still an alarming number of Charlatans out there who are installing and working on gas boilers illegally, without the required qualifications.

It goes without saying really, but a boiler is far more likely to end up condemned if it’s been installed incorrectly by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. So make sure you check!

Rest assured that all engineers with The Heating People are Gas Safe registered and are experts in commissioning your boiler to fully optimise its energy efficiency.

Final thoughts…

So, the takeaway from this, is that you don’t need to panic if your boiler is condemned.

Take the time to find an expert engineer who will give you advice that you can trust; and will find you the boiler that is right for you and your family.

And once you’ve found your trusted engineer, keep them! Your engineer is key to keeping the unsung hero of your home ticking over for the next decade or more.

Useful Links

Gas Safe Register: Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure Explained

Which? article on preparing your boiler for the winter

Advice

Does smart heating save money?

Post author By Lucy
Post date May 20, 2022
No Comments on Does smart heating save money?

With gas prices soaring, it’s no surprise that households are looking at ways to save money on their energy bills. So, does smart heating save money?

Manufacturers of smart heating controls certainly think so!

If you do an internet search, you’ll find plenty of bold claims like Tado – who say you could save as much as 31% on your heating bills!

But is this too good to be true?!

In this article, we look at what smart controls are; how they work; and whether you stand to save as much as the manufacturers claim.

What is smart heating?

You’ve probably heard the terms: ‘smart heating’ and ‘smart controls’ being thrown around, but what do they mean?!

The terms that are often used interchangeably to cover a wide range of devices that have been designed to improve how your central heating system works.

In the past, heating controls were pretty basic. But we’ve come a long way from a single mechanical thermostat that you turn up and down to control your boiler!

Smart heating is designed to be much more flexible. It enables you to have different temperatures across different rooms, at different times, so that you’re not wasting money heating rooms you’re not using.

Smart heating enables you to control your heating remotely from an app on your smartphone. This means you can change the temperature of your home while you’re out and about, and always come home to a warm home.

Some smart controls use motion detection and geo-fencing to switch the heating on or off depending on your location. Again, you won’t be wasting money heating an empty house.

And some smart heating controls are so clever, they actually learn the temperatures you like, when you typically come and go, and how long your home takes to warm up.

They can use this information to programme themselves to maximise your comfort, whilst reducing your energy consumption. And less energy consumed is better for your wallet, and the planet!

Smart heating system components

When it comes to choosing a smart heating system, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

There are multiple manufacturers to choose from, all offering different options, depending on your needs and budget.

Smart heating systems are flexible enough to provide a simple option for a small home, to a much more complicated zoned system for a sprawling mansion!

But regardless of the size of the project, most smart heating systems have at least 3 key components:

a smart thermostat;
thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs); and
an app to control the system.

1. Smart thermostat

A smart thermostat is at the heart of all smart heating systems. As its name suggests, it shares some similarities with a traditional thermostat, but it’s smarter!

At its simplest, a thermostat controls the temperature in your heating system. You set your preferred home temperature, and the thermostat works to keep your rooms at this set point.

With programmable thermostats, you can set a schedule to run your heating at certain times of the day, to suit your lifestyle. So, how is a smart thermostat different?

The most obvious difference with a smart thermostat is that they are Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled from your smartphone, tablet or computer. This gives you greater control of your heating, from wherever you happen to be.

How a smart thermostats different to standard thermostats?

Smart thermostats also go above and beyond what you can do with a standard programmable thermostat. You’ll be able to fine-tune your heating. You can set much more complicated schedules, and different ones for the weekends.

Altering your schedules is a doddle too, with just the tap of a button.

And you won’t need to lift a finger with a learning thermostat, because they learn your routines, and do the scheduling for you!

Smart thermostats learn how long it takes your home to warm up. So, if you set your preferred temperature in advance, your smart thermostat will calculate precisely when it needs to turn the boiler on, to meet your needs.

Some smart thermostats even take account of the weather when adjusting your heating. If you’ve read our blog on heat loss, you’ll know that the colder it is outside, the longer it will take your home to warm up. Your smart thermostat knows this, and acts accordingly.

Geo-fencing is another nifty feature offered by some smart thermostats.

Geo-fencing technology tracks the location of the smartphones in your household. By detecting where you are, your smart thermostat can switch your heating off if you’ve left it on by mistake.

And it will know to switch the heating on automatically when you’re nearing home, so you always come home to comfort!

2. TRVs

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are heating controls that fit on the side of your radiators. They monitor the temperature of your room, and adjust how much heat the radiator emits, so that it stays at a comfortable temperature.

TRVs allow you to turn the temperature on your radiators up and down, by changing the flow of hot water to the radiator. This means that you can enjoy different heats across different rooms and can switch individual radiators off.

Without TRVs, individual rooms in your home may overheat and waste energy.

The result is a more comfortable home; improved energy efficiency; and lower fuel bills.

Research by BEAMA concluded that the average energy saving potential for TRVs in homes is 18% of the heating costs.

You can also get smart TRVs, which can be adjusted remotely via your smartphone or thermostat (rather than manually turning the dial from low to high).

If your smart thermostat is compatible with smart TRVs, you can control each TRV in your home from your app from wherever you are.

3. Smartphone app

Your smart heating system will include a smartphone or a desktop app that allows you to control your heating remotely.

Controlling your heating from your phone gives you full control of how you use energy in your home.

You can make instant changes to your heating schedule at any time, regardless of where you are.

This is handy because if you get struck in work late, or go away and forget to switch off your heating, you’re not wasting energy heating an empty house.

Another benefit of this software is that you’ll be able to see reports on how much energy you’ve been using compared to previous weeks.

This allows you to make little changes to your habits, and potentially save more money on your energy bills.

Benefits of smart heating

We’ve touched on a few of the benefits of smart heating already, but we’ll summarise the advantages here:

1. Smart heating is convenient

Let’s face it, we all use our phones a lot. So, being able to control your heating from your phone is convenient.

You can change your heating schedule from wherever you are, with the touch of a button.

Learning smart thermostats allow a completely hands-off approach to home heating, because they learn what you like, and schedule everything for you!

Features such as geo-fencing, and holiday mode also means that you can forget about your heating altogether, knowing your smart thermostat has got you covered.

2. Smart heating improves your home comfort

Smart thermostats learn how quickly your home loses heat, and some also use weather data when communicating with your boiler.

These features prevent spikes of over or under heating, providing a more comfortable and consistent temperature.

Being able to zone your heating, and have different temperatures in different rooms means that you can cater to different preferences of members of your household.

Lots of people prefer their bedrooms to be cooler than their living rooms, and smart heating allows you to do this.

3. Smart thermostats help your boiler to be more efficient

Many smart controls use the open therm protocol which means they have an intelligent conversation with your compatible boiler allowing your boiler to work more efficiently more often.

4. Smart heating allows you to stay on top of your bills

Your smart heating app will give you lots of data about your energy usage, so you can easily see how much you’re spending.

This avoids any nasty surprises when your bill arrives and gives you the chance to make changes to your habits, if you need to.

The Nest learning thermostat uses a green leaf symbol to help you see when you make a more energy efficient choice with your heating.

Smart meters can also submit your energy use directly to your provider, which is convenient, and prevents your energy supplier making estimates.

5. Smart heating helps to save you money on your energy bills

There’s nothing magical about smart heating. It’s just smart.

With a traditional central heating system, you’ll inevitably waste money having it on when it’s not needed, or when nobody’s home. That won’t happen with a smart system.

Smart heating uses its intelligent technology to use the least amount of energy possible, whilst still keeping you perfectly comfortable.

Smart technologies such as geo-fencing, weather compensation, and load compensation allow the heat to be turned up or down at precisely the right moment. And being able to zone your home prevents wasting energy heating rooms that aren’t in use.

This is a lot more accurate than someone at home turning a dial when they feel chilly, and every room being heated to the same temperature! It’ll also avoid the associated spikes of over and under heating that happen with a traditional system.

So, the burning question: how much money can you save with smart heating?

What can I save with smart heating?

As we mentioned earlier, some manufacturers make very bold claims about how much you stand to save by installing their smart heating controls.

But you need to exercise caution here. A lot of these ‘potential savings’ will have been calculated using an example where a household left its heating on constantly and didn’t use any energy-saving measures before getting smart controls.

There are lots of factors that will affect how much you’ll save, such as:

How you used your heating before installing smart controls;
the type of smart control you choose;
how you use your smart control;
what type of boiler you have;
how many people are in your household; and
how well insulated your home is.

With this in mind, let’s look at what the manufacturers have to say…

What the manufacturers say

Tado says that it will save users ‘up to 31%’ a year on their heating bills using its smart heating.

Netatmo reckons its smart technology can reduce energy usage by 37%.

Wolseley found that homeowners had a 20% decrease in their heating costs when using smart controls compared to the previous year with a standard thermostat.

Ecobee says that its customers in North America saved up to 26% on their heating costs, based on an internal analysis conducted in April, 2021. Their claim is based on a household that leaves their current thermostat set to a constant temperature of 22°C.

Ofgem says that a smart thermostat can bring savings of around £150 per year.

Google Nest says that UK customers saved on average between 8.4% to 16.5% on their energy bills with a Nest smart thermostat.

Since all heating systems, homes and lifestyles vary, it’s hard to get a one-size-fits-all estimate of how much you’ll save with smart heating.

But looking at these estimates, it seems that most people can expect to save around 10-30% on their bills with smart heating.

You’ll also have to factor in the cost of buying your smart controls and having them installed.

Who will save the most with smart heating?

The households that will save the most money with smart heating controls are the ones that previously left their heating on at a single temperature constantly; or didn’t fully utilise their programmable thermostat.

If you’re already quite energy conscious, you’ll see lower savings and a longer payback period.

Final thoughts

With gas prices going through the roof, we all want to make savings, and smart heating will certainly help.

Although it’s hard to put a precise figure on it, you could save around 10-30% on your annual heating bill with smart controls. And they make life easier and your home more comfortable too!

If you want to take control of your heating, and your energy usage, it’s time to get smart!

Useful links:

The Greenage: Can smart heating save money?

Which? Can you save as much as the companies claim with smart heating

BEAMA research on TRVs

Tado: Savings with smart heating

Ecobee: Savings

Google Nest: Energy savings

Advice

6 Top Tips for buying a new boiler

Post author By Lucy
Post date April 22, 2022
No Comments on 6 Top Tips for buying a new boiler

Buying a new boiler? If so, you might be daunted by the task ahead. After all, a boiler is a significant investment that you’ll want to last you for the next 10-15 years.

But unless you’re in the heating industry yourself, there’s an overwhelming amount of jargon to navigate.

From all of the anecdotes and heating myths from well-meaning friends; to all of the different makes and models of boilers; it can be hard to know where to start.

But don’t worry, The Heating People are here to help! We’ve put together this handy guide to help you on your journey to your perfect new boiler.

For tailored advice, contact us today to book your free survey.

Tip 1: Find an expert installer you can trust

This is the most important tip for buying a new boiler.

In fact, we could scrap all of the other tips! Because the right installer will guide you through the whole process; and will help you to address everything else in this blog!

But doing a bit of research and thinking about some of the important considerations ahead of time; will help you to make an informed choice.

Gas Safe

First off, when looking for an engineer, it’s important to recognise the safety implications. Most heating systems in the UK are currently powered by gas.

So, it’s vital to check that your engineer is Gas Safe registered.

We’ve dedicated a whole blog to the reasons why choosing a Gas Safe engineer is so important. And you can read it here. But suffice it to say, choosing a cowboy can have fatal consequences. So don’t take the risk!

But your engineer needs to have the skills and expertise to get the best out of your boiler; as well as being qualified to install it.

Expertise

There’s little point investing thousands of pounds in an all-singing-and-dancing efficient new boiler; and asking a charlatan to install it for you. You’ll just be wasting your money.

Unfortunately, there is a vast skills and knowledge gap within the heating industry. The Heating Hub says that:

‘99% of installers do not understand how condensing gas boilers work and therefore cannot set them up to run as they were designed to.’

This is a frightening statistic, but unfortunately, we’re not surprised. We’re tired of the one-size-fits-all approach to boiler installation.

Why expertise matters when it comes to your new boiler…

A lot of heating ‘engineers’ still use the crude method of counting radiators to determine boiler size. But this is inaccurate.

It wasn’t the right way to do it in the past. And it isn’t the right way to do it now.

It’s just another illustration of the lack of understanding; and the lazy approach to heating design that plagues us in the UK.

Rest assured that you won’t find any of our engineers counting radiators. We install boilers the right way, following the industry standard (Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations).

We’re proud to be part of the Heat Geek Elite (link at the end of this article). Our tailored service uses scientific calculations to match you with the perfect boiler for your home and lifestyle.

So when looking for a new boiler; remember that it will only be as good as the engineer who sets it up!

Tip 2: Decide on the right type of boiler for your needs

When you’re thinking about a boiler replacement, the first question to ask yourself is what type of boiler you want.

There are three main types of boiler system: heat-only or conventional boilers; system boilers; and combination or ‘combi’ boilers.

Just because you currently have a particular type of boiler now, doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever.

You need to start by asking yourself whether you want to replace like for like. Or whether you want to take the opportunity to switch to a different type of boiler.

Stick or switch?

Switching to a different type of boiler is generally more expensive than a like-for-like swap; due to the change in infrastructure. But a boiler is a significant investment, and you’ll want to get it right.

Switching to a different type of boiler might improve your home comfort. As well as reducing your energy bills, so you need to think long term.

Having said that; if you were happy enough with your old boiler when it was working well; then the same type of boiler could be a good option.

If lots of circumstances have changed since your last boiler was installed; or you inherited it from a previous occupier, you should consider your other options.

If for example, your family has grown, and your current combi boiler is struggling to keep up with your demands for hot water; you might be better off switching to a system boiler.

So what are the options? Although there are many different makes and models of boiler, they all fall into three basic types. For the sake of this blog, we’ll keep this brief:

Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers

Heat-only or conventional boilers are often thought of as the traditional way of heating a home.

They’re designed to provide both heating and hot-water with the use of an additional cold-water tank and hot-water cylinder.

Heat-only boilers are typically found in larger properties; as they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple taps and showers at the same time.

These boilers have a large feed tank which is usually stored in an attic or loft. This tank fills with cold water from the mains supply. The water is heated by the boiler; and is stored in the hot water cylinder to supply your taps and shower heads.

Where do heat-only boilers work best?

Heat-only boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms. Because they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Another bonus is that they can be fitted with an additional electrical immersion heater. This can provide you with back-up hot water in the event of a boiler breakdown.

The drawbacks of these boilers are that they need more space than the other two types of boiler; because of the external tank and cylinder.

Because they store hot water, there is a lack of instant hot water. Once you’ve used up what’s in the cylinder, you’ll have to wait for it to refill.

You can read their pros and cons here.

Combination or ‘combi’ boilers

Combi boilers are the most popular type of domestic boiler sold in the UK.

‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler. Because it combines all the components of a traditional central heating system into one compact unit.

A combi boiler provides hot water on demand; rather than storing it in a tank or cylinder. It works by taking cold water directly from the mains and heating it as and when you need it.

Where do combi boilers work best?

Combi boilers are useful in properties that are short on space because the boiler itself is the only component part. They’re often compact enough to fit inside a kitchen cupboard.

Another advantage is that they never run out of hot water because they heat it on demand. But they do struggle to supply multiple outlets at the same time.

So, if you have multiple bathrooms; or family members who want to take showers at the same time; a combi isn’t your best option.

You can read their pros and cons here.

System boilers

System boilers feature aspects of both a heat-only boiler and a combi.

Like a heat-only boiler; a system boiler needs a hot water storage cylinder to heat and store hot water for your taps. But it doesn’t need a tank in the attic because like a combi; it takes its water supply directly from the mains.

Once heated, the water is stored in a hot-water cylinder until it’s needed. Since there is a large store of hot water always available; a steady supply can be maintained even if multiple taps or showers are in use at the same time.

Where do system boilers work best?

Similarly to heat-only boilers, system boilers work well in large households with multiple bathrooms because they store hot water.

Their advantages over heat-only boilers are that they don’t require as much space; and they have a much wider range of control options available.

They’re also easy to integrate with renewable heating systems such as solar power. And they can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating systems.

Again, like a heat-only boiler there is a lack of instant hot water. Although this can be minimised with the correct controllers.

You can read their pros and cons here.

Tip 3: Choose the right size of boiler for your needs

The next thing to think about is what size of boiler you need.

We don’t mean the physical dimensions of the appliance itself. But rather how much energy is output by the boiler in terms of heat, which is measured in kilowatts (kW).

For example, a 25kW boiler uses 25,000 watts (25 kW) of power per hour; to heat the water for your central heating.

Generally, the more heat and hot water you require for your home, the higher the kW boiler you will need. But the type of boiler you have will affect this.

Choosing the correct size of boiler for your needs is crucial. If you choose a boiler that’s too big, you’ll be wasting energy and paying over the odds on your bills.

But if it’s too small, it might not be powerful enough to heat your home; or give you enough hot water.

How boilers are sized

As we mentioned earlier, there are lots of ‘engineers’ that will install much bigger boilers than you actually need. Because they either don’t understand how to design a heating system properly, or because, frankly, they’re lazy!

The only way to find the correct size of boiler is through a whole house heat loss calculation. These are the industry standard for sizing boilers under Part L of the Energy Efficiency Regulations.

These regulations provide guidance on the conservation of fuel and power under The Building Regulations Act 2010.

Energy Efficiency Best Practice requires a heat loss calculation to be conducted before installing a new boiler.

So you definitely need to avoid online ‘calculators’. Or anyone who just wants to count some radiators and have a guess!

To learn more about how boilers are sized, see our related blog: What size boiler do I need?

Tip 4: Choose the boiler manufacturer that best meets your needs

If you’ve done a Google search for a new boiler, you might be surprised by just how many boiler manufacturers there are. All offering their own extensive ranges of boilers, often with long and convoluted names!

Unsurprisingly then, we often get asked: ‘which manufacturer is best?’ by our customers. And unfortunately, there’s no easy answer – it really does depend!

Just as there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ boiler for everybody, there’s no ‘right’ boiler brand either.

Each brand (and individual model within the brand) has their own pros and cons. Which need to be weighed up for your particular needs.

How to choose a manufacturer

Don’t just pick the one that everyone else seems to be getting. Because what’s right for them, might not be right for you.

Although ATAG is a bit of a dark horse in the domestic boiler market; their engineering is outstanding. And they’re producing the most efficient boilers in Europe. So don’t write them off because they’re not a household name (yet!)

And hopefully it goes without saying, but you shouldn’t just pick a manufacturer because of how a boiler looks!

Lots of people like the new Lifestyle range from Worcester Bosch because they look stylish. But make sure that’s not the only thing you’re choosing them for!

Instead, it’s advisable to do a bit of research into what each manufacturer brings to the table for the type of boiler you’re looking for; and what you’re hoping to achieve with it.

After all, your boiler will be the hardest working appliance in your home for at least the next decade; so it needs some thought!

Tip 5: Check how efficient your new boiler is and what additional heating controls you might need or want

With gas prices soaring 250% since January, and COP26, boiler efficiency has become more important than ever.

At its simplest, an efficient boiler needs to burn the least amount of fuel to do its job.

An inefficient boiler does the opposite. It burns loads more fuel to do exactly the same job; which makes it more expensive to run, and worse for the planet.

To put this into context, an old non-condensing G-rated boiler that is 70% efficient wastes 30p in every £1 that you spend on heating.

Whereas a new A-rated boiler with 92% efficiency is only wasting 8p in every £1.

Unfortunately, the process involved in burning fuel for heat will always result in some heat loss and wasted energy. But, it’s clear to see that a more efficient boiler will save you money.

Changes to the law in 2005 and the Boiler Plus regulations; mean that all new boilers have condensing technology and are A-rated for efficiency. New combi boilers also have to have one of four additional energy saving devices fitted.

You should check out our related blog: How to choose an energy efficient boiler.

Heating controls

To optimise your energy efficiency, you need to pair your new boiler with appropriate heating controls.

According to the Energy Saving Trust; you can save £70 and 300kg of carbon dioxide a year by installing and correctly using a programmer; room thermostat; and thermostatic radiator valves.

You should also consider investing in smart controls. Smart heating controls can often connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely through a tablet or smartphone.

There are a huge variety of options available with smart controls, such as zoning, geo-fencing and intelligent learning systems.

This gives you smarter control of your heating; remote access; and the promise from manufacturers of energy savings of between 20-30%.

The Heating People will be able to advise you on the best options for your central heating system.

Tip 6: Check the guarantee that comes with your new boiler

All new boilers come with a guarantee from the boiler manufacturer.

This means that if you experience a genuine fault with the boiler during the ‘guarantee period’; the manufacturer will repair the boiler free of charge.

Different manufacturers offer different lengths of guarantees. And often offer extended guarantees if the boiler is installed by an accredited installer.

New boilers with The Heating People come with a guarantee of up to 14 years, for your peace of mind.

Once we have installed your new boiler, we’ll register it with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee.

But you need to have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain its guarantee; whichever manufacturer you choose.

Conclusion…

We hope that you’ve found these tips helpful. For tailored advice on your new boiler, contact us today to book your free survey.

Useful links:

The Heating Hub article: Turning down your boiler flow rate

Heat Geek: Find a heat geek

The Energy Saving Trust: Heating Controls

Advice

Pros and cons of system boilers

Post author By Lucy
Post date April 18, 2022
No Comments on Pros and cons of system boilers

If you’ve looked online for boiler replacements, you’ve probably noticed that homeowners are often encouraged to choose a combi boiler. But whilst combi boilers are great, they’re not right for everyone. Often a system boiler would be a much better alternative.

System boilers are a perfect solution for larger homes with greater demands for heating and hot water. And homes that are interested in adding renewable technology to their heating system.

In this blog, we look at what a system boiler is, and discuss their major pros and cons. Hopefully this will help you to decide whether a system boiler might be a good option for you.

You might also find our related blogs: ‘Your options with a boiler replacement’ and 6 top tips for buying a new boiler helpful.

What are system boilers?

When it comes to choosing a new boiler, you have three types of boiler to choose from: heat-only boilers; system boilers; and combi boilers.

A heat-only boiler is a system that produces your heating and hot water using two tanks; a hot water cylinder and the boiler itself.

Combi boilers produce both your heating and hot water from one compact unit; without the need for external tanks or cylinders.

A system boiler shares some similarities with both combi and heat-only boilers.

A system boiler is similar to a heat-only boiler in that it stores hot water in a cylinder. But it doesn’t need any additional water tanks; because like a combi, it takes its cold water supply directly from the mains.

Since a system boiler holds some similarities to the other two types of boiler; it’s useful to compare them so that you can see what makes system boilers different:

How are system boilers different from heat-only boilers?

System boilers are sometimes confused with heat-only boilers because they too have a separate hot water cylinder.

The storage of hot water means that both heat-only and system boilers can meet high demands for hot water. And are good choices for larger homes with multiple bathrooms.

But there are some very important differences between a system boiler and a heat-only boiler.

A system boiler contains an expansion vessel and pump allowing the boiler to be installed in a sealed system. They use a pressurised heating circuit, topped up by mains water.

Whereas a heat-only boiler can be used on either an open vented system; which has a tank in the loft, or in a sealed system with the addition of an external pump and expansion vessel.

System boilers take up less space in the home than a heat-only boiler. Because they take their cold water supply directly from the mains. They also have more control options than heat-only boilers.

Read the pros and cons of heat-only boilers here.

How are system boilers different from combi boilers?

A combi or ‘combination’ boiler provides heating and hot water from the boiler itself. And doesn’t need any external tanks or cylinders.

An obvious advantage of a combi boiler over a system boiler is that it requires less space. So combi boilers are a good choice for smaller homes or flats that can’t accommodate a separate hot water cylinder.

A system boiler needs a hot water cylinder. Because although it takes it’s cold water directly from the mains (like a combi); it heats the water and then stores it until it’s needed.

This is different from a combi, which heats the water instantly when a tap is turned on. And therefore doesn’t need to store it.

Since combi boilers heat water on demand; they aren’t well suited to homes that have a high demand for hot water. In other words, where multiple taps or showers are being used at the same time.

System boilers, on the other hand, can store large quantities of hot water for extended periods of time. And can supply it to multiple outlets simultaneously. This makes them the ideal choice for a home with multiple bathrooms.

Read the pros and cons of combi boilers here.

How do system boilers work?

System boilers take their cold water supply directly from the incoming mains supply. The cold water is passed over the boiler’s heat exchanger, which heats up the water.

Once the water is hot, the boiler’s pump sends some of it to the hot water cylinder. It’s kept her until it’s needed to supply hot water to taps, showers, and baths.

The rest of the hot water is pumped to the radiators to warm up the home.

Since there’s a large store of hot water in the cylinder; a system boiler can provide a steady supply; even where families are using multiple taps and showers at the same time.

Pros of system boilers

Here are the main advantages of choosing a system boiler:

Pro: System boilers can meet a high demand for hot water

The main advantage of system boilers is their ability to supply multiple bathrooms and taps with hot water at the same time.

Unlike combi boilers, system boilers store large quantities of hot water. This means that they can meet a high demand for hot water.

This is perfect for larger homes; or for households where family members all want to be using hot water at the same time.

Pro: System boilers require less space than a heat-only boiler

Although a system boiler needs a hot water cylinder, it doesn’t need a cold water tank in the loft. This means that it takes up less space in the home than a heat-only boiler.

So, a system boiler can be a good option where there is high demand for hot water; but there is little or no loft space available.

Pro: System boilers are compatible with renewable energies such as solar power

Another advantage of system boilers over combis; is that they are easier to integrate with renewable heating systems, such as solar power.

If you’ve read any of our previous blogs on the future of gas boilers; climate change; heat pumps; and COP26; you’ll know that increased use of renewable energies is key to the UK meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

And the bonus is that by reducing your carbon footprint, you can save you money on your energy bills too.

Solar power is a renewable energy source which uses free (and environmentally friendly) heat from the sun to heat your water; rather than your boiler burning gas, which you have to pay for.

Solar panels can be used in conjunction with system boilers if the correct cylinder is connected to the system. This can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to heat a home.

A solar water heating system won’t provide 100% of the hot water required throughout the year. But a boiler can make up the difference.

Pro: System boilers can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating

Another great thing about system boilers is that they can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating.

Low temperature heating (LTH) systems are a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way of running gas boilers. But it doesn’t mean your house is cold!

Low temperature heating is a heating system where the temperature of the water that’s flowing around your heating system is reduced; without compromising your comfort.

In a traditional heating system; the temperature of the water flowing around your radiators is between 70 °C and 85 °C.

With a low temperature heating system; the temperature of the water could be 25 °C to 50 °C; whilst still keeping you nice and warm.

Running your heating system like this is much more efficient. Your boiler has to burn less gas to do its job; which will save money on fuel bills, as well as being better for the environment.

Pro: System boilers can be fitted with an immersion heater

Another bonus of having a system boiler over a combi; is that it can have an electric immersion heater fitted to its hot water cylinder.

An immersion heater can act as a backup and heat your water instead of your boiler. This is handy because it means you won’t be left without hot water if your boiler ever suffers a breakdown.

Cons of system boilers

Let’s look at the main drawbacks of a system boiler:

Con: System boilers take up more space than a combi boiler

Whilst system boilers take up less space in your home than a heat-only boiler; you still need space for a hot water cylinder.

If you don’t have space such as an airing cupboard for a cylinder; but you have a high demand for hot water, you could consider a storage combi boiler.

Con: System boilers can temporarily run out of hot water if your heating controls are not set up properly

Combi boilers never run out of hot water because they heat water instantly on demand. But as we’ve seen, system boilers don’t work like that. They heat water and then store it in a cylinder until it’s needed.

So the amount of hot water that you can use is limited by the capacity of your hot water cylinder.

If lots of hot water is used and the cylinder is completely emptied; you’ll run out of hot water and have to wait for the cylinder to refill. This generally takes between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the model.

But if you choose an expert engineer to install your size and install your boiler, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Your heating engineer will be able to design your heating system and cylinder to satisfy your hot water needs and set appropriate controls. If this is done correctly you shouldn’t run out of hot water.

Con: System boilers will lose heat from their cylinders if not insulated properly

One of the reasons that combi boilers are highly efficient; is because they heat water instantly on demand, and so you only pay for what you use.

A potential pitfall with a system boiler; is that you can waste hot water by having an uninsulated cylinder which allows the heat to escape.

If you’ve read our blog: What is heat loss and why is it important? You’ll know that reducing heat loss is vital in optimising your energy efficiency and saving money.

Fitting a hot water cylinder jacket (which cost as little as £20) will insulate your cylinder and the reduced rate of heat loss will help maintain the temperature of the water for longer.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy say that heat loss from a cylinder can be reduced by over 75%; saving around £40 per year on your energy bills.

Final thoughts…

System boilers are a great choice for larger homes with a high demand for hot water. They come with the added advantage of being compatible with low temperature heating and renewable energy sources.

We hope that you’ve found this quick guide useful.

For tailored advice on which is the best type of boiler for your home; call one of our friendly team today to book your free survey.

Useful links

Heat Geek: The benefits of low temperature heating systems

Advice Worcester Bosch

Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 versus Greenstar i

Post author By Lucy
Post date April 11, 2022
No Comments on Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 versus Greenstar i

Wondering how the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 compares to the old Worcester Bosch Greenstar i? …

When you’re on the hunt for a new boiler, it can be a daunting task.

There are lots of different manufacturers out there; each with their own vast array of models to suit every home and lifestyle.

Not only that, but the different models of boiler often have baffling names involving seemingly meaningless numbers and letters.

But don’t worry, The Heating People are here to help!

We’re experts at helping you to choose the perfect boiler for your needs. Which will keep you and your family comfortable, whilst helping you save money on your energy bills.

And although we’re Worcester Bosch Accredited Installers, we’re not tied to Worcester. We are accredited installers of many boiler brands. And we always provide completely impartial, expert advice.

If you’re wondering whether the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 will make you as happy as your old Greenstar i; this blog’s for you!

Who is Worcester Bosch?

Even if you’re not aware of their different models; we’re willing to bet that you’ve heard of the boiler manufacturer, Worcester Bosch.

Worcester was originally founded in 1962 and became part of the Worldwide Bosch Group in 1996.

They’ve been a market leader in domestic boilers for the last 50 years. Because they boast a large product range offering reliability and fantastic warranties.

Worcester Bosch doesn’t just produce gas and oil boilers though. Their product range also includes hot water cylinders; renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar water heating systems; as well as controls and accessories.

You might like our related blog: Why choose a Worcester Bosch boiler?

Why choose a Worcester Bosch boiler?

If you’re wondering why so many people opt for a boiler from Worcester Bosch; here are some of the benefits of this brand:

1. Worcester Bosch is a highly reputable company

The Worcester Bosch Group has built up a solid reputation for quality over the last 50 years.

Which? has shown their high regard for Worcester Bosch by giving them the highest brand score for nine years running.

In the Which Best Boiler Brands Report in 2020, Which? said:

‘Worcester Bosch performs so consistently well in our annual reliability surveys that its name is synonymous with dependability.’ Quite the accolade.

2. Worcester Bosch has a huge product range

Part of the reason we’ve written this blog is because there are so many different types of Worcester Bosch boilers to choose from!

Their extensive product range means that they’ll have a boiler to suit your home and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a heat-only system, a combi boiler or a system boiler.

3. Worcester Bosch is highly rated by customers

Feedback from customers is consistently positive for Worcester Bosch, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.

YouGov have ranked Worcester Bosch as the UK’s best value boiler brand; the most recommended boiler brand; and the best quality boiler brand.

4. Worcester Bosch boilers come with hefty guarantees

Worcester Bosch provide hefty 10-year warranties. So you can have the peace of mind that should anything go wrong, you’ll be covered.

Since The Heating People are Worcester Bosch Accredited Installers, we’re able to offer extended 12 year guarantees on some models.

But remember that you’ll need to keep up with annual servicing by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain your guarantee.

5. Worcester Bosch boilers are energy efficient

All Worcester Bosch boilers are ErP (Energy-related Products) A-rated.

And according to Worcester Bosch; adding a Bosch EasyControl internet-connected Smart controller to their Greenstar range; can further boost your heating system efficiency to an impressive 98% (also known as A+).

As well as being environmentally friendly, energy efficient boilers can save you money on your energy bills.

A-rated boilers are over 90% efficient. This means that over 90p of every £1 you spend on fuel is used for your heating and hot water.

With older G-rated gas boilers; only 70p (and sometimes less!) in your £1 is used where it should be, the rest is wasted.

This can make a huge difference to your bills. After all, your boiler is responsible for over 60% of your household’s annual energy costs. And that’s something to think about, given the current price of gas!

You might like our related blog: How to choose an energy efficient boiler.

6. Worcester Bosch spare parts are easily available

Since Worcester are based in the UK and their boilers are very popular; securing parts should anything go wrong is usually straightforward.

How much do Worcester Bosch boilers cost?

Worcester Bosch gas boilers cost between £570 and £1,500, depending on their type and size.

How do I buy a Worcester Bosch boiler?

You can’t buy Worcester Bosch boilers directly from Worcester Bosch. Instead, you need to have one supplied through a Worcester Accredited Installer, such as The Heating People.

We specialise in Worcester products and can offer extended guarantees.

What boilers does Worcester Bosch offer in its Greenstar combi range?

Combi boilers produce both heating and hot water on demand, without the need for a cylinder.

All the Greenstar combis are designed to provide high levels of performance and operating efficiency. The combi boilers in this range include the Greenstar:

8000 Life
8000 Style
CDi Compact
4000
2000
i
CDi High Flow

Some of the appealing features about the Greenstar range is that Worcester have created: a freeze-proof condensate pipe; a low energy pump that reduces electrical consumption; and instantaneous hot water.

The old Greenstar i Series

Prior to the introduction of the Greenstar 4000, Worcester’s most popular combi boiler was the Greenstar i. The Greenstar i is no longer in production, but there are still some in the supply chain.

The Greenstar i was a very popular boiler because it suited small to medium sized homes with one bathroom; and the controls were straightforward.

Worcester Bosch describes the 4000 as being ‘instantly familiar and yet totally transformed’; since it was built on the old tried and tested model.

The 4000 is an improvement on the i in terms of the speed and ease of installation; commissioning and servicing; alongside improvements in efficiency and control.

What are the improvements with the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000?

Let’s look at why the 4000 is better than its predecessor…

More compact

WB, worcester bosch, greenstar, greenstar 4000, 4000

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 has smaller dimensions than its predecessor; having been designed to fit within kitchen cupboards and airing cupboards. This gives you more options in where you would like to install your boiler.

Super stylish

What you can’t help but notice about the Worcester Bosch 4000 is its sleek and stylish design.

It’s very similar in appearance to the sleek Worcester Bosch 8000 LifeStyle boiler.

Featuring curved edges, and LCD digital display; it’s a far cry from the dull white box we expect from a boiler!

It’s quiet

The Worcsetr Bosch Greenstar 4000 is 10% quieter than the Greenstar i, so it’s whisper quiet!

High hot water flow rates

The 4000 can produce up to 12.3 litres of hot water out of your tap in a minute. And operates extremely well in low water pressure areas; ensuring powerful and warm showers.

With full flow rates from just 1 bar of pressure; they’re a great choice if you live in a high rise building or area with low mains pressure.

Improved energy efficiency

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 is ErP A-rated, with an impressive 94% efficiency.

And according to Worcester Bosch, adding a Bosch EasyControl internet-connected Smart controller; can further boost your heating system efficiency to 98% (also known as A+).

SimpleSwitch feature

If you’re thinking of upgrading your old Greenstar 30i to theWorcester Bosch Greenstar 4000; the latest SimpleSwitch feature means that replacement is even easier.

Frozen condensate protection

The 4000 has a condensate pipe which is specially designed so that it doesn’t freeze when the temperature drops in winter.

This means that you can avoid problems with your boiler going off due to frozen pipes.

Intelligent filling system

If you regularly experience problems associated with your boiler pressure dropping; you’ll appreciate the intelligent filling system of the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000.

This feature helps to maintain optimum boiler pressure – consistently and reliably.

In summary…

If you liked the old Greenstar i; you’ll definitely like the new Greenstar 4000, which is following in the footsteps of its best-selling predecessor.

The main differences are the new and improved sleeker look, and the compact size.

The combi boiler options also offer a higher flow rate of 10.2 and 12.3 litres a minute; which is good news for your showers.

Check out our related blog: Worcester Bosch Greenstar 2000.

For a free, fixed price quotation, call The Heating People today to book your survey. We can offer a guarantee of 10 years on this model.

Useful Links:

Worcester Bosch boiler range

YouGov Worcester Bosch

Which? Reviews Worcester Bosch

Advice

22 Tips to reduce your gas bill

Post author By Lucy
Post date March 28, 2022
No Comments on 22 Tips to reduce your gas bill

With gas prices soaring, we’ve put together this list of 22 tips to help you to reduce your gas bill.

A perfect storm of factors from a global pandemic to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have caused gas prices to soar.

Electricity and gas bills are set to rise by 54% in April, with fears that the Ukraine crisis could increase them even further from October.

With home heating (mostly fueled by gas) accounting for around 60% of your energy bills, optimising the energy efficiency of your heating system is more important than ever.

One of the most effective ways to reduce your gas bill is to replace an aging boiler with a new, energy efficient model. But there are other lower cost ways you can reduce your gas usage.

If you’re looking for ways to reduce what you’re paying out on your energy bills, read on…

Why are gas prices increasing?

If you’ve read our blog: The Gas Fuel Crisis, you’ll know that a culmination of different factors has led to a record rise in global gas prices over the last year.

Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, wholesale gas prices had quadrupled!

Consumers were initially protected from these rises by Ofgem’s price cap. This cap limits what companies can charge per unit of gas.

Because gas companies were having to sell gas to consumers for much less than they bought it for, 29 of them went bust.

Ofgem announced that the price cap would rise by an eye-watering 54% in April 2022.

But not long after this, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since Russian gas accounts for about 40% of the EU’s gas imports, the price of gas has increased even further!

Wholesale gas prices are currently around £4 per therm, which is more than ten times the level a year ago when it was around 35p.

How much more will I be paying for my gas?

The energy price cap will increase from the 1st of April for approximately 22 million customers.

According to Ofgem, those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £693 from £1,277 to £1,971 per year (difference due to rounding). Prepayment customers are facing an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.

But the price cap is updated twice a year, and there are now fears that the war in Ukraine may result in another price cap increase in October.

Experts say that if the price of gas remains at its current levels, household gas bills could reach more than £280-a-month or £3,000-a-year by the autumn.

With households feeling the squeeze as the cost-of-living soars, understanding how to take control of your energy usage at home is vital.

Can I switch energy providers?

Previously, a good way of saving money on energy bills was to check your bills and switch to a different (and cheaper) energy provider.

But unfortunately, switching energy providers to get a cheaper deal isn’t possible now, as there are no deals that are meaningfully cheaper than Ofgem’s price cap.

So, the best way to save during the current energy crisis is to use less. Let’s look at some tips for reducing your energy usage, and therefore your bills.

Tips for reducing your gas bill

As gas prices sky-rocket, you’ll need to be savvy with how you use your gas. Thankfully, there are some simple things that you can do to save money on your gas bill:

1. Reduce your gas bill with a smart meter

The first step in reducing your gas bill, is to keep a watchful eye on how you’re using your energy.

Understanding where your costs are coming from, allows you to make little changes or adjustments to save money.

Smart meters are gas and electricity meters that come with an in-home display that shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence in near real-time.

Smart meters make it easy to keep an eye on how much you’re spending. This can help you to make small changes to your habits which will reduce your household costs.

Another advantage of having a smart meter is that they send readings to your energy provider automatically. This means you’ll get more accurate bills without having to take readings yourself.

2. Reduce your gas bill with heating controls

Heating controls are vital in keeping your home comfortable, without wasting energy. So hopefully you’re already using them!

But if you’re not… installing a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves, could save you around £75 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

It will also cut your home’s carbon footprint by 320kg a year, which is important in our quest for net-zero by 2050.

3. Reduce your gas bill with a programmable thermostat

If you only have a basic room thermostat, it’s worth upgrading to a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats have a built-in timer which lets you schedule your heating to come on and go off automatically at different times of day.

Unlike the standard room thermostat, you won’t have to manually adjust the heating. This means that your property will be heated up when it needs to be, and you can save money when you don’t need the heating on.

You could go one step further by installing a smart thermostat…

4. Reduce your gas bill with a smart thermostat

A significant step-up from the programmable thermostat, is the smart thermostat.

A smart thermostat is a thermostat that can be controlled by an internet-connected device, such as your phone, tablet, or smart speaker.

A smart thermostat will let you view and monitor how much energy you’re using, making it easier to see where you could save money. Nest even uses a green leaf symbol to help you to choose more energy efficient options.

Smart thermostats are more flexible than other heating controls because you can control your heating system remotely. This is handy because you can turn your heating off from your phone if you’re stuck in traffic or have had a change of plans. So, you never waste energy heating an empty home.

But the energy savings don’t end with having remote control of your heating. Smart controls offer a huge range of different features that can help to save you money, such as:

Hot water control;
Multi-room control or zonal heating;
Motion sensors and GPS tracking;
Weather compensation;
Intelligent self-learning for automatic scheduling;
Holiday modes;
Voice control.

Manufacturers of smart controls make bold claims about how much money you can save with a smart thermostat. Tado claims you could save up to 31% on your energy bills!

But these savings will only apply if you previously left your heating on at a single temperature constantly; or didn’t fully utilise your programmable thermostat. If you’re already quite energy conscious, you’ll see lower savings and a longer payback period.

Check out our related blog: Does smart heating save money.

5. Reduce your gas bill with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)

If your radiators have basic valves that only let you turn them on or off, you should consider upgrading them to thermostatic radiator valves.

Thermostatic radiator valves or ‘TRVs’ are a heating control that attach to the side of your radiators. They control the air temperature of your rooms by automatically adjusting the amount of hot water that enters the radiator they are attached to.

This means that you can have different heating zones throughout your home, so you’re not wasting energy heating rooms that you don’t use very often.

The Greenage says that the use of TRVs has been linked to energy savings as significant as 40%. But this will vary greatly depending on factors such as the performance of your radiators, insulation and how many rooms they are installed in.

6. Reduce your gas bill by turning your thermostat down

One of the simplest ways to save energy is by turning your heating down a single degree.

Although one degree might not sound like much, Government research has shown that turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree can save up to 10% on your heating bills.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, this one simple tip could reduce your energy bills by around £80 a year, and would you even notice the difference?!

7. Reduce your gas bill by rescheduling your heating

As well as turning your thermostat down by one degree, you should think about whether you can alter your heating schedule without affecting your comfort.

Could you switch your heating off a little earlier, and turn it back on again a little later?

If you’ve got decent insulation (more on this later) your home should generally retain heat for an hour after the heating has been turned off. So, you might not need your heating on for as long as you think. It’s certainly worth trialing a slightly shorter schedule!

8. Reduce your gas bill by using less hot water

As well as heating the rooms in your home, your boiler is also using energy to give you hot water.

Combi boilers deliver the hot water directly, whereas heat-only and system boilers do this through a hot water cylinder. But either way, it’s contributing to your gas bill.

And unlike with the heating, which we might switch off in the winter months, we use hot water all year round.

The average person in the UK uses a whopping 145 litres of water a day.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy says that around a quarter of the water we use is for showers and baths, and this accounts for about 10-20% of a typical household’s energy bills. And this doesn’t include heating water for washing-up or doing the washing.

So, it’s not surprising that hot water can make up a significant part of your gas bill!

Here are some simple ways you could reduce your hot water usage:

Take a shower instead of a bath;
Spend one minute less in the shower (The Energy Saving Trust says this can save £4 per person per year);
Fit an eco-shower head on your power shower;
Wash up in a bowl, rather than running a tap;
Only turn on washing machines and dishwashers when they are full;
Wash clothes at 30 degrees wherever possible;
Fix any dripping taps;
Insulate your hot water cylinder if you have one, and make sure it is set to the correct temperature.

9. Reduce your gas bill by using your boiler rather than an immersion heater

If you have a hot water cylinder with an electric immersion heater, you should use your boiler to heat your water, even in the summer.

Heating water with an immersion heater is more expensive, and you should reserve this for use as an emergency back-up if your boiler breaks down.

10. Reduce your gas bill by turning down your water temperature

If your hot water is extremely hot, you’ll be wasting energy (and money) by heating it past a comfortable temperature.

You can reduce the temperature of the hot water which comes out of your taps by adjusting a dial on the front of your boiler.

11. Reduce your gas bill by turning down the flow temperature on your combi boiler

A recent report by the Heating and Hot Water Council (HHIC) found that households can save around 6-8% on their gas bill just by turning down the flow temperature on their condensing combi boiler.

This doesn’t mean turning down your thermostat. It means that your home is heated to a comfortable temperature while running the water in your heating system at a lower temperature.

To find out more about this, check out our related blog: The benefits of low temperature heating.

12. Reduce your gas bill with regular boiler servicing

Booking an annual service with a Gas Safe engineer is not only vital in keeping you and your family safe; but also keeps your boiler working at maximum efficiency.

A well-maintained boiler will work more efficiently than a neglected one.

This is important because an efficient boiler uses less energy to heat your home, which means regular services can help keep energy costs lower.

During a service, your engineer will clean up any dirt and debris that has collected in your boiler. This improves the heat transfer, allowing your boiler to light more easily and burn efficiently.

Regular servicing helps your boiler to run optimally, using only as much energy as is necessary to heat your home.

Skipping your annual service could lead to faults, higher energy bills, and your warranty ending early – so get booked in!

13. Reduce your gas bill by bleeding your radiators

Although they’re often overlooked, your radiators are just as important as your boiler in keeping you warm.

Over time, pockets of air can build up in your radiators, preventing the hot water from circulating properly. These pockets of air result in cold spots on your radiators and reduce the surface area for heat to be transferred to your room.

This reduces the efficiency of your heating system because your boiler will be burning more energy trying to get your rooms up to temperature.

The good news is that there’s a simple fix to remove the unwanted air from your system – bleeding your radiators.

Bleeding your radiators not only makes your home warmer but can also help to reduce your energy bill. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to bleed your radiators, here.

If after bleeding your radiators, they still feel cool, ask your engineer about a power flush.

14. Reduce your gas bill by rearranging your furniture

Another simple tip to help your radiators do their job, is to check that they’re not being obstructed by any sofas or big pieces of furniture.

Move your furniture an inch or two away from your radiators to allow the air to circulate properly. And don’t hang your washing on them, use a clothes airer instead!

15. Reduce your gas bill by improving your home’s insulation

The last thing you want when you’ve paid a premium for your gas, is for your heat to be pouring out of your house as quickly as you’re producing it. But without decent insulation, that’s precisely what’s happening!

And unfortunately, Britain has some of the worst insulated housing stock in Europe, leaving households extremely vulnerable to spikes in gas prices.

All buildings suffer from heat loss, but insulation slows this process down. The longer you can hang on to your heat, the less gas you’ll have to burn to keep warm. And this will save you money on your bills.

According to the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group, better insulation could save UK households more than £500 a year on energy bills.

Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) revealed that by upgrading the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) of homes from a band D to a band C reduced gas demand in homes by 20%. This equated to an average saving of £194 per year from April 2022.

So, you should consider whether you can improve your insulation in any of the following ways:

16. Reduce your gas bill by insulating your walls

According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), an average semi-detached house can expect to save approximately £225 per year on their energy bills and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 930kg by insulating their walls.

17. Reduce your gas bill by insulating your loft

The EST says that where an average semi-detached house goes from having no insulation, to 270mm of insulation, energy bills will be reduced by up to £150 per year, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by up to 610 kg.

18. Reduce your gas bill by upgrading to double or triple glazing

Whilst there will be a cost to fitting double glazing, the annual savings on your energy bills for an average semi-detached house, is between £75-80, according to the EST.

19. Reduce your gas bill by draught-proofing your home

To effectively draught-proof your property, block up any unwanted gaps that let cold air in. This can be as simple as hanging heavy curtains; using a chimney balloon; and placing rugs over gaps in floor boards.

20. Reduce your gas bill by insulating your hot water cylinder

If you have a heating system with a hot water cylinder, check whether it has an insulating jacket. The EST says that just fitting your hot water cylinder with an insulating jacket will save you £20 a year in heating costs and 150kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

Check out our blog: How to reduce heat loss at home, for more tips.

21. Reduce your gas bill by replacing your boiler

If you have an old boiler, now is a very good time to consider replacing it with a new and efficient model.

You might like to read our guide: How to choose an energy efficient boiler.

Heating technology has come a long way in the last few years, and modern boilers are much more efficient, having to comply with the Boiler Plus Regulations on energy efficiency.

If you have an ancient boiler, it will have older, less efficient, technology. Add to this, the fact that boilers tend to lose some efficiency over time, and you’ve got a recipe for much higher running costs than with a modern replacement.

Modern A-rated boilers must be at least 92% efficient which means that only 8p in every £1 is lost in the heating process. Whereas an old G-rated boiler that’s only 70% efficient, will be wasting 30p in every £1. So, the savings can soon mount up.

If you’re swapping a G-rated boiler for an A-rated one, you’ll certainly see a huge difference on your fuel bills. According to the EST, you could save as much as £340 a year on your gas bill if you’re trading in an old-style non-condensing boiler for a new condensing one. And with the current price of gas being what it is, the savings are likely to be much higher than this!

For tailored advice on what you could save, contact one of our team today to book your free survey.

You might also like our related blog: 6 Top tips for buying a new boiler

22. Reduce your gas bill by checking whether you’re eligible for any energy efficiency grants or schemes

It’s also worth checking whether you’re eligible for any energy schemes or grants to help you pay your energy bills. Some schemes to investigate include:

Council Tax Rebate for bands A-D – You will get £150 back from the council to help pay your energy bills;

The Warm Home Discount – £140 mainly to pensioners and those who get certain benefits;

Cold Weather Payment – available if you already receive pension credit; income support; income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Universal Credit;

The Winter Fuel Payment – £100 – £300 per winter for those born before 26 September 1955;

Grants for energy debts – If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off;

The Boiler upgrade scheme (from April 2022) – up to £5,000 to replace your current gas or oil heating with low-carbon heating.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about the current price of gas. But we can take simple steps to optimise the energy efficiency of our heating systems, to get more bang for our buck.

By following as many of these tips as you can, you should be able to make some savings on your gas bill.

We hope that you’ve found this article useful. For tailored advice on improving your heating system, contact The Heating People today to book your free survey.

Useful links

Ofgem: Statement on April price rises

The Greenage: TRVs

Advice

How much does a boiler cost?

Post author By Lucy
Post date March 14, 2022
No Comments on How much does a boiler cost?

If you’ve decided it’s time for a new boiler; there’s a good chance you’re feeling daunted by all of the different makes and models, and are wondering how much it’s likely to cost.

There are lots of factors that contribute to the cost of a new boiler, but this handy guide explains why the cost of a new boiler can vary. And will help you to understand how much you can expect to pay.

You might like our related blog: Boiler FAQs.

To start with, you’ll need to consider why you’re looking for a new boiler, and what type of boiler you need…

Why are you looking for a new boiler?

There are many reasons why you might be looking for a new boiler. And ultimately, the cost of a boiler will depend on what your heating and hot water needs are; and what you’re hoping to achieve from your new heating system.

Although we only tend to think about our boilers when they’re on the blink, there are lots of benefits of replacing an operational boiler, so you might be planning ahead.

But whether you’re replacing a boiler because your old one has stopped working; or you’re looking to improve your energy efficiency; remember that a cheaper initial outlay could cost you more down the line in fuel bills.

Although some modern boilers can be pricey, they could potentially save you money in the long run, by improving the energy efficiency of your home.

What type of boiler do I need?

The next question to help determine cost, is what type of boiler you need. And whether this is a different type of system from what you already have.

Naturally, it will cost more to overhaul a whole heating system, rather than replacing like for like.

There are three main types of boilers: heat-only or conventional boilers; combination or ‘combi’ boilers; and system boilers.

Heat-only boilers

‘Conventional’ or ‘regular’ boilers are sometimes known as ‘heat-only’ because very simply; the boiler provides the heating and a cylinder provides hot water.

These boilers have both a hot water cylinder (usually in the airing cupboard) and a cold-water storage tank in the attic or loft.

Heat-only boilers need a large feed tank which is usually stored in an attic or loft. This tank receives cold water from the mains and feeds it down to your boiler.

Once the fuel has been ignited, the heat exchanger warms water which is then transported to the hot-water cylinder by a pump.

This stored hot-water is then sent to your taps and radiators when you need it.

The main advantage of this system is that they work well in large households with multiple bathrooms because they can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

They can also be fitted with an additional electrical immersion heater to provide you with back-up hot water in case your boiler ever suffers a breakdown.

The price of installing a conventional system will vary depending on your current situation and needs, but as a rough guide, the three cost scenarios are:

Replacing a heat-only boiler with a new heat-only boiler will cost between £1800-3000.
Upgrading from a heat-only boiler to a combi boiler will cost between £2200-£3500.
Switching from a heat-only to a system boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

Combi Boilers

Combis are the most popular boiler type in the UK. They get their name because they provide both your heating and hot water from one all-in-one (combined) unit, with no need for external cylinders or tanks.

Combis can heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a hot tap. They typically have two heat exchangers, one for your heating (radiators) and the other for your hot water supply.

The primary heat exchanger focuses on your radiators and carries hot water around your home. The secondary exchanger is for heating the water that comes out of your taps.

The main advantages of combi systems are that they are space saving, due to there only being one component part, and they never run out of hot water.

The price of installing a combi boiler will vary depending on your current system and needs, but as a rough guide, there are two main cost scenarios here:

The new combi boiler is replacing an existing combi boiler – this will cost between £1800-3000.
Upgrading from a conventional boiler to a Combi boiler will cost between £2200-£3500.

System Boilers

System boilers feature aspects of both a conventional boiler and a combi.

Like a heat-only boiler, a system boiler needs a hot water storage cylinder to heat and store hot water for your taps.

But it doesn’t need a tank in the attic because, like a combi, it takes its water supply directly from the mains.

This cold water is then heated via a heat exchanger, which transfers energy from the gas jets to the water. Once heated, the water is pumped into a large hot water cylinder, where it is stored until required.

Since there is a large store of hot water always available, a steady supply can be maintained even if multiple taps or showers are in use at the same time.

Similarly, to heat-only boilers, a main advantage of system boilers is that they work well in large households as they can supply hot water simultaneously to multiple bathrooms as it’s stored in the hot water tank.

It is unlikely that someone would wish to swap their existing system boiler for a combi or heat-only boiler, so the main cost scenario for a system boiler would be:

Replacing a system boiler with a new system boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

You can read about the pros and cons of system boilers here.

What brand of boiler?

Just like with anything you buy, be it a mobile phone, or a pair of trainers; the brand (or manufacturer) of boiler that you choose can make a difference to the price that you’ll pay.

We often get asked: ‘which brand is best?’ by people looking for a new boiler.

People will often seek out the big brands when it comes to buying mobile phones and other gadgets, and want to know whether this is a tactic they should use when getting a new boiler.

But just as there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ boiler for everybody, there’s no ‘right’ boiler brand either. Each brand (and individual model within the brand) has their own pros and cons, which need to be weighed up for your particular needs.

The Heating People are not tied to any manufacturer and can work with the brand of your choice. But we have our favourites!

We are:

Vaillant Advance Installers;
Worcester Bosch Accredited Installers;
ATAG Selected Partners;
Viessmann Trained Installers.

Generally our favourites for the three different types of boiler system are as follows:

Worcester or ATAG for conventional boilers.

Vaillant ecoTEC Exclusive 835 with Green iQ and the ATAG iC Economiser Plus for combi boilers – due to their in-built FGHRS.

ATAG for system boilers due to the advanced control options available; high build quality; and relatively low cost.

To find out more about our top 5 combi boilers of 2022, check out our related blog here.

What size boiler do I need?

When people talk about how powerful your boiler needs to be they are referring to the kW (kilowatt) output, rather than the physical size of the appliance itself.

The higher the kW output of a boiler, the more it can cope with your heating and hot water demands.

You need to choose a boiler that can cope with the heating demands of your home.

But this isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s vital that you don’t oversize or undersize your boiler.

If you choose a boiler that’s too big, you’ll be wasting energy and paying over the odds on your bills.

But if it’s too small, it might not be powerful enough to heat your home, or give you enough hot water.

Size with a heat loss calculation

But don’t worry – The Heating People will find the perfect size boiler for your needs by conducting a whole house heat loss calculation. This is included as standard as part of your free quotation, and it is industry best practice under The Building Regulations.

Beware of any engineer that wants to size a boiler by counting your radiators – this is completely inaccurate!

A heat loss calculation only takes about ten minutes on site. We use heat engineer software, as this gives us an accurate enough calculation to be able to size a gas or oil boiler.

For more detailed calculations for renewable energy systems or if your house is borderline between two boiler sizes, we can complete a room-by-room cross calculation for a more accurate result.

Rough guide to boiler size

But since we get asked this a lot, here is a very rough guide on the kW boiler that will cater to your home.

24 – 30 kW Combi

Suitable to provide heating and hot water to a home with one bathroom. If you have an en suite with an electric shower, this size of boiler will still be suitable.

30-36 kW Combi

Suitable for homes with two bathrooms.

For larger homes with more than two bathrooms, a storage combination boiler or stored hot water should be considered. Although larger combi boilers are available, they’re often not the best solution.

How much does it cost to install a new boiler?

The price of replacing a boiler costs less than you might think. It obviously depends on what you are changing from, and what you are changing to. But as a rough guide, at The Heating People:

Replacing an existing combi boiler with a new combi boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

Upgrading from a heat-only boiler to a combi boiler will cost between £2200-£3500.

Replacing a heat-only boiler with a new heat-only boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

Switching from a heat-only to a system boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

Swapping a system boiler with a new system boiler will cost between £1800-3000.

Contact The Heating People today to arrange your free quotation.

What’s involved in a new boiler installation?

Once you have decided you need a boiler replacement, you may be wondering what process you can expect from The Heating People.

Although all homes and heating systems are different, this is a rough guide to the work included in the cost of an installation with us:

Survey

When you get in touch, we’ll arrange a convenient time to carry out a survey of your home.

On this visit we will discuss your wants and needs from your new heating system, review your existing system, and discuss the options available to you.

We’ll also take some technical measurements such as water flow rate, and we’ll measure your home for an estimated heat loss calculation. This enables us to determine the correct boiler for your home.

Quotation

After visiting your home, we’ll send you a fixed price quotation. This will have details of the boilers we recommend based on your survey, together with any accessories and options that you may wish to add to your quotation.

Booking

Once you’ve decided to go ahead with the work, we’ll take a small deposit and confirm your installation date.

Arrival of the engineer at your home

On installation day, your engineer will discuss the planned work with you. They’ll explain where they need access to, and for how long, so that you can plan your day.

Protecting your home

Rest assured that your engineer will take good care of your home, and will put down floor coverings in all work areas and transit routes, so that your carpets will be protected from any debris.

Draining your old system

Your engineer may need to switch off your water for a short period while they drain down your old system.

Test the gas for leaks

Your engineer will complete a let by and gas tightness test to ensure that your gas emergency control valve is working correctly, and that there are no leaks on your gas pipework.

Removal of the old boiler

Your engineer will remove the old boiler and any old redundant equipment.

Flush and clean

Depending on what we have discussed during the quotation stage, we will use the flushing method agreed upon, to ensure that your heating system is clean for your new boiler.

This will help to preserve the guarantee on your new boiler; extend the life of your boiler; help to prevent future breakdowns; and improve the efficiency of your heating system.

Upgrade and change pipework if required

To fit your new boiler properly, your engineer may need to alter or upgrade pipework. The Heating People use only copper or professional press fit systems; we do not use DIY style push-fit systems.

Making good

Where your new boiler’s flue is in a new position, we will make good the existing flue hole, with bricks that are of a close match to your home.

Fitting the boiler

Your engineer will then install your new boiler, the boiler flue, and make all the pipework connections.

Controls

Your engineer will then fit controls and accessories as agreed, such as: temperature sensors; thermostats; timers; system filters; and filling loops.

Commissioning of the system

Your engineer will then fill; test; set to work; and commission your system; filling out all commissioning test results in your benchmark log book.

This will document all safety test results and confirm that the installation complies with safety regulations.

Handover

Your engineer will then complete a handover with you when all the work is complete. This ensures that you are as informed as possible on how to operate the boiler, how to use all the controls, and how to get the best efficiency from your system.

Register the boiler

Once The Heating People have installed your new boiler, we will register it with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee and we will notify your local building control via the Gas Safe Register.

How long does it take to install a new boiler?

How long a boiler replacement will take, will vary depending on what work is needed, if your boiler is moving location or if you have a like-for-like boiler. It usually takes between 1-3 days.

Final thoughts…

We hope that you’ve found this blog useful.

If you would like to talk to someone about the cost of replacing or upgrading your heating system, please contact one of our team at The Heating People, who will be happy to help you.

You might like our related blog: 6 Top tips for replacing your boiler.

0151 792 6245

What is a combi boiler?

What are the advantages of a combi boiler?

What are the disadvantages of a combi boiler?

What is a storage combi?

What sort of properties are best suited to storage combi boilers?

Storage combi or ‘normal’ combi?

What is your hot water demand?

What are the advantages of a storage combi boiler?

Space-saving

Can supply hot water to multiple outlets at the same time

Storage combis are cheaper than system boilers

Storage combis are compatible with solar thermal options

What are the disadvantages of storage combi boilers?

More expensive than standard combi boilers

Bigger than standard combi boilers

Different models of storage combi boilers have a different hot water capacity

Storage combis can sometimes have a reduction in flow rate

Will I need extra storage space for a storage combi?

Would a system boiler be a better option than a storage combi?

What are the advantages of a system boiler?

What are the disadvantages of a system boiler?

Final thoughts…

Useful Links:

1. The importance of the installer

Safety

Optimising the efficiency of your heating system

Choose a Heat Geek!

2. The importance of an efficient boiler

Heating controls to improve efficiency

How much money can be saved with smart controls?

3. The importance of a reliable boiler

4. The importance of boiler type

Combi boilers

System boilers

Heat-only or conventional boilers

Which type of boiler do I need?

5. The importance of size

Size your boiler with heat loss calculations

6. The lowest price is not always the best

Final thoughts…

Useful Links:

What information will I be given about the heating in my new house?

Heating checks for buying a new house: The TA6 Form

Heating checks for buying a new house: The Energy Performance Certificate

Heating checks for buying a new house: What type of fuel does the boiler use?

Heating checks for buying a new house: What type of boiler system is installed in the property?

Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers

Combination or ‘combi’ boilers

System boilers

Heating checks for buying a new house: How old is the boiler?

Heating checks for buying a new house: Does the boiler come with a guarantee?

Heating checks for buying a new house: What are the radiators and pipes like?

Heating checks for buying a new house: Do the radiators have TRVs on them?

Heating checks for buying a new house: What is the insulation at the property like?

Heating checks for buying a new house: Are the windows double glazed?

Heating checks for buying a new house: Gas Safety when buying a new house

So, what next?

Useful Links:

What is a condemned boiler?

Why are boilers condemned?

What are the risks of having an unsafe boiler at home?

1. Gas leaks

2. Fires and explosions

3. Carbon monoxide poisoning

The two categories of condemned boiler

Condemned boiler: Immediately Dangerous (ID)

Condemned boiler: At Risk (AR)

What is an ESP Visit?

Condemned boiler – What happens?

Condemned boiler – What to do next

Try not to panic!

Get good advice

Find the right boiler

Can you sell a house with a condemned boiler?

How to avoid a condemned boiler in the future

Keep up to date with your boiler service

Invest in a new boiler

Get a professional to fit (and service) your boiler

Final thoughts…