Category: Advice

Advice

10 Tips for saving money on your energy bills

Post author By Lucy
Post date October 19, 2021
No Comments on 10 Tips for saving money on your energy bills

Looking for some tips for saving money on your energy bills?

With wholesale gas prices skyrocketing 250% since January, we’re willing to bet that you want to make some energy savings where you can.

A whopping two-thirds of the energy used in UK homes goes on our central heating and hot water.

Ofgem says that the average household spends around £1,2542 every year on electricity and gas bills (it’ll be more this year!) – but there are some simple things that you can do to reduce this.

With some tweaks to your habits, you could cut your energy bills and spend the money you save on something you enjoy instead.

So, if you want some tips on saving some cash (whilst doing your bit for the planet too), this blog’s for you!

You might also like our related blog: 22 Tips to reduce your gas bill.

1. Save money on your energy bills by replacing your old boiler

If your boiler is in its golden years, it’s worth considering replacing it for a new, efficient model.

New boilers are more efficient than older ones (because they have condensing technology) and can therefore save you money on your heating bills.

This is because an efficient boiler needs to burn less fuel (usually gas) to keep you comfortable. An older, inefficient boiler burns loads more fuel to do exactly the same job, which makes it more expensive to run, and worse for the planet.

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

The Boiler Plus legislation requires that all new combi boilers are A rated for energy efficiency, which means that they are at least 92% efficient.

But if you’ve got an older G rated boiler, it could be 70% efficient or less! This means that for every £1 you spend on your heating bill you are wasting 30p on lost energy.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that 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.

So, if you have an old boiler; or you’ve noticed it isn’t performing like it used to; or your energy bills are increasing without explanation; it might be worth discussing with us whether a new boiler could save you money.

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

2. Save money on your energy bills by servicing your boiler

Just like getting an MOT for your car, your boiler needs to be serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer.

Not only will this help to keep your boiler safe, but it will help you to save money on your heating bills.

A well-maintained boiler will run more efficiently because a service will clean up any deposits that have built up in the boiler.

Ensuring that the internal combustion areas are free of dirt and debris will improve the heat transfer, allowing your boiler to light more easily and burn efficiently, which can lead to lower heating bills.

3. Save money on your energy bills by turning down your thermostat

Ok, ok, we know this isn’t a popular one – but stay with us!

We’re not suggesting that you should have to freeze your butt off or wear ten jumpers at home! But by turning down your thermostat down by as little as 1ºC can cut your annual bills by up to 10%.

Lots of people are tempted to crank up the heating when it gets chilly out. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, 52% of people mistakenly believe that turning up their thermostat will heat their home up faster. But this simply isn’t true.

Thermostats don’t have any control over the speed at which your house heats up, all they do is set the maximum temperature that you want your room to be.

So, if you’ve let your home get freezing cold, and then you crank your thermostat up to 28, it will still heat the rooms at the same speed that it would if it was set to 21. The result is that you’ll get uncomfortably hot and have wasted a significant amount of energy by overheating your home.

The Energy Saving Trust says that turning your thermostat down by one degree can help you to save £60 on your annual energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions by 310kg a year.

With this much financial and environmental sense, it must be worth a degree – would you even notice the difference?

4. Save money on your energy bills by using timers

You don’t need your heating to be on full blast 24/7 to be comfortable, and if you’re paying to have a warm house when you’re sleeping or are out at work, you’re wasting money burning energy you simply don’t need.

A timer or programmer allows you to control when your heating and hot water comes on and when it goes off.

Using timers to program when your heating system comes on, and turns off, will make sure you’re warm and cozy when you want to be, without wasting money.

The trick is to set your heating to come on half an hour before you get out of bed, or get home from work, because an average home takes around 30 mins to heat up when the heating comes on.

5. Save money on your energy bills by using Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Just as you don’t need your heating on 24/7 to be comfortable, you probably don’t need all your rooms to be always at the same temperature.

Do you even use all the rooms that you’re heating?

Whilst some rooms need to be warm, it’s pointless (and wasteful) to keep your bedroom warm, whilst the whole family is sat in the kitchen.

Installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves or ‘TRV’s’ is a simple, and relatively cheap solution to this problem.

A TRV is a valve that attaches directly to the top or bottom of your radiators, letting you control the temperature of individual rooms, or ‘zone’ your heating. This means that you can turn down the heat in rooms you are not using, which will save energy.

The Greenage says that energy savings resulting from using TRVs can be as high as 40%. But this will depend on the efficiency of your radiators, your insulation and how many rooms your TRVs are installed in.

The EST estimates that you will save £75 and 320kg of carbon dioxide a year by installing and correctly using a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves.

As well as saving money, TRVs can also help you tailor your heating to exactly how you like it. So, if you like it warm in your lounge while you’re watching Netflix, but prefer your bedroom cooler for sleeping in, you can adjust your TRVs to reflect this.

6. Save money on your energy bills by drying your clothes on an airer

Are you guilty of hanging your washing on your radiators to dry? If so, you’ll be reducing the efficiency of your heating and thereby increasing your heating bills.

This is because radiators produce around 80% of their heat through convection, and if you obstruct them with clothes or heavy curtains, they won’t be able to heat your room properly. Invest in a separate clothes airer instead.

Also check whether your radiators need bleeding.

7. Save money on your energy bills by getting a power flush

If you’ve noticed cold spots on your radiators, or your home doesn’t seem to be warming up like it used to, don’t just turn your heating up and hope for the best.

This will only serve to increase your energy bills further.

Instead, you should consider whether you need a power flush.

To remain efficient at keeping us warm, our heating systems need to be clean. Over time, a natural but unwanted by-product of heating, known affectionately as ‘sludge’, builds up in your heating system, causing corrosion and blockages.

According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) a build-up of sludge in your heating system could result in you paying 15% more than you need to on your fuel bills!

A Power flush can address this by flushing out the sludge which would otherwise cause damage and reduce efficiency.

8. Save money on your energy bills by reducing your heat loss

Although we tend to view heating bills as the cost of burning fuel, what you’re ultimately paying for is heat loss.

Whether we like it or not, all buildings lose heat – and the more heat they lose, the more fuel you’ll burn, and the higher your energy bills will be.

By reducing your heat loss, you’ll be lowering your energy bills because you won’t need to burn as much fuel to stay warm.

The amount of heat loss you will experience, depends on a number of factors, such as the type and age of property you live in.

But, according to the Energy Savings Trust, the following estimates indicate the proportionate heat loss from a badly insulated house:

25% of your heat can be lost through the roof;
35% through outside walls;
25% through doors and windows;
15% can be lost through ground floors.

Since heat is lost from your home through your roof, windows, walls, floors and through gaps around windows and doors; you can reduce your heat loss by draught proofing and insulating your home.

We’ve dedicated a whole blog to reducing heat loss at home. But lets look at a few tips here:

● Save money on your energy bills by draught-proofing

This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy in your home. The promise is very simple – stop cold air coming in and prevent warm air from going out.

By saving your warm air, you’ll not only feel snug and warm, but you’ll need to use less energy to heat your home.

Draught-proofing can be as simple as getting draught excluders for your doors; using heavy curtains; and using a chimney balloon when your chimney isn’t in use.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you around £20 a year, and if you have an open chimney, draught-proofing your chimney when you’re not using it could save around £15 a year.

● Save money on your energy bills by topping up your loft and wall insulation

Loft and wall 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.

The thicker your insulation is, the more effective it will be at stopping the heat from leaving your house.

Topping up your loft insulation from 120mm to 270mm could cost around £240, but the EST says this will save around £12 a year on energy bills.

If you have uninsulated cavity walls, 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)

If you have solid wall insulation, you can save around £260 a year off your energy bills (based on a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house).

9. Save money on your energy bills by purchasing energy efficient appliances

It’s not just boilers that are energy rated, other appliances in your home such as your fridge freezer are rated too.

So, when it’s time to replace your appliances, go for the most efficient version.

The most efficient products are those rated as “A” and the least efficient are those rated “D”.

Once you have your efficient appliances, make sure that you turn them off where possible, rather than just leaving them on standby.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates the average home wastes around £35 a year by doing this!

10. Save money on your energy bills by checking you’re not overpaying your energy supplier.

If you’ve been with the same energy supplier for a while, it’s worth checking whether you’re now paying over the odds.

Unfortunately, it’s common for energy suppliers to roll their existing customers onto their most expensive tariff after their initial contract has ended.

By shopping around, and switching to a new supplier, you might well see big savings on your next bill!

If you want us to help you improve the efficiency of your heating system, call The Heating People today.

Useful Links:

BBC news article on gas prices

Ofgem article on fuel bills

10 energy saving tips from The Energy Saving Trust

Energy Saving Trust article on reducing heat loss

The Greenage review of TRVs

Advice

Does my boiler need replacing?

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 14, 2021
No Comments on Does my boiler need replacing?

Thinking about a boiler replacement?

What do you rely upon more than anything else in your home? Probably your boiler.

Although we don’t often think of them until trouble strikes, boilers are the unsung heroes of our warmth and comfort at home.

They provide us with heat and hot water all year round, and they’re often so good at their job, we take them for granted.

But unfortunately, boilers don’t last forever.

If you’ve noticed your boiler is struggling to do what it used to do; or is breaking down regularly; or is not working at all, you might be wondering whether you should try to repair what you have, or whether the time has come for a boiler replacement.

If so, you might like our related blog: 6 signs that you need a new boiler.

The Heating People are here to help you find what’s right for you, and your home. Call us today to discuss your options with a boiler replacement.

Signs that you might need a boiler replacement

Here are some of the signs that it might be time to replace your old boiler with a new one:

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is in its ‘golden years’

When you’re thinking about replacing your boiler, it’s a good idea to start by considering it’s age.

A new boiler is unlikely to need to be replaced, but what’s considered an ‘old’ boiler?

There isn’t an easy answer to this question, because just like with us, age really is just a number!

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.

So if your boiler is old, and you notice any of the other warning signs listed below, call The Heating People today.

We’ll advise you on whether it’s time to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new.

Sign it’s time it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your energy bills have crept up without explanation

You might have heard about the energy efficiency ratings of boilers, or of the Boiler Plus regulations ; but you might not understand what it can mean for your household energy bills.

In its simplest terms, a less efficient boiler costs 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.

So if you have an old boiler, and ever increasing energy bills, it might be worth discussing whether a new boiler could save you money.

You might also like to read our related blogs: 22 tips to reduce your gas bill and 10 tips for saving money on your energy bills.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Replacement parts are hard to find because of the age of your boiler

If your boiler is very old, it might be pricey to repair if it breaks down, because manufacturers often discontinue spares and accessories on older models.

If it’s difficult for your engineer to find the parts, or expensive to replace them, you’ll need to consider how often you’ll have to do this.

A one-off repair might be ok, but if you’re finding that your engineer is regularly having to scour the internet for obsolete parts, it might be more economical to get a new boiler.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your heating system isn’t working like it used to

Over time, you might have noticed that your heating system isn’t working like it used to.

If your radiators are taking ages to get hot, or you’re always cold in certain rooms, or you can’t seem to get enough hot water, it’s time to call an engineer to investigate whether it’s time to replace your boiler.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is regularly breaking down

If you’re having to call out an engineer more than once a year to repair your boiler, it’s worth considering whether the sum of repairs and call-outs is greater than the cost of a new boiler.

If you have your boiler serviced regularly, it should be running smoothly all year, so it might be time for a replacement if yours is still struggling.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler or radiators are noisy

All heating systems will make some noise, but if you start noticing new or unusual sounds coming from your heating system, you should get it checked.

If you have tapping sounds, your system might benefit from a Powerflush to clear out sludge which builds up over time.

Other sounds, such as humming or banging might indicate a bigger fault. Your engineer will be able to talk to you about whether repairs or replacements are needed in your situation.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: The flame in your boiler has changed from a blue to a yellow colour

The flame in your boiler should be bright blue. If it changes colour, you should contact a Gas Safe engineer immediately.

The Heating People will be able to advise you as to whether a repair is possible, or whether you need to replace.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler smells odd when it is on

If you ever smell sulphur or an eggy odour when you use your boiler, there could be a gas leak.

Immediately turn off the boiler and call the emergency gas line on 0800 111 999.

Then get in touch with a Gas Safe engineer. You should do this if you ever notice an unusual smell coming from your boiler.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is leaking waterYour boiler should never leak! If it does, you need to switch it off and have it checked by a professional.

It could be a broken valve or seal, which might be repairable, or it could be indicative of a bigger problem, where a replacement might be your better option.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is not working at all

If your boiler stops working completely, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a brand new one, but it’s definitely worth talking to your engineer about whether repair or replacement is the best option for you.

What will I stand to gain from a boiler replacement?

If you recognise any of the warning signs that your boiler might be on its last legs, you might be wondering what you stand to gain from a replacement.

Here are just some of the advantages to investing in a new boiler:

Benefit of replacing your boiler: A warmer, more comfortable home

If you’ve been feeling chilly lately because your old boiler has been struggling to heat your home, you’ll love the benefits that a modern boiler will bring.

No more waiting for a heating system that takes ages to kick-in, or wearing two jumpers in your lounge!

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More reliable hot water

If baths and showers have been a battle ground lately, because there never seems to be enough hot water, a new boiler might solve this for you.

If your current problem is that you’re having to wait ages for water to heat up, a combi boiler might fix this for you.

Or, if your issue is that your combi isn’t coping with the increased demands of a growing family, switching to a heat-only or system boiler might be your answer.

Whatever the situation, our team at The Heating People can make sure that your upgrade is going to meet your hot water needs.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Quieter boiler operation

Fed up of your banging or whistling boiler?

If your old boiler was really noisy, you might well notice how much you don’t notice your new one!

Due to improved design, new boilers can be significantly quieter than older ones.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Space saving

If you currently have a heat-only boiler, and switch to a system boiler, you’ll save space because system boilers only have a hot water cylinder, they don’t need a cold water tank in the loft.

And if you switch to a combi boiler, you’ll save even more space because combis are compact all-in-one units that don’t need any external tanks or cylinders. They often fit in a kitchen cupboard.

So replacing your boiler could mean that you can get your airing cupboard back, which can be particularly beneficial in smaller homes.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Reduced energy bills

A major advantage of a boiler replacement, is that it could save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that boilers are responsible for 55% of your household energy bills, so upgrading from a G rated to an A rated boiler could save you up to £200 per year!

To find out why the price of gas is on the rise, check out our related blog here.

So it’s definitely worth having an efficient boiler in your home!

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Better for the environment

There’s no doubt that by installing a new, more efficient boiler, you are also helping the environment.

It’s estimated that around 20% of all UK carbon emissions come from home heating.

Modern A-rated boilers are superior to their older, lower rated counterparts because they recycle heat that would be wasted. This means that they can generate more heat from the same amount of fuel.

It’s estimated that by moving to an A-rated boiler, you could save the environment 1,500kg of carbon dioxide per year.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More control

When you replace your boiler, it’s the perfect time to upgrade your heating controls too.

Effective heating controls are a vital part of an efficient central-heating system.

If you’re replacing an old boiler with a much newer one, chances are, your new model will allow you to have much more control over the heat in your home, than in the past.

Clever use of controls can help you minimise energy consumption by ensuring each room is at the right temperature for comfort.

Smart controls allow you to remotely control your heating system, wherever you are in the world.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Peace of mind

If your old boiler has been keeping you up at night with worry, all of that will end with a new reliable boiler.

You’ll end all the stress about strange noises and constant breakdowns.

No more inconvenience in having to arrange last-minute call-outs and repairs.

A new boiler should work better for longer, and all new boilers with The Heating People come with guarantees of up to 14 years, for your peace of mind.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Manufacturer’s guarantee

All of the boilers supplied by The Heating people come with a guarantee of up to 14 years.

This means that should your boiler breakdown, all labour and materials required to get the boiler back to working order are covered.

Now how’s that for peace of mind?

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Reduced repair costs

The guarantee on your new model will mean that should anything go wrong, repairs will be paid for. Anything outside of guarantee is likely to cost less than repairs on a very old boiler, where manufacturers have discontinued parts.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More convenient location

Renovating your home? If so, the location of your current boiler might not be convenient, and a replacement boiler might be in order to get your boiler where you need it to be.

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Make your home more attractive to buyers

Thinking of moving home soon? A new A-rated boiler can make your property more attractive to prospective buyers.

How much will a boiler replacement cost?

The cost of a new boiler depends on the type of boiler you wish to install and the system that you already have. However, the cost is generally around £1800 with The Heating People.

How long will a boiler replacement take?

The time taken to complete a boiler replacement will vary depending upon what system is already in place (and it’s condition) and what it is being replaced with. Installations typically take between 1-3 days.

Which boiler brands do The Heating People work with?

The Heating People can work with any boiler manufacturer on the market, because we’re not tied to one manufacturer. This means that we can give you the best advice for you.

However we are proud to be Accredited Installers of:

Vaillant
Worcester Bosch
ATAG
Viessmann

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

Contact one of our friendly team at The Heating People to arrange to talk to an expert about whether a replacement is a good plan for you, and what your options are.

Useful Links:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/718569/Boiler_Plus_Factsheet_v3.pdf

Advice

Why choosing a Gas Safe engineer is so important

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 14, 2021
No Comments on Why choosing a Gas Safe engineer is so important

We all know that gas can be dangerous. So its vital that you choose a Gas Safe engineer to ensure your gas work is carried out legally and safely.

Rest assured that engineers at The Heating People are Gas Safe registered for working on gas.

Your safety is of paramount importance to us. So, in today’s blog we want to explain why choosing a qualified engineer is vital.

Not just to keep you and your family safe, but to keep your boiler running smoothly too.

What are the risks of having unsafe gas appliances at home?

If you have any gas appliances in your home; so it’s essential to have them checked once a year by a Gas Safe engineer to keep them safe.

If any of your appliances are improperly fitted; repaired; or maintained; or any of their vents; flues; or chimneys have become blocked, they can pose three main risks to life:

Gas leaks

A gas leak can cause fires or explosions. So, 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 faulty appliances or pipework can potentially leak gas. If ignited, this causese fires and explosions.

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’s especially dangerous because you can’t see, taste or smell it.

Thankfully you can avoid all of these dangers, by making sure that you have a gas safety check once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is Gas Safe?

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses, who can work safely and legally on boilers; cookers; fires; and all other gas appliances.

It’s the only official gas registration body of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

It’s a legal requirement that gas engineers are listed on the Gas Safe Register.

The Gas Safe Register issues licenses for engineers to undertake gas work on behalf of a registered business. They must evidence competency through valid and current qualifications.

Is Gas Safe different to CORGI?

‘CORGI’ no longer exists. Because it was replaced by The Gas Safe Register on the 1st of April 2010. So, The Gas Safe Register is the only gas registration body in Great Britain and the Isle of Man.

What does the law say about Gas Safe?

Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally fit, fix, and service gas appliances. This requirement ensures that engineers who are working on gas hold valid and current qualifications.

Rest assured, our engineers are Gas Safe registered.

What does the Gas Safe Register do?

The Health and Safety Authority for each region operates the Gas Safe Register.

The Gas Safe Register can’t recommend a particular Gas Safe registered engineer over another. So what exactly is their role?

Here’s a handy guide to what the Gas Safe Register does, and doesn’t do:

What the Gas Safe Register does:

Operates the official UK list of gas businesses and qualified gas engineers; so that only qualified engineers are licensed to legally work on gas.
Inspects businesses on the Gas Safe Register so that they are applying gas competence.
Investigates gas safety complaints.
Applies sanctions for unsafe work or breaches of rules of registration.
Investigates reports of illegal gas work and reports their findings to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Undertakes consumer campaigns to raise the awareness of gas safety issues such as carbon monoxide (CO); and the dangers of using illegal engineers not on the Gas Safe Register.
Provides a facility for registered businesses to notify that the installations of heat producing gas appliances; and the hot water and heating systems they serve; are compliant with the Building Regulations in England and in Wales.

The Gas Safe Register do not:

Have the authority or ability to recommend a registered engineer.
Employ the Gas Safe registered businesses or engineers.
Investigates or deal with matters such as: financial, contractual or commercial disputes.

So in other words, you can check whether your engineer is Gas Safe via the Gas Safe register.

This gives you the peace of mind that they will be operating legally and safely.

Why is it important to use a Gas Safe engineer?

Choosing a Gas Safe engineer to work on your gas appliances is a legal requirement. It’s vital for your safety in avoiding risk of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regardless of what type of gas appliance your engineer is fixing; be it a boiler; oven or gas fire; it’s crucial that your engineer is technically competent and follows all of the relevant health and safety regulations.

Gas Safe engineers demonstrate competence through their qualifications and are therefore licensed to undertake gas work.

In addition to their qualifications, they receive ongoing support to ensure their work meets current regulations; and is technically of a high standard.

Gas Safe engineers perform gas work safely, and prevent harm from occurring.

Gas Safe engineers assess the physical condition of your gas appliances, installation pipework, air vents and any flues for deterioration.

They carry out performance tests to ensure your appliances are operating safely and efficiently. They take any necessary remedial action, alerting you to any issues.

How to check whether an engineer is Gas Safe registered

Not all engineers are qualified to do all types of gas work. So you should check whether they’re Gas Safe registered, before you employ them.

You can inspect an engineer’s official ID card before any work is carried out.

The ID contains important information about the engineer. It says who they are; states their licence number; the business they work for; and the work they are qualified to carry out.

You can check the back of the ID card to see the qualifications that your engineer holds.

They divide qualifications into domestic and non-domestic categories. And list the name of the work they are qualified to undertake along with the expiry date.

You should check that your engineer has the relevant qualification to carry out the work required. For example, if they have come to service your boiler it should list ‘Gas Boiler’.

Also check that the qualification has not expired. 

How to check with the Gas Safe Register

You can check if a business is currently Gas Safe registered by entering their business registration number; or their trading name at: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/.

If you don’t know their registration number; or business name; or it is not returned as a search result; you can send an email to the Gas Safe Register at register@gassaferegister.co.uk. They will be able to confirm the businesses registration status for you.

Unfortunately, the Gas Safe Register cant recommend a Gas Safe engineer over another one. But they can tell you whether a business is registered to work on gas, or not.

What happens during a gas safety check?

Only Gas Safe engineers can carry out gas safety checks. A Gas Safe engineer will test your gas appliances to make sure they’re safe.

At The Heating People, our engineers will check that your appliances are:

Properly set and adjusted so the gas burns correctly;
Are suitable for the room it’s located in;
Is physically stable, securely fitted and properly connected to the gas pipework.

We will also check that:

There’s an adequate and permanent air supply that’s suitable for the appliance installed;
All safety devices are functioning properly;
Any flues, chimneys and air vents are operating correctly.

We can extend to a full gas installation safety check, in which we will:

Check the installation is in good condition by visually inspecting the pipework as far as reasonably practicable;
Test the gas pipework to make sure there are no leaks.

Do Gas Safe engineers provide any particular documentation following completion of gas work?

When an engineer undertakes gas work at your property; it’s helpful to know what documentation you can expect to receive from them.

The documentation an engineer leaves after having fitted; serviced; or safety checked an appliance; depends upon the purpose and type of work involved.

Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

If a Gas Safe registered engineer installs a heat producing gas appliance in your property; you will receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

This informs the Local Authority of the new appliance. And you should receive it in the post within 28 days of a new appliance being installed.

Landlord Gas Safety Record

The law requires all gas engineers to be on the Gas Safe Register. But they don’t have to provide a Gas Safety Record after they visit you, unless you’re a landlord.

The only documentation required by law is a Landlord Gas Safety Record.

This is because landlords have a legal duty to ensure residential properties are safe for their tenants.

Landlords must employ a Gas Safe engineer to perform an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances. The Landlord Gas Safety Record records the results.

Landlords should give a copy of this record to their tenants; so that they know that their appliances meet the appropriate safety standards.

What steps should I take for Gas Safety?

To sum up, here are the key steps that you can take to ensure that your home stays safe:

Find a Gas Safe registered engineer that you can trust

Remember that only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally fit, fix, and service gas appliances.

You can find a Gas Safe registered engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk (the UK’s official gas safety body) by postcode; by company name; by service and areas of work.

Our engineers are Gas Safe registered; and will be happy to show you their ID cards.

Get your engineer to service your boiler (and gas appliances) every year

Remember that you must have all of your gas appliances checked each year to check they are burning gas properly.

Npower says 61% of the UK hasn’t had their boiler serviced in the last year. This is very worrying! It’s vital we take precautions in our home to protect ourselves and our families from the dangers of gas.

If you are a tenant – ask your landlord for a copy of the gas safety record

You’re entitled to a certificate that guarantees the gas fitting has been checked; and meets the national safety standards. Landlords are legally responsible for providing you with a gas safety record.

Be aware of the warning signs of unsafe gas appliances

Warning signs include higher levels of condensation in your home; black marks on your gas appliances; yellow or orange flames of the gas cooker (rather than blue).

Be aware of the 6 signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

The six warning signs of CO poisoning are:

Headaches;
Dizziness;
Breathlessness;
Nausea;
Collapse;
and loss of consciousness.

You can fit a carbon monoxide alarm, which alerts you to any carbon monoxide leak around your property.

Final thoughts…

We hope that you’ve found this blog helpful in understanding why choosing a Gas Safe Registered engineer is sso important.

An annual boiler service gives you the peace of mind that you and your family are safe.

Useful Links:

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/gas-safe-register-check.htm

https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/newschemecontract.htm

https://www.npower.com/help-and-support/emergency-information/gas-safety-advice/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help-and-advice/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/

https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gassafetyweek/

Advice

7 Central Heating Myths debunked

Post author By Lucy
Post date September 14, 2021
No Comments on 7 Central Heating Myths debunked

There’s nothing like a bit of snow and frost to get people falling into the trap of cranking up their thermostats in an effort to keep warm.

If you’ve done this yourself, don’t worry, you’re not alone. According to a survey by the Energy Saving Trust, 52% of people are guilty of doing this!

Lots of people mistakenly believe that by turning up their thermostat, their homes will get hotter quicker – but this is a central heating myth.

When it comes to heating our homes, there are a surprising number of myths out there.

So today, we’re looking at some of the most common misconceptions, to help you separate heating fact from fiction.

Central heating myth 1 – Turning up your thermostat heats a room quicker

We understand that when it’s freezing outside, it’s tempting to turn up your thermostat.

But this won’t heat your home any quicker, it just wastes energy and money.

This is because thermostats don’t have any control over the speed at which your house heats up. Thermostats just set the maximum temperature that you want your room to be.

So, if you’ve let your home get freezing cold, there’s no point cranking your thermostat up to 28 degrees. Your home will still heat up at the same speed that it would if it was set to 21 degrees.

The result is that you’ll get uncomfortably hot, and have wasted a significant amount of energy by overheating your home.

Government research has shown that turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree can save up to 10% on your heating bills.

So, if you want to be comfortable and save money, resist the temptation to turn your thermostat higher than your comfort level.

Put on an extra jumper on until your room gets to your desired temperature!

Central heating myth 2 – A bigger boiler is better because it will give you more heat

Another common heating myth is that when choosing a boiler, bigger is always better.

And it’s easy to understand why people fall into this trap. Nobody wants to run out of hot water, and it seems reasonable to expect that a bigger boiler will have a more plentiful supply than a smaller one.

But this simply isn’t true, and it’s an expensive and highly inefficient way of choosing a boiler.

A good way to think about this, is to think about the performance of cars.

If you want a reliable car to pop to the shops every day, there’s little point in buying a Ferrari with a five litre engine, that can reach speeds of 200mph.

You’re never going to hit that speed, and it’s going to cost you more to buy initially, and more to run in fuel. The same is true of boilers!

Heat loss calculations determine the size of boiler you need

Instead of choosing a boiler based on a maximum capacity (that it will rarely run at anyway) you need to get a boiler that’s correctly sized.

To do this, you need a heat loss calculation. This will determine the right output for your needs.

Your whole heating system needs to be taken into account. Even where a bigger boiler is pushing out more heat, if your radiators aren’t a good match for it, the amount of heat received will be the same as it would be with a smaller boiler.

Factors such as the boiler’s modulation ratio are more important than its maximum capacity.

Put simply, you won’t benefit from better or improved heat, simply because your boiler is bigger than usual.

Oversized boilers will cycle on and off, wasting energy (and money). Boiler cycling also puts unnecessary pressure on your boiler’s component parts.

To find the correct size boiler for your needs, contact The Heating People today, and one of our heating engineers will carry out a heat loss calculation for you.

Central heating myth 3 – Expensive boilers are always the best boilers

As consumers, we’re often led to believe that the more expensive something is, the better it is. But this isn’t necessarily the case.

In fact, choosing a boiler because of its price, rather than whether it is right for you, is a mistake.

At The Heating People, we’re not tied to any one manufacturer (although we have our favourites!) and we pride ourselves on finding the best boiler for your needs and budget.

We are able to find the most efficient boiler for your needs, which will save you money in the long run.

We also offer guarantees of up to 14 years, which will potentially save you money on any future repairs. It’s important to think about long term costs, as well as the initial cost.

Keeping up with your annual service by a Gas Safe engineer is one way to keep your boiler in great condition for a long time.

Central heating myth 4 – Combi boilers do not give you a very good shower or bath

There are lots of outdated myths about combination or ‘combi’ boilers, based on what used to be true around 15 years ago.

But like many things, combi boilers have come a long way since they were introduced to the UK in the seventies.

And there’s definitely a reason that they’re now the most popular type of boiler in the UK, making up over 80% of all sales.

This has further driven combi boilers to be more efficient and higher performing.

The main perceived disadvantage (or myth) about combi boilers is that they don’t give very good showers or baths. This is a hanjgover from the past, when they did struggle to meet hot water demands.

How do combi boilers work?

To understand why this used to be the case, it’s helpful to think about how combi boilers work, compared to heat-only or ‘regular’ boilers.

Combis are compact all-rounders that provide both the heating and hot water for your home.

Unlike heat-only boilers, combis don’t need a separate cold water storage tank or an external hot water cylinder. Everything it needs is inside the unit.

Combi boilers take their cold water supply directly from the mains. And they don’t store hot water, because they heat water instantaneously, on demand.

Since combis heat water on demand, the flow rate of the water has to be slowed down. This allows enough heat to be transferred, before it comes out of your taps.

Combis used to be slow in delivering hot water because they relied on a mechanical type of operation to heat water.

They also used to be adversely affected by cold weather and hard water. Neither of which is ideal for a boiler in the UK!

But thankfully, technology has moved on. Combi boilers have improved significantly in the last fifteen years.

Combi boilers and Boiler Plus

Thanks to the Boiler Plus Regulations, all new combi boilers must be at least 92% efficient.

Combi boilers must also have one of four additional energy saving measures installed.

But the performance of combi boilers is where dramatic improvements have been made.

Advancements in technology mean that combis now use an electrical operation process, rather than a mechanical one.

This means that the old problems with the delay in delivery of hot water is a thing of the past.

With no water tank to heat up, combi boilers can provide an unlimited supply of hot water on demand.

This is ideal in busy homes where showers may be used back to back each morning. It also means no more waiting for water to heat up for your bath. A combi is ready when you are!

Central heating myth 5: Combination boilers are not suitable for larger homes

Another common misconception about combi boilers is that they are not suitable for heating larger homes.

But this isn’t true, even the smallest combi boiler will comfortably heat the vast majority of larger homes.

This assumption about house size and combi boilers stems from the way in which they work.

As explained above, combis provide instant hot water to taps and showers by heating water directly from the mains.

This is different from heat-only and system boilers which store hot water in a cylinder.

Combis deliver strong water pressure to one tap (or shower) at a time. But if multiple outlets are being used at once, the pressure can weaken.

This means that combi boilers are best suited to homes with relatively small hot water demands at any one time.

But this doesn’t mean that a combi cannot heat a larger home.

The real drivers for determining the best type of boiler, is by establishing:

the heat load of your property;
how many bathrooms you have; and
how you use your domestic hot water.

How do you use your hot water?

The number of bathrooms is a better indicator than the overall size of the house.

For instance, if you have a large house with just one bathroom, where the shower will be used consecutively each morning, then a combi may be fine.

But, if you have multiple bathrooms and everyone wants showers at the same time; then a combi won’t be suitable.

In this case a heat-only or system boiler might be your better option.

Some manufacturers also offer storage combi boilers. These boilers have a hot water cylinder within the unit itself. This allows them to meet a higher demand for heating and hot water than a standard combi.

For tailored advice on what type of boiler is right for you, contact one of our experts today.

Central heating myth 7 – Painting your radiators makes them more efficient

Some people make the mistake of thinking that painting radiators black will make them more effective at transmitting heat. But please don’t do this!

In reality, painting your radiators will have the opposite effect. Paint will stop heat being dispersed as easily, making them less effective.

You should also avoid placing any large furniture in front of your radiators. And don’t hang your washing on them either – invest in a clothes airer instead.

If you’ve noticed cold spots on your radiators, they may need need bleeding. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to do that, here. And if you really want to improve their efficiency, consider installing TRVs.

Final thoughts

We’ve hoped that we’ve managed to dispel some common heating myths here!

For tailored advice on improving your heating system, contact us today.

Useful Links

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/thermostats-and-heating-controls/

Advice

A brief history of central heating

Post author By Lucy
Post date August 16, 2021
No Comments on A brief history of central heating

A brief history of central heating…

When it comes to keeping warm, we’re a bit spoilt.

Our heating systems are so good, we don’t even give them a second’s thought most of the time. They’re the unsung heroes of our home, keeping us comfortable all year round.

And not only that, they’re smart too. We live in a time where our heating systems can actually ‘learn’ things about us – from what temperature we like, to our daily schedule.

With geo-fencing technology, they can even tell when we’ve left the house, or are about to return, so that they can get the temperature just to our liking – without us lifting a finger! But it wasn’t always like this!

We’ve come a long way from the campfires of early man.

In this blog, we look back at the history of central heating. So we can really appreciate how far we’ve come – and where we may be headed in the future.

As you’ll appreciate, the history of central heating across the world is a long one, so we’ll keep it to the brief and edited highlights!

Ancient heating

Campfires were used for heating and cooking.

These fires began outside, but were eventually moved inside the home, when it was realised that openings in the roof would allow the smoke to escape.

5000 BC

Although we tend to think of underfloor heating as a modern invention, the very first form of underfloor heating dates back thousands of years to North Korea.

Known as an ondol – meaning ‘warm stone’, homes were warmed by allowing the fire in the furnace of a kitchen to pass under the room’s floor to keep it warm.

2500 BC

The Ancient Greeks invented the first fixed central hearths for keeping homes warm.

The hearth commonly stood in the middle of the room, with the smoke rising through the room to a smoke hole in the roof.

The hearth was used for cooking on, as well as keeping the home warm. Such was the significance of the hearth to the home, Greek and Roman mythology features goddesses of the hearth, Hestia and Vesta.

1500 BC

The Ancient Egyptians introduced bellows which created a strong blast of air to fan the flames and enhance the heat of fires. But the first real central heating system didn’t come along until the Romans.

350 BC – The Romans

It’s nigh on impossible to talk about the inventions of the Romans without thinking of the infamous line in Monty Python’s Life of Brian:

“All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” …

But we could certainly add to it – invented the first central heating system!

The Roman Empire invented a heating system called a “hypocaust” for heating hot baths and other public buildings in ancient Rome.

Roman buildings with a hypocaust were built on pillars and the floors and walls had spaces in them.

By lighting fires below the buildings, heat could flow through the space in the floors and walls, and out through flues in the roof.

476 AD – The Collapse of Ancient Rome

The fall of the Roman Empire saw the decline in the Hypocaust, and home heating largely reverted to being handled by fireplaces in individual rooms. It wasn’t until around 1,500 years later that central heating was reintroduced.

800 AD – The Early Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, both stone and clay ovens were used.

The 12th century – Invention of the chimney

The first chimneys were constructed in castles. The earliest extant example of an English chimney is at the keep of Conisbrough Castle in Yorkshire, which dates from 1185 AD.

The 13th century

In the late 13th century, chimneys in domestic homes started to make an appearance.

Holes in rooves that had previously been used to allow smoke from the hearth to escape were enclosed by a board, known as louvres.

These boards were made of horizontal wooden planks, fixed diagonally and an opening for the smoke to escape.

The 15th century

The first masonry stoves were built.

The 17th century

The wood burning fireplace was the primary means of heating a home. Louis Savot of France invented the raised grate and designed a circulating fireplace in the early 1600s.

The 18th century

1741 – Benjamin Franklin invented a safe, efficient stove.

Benjamin Franklin wanted to improve the efficiency of the fireplace.

He created a metal-lined fireplace known as the ‘Franklin Stove’ that transferred more heat to a room than any previous inventions.

His theory about heat was that it acted like a liquid, in that it wanted to rush out of a room, unless it was contained.

1745 – William Cook first proposed the concept of steam heating.

William Cook was the first to propose steam heating in 1745 in England.

1790 – Steam engine pioneers Matthew Boulton, and James Watt used steam heating in their homes

Boulton and Watt used a central boiler and a system of pipes to develop the first working steam-based heating system for their homes.

The 19th century – The Industrial Revolution

And this is where it all really took off…

1802 – Zachaus Winzler developed the first gas stove

With the Industrial Revolution, came advances in fuel technology and the advent of gas. A major improvement in fuel technology came with the advent of gas. James Sharp patented a gas stove.

1805 – William Strutt invented a warm-air furnace

William Strutt created a furnace with a wrought iron air chamber, surrounded by stone to create both cool and warmed air.

1830 – Andre Ure invented a bimetal thermostat

Ure’s thermostat was based around a strip made of two different metals that would bend when a room reached a certain temperature, triggering a switch to turn the heating system on, or off.

1854 – Stephen Gold created the ‘mattress radiator’

Gold’s radiator was a device made of two dimpled iron sheets that were riveted together at the dimples, making it look like a mattress.

1855 – 1857 Franz San Galli invented the radiator

Prussian inventor Franz San Galli invented a radiator which he patented as the “hot box”.

The hot box was made up of large columns of steel with waterways inside that allowed for hot water to pass through and heat air which in turn heated up the room.

This was a revolution in central heating and was launched in St Petersburg.

1863 – Joseph Nason and Robert Briggs developed the radiator

Nason and Briggs developed a new design of radiator that used vertical wrought iron tubes screwed into a cast iron base. This is a predecessor to the radiator that we know today.

1870 – John Mills invented a successful watertube boiler.

Mills patented his sectional boiler for steam or hot water.

1872 – Nelson Bundy invented the ‘Bundy Loop’

Bundy invented the first popular cast iron radiator that had loops screwed into a cast iron base.

Cast iron sectional radiators were widely used by the 1880s.

1883 – Thomas Edison invented the first electric heater

The earliest electric heaters used bulbs. Thomas Edison patented the lightbulb in 1880.

1885 – Coal surpasses wood as the primary fuel in the developed world and the Bunsen burner is invented

The Bunsen burner was the first time that people were able to regulate a gas flame. This was a precursor to modern gas heating systems.

The 20th century

1906 – Honeywell introduced homeowners to the very first thermostat

William. R. Sweatt designed the first home thermostats that were stamped with “Electric Heat Regulator Co” and were in a semicircle shape. This was later developed into the Honeywell Round thermostat, known simply as The Round.

1919 – Alice Parker patented the first central heating system

Alice Parker was an African American inventor who patented her system of central heating using natural gas.

1923 – Dr. Richard Seligman invented the plate heat exchanger

Seligman found that by using two different metal plates, he could transfer heat from a hot fluid to a cold fluid. This ‘heat-exchanger’ is found in nearly every boiler today.

1930 – Engineers developed fibreglass insulation.

The first fibreglass insulation consisted of extremely fine glass fibres, inside rolls for easy installation.

1937 – The Victorians embraced radiators as aesthetic items as well as functional ones

The Victorians who could afford opulent homes saw radiators as being statement pieces for the home, as well as being functional for heating. Cast iron radiators featured intricate scrolled detail.

1948 – Robert C. Webber invented the direct exchange ground-source heat pump

American inventor Robert C Webber came up with the idea of a ground source heat pump when experimenting with the efficiency of a deep freezer.

1967 – Vaillant invented the first combi-boiler

Vaillant invented the first combi boiler, the ‘Combi-Geyser VCW 20’. For the first time this combined heating and hot water supply in a single unit.

1970’s – electric air-to-air heat pump and solar energy became widely adopted.

The availability of oil and natural gas was problematic in the 1970s. So electric air-to-air heat pumps and solar energy were touted as a solution to the energy crisis.

1980s – Central heating was commonplace

There was an improvement in public health as central heating became commonplace.

The design of homes started changing, with open-plan rooms becoming popular; due to the reduced need to have lots of individual rooms with closed doors to keep the heat in.

The fireplace was no longer the focal point of the room.

The 21st century

2005 – Condensing technology became mandatory on all new boiler installations

Since 2005, all new boilers installed must have condensing technology.

2007 – Stuart Lombard invented the first smart thermostat called the ecobee

Stuart Lombard combined programmable thermostats and WiFi connectivity, making it possible to remotely control your central heating.

2018 – Boiler Plus regulations

The Boiler Plus regulations came about following a public consultation into the future of heat in domestic buildings by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in December 2016.

All boilers must meet this standard for energy efficiency.

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2020 -Boris Johnson’s 10 point plan for a ‘Green Revolution’

In November 2020, Boris Johnson published ‘The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’. This sets out the government’s priorities for £12bn worth of investment in clean energy; transport; and energy efficiency; to meet the target net zero emissions by 2050.

It means that in the future we’re likely to see a combination of both heat pumps and hydrogen boilers in homes over the coming years to achieve the government’s targets to reduce climate change.

Final thoughts?

So, what’s clear from this timeline, is that today’s home heating systems have evolved from ideas spanning back decades, and from all around the world.

Thanks to forward-thinking engineers everywhere, we have access to safe heat at our fingertips, and even remotely from our smartphones.

Initially, the challenge was just to develop the technology as part of the Industrial Revolution.

But now we face a new challenge. To continue evolving our technology, but in a more sustainable way.

Over the coming years, we can expect to see the advancement of even greener boilers; heat-pumps; solar; and hydrogen powered heating taking us into the next century.

Useful Links:

QS Supplies: History of heating timeline

Britannica: Hypocaust

BBC News: What has heating done for us?

Statistica: Central heating in households in the UK

Eon Energy: The evolution of heating

Homeserve: A brief history of boilers

Medieval EU: Open hearths

Romae-vitam: hypocaust

Historic England: Open fires

Britannica: The Industrial Revolution 1750-1900

Advice

How to bleed your radiators

Post author By Lucy
Post date August 1, 2021
No Comments on How to bleed your radiators

Wondering how to bleed your radiators?

When the cold weather hits, you’ll want to be sure that your radiators are performing to their full potential.

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

If you’ve noticed that your radiators are cold, or have cold spots; or are making funny noises; this might indicate that air is trapped inside them, and needs to be released.

Otherwise your radiators won’t heat up properly, and your boiler will be working much harder to warm up your home.

The good news is that releasing the trapped air, or ‘bleeding’ your radiators is a relatively straightforward task that you can do yourself.

Not only will this keep you warm and comfortable, but it will ensure that you’re not wasting energy (and therefore money) trying to warm your home with an inefficient system.

Why do radiators need bleeding?

Air bubbles are a natural by-product of your central heating system heating and cooling water.

Unfortunately, there is nowhere for this trapped air to escape from within your heating system, so the air bubbles rise together and can create air pockets inside your radiators.

These air pockets prevent hot water from filling the entire radiator, explaining why they often develop cold spots.

When your radiators are blocked with air, your boiler will be working harder than it should to heat your home, and you’ll find that you’re needing to turn your thermostat up to get to your normal temperature. As a result, you’ll be burning more gas, which is far from cheap at the moment!

If you don’t release the air by bleeding your radiators, the problem will only get worse, until your central heating won’t get to the correct temperature at all.

Not only that, but you might find that the movement of air through your system starts to cause unwanted noises such as gurgling sounds.

Bleeding your radiators will solve these problems and ensures that you can heat your property efficiently and minimise your energy bills.

How long does it take to bleed a radiator?

It’s pretty quick to bleed a radiator, because you simply need to open a valve to let the air out. This will take up to one minute, depending on the size of the radiator and the amount of air that needs to be released.

How often should you bleed your radiators?

Since the production of air is an unavoidable consequence of using central heating, you will need to bleed your radiators regularly.

As a guide, bleeding them all at least once a year should keep them working well. If you notice any cold patches on your radiators in the interim, it’s time to get that radiator key out.

When should you bleed your radiators?

You can bleed your radiators at any time of year, but to find any problem radiators, you’ll need to have the heating on, so checking them at the start of winter is probably best.

Should you bleed radiators if you have a combi boiler?

It might be best to contact a heating engineer for help if you have a combi boiler, because sealed central heating systems need to be re-pressurised after bleeding radiators. It is possible to do this yourself, using the instructions from your boiler manual.

How to tell if you need to bleed a radiator

It’s usually easy to determine whether your radiators need bleeding. You just need to use your hand to check the temperature of your radiators, from the top to the bottom of each.

Since air rises, it is quite common for the top of a radiator to be cold, and the bottom to be hot, if it needs to be bled.

If it’s been ages since your radiators were last bled, you might not notice cold patches, but rather, the radiator feels cooler than usual.

You can always compare the temperature of different radiators in your home.

What do I need to bleed my radiators?

You don’t need much equipment to bleed your radiators. You just need:

1 x radiator key – your radiators will have come with a small key that you will need to use to bleed them. Don’t worry if you can’t find it – you can also buy replacements in DIY stores.
1 x old towel
1 x container for collecting water

What are the steps to bleeding radiators?

To bleed your radiators, just follow these easy steps:

1. Turn on heating system

Firstly, you need to turn your heating on and allow your radiators to warm up. This will help you to check which radiators need bleeding, and you need them to reach full heat before bleeding to build up the pressure inside them.

2. Check radiators

Once your central heating is on, and your radiators should have reached full heat, check the temperature of each radiator in your home.

Carefully check the temperature from the top to the bottom of the radiator using your hand. You’re looking for any cold patches, or for a radiator that is much cooler than the others.

If your radiators are taking a very long time to heat up at all, this can be another sign that they need bleeding.

3. Turn heating off

Once you’ve identified which radiators need bleeding, it’s important that you switch your heating off and allow the radiators to cool. This will protect you from being burned by any very hot water that comes out of your radiators during the bleeding process.

4. Prepare area

Prepare the area under your radiator by putting a towel on the floor. This will protect your carpet from any dirty water. You then need to place your container underneath the bleed valve on your radiator. This will catch any drips of water released from the radiator.

5. Fit bleed key to the valve

You now need to fit your radiator key to the bleed valve. The bleed valve is a small metal square which is found inside a round nut, usually at the top of your radiator. Some bleed valves have red markings on them, but you’ll know it’s the right valve because your key will fit.

6. Release air from the bleed valve

Once you have fitted your radiator key to the bleed valve, slowly turn it anti-clockwise to release air. You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes. Keep releasing air from the valve until you can no longer hear air escaping and some water begins to trickle out.

7. Close the bleed valve

Once you have released the trapped air from your radiator, you need to close the valve quickly.

8. Repeat for all radiators

You should repeat the above steps for all of your radiators that need bleeding. It’s a good idea to start with the radiators that are lowest in your home and then move upstairs.

9. Check boiler pressure and switch the heating on

Once you’ve finished bleeding your radiators, you should check the water pressure gauge or indicator, which is usually on the front of your boiler.

For most boilers, this should be set around the 1 bar, but check the requirements for your boiler. If the pressure needs topping up, you can do this by following your boiler’s instruction manual.

You then need to turn your heating back on to make sure everything’s working.

Are your radiators back to normal?

If bleeding your radiators has done the trick, that’s great.

But if you’re still noticing that your radiators are not working as they should be, it could be indicative of a bigger problem with your heating system, such as needing a power flush.

Advice

Your options with a boiler replacement

Post author By Lucy
Post date July 30, 2021
No Comments on Your options with a boiler replacement

If you’ve read our blogs: Does my boiler need replacing? and 6 signs you need a new boiler. And you’ve decided that you need a new boiler; the next step is considering your options with a boiler replacement.

But a new boiler is a big investment, and you’ll want to get it right.

We know how daunting it can be when you’re faced with so many different brands; types; and sizes of boilers. Not to mention all of the jargon about efficiency and output!

So, we’ve put together this guide to help you to get a better understanding of your options, before you invite an engineer into your home for a survey.

Why are you in the market for a new boiler?

Before you begin your search, it’s a good idea to identify why you’re in the market for a new boiler in the first place.

Has your boiler packed in completely? Or are you trying to resolve a particular heating problem?

There’s lots of reasons why people invest in new boilers.

Finding your ‘why?’ will help The Heating people to understand what you’re hoping to achieve; so that we can make appropriate recommendations for you.

We generally find that there are four main reasons why people are looking for a new boiler. Do any (or a few of these) apply to you?

You’re hoping to replace your boiler with something more energy efficient, to save money and reduce your carbon footprint;

You’re dissatisfied with your current heating system (for example, you regularly run out of hot water);

You have no heating or hot water because your boiler has stopped working and repair is not possible, or economical;

You’ve noticed warning signs that your boiler may be on its last legs, such as:

Your boiler is in it’s ‘golden years’
Your energy bills have crept up without explanation
Replacement parts are hard to find because of the age of your boiler
Your heating system isn’t working like it used to
You never have enough hot water
Your boiler is regularly breaking down
Your boiler or radiators are noisy
The flame in your boiler has changed from a blue to a yellow colour
Your boiler smells odd when it is on
You’ve noticed a leak either from your boiler or from pipes
Your boiler is not working at all.

If any of the above applies to you; the next step is to think about what you currently have; and what you want to replace it with.

Do you want to swap like for like? Or are you thinking about a totally different type of boiler?

To answer this question, you’ll need to think about factors such as your satisfaction with your current heating and hot water system. And how many parts of your current system need replacing.

Questions to ask yourself about your current set up

Before considering any boilers, you should arm yourself with some key information:

Are you connected to the UK’s gas network?

Approximately 4.3m households are not connected to the UK’s gas network. If this is the case for you, an oil-powered central heating system could be a great alternative to gas for heating your home.

But if you are connected, gas central heating systems are a logical choice.

How many people live in your house?

Are you always squabbling over who’s used all the hot water? If so, it might be that you’ve outgrown your current heating system.

Large families are likely to use lots of hot water, so a heat-only or system boiler might be more appropriate.

Conversely, if you’ve got a smaller family, you might be producing more energy than you need – increasing your bills and generating unnecessary emissions.

In this case, you might be better off with a combi boiler.

How many bathrooms do you have?

If you have several bathrooms that are being used at the same time; then it’s likely you have high demand for hot water.

This suggests that a heat-only or system boiler could be a good option.

Do you have free space, such as a loft or airing cupboard available?

The three different types of boiler (more on these later) all require different amounts of space.

If you have high demand for heat and hot water; and you have a home with a loft and storage space; then a heat-only boiler might be for you.

If you have high demand for heat and hot water at the same time, but you don’t have a loft, then a system boiler could be a better option.

If you have a relatively low demand for hot water and heat at the same time; a combi boiler could be for you.

How many radiators do you have?

A key factor (but certainly not the only one) in determining the size of boiler you need is the number of radiators you have.

At its simplest, the more radiators you have, the bigger the boiler you will need.

But in general, you want to be choosing the smallest suitable boiler that will offer you the greatest level of economy, so you’re not paying for energy that you don’t need.

The Heating People complete whole house heat loss calculations as standard for all boiler installations; to ensure that you get the perfect size boiler for your needs.

If an engineer wants to determine your boiler size just by counting radiators – RUN! This is completely accurate. The number of radiators is simply a factor that should be borne in mind alongside scientific calculations.

Now that you’ve got an idea about the factors to consider, you are in a better position to determine whether you want a similar replacement, or a whole new system.

Replacing like for like vs a new type of boiler

The first thing to consider is 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.

A replacement boiler is a different (and hopefully more up-to-date) version of the model you already have, which means you’ll already have a lot of the necessary parts in place.

Remember that newer models of the same type of boiler will still be more energy efficient, and may be more powerful than your old one.

Your other option is to get a new boiler, which means that this is the first time you’ve had this specific model, and you’ll need all-new infrastructure installed along with the machine. If so, if this will probably be a bit pricier than a replacement boiler, as you’ll be starting from scratch.

On the flip-side, getting either a new boiler or a replacement boiler will mean that you’re likely to save money on your bills over time. We’re in it for the long-run.

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

What’s the difference between a condensing and a non-condensing boiler?

There’s a common misconception that a ‘condensing boiler’ is a type of boiler, when in fact, it isn’t.

The terms ‘condensing boilers’ and ‘non-condensing boilers’ are confusing because they actually describe the technology within the boiler itself, rather than what sort of boiler it is.

You won’t have to choose between condensing and non-condensing technology, because boilers now use condensing technology as standard.

So whatever type of heating system you opt for, it will be condensing.

Condensing boilers are more energy efficient than their non-condensing counterparts, and can typically extract 90-92% of heat from fuel, compared to 50-80% that a non-condensing boiler can.

This is a good thing because a more efficient boiler will need to burn less fuel to run, and will therefore cost you less on your energy bills.

What are the different types of boiler system?

We pride ourselves on our expertise in finding the heating system that’s right for your home. Although there are many different makes and models of boiler, they all fall into three basic types:

Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers

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

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

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

Once the fuel is ignited, the heat exchanger warms water which is 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.

Heat-only boilers are either sealed or open vented.

In sealed systems, the boiler doesn’t have a feed and expansion tank and is closed to the atmosphere.

Whereas open vented systems are open to atmospheric pressure and do have a feed and expansion tank, helping to accommodate water loss from leakage or evaporation.

The water tank in the loft maintains the right water level whilst a pump circulates the hot water to your home’s radiators.

Advantages of a heat-only boiler

Minimal disruption to install if you already have a conventional system in place.
Work well in large households with multiple bathrooms.
Can supply large amounts of hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.
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.
Easy to integrate with renewable heating systems, such as solar.
They are a low pressure system which can benefit older radiators.

Disadvantages of a heat-only boiler

Takes up the most space of all 3 boiler options because it requires an external tank and cylinder.
They require more third-party components to make the system work. And these component parts generally have a shorter guarantee, often just 12 months, whereas the boiler will often have ten years or more guarantee.
Lack of instant hot water – takes time to heat.
Generally the least efficient type of boiler because they have the fewest control options.
Hot water is stored in a hot water cylinder which will result in heat loss and wasted energy.

The Heating People can work with all manufacturers of boiler, but most frequently install Worcester or ATAG heat-only boilers.

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.

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

They don’t need any external tanks or cylinders because they 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.

Advantages of combi boilers

Space-saving because the boiler itself is the only component part.
Never run out of hot water.
Can be more efficient due to not having stored water and being compatible with low temperature systems.
Fewer third party components required.
More control options than a conventional system.

Disadvantages of combi boilers

Slower delivery of hot water, so it takes longer to fill a bath.
Generally unsuitable for larger homes.
Difficult to integrate with renewable energy.
In the event of breakdown, both heating and hot water will be off.
Not suitable in low pressure water areas.

Read more pros and cons of combi boilers here.

The Heating People’s favourite combi boilers are the Vaillant ecoTEC Exclusive 835 with IQ and the ATAG Economiser iC combi boiler as they both have built in flue gas recovery making them more efficient than other boilers.

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.

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.

Advantages of 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.
Easy to integrate with renewable heating systems such as solar.
Fewer third party components required.
Wider range of control options available, compared to conventional boilers.
They can be installed to low temperature, high efficiency heating systems.

Disadvantages of system boilers

Require more space than a combi boiler.
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.

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

You might like our related blog: Pros and cons of system boilers.

How much does a boiler replacement cost?

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, a boiler replacement costs between £1800-£3500.

How long will it take to replace my 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 swap. But as a guide, it usually takes between 1-3 days.

Final thoughts…

We hope that you’ve found this blog helpful.

If you’re thinking that it might be time to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new, contact us today to book your free survey.

Useful links:

https://www.heatgeek.com/find-a-heat-geek/

Advice

Boiler FAQs

Post author By Lucy
Post date July 26, 2021
No Comments on Boiler FAQs

Perplexed by heating jargon? If so, you should read these Boiler FAQs!

Whether you’re thinking about getting a new boiler; or have questions about your current one; the topic of boilers can be a confusing one.

So we’ve put together this list of commonly asked questions about boilers. We hope you find it helpful.

For tailored advice on improving your heating system, contact The Heating People to book your free survey.

What Different Types of Boilers Are Available?

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

Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers;
Combination or ‘combi’ boilers; and
System boilers.

You might like to read our related blog: Your options with a boiler replacement.

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.

Combination or ‘combi’ boilers

‘Combi’ is short for ‘combination’ boiler because it provides both your heating and hot water from one compact unit; without the need for additional tanks or hot water storage cylinders. Combi boilers deliver instantaneous hot water and are the most popular boiler type currently installed in the UK.

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.

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

What’s the difference between a condensing and a non-condensing boiler?

There’s a common misconception that a ‘condensing boiler’ is a type of boiler, when in fact, it isn’t.

The terms ‘condensing boilers’ and ‘non-condensing boilers’ are misleading. Because they describe the technology within the boiler itself, rather than what sort of boiler it is.

A condensing boiler works by recycling the wasted exhaust gas that is created during a boiler’s normal operation.

By re-using the exhausted gas; water vapour; and steam; back through the system, some of the heat and water is retained making the boiler’s operation more efficient.

But you won’t have to choose between condensing and non-condensing technology. Because it’s now law (Boiler Plus Regulations) for all new boilers to use condensing technology as standard. So whatever type of heating system you opt for, it will be condensing.

This is because condensing boilers are more energy efficient than their non-condensing counterparts. And can typically extract 90-92% of heat from fuel, compared to 50-80% that a non-condensing boiler can.

Which type of boiler is best for my home?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on your lifestyle; your heating and hot water needs; and what’s most important to you from your heating system.

The Heating People pride ourselves on finding the perfect boiler to fit your needs and budget.

For us to help you; it’s a good idea to arm yourself with some key information. This will help us to find the perfect heating solution for you.

You should ask yourself the following questions:

Are you connected to the UK’s gas network?
How many people live in your house?
How many bathrooms do you have?
Do you have free space, such as a loft or airing cupboard available?
How many radiators do you have?
How important is energy efficiency to you in a boiler?
Are you satisfied with the performance of your current system? For instance, are you getting enough hot water?
Are you thinking of replacing like for like or are you interested in a new type of boiler?

Your expert engineer will ask you about what you’re hoping to achieve with your heating system. And will conduct heat loss calculations to determine what size boiler you need.

Can I change to a different type of boiler?

Yes you can!

Whether you want to replace like for like; or whether you want to take the opportunity to change to a different type of boiler system; depends on your individual situation.

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

A replacement boiler is a different (and more up-to-date) version of the model you already have; which means you’ll already have a lot of the necessary parts in place.

Your other option is to change to a different type of boiler.

For example, you may want to swap from your heat-only system to a combi boiler. If so, you’ll need all-new infrastructure installed along with the boiler itself.

This will obviously be more expensive than swapping out like for like because you’ll be starting from scratch.

On the flip-side, getting either a new boiler or a replacement boiler will mean that you’re likely to save money on your bills over time.

What size of boiler do I need?

Boiler size doesn’t refer to the physical dimensions of the boiler itself. But rather how much energy is output by the boiler in terms of heat, which is measured in kilowatts (kW).

A kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts. This unit helps us to measure the power your boiler can provide to your heating system.

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.

If you have a heat-only or a system boiler; the boiler size will be based on the heat requirements of your property.

For combi boilers, the size of the boiler you need looks ‘bigger’; because it produces instantaneous hot water on demand, rather than storing it.

How are boilers sized?

You’ll need to choose a boiler that can cope with the heating demands of your home. But unfortunately, a lot of people fall into the trap of choosing a much bigger boiler than they need; ‘just in case’. But this is a mistake.

Oversizing your boiler is inefficient; costly; and can generate more power than your central heating system can handle, which will take its toll on your boiler.

But don’t worry – The Heating People will find the prefect size for your home and lifestyle after conducting a heat loss calculation. But here is a very rough size guide:

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.

Which boiler manufacturer 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.

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

This is totally understandable, because a boiler is a big investment. And not the sort of purchase you make every day.

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.

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. After all, your boiler will be the hardest working appliance in your home for at least the next decade!

Which are our favourite manufacturers?

The Heating People can work with all manufacturers of boiler, but we have our personal favourites!

Our favourite heat-only boilers are Worcester Bosch and ATAG.

For combi boilers, we like the Vaillant ecoTEC Exclusive with Green iQ; and the ATAG iC Economiser. Because they have built in flue gas heat recovery making them more efficient than standard boilers.

In terms of system boilers, we rate ATAG due to the advanced control options available; high build quality; and relatively low cost.

You might like our related blog: The best combi boilers 2022.

How much will a new boiler cost?

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 a boiler replacement costs between £1,800-£3,000.

If you’re thinking that it might be time to say goodbye to the old; and hello to the new; contact one of our specialist advisers, who will be happy to advise you on your specific options.

How long will it take to replace my 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. As a guide, it usually takes between 1-3 days.

What happens during a new boiler installation?

Although all homes and heating systems are different; this is a rough guide to the work included in the cost of a boiler installation with The Heating People:

Before installation

Survey – your engineer will talk to you about your needs and will take technical measurements to find you the perfect boiler for your home.

Quotation – we will send you a fixed price quotation based on the survey.

Booking – we will arrange a convenient time to complete the work.

Arrival of the engineer at your home – your engineer will discuss the planned work with you and check that you’re happy with everything.

Installation

Protecting your home – your engineer will put down floor coverings to protect your carpets.

Draining your old system – your engineer may need to turn your water off for a short period if your old system needs draining down.

Test the gas for leaks – your engineer will complete a let by and gas tightness test.

Removal of the old boiler- your engineer will remove your old boiler and any old redundant equipment.

Flush and clean – depending on what we have discussed during the quotation stage, your engineer will use the flushing method agreed upon, to ensure that your heating system is clean for your new boiler.

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, your engineer 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 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.

After installation

Handover – your engineer will then complete a handover with you when all of the work is complete. This ensures that you are as informed as possible on how to operate the boiler, how to use all of the controls, and how to get the best efficiency from your system.

Register the boiler – we will then register your boiler with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee and we will notify your local building control via the Gas Safe Register.

If you have any questions about boiler installations, please contact one of our team at The Heating People.

Does my boiler need to be replaced because it’s old?

When considering a boiler replacement, it’s a good idea to start by considering your boiler’s age.

A new boiler is unlikely to need to be replaced, but what’s considered an ‘old’ boiler?

There isn’t an easy answer to this question, because just like with us, age really is just a number!

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 by a Gas Safe engineer; 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.

So, if your boiler is old; and you notice any of the other warning signs that it might be on its last legs; contact The Heating People, to get some expert advice on your options.

How do I know if I need to replace my boiler?

Unfortunately, boilers don’t last forever.

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to upgrade your boiler; you might like to read our related blogs: Does my boiler need replacing? and 6 signs you need a new boiler.

But here are a few warning signs that your current boiler might be on its last legs:

It’s in its ‘golden years’;
It keeps breaking down;
It’s noisy;
It’s leaking water;
Your energy bills have crept up without explanation;
Replacement parts are hard to find because of the age of your boiler;
Your heating system isn’t working like it used to;
You never have enough hot water;
Your boiler is not working at all.

How do I know if my boiler needs repairing or replacing?

If your boiler is playing up; it might be a fault with a simple fix, but it could be a more serious issue.

The best option is to consult The Heating People who will be able to assess whether your boiler is safe to continue using after a fix or whether it can be repaired at all.

What is boiler efficiency?

This is a very important question. So we’ve dedicated a whole blog to it; which you can read here: What is an efficient boiler and why should I want one?

But at its simplest; an efficient boiler needs to use the least amount of energy to keep your house warm, and your water hot.

Because efficient boilers use less energy, they will cost you less on your energy bills.

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

How is boiler efficiency measured?

All modern boilers are rated for efficiency under the European energy label introduced in September 2015. ErP stands for ‘Energy-related Products’.

Under this scale, boilers are rated from A-G, with A being the most efficient, and G being the least efficient.

To put this into context, a G-rated boiler with 73% efficiency will use 73% of the supplied energy for heating your home. But the remaining 27% of energy will be lost. So, this means that for every £1 you spend on heating your home, 27p is wasted.

What is Boiler Plus?

If you’ve done some research on boilers; you might have come across the phrase ‘Boiler Plus’ and be wondering what it means.

Boiler Plus is a new(ish) set of rules on energy efficiency; designed to improve the way you use energy in your home.

From April 6th 2018, all boilers must now have a minimum ErP (Energy related Products) rating of 92% and all gas and oil boilers must have appropriate time and temperature controls fitted.

In addition, when installed, combi boilers must have one of four of the following requirements fitted:

Flue Gas Heat Recovery – a system that enables the boiler to reuse heat that would have otherwise been wasted
Weather compensation – flow temperature can be modulated based on the outside temperature
Load compensation – flow temperature can be modulated from the boiler based on room temperature
Smart controls with automation and optimisation functions

Rest assured that all boilers installed by The Heating People comply with all the legal requirements under Boiler Plus.

What are the benefits of replacing my boiler?

If you’re wondering what you stand to gain from a boiler replacement (aside from a boiler that actually works!) Here are some of the key advantages:

A warmer, more comfortable home
More reliable hot water
Quieter boiler operation
Space saving
Reduced energy bills
Better for the environment
More control
Peace of mind
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Reduced repair costs
More convenient location
Make your home more attractive to future buyers

Will a new boiler save me money on my bills?

With gas prices skyrocketing this year; we’re willing to bet you’re wondering whether you can cut your bills with a more efficient boiler.

Heating accounts for about half of what you spend in a year on energy bills. So an efficient boiler can make a big difference to your bills.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you could save as much as £340 a year on your gas bill; by trading in an old-style G-rated non-condensing boiler for a new condensing one.

But obviously, the savings won’t be as significant if your boiler wasn’t non-condensing to start with.

And just because your boiler is A-rated out of the box; doesn’t mean it will be in your home if it’s the wrong size; has sub-standard controls; or isn’t installed right.

In these situations, your new boiler will run well below its A-label efficiency rating. Therefore, you need a skilled installer to maximise the efficiency of your heating system.

The Heating People are proud to be Heat Geek Accredited installers. Because the installer is the number one contributor to heating system efficiency.

Will I get a guarantee with my new boiler?

All boilers supplied by The Heating people come with a guarantee of up to 14 years.

This means that should your boiler breakdown; all labour and materials required to get the boiler back to working order are covered.

You’ll need to have your boiler serviced annually to maintain your boiler’s guarantee.

Will I receive anything in writing when I have a new boiler installed?

Once The Heating People have installed your new boiler; we register it with the manufacturers to activate its guarantee; and we’ll notify your local building control via the Gas Safe Register.

You will receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate in the post within 28 days of a new appliance being installed.

How often should I get my boiler serviced?

To keep your boiler running safely and smoothly, you should have it serviced once a year.

This is a legal requirement for landlords. And The Heating People will supply landlords with a Gas Safety Record on completion of the service.

How long does a boiler service take?

A boiler service usually takes less than an hour. But this depends on what sort of appliance you have, and what condition it’s in.

Why do boilers need servicing?

It’s vital that you book in for an annual service, and here are some of the reasons why:

A service will keep you and your family safe from risks of fire, explosions, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regular servicing will help you to avoid a breakdown when you need your boiler most; by clearing any dirt and debris from the component parts.

Regular servicing will maximise the lifespan of your boiler by ensuring that it’s running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Annual servicing is essential to maintain your boiler’s guarantee, whichever manufacturer you choose to go with.

Annual servicing is a legal requirement for landlords.

Are there any warning signs that a boiler is in a dangerous condition?

With regular servicing, your boiler will remain safe. But as with all gas appliances, gas boilers pose risk to life if improperly maintained.

Contact a Gas Safe engineer immediately if you notice any of the following warning signs:

The flame in your boiler is yellow
The flame in your boiler is irregular
You’ve spotted new stains or smoke marks on walls or nearby appliances
There is a hissing noise coming from the boiler
There is a leak
It’s been more than a year since your last service

What happens during a boiler service?

When servicing your boiler, The Heating people will conduct the following tests (where applicable to your boiler):

Visual Inspection of boiler and flue – to ensure that your boiler still meets current standards.

Removal of the boiler casing – to check the functioning of the main component parts, such as the burner; heat exchanger; main injector; and spark/sensor probe.

Flue check – to ensure that the flue is not obstructed in any way and the flue components are sealed correctly to make sure that there are no unsafe emissions being released.

Gas checks – a gas pressure check will ensure that your boiler is operating at the right gas pressure. The gas valve will be adjusted to check the burner is combusing efficiently and correctly (using a flue gas analyser). A gas tightness test will be conducted to ensure there are no leaks.

Combustion analysis – using a flue gas analyser, the products of combustion will be tested to ensure that there are not high levels of carbon monoxide and to make sure the boiler is burning as the manufacturer intended it to.

Cleaning – the condensate trap will be cleaned, and if the tests have indicated that it is necessary, the burner; heat exchanger; electrodes; and magnetic system filter; will also be cleaned.

Check the expansion vessel – to ensure that it still has water pressure to the manufacturer’s requirements. This will be topped up if required.

Documentation – The Heating People will provide you with a service report/checklist which includes all of the information about the safety of your boiler. Our installers will also fill in the service record in your boiler’s manual, which is important to maintain the validity of your boiler guarantee.

What is power flushing, and would it improve my heating system?

A power flush is a cleansing process which cleans your entire central heating system, removing rust; dirt and debris; which collects in your pipes, boiler and radiators over time.

Unless it’s dealt with, this sludge will play havoc with the efficiency of your heating system; causing corrosion; blockages; and reduced efficiency.

This means that your heating system can’t perform like it used to. And you might start to notice your radiators getting colder.

It can also damage individual parts of your heating system; leading to breakdowns. And can eventually lead to the need for a full boiler replacement in the most severe cases.

If you’ve noticed that your radiators aren’t heating up properly and they don’t need to be bled; you should ask your heating engineer whether this would help.

A power flush may also be a good idea to cleanse your pipes and radiators before installing a new boiler.

Final thoughts…

We hope that you’ve found the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions helpful. If you still need advice on a boiler issue, contact The Heating People today.

Useful Links:

The Gas Safe Register

Government fact sheet on Boiler Plus

Energy Saving Trust article on boilers

Advice

How to reduce boiler pressure

Post author By Lucy
Post date July 23, 2021
No Comments on How to reduce boiler pressure

How to reduce boiler pressure…

Nobody likes being under too much pressure, and your boiler is no different!

If you’ve noticed that the pressure gauge dial on your boiler has gone into the red zone, or your heating system has shut down, it could be that high pressure in your boiler is to blame.

Modern boilers require constant water pressure to function properly. There must be the correct balance of water and air within your central heating system in order for your boiler to be able to pump hot water to your radiators and taps.

And the balance must be just right. Too low, and it will cause problems, such as the dreaded, no hot water, situation. But if it’s too high, there’s an increased chance of leaks developing in your heating system.

So, in order to keep things ticking over nicely, your boiler needs to maintain the correct pressure in order to heat your home effectively.

What is the difference between water pressure and boiler pressure?

The terms ‘water pressure’ and ‘boiler pressure’ are easily confused, but they’re two different things.

Water pressure refers to how quickly the water comes out of your taps, whereas boiler pressure refers to the pressure of the hot water which is inside your central heating system.

What is boiler pressure and why does it matter?

Your gas central heating system works by heating cold water and pumping it around your pipes and radiators.

Older heating systems may have used a small storage cistern in the loft to supply water into the heating system.

But most modern (and some older) heating systems are sealed. This means that there aren’t any vents to manage the water expanding and contracting as it heats and cools.

Instead, the system is pressurised to ‘push’ the water around your system.

To work efficiently, your boiler must maintain a stable pressure, which is determined by the volume of water in your heating system. It’s important that your boiler pressure is just right.

Pressure problems

Low boiler pressure can cause your system to cut out, preventing your central heating from working.

Alternatively, if there is high boiler pressure, the system will be strained beyond normal capacity and could potentially fail. Re-pressurising your boiler will help to keep your boiler working well.

However, not all boilers will need you to do this.

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Lifestyle boilers boast an optional unique intelligent filling system. This new technology ensures that your system pressure is kept at its optimum level – which is great if you’re sick of the problems associated with high or low boiler pressure.

The intelligent filling system monitors the boiler pressure and automatically maintains the system pressure at around 1.3bar, removing the need for you to manually top up the boiler pressure.

How can I check my boiler pressure?

You can easily check your boiler’s pressure by reading the pressure gauge – which is usually located on the front of your boiler.

If you have a digital gauge, it will often flash if there’s high or low pressure.

If you have a hydraulic pressure gauge, the correct boiler pressure will be indicated with a green zone, and the maximum safe operating pressure with a red zone.

What is the correct pressure for a boiler?

When the heating system is cool, the pressure should be between 1 and 1.5 bar on the pressure gauge, and the indicator needle should be in the green section.

Most boiler manufacturers recommend a pressure of 1.3 bar (check your owner’s manual).

If the pressure is too low, or below 0.5 bars, water has been lost from the system and must be replaced.

If the pressure is too high, anything over 2 bars, the needle will be in the red section.

It’s important to understand that your boiler pressure should go up when it’s switched on. However, the rise should be small, generally between 0.3 and 0.5 bar.

What causes your boiler pressure to become too high?

Although the pressure gauge on your boiler will alert you to the fact that it’s too high, unfortunately, it can’t tell you why. There are a few possible causes of your high boiler pressure:

The heating system has been overfilled

The simplest explanation for your high boiler pressure is if you’ve overfilled your heating system when trying to re-pressurise it.

When dealing with low pressure, it’s important to top the system up with more water via the external filling loop, to prevent damage to the component parts.

But if you’ve accidentally overfilled your system, it puts unnecessary strain on your heating system, and explains why your pressure is now too high. This is why it’s often better to call in a professional.

The way to fix this issue is by draining the excess water from the system. You can do this by letting it out through the radiator bleed valve, using your radiator key.

To do this, you’ll need to put a container under the bleed valve on your radiator and open the valve with your radiator key. Be careful because water will squirt out and be warned that this is quite a slow process!

The external filling loop has been left open

Another possibility is that you may have accidentally left the external filling loop open, or partially open.

The filling loop is where water enters the system from the mains, and consists of two valves. When both valves are open, the system lets more water in, and the pressure rises.

So, if you’ve left one valve open, this is your culprit for high pressure, because it will be leaking small amounts of water into the system.

This will mean that your boiler pressure will rise constantly, even when hot water and heating aren’t currently switched on.

Check both valves are closed – they turn by 90 degrees, and if the handle is aligned with the pipe, it means it’s open.

Faulty pressure relief valve

Pressure relief valves, or PRVs are designed to prevent a buildup of pressure inside your boiler.

These safety valves open to release pressure when the level becomes too high, and close again when the pressure has dropped to within a safe range.

If the PRV becomes faulty or breaks, your boiler’s excess pressure will have nowhere to escape from.

This will put excess strain on your boiler, until it eventually locks out and shows a fault code. You should call a Gas Safe engineer to assess your boiler, and identify whether the PRV needs replacing.

Faulty expansion vessel

The expansion vessel is another crucial component of your boiler. It helps to keep the pressure consistent by acting as a sort of shock absorber.

It handles the expansion and contraction of water in your heating system as it heats and cools. If this is faulty or breaks, this could explain why the pressure in your boiler is too high.

Is high boiler pressure dangerous?

Although it’s alarming to be in the red zone on your pressure gauge, don’t panic – it’s not usually dangerous.

Your heating system is protected by a pressure relief valve (PRV), and most systems also shut down if boiler pressure gets too high. As always though, you should call a heating engineer if you are concerned.

How to reduce boiler pressure

A heating engineer will be able to help you if you think you have an issue with boiler pressure. But there a couple of simple things that you can try yourself first:

Reduce boiler pressure by reseting your boiler

The first thing to try is resetting your boiler. This is the IT equivalent of switching it off and switching it back on again! Check your manual on where to find the reset button on your boiler.

Reduce boiler pressure by checking that the filling loop is fully closed

As we discussed earlier, you should check that your filling loop is fully closed so that water is not being leaked into your system.

Reduce boiler pressure by bleeding your radiators

You can release excess water from your system by bleeding your radiators.

To do this, you need to switch your heating off and allow the radiators to cool. This will protect you from being burned by any very hot water that comes out of your radiators during the bleeding process.

You should then prepare the area under your radiator by putting a towel on the floor to protect your carpets. You’ll need to hold a container underneath the bleed valve on your radiator to catch any water that is released.

You can now fit your radiator key to the bleed valve, which is usually at the top of your radiator. Slowly turn the key anti-clockwise to release air.

You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes. Keep releasing air from the valve until you can no longer hear air escaping and some water begins to trickle out.

Once you have released the trapped air from your radiator, you need to close the valve quickly.

Once you’ve bled your radiators, you should reset your boiler and check the pressure.

Final thoughts…

If you’ve tried these steps but your pressure is still too high, you need to call in an expert to determine what the problem is, and whether you need any replacement parts.

Useful Links:

Viessmann guide to high boiler pressure

Advice

Does my boiler need servicing?

Post author By Lucy
Post date April 5, 2021
No Comments on Does my boiler need servicing?

People often ask us: Does my boiler need servicing?

And the short answer is Yes!

Whether you realise it or not; your boiler is the invisible hero in your home; quietly keeping you warm, and keeping your baths hot. If you want to keep it that way, regular boiler maintenance is vital.

Like so many things in life; it’s often not until misfortune strikes in the form of a breakdown or a fault; that you realise how much you rely on that little white box in the corner.

And it’s not just about keeping your boiler running smoothly either – it’s about safety. We all know the dangers of having unsafe gas appliances at home.

And yet, every year 60 people in the UK die from carbon monoxide poisioning.

So, if you want to keep your family safe and avoid a breakdown when you need your heating most; it’s crucial to schedule a boiler service every year.

Why do boilers need servicing?

You wouldn’t dream of driving a car without having a valid MOT. And car manufacturers also provide a recommended process for car servicing too.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising that something as hard-working as your boiler also requires some upkeep.

Let’s look at some of the reasons you should definitely be booking in for that service:

Service your boiler to keep your family safe

A boiler service is not just vital for keeping your boiler running efficiently, it’s vital for your safety.

Boilers have built in safety features to ensure correct operation. But over time, these can wear down, and leave your boiler in an unsafe condition.

If your boiler has been improperly fitted; repaired; or maintained; or any of their vents; flues; or chimneys have become blocked; they can pose three main risks to life:

Gas leaks
Fires and explosions
Carbon monoxide poisoning

Despite these dangers; a survey by the Gas Safe Register found that a worrying 24% of homeowners have either never had their boiler serviced; or haven’t had it serviced once a year as recommended.

We find it mind boggling that according to the survey; over a quarter of UK home buyers say that re-decorating is their top priority when moving into a new house; ranking it far above addressing potential safety issues with a boiler.

If you want to keep you and your family safe; it’s crucial to get a Gas Safe engineer to service your boiler annually.

Service your boiler to avoid a breakdown

Let’s face it, nobody wants a breakdown. Having no heating and hot water is a nightmare, any time of the year.

Add to that the stress of having to try and find a heating engineer at the last minute; and regular servicing to avoid it, is a no-brainer.

Over time your boiler will accumulate dirt and deposits making it less efficient and a breakdown more likely.

By having your boiler correctly serviced; it will be fully inspected and any required maintenance can be carried out proactively, so you can avoid breakdowns altogether.

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.

Service your boiler to extend its lifespan

Boilers are a big investment, so you’ll want to make sure that yours lasts you for as long as possible.

Regular servicing maximises the lifespan of your boiler; and ensures that it is running as efficiently as possible; for as long as possible.

Service your boiler to keep heating bills low

If you want to save money on your heating bills, getting your boiler serviced regularly could help.

This is because a service will clean up any deposits that have built up in the boiler.

Ensuring that the internal combustion areas are free of dirt and debris will improve the heat transfer. This allows your your boiler to light more easily and burn efficiently, which can lead to lower heating bills.

To learn more about boiler efficiency and your heating bills; check out our related blog: ‘What is an efficient boiler, and why should I want one?’

Service your boiler to maintain its guarantee

Regardless of which boiler manufacturer you choose; all of them require that you have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain their guarantee.

All boilers supplied by The Heating People come with a manufacturer’s guarantee of up to 14 years.

This gives you the peace of mind that should any faults develop within that time; they will be repaired free of charge.

This will only remain valid if you keep up to date with regular servicing.

Servicing your boiler is a legal requirement for landlords

If you’re a landlord, it’s a legal requirement for you to present a gas safety record each year.

It’s convenient to have a boiler service carried out at the same time; to ensure that your boiler is working well for your tenants and doesn’t pose a safety risk.

Additional signs that you really need a boiler service

In addition to all of the reasons above; if you notice any of these warning signs, you should contact a heating engineer without delay:

The flame in your boiler is yellow;
The flame in your boiler is irregular;
There are new stains or smoke marks on walls or nearby appliances;
The boiler overheats or refills regularly;
The water pressure drops;
The pilot light often goes out;
There is a hissing noise coming from the boiler;
Your boiler is taking longer than usual to heat up;
One room of your home is very warm, whereas another is really cold;
There is a leak;
It’s been more than a year since your last service.

How long does a boiler service take?

A boiler service usually takes less than an hour, but this depends on what sort of appliance you have, and what condition it’s in.

When should I get my boiler serviced?

Although we only tend to only think about our boilers during the winter, when the weather turns colder; you rely on your boiler all year round.

To keep your boiler running smoothly, you should have it serviced once a year.

The best time to book in for a service is during the summer when your heating demand is lower. Because this helps to find and fix any faults before the cold weather hits, and your boiler is working much harder.

What’s involved in a boiler service?

Before getting your boiler serviced; it’s important to check that the engineer is qualified to carry out the work.

Rest assured that all our engineers at The Heating People are Gas Safe registered.

When servicing your boiler, The Heating people will conduct the following tests (where applicable to your boiler):

Visual Inspection of boiler and flue

Your engineer will complete a visual check to ensure that your boiler still meets current standards. This will involve inspecting your boiler controls to make sure that they are working correctly. The engineer will look for any corrosion or leaks and will visually check the flame in your boiler.

Removal of the boiler casing

Your boiler casing will be removed to check the functioning of the main component parts, such as the burner; heat exchanger; main injector; and spark/sensor probe.

Flue check

A flue test checks that the flue is unobstructed and the flue components are sealed correctly. Thereby ensuring that no unsafe emissions are released.

Gas checks

A gas pressure check will ensure that your boiler is operating at the right gas pressure. The gas valve will be adjusted to check the burner is combusting efficiently and correctly (using a flue gas analyser). A gas tightness test will be conducted to ensure there are no leaks.

Combustion analysis

Using a flue gas analyser; the products of combustion will be tested to ensure that there are not high levels of carbon monoxide and to make sure the boiler is burning as the manufacturer intended it to.

Cleaning

The condensate trap will be cleaned, and if the tests have indicated that it is necessary, the burner; heat exchanger; electrodes; and magnetic system filter; will also be cleaned.

Check the expansion vessel

The expansion vessel will be checked to ensure that it still has water pressure to the manufacturer’s requirements. This will be topped up if required.

Documentation

The Heating People will provide you with a service report/checklist which includes all the information about the safety of your boiler.

Our installers will also fill in the service record in your boiler’s manual, which is important to maintain the validity of your boiler guarantee.

0151 792 6245

1. Save money on your energy bills by replacing your old boiler

2. Save money on your energy bills by servicing your boiler

3. Save money on your energy bills by turning down your thermostat

4. Save money on your energy bills by using timers

5. Save money on your energy bills by using Thermostatic Radiator Valves

6. Save money on your energy bills by drying your clothes on an airer

7. Save money on your energy bills by getting a power flush

8. Save money on your energy bills by reducing your heat loss

● Save money on your energy bills by draught-proofing

● Save money on your energy bills by topping up your loft and wall insulation

9. Save money on your energy bills by purchasing energy efficient appliances

10. Save money on your energy bills by checking you’re not overpaying your energy supplier.

Useful Links:

Signs that you might need a boiler replacement

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is in its ‘golden years’

Sign it’s time it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your energy bills have crept up without explanation

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Replacement parts are hard to find because of the age of your boiler

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your heating system isn’t working like it used to

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is regularly breaking down

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler or radiators are noisy

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: The flame in your boiler has changed from a blue to a yellow colour

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler smells odd when it is on

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is leaking waterYour boiler should never leak! If it does, you need to switch it off and have it checked by a professional.

Sign it’s time for a boiler replacement: Your boiler is not working at all

What will I stand to gain from a boiler replacement?

Benefit of replacing your boiler: A warmer, more comfortable home

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More reliable hot water

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Quieter boiler operation

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Space saving

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Reduced energy bills

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Better for the environment

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More control

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Peace of mind

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Manufacturer’s guarantee

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Reduced repair costs

Benefit of replacing your boiler: More convenient location

Benefit of replacing your boiler: Make your home more attractive to buyers

How much will a boiler replacement cost?

How long will a boiler replacement take?

Which boiler brands do The Heating People work with?

Useful Links:

What are the risks of having unsafe gas appliances at home?

What is Gas Safe?

Is Gas Safe different to CORGI?

What does the law say about Gas Safe?

What does the Gas Safe Register do?

What the Gas Safe Register does:

The Gas Safe Register do not:

Why is it important to use a Gas Safe engineer?

How to check whether an engineer is Gas Safe registered

How to check with the Gas Safe Register

What happens during a gas safety check?

Do Gas Safe engineers provide any particular documentation following completion of gas work?

Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

Landlord Gas Safety Record

What steps should I take for Gas Safety?

Final thoughts…

Useful Links:

Central heating myth 1 – Turning up your thermostat heats a room quicker

Central heating myth 2 – A bigger boiler is better because it will give you more heat

Heat loss calculations determine the size of boiler you need

Central heating myth 3 – Expensive boilers are always the best boilers

Central heating myth 4 – Combi boilers do not give you a very good shower or bath

How do combi boilers work?

Combi boilers and Boiler Plus

Central heating myth 5: Combination boilers are not suitable for larger homes

How do you use your hot water?

Central heating myth 7 – Painting your radiators makes them more efficient

Final thoughts

Useful Links

Ancient heating

5000 BC

2500 BC

1500 BC

350 BC – The Romans

476 AD – The Collapse of Ancient Rome

800 AD – The Early Middle Ages

The 12th century – Invention of the chimney

The 13th century