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Why Do I Need to Service My Boiler?
Your boiler is one of the most important – and, at times, underappreciated – parts of your home. Without it, you’d be facing all kinds of challenges. Hot water is something we take for granted a lot of the time and we’d truly worry about ourselves if it was snatched away from us. Central heating during the colder times is also something that we often view as a luxury product.
Not having a boiler or having a faulty one can lead to many problems in your life. This is why you have to make sure you’re servicing it regularly. Here are a few specific points as to why this kind of thing is necessary for your home:
Your boiler will end up costing you a lot more in the grand scheme if you don’t service it regularly. While it may seem like a pain to pay for the servicing, it’ll cost you a lot more to deal with big repairs or replacements. This could be money that you cannot afford to part with.
A regular service will also keep things fresh in your mind and help you with different tasks relating to it throughout the year.
Leaving things that seem insignificant might end up biting you in the backside, too. Even the smallest problems with your boiler can develop into huge ones.
The likes of CGH Services can come along and help out with your boiler situation in no time. If you need a local and professional team to step in, don’t hesitate to get in touch. They’ll tell you everything you need to know and provide an extensive range of services.
Is It Cheaper to Leave the Heating on Low All Day or Turn It on Only When I Need It?
Most people like to live in warm homes, especially when it’s cold outside. They don’t like spending a lot of money on their energy bills, though.
People always ask, “Is it cheaper to keep your central heating on low all the time or to set it to turn on and off at certain times of the day?” There is an answer when it comes to cost, although there are also some caveats, as you’ll soon see.
The Energy Savings Trust dispels the myth that turning down the thermostat on your central heating system would save you money. The primary source of this is insufficient insulation in the homes involved. For instance, heat might escape via draughty windows and doors in an older or less well-maintained home.
If you leave your heating on all the time, your boiler will be constantly expending energy to keep the temperature at a fixed level; if your home is poorly insulated, your boiler will have to work much harder. An old-design boiler, which already requires a lot of energy to operate, can simply make matters worse.
If you want to beat the UK energy crisis then the best thing to do it to only use your boiler when you need to, but to ensure that it’s regularly serviced to keep it working efficiently. Or install a new gas boiler for the ultimate in heating efficiency in your home. Contact us today to find out more about the best option for you.
Why Your Pilot Light Keeps Going Out & How to Fix
When your pilot light goes out, it can be frustrating. You may not know how to fix it, and you may not know what is causing the problem. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common causes of pilot light failure and provide instructions on how to fix them. We hope this information will help you keep your pilot light burning brightly!
There are several reasons why your pilot light might go out. The most common reason is that the gas supply to the pilot light is interrupted. This can happen if the gas line to your home is shut off or if there is a problem with the regulator. If you suspect the gas supply is the problem, you should call your utility company or a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Another common cause of pilot light failure is a dirty or obstructed burner. The burner can impede gas flow to the pilot light if it is dirty. You should not attempt to cannot clean the burner yourself, you should call a qualified engineer to do it for you.
Finally, pilot lights can go out if they are not properly adjusted. The pilot light’s flame should be touching the thermocouple, but it should not be too close. If the flame is too high or too low, it can cause the pilot light to go out. If you are unsure how to adjust the pilot light call Gas Safe registered engineer to take a look.
If you are having trouble with your pilot light, we hope this blog post has been helpful. Remember, the most common causes of pilot light failure are an interrupted gas supply or a dirty burner.
If you cannot fix the problem, call us today on 07308 355 077, we’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance.
Questions To Ask About Boiler Installation
Buying a new gas boiler is a significant investment for your home. You want to make sure that you’re getting value for money, and that your chosen installer understands your household’s heating and hot water requirement.
To that end, it makes sense to ask some important questions before deciding to go ahead with a new boiler installation:
Do I Need The Same Type Of Boiler?
If you’ve got an old system boiler with a separate tank for hot water, you can always upgrade to a modern combi gas boiler. Similarly, if you’ve got an old or inefficient combi boiler, it’s possible to install a new energy-efficient model in its place.
How Long Will My New Boiler Last?
Boilers typically last between 10-15 years. How long yours will last depends on various factors, such as the make and model, the maintenance schedule, and hard water levels in your area.
Should I Choose A Specific Brand?
As you can imagine, you’ve got access to various brands of gas boilers. Each has their pros and cons, but the one you choose should be the best for your budget and your household’s needs.
At Complete Gas Heating Services Ltd, we will always recommend to our customers leading brands like Worcester Bosch.
How Do I Get A New Boiler Installation?
If you’d like a new boiler installation, you can contact Complete Gas Heating Services Ltd at 07308 355077. We’d be happy to discuss your requirements and recommend a solution that is fully tailored to your needs
Why does my boiler keep turning itself off?
Your boiler has all sorts of in-built safety features that stop you from coming to harm if something were to go wrong. This is clearly a very beneficial thing, but it can be frustrating when your boiler is turning itself off all the time and you are not sure why it’s happening. In truth, if this is happening then you need to make sure that you fix it as soon as possible, with the help of professionals of course, and ideally avoid using it until that has happened.
But what exactly is the likely cause of a boiler turning itself off regularly? There are a few possible reasons this might happen. It could be that your boiler’s temperature control valve has run into difficulty, meaning that it won’t be able to keep the temperature under control, and that is obviously a dangerous situation for a boiler to be in. To avoid harm, the boiler will turn itself off in this scenario.
But it will also do that if the water pressure gets too low, which can happen naturally over time if your boiler has been in place a long time, or if you have recently bled your radiators. As such, how to fix it depends on what kind of situation it is actually going to be.
In any case, make sure that you contact our team for a boiler repair if this is happening to your boiler. We are the number one service in Longwell Green for boiler repair.
Tips for Giving your Boiler a Spring Clean
Your boiler is an essential part of your home. Not only does it provide heat and hot water, but it also plays a crucial role in your safety. That’s why it’s essential to give your boiler a spring clean every year. The following blog will discuss the best way to clean your boiler and keep it running all season smoothly long!
Consult A Professional
The first step in giving your boiler a spring clean is to consult a qualified professional. While you may be tempted to tackle the job yourself, it’s best to leave it to the experts. A qualified technician will be able to assess your boiler and determine the best way to clean it. They will also be able to identify any potential problems that could cause your boiler to break down.
Schedule A Service
Once you’ve consulted a professional, the next step is to schedule a service. This will ensure that your boiler is cleaned and serviced by a qualified technician. It’s important to schedule your service in advance, as many companies get booked up quickly during the spring season.
Follow The Instructions
Once your boiler has been serviced, it’s essential to follow the instructions of the technician. They will provide you with a list of things to do in order to keep your boiler running smoothly. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully in order to avoid any problems.
In conclusion, giving your boiler a spring clean is an essential part of homeownership. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your boiler will continue to provide heat and hot water all season long!
How efficient is my old boiler?
One of the most important things you can do as a homeowner is to have your boiler serviced regularly or have it replaced after it’s been in use for 10 to 15 years. Once your boiler ages and reaches its early “teen” years, it becomes less efficient, making you lose more heat and spend more money. Your boiler accounts for more than 50% of your home’s expenses. As the energy price rises in the UK, it is a much better financially-sound decision to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model to help you save more money.
Determine the efficiency of your boiler
Most newer boiler models usually have a sticker on the boiler that indicates its efficiency rating. However, this is unlikely for older boiler models. Nonetheless, you can still work your way around determining how efficient it is.
You can start by identifying the boiler number and brand for older boilers. Once you have that information, you can enter your findings into the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB), which has data on almost every type of boiler. After finding the boiler model, look out for its seasonal efficiency rating, which gives near-accurate data on how your boiler performs annually.
What is a good rating?
Depending on the age and type of boiler, you can expect your rating to be between 60% to 95%. A modern oil and gas boiler ranges between 85% to 95%, making them very efficient. Anything below 85% is considered old and inefficient.
Improve the efficiency of your boiler
Here at Complete Gas Heating Services, we are ready to provide you with professional boiler service to help your old boiler run as efficiently as possible and extend its shelf life while using less energy. We can also evaluate your old boiler to determine if a new boiler install is a better option.
Why An Annual Service Will Improve the Efficiency of Your Boiler
The cost of energy is about to rise, and it’s essential to take measures to improve your home’s efficiency. One of the best ways to do this is regularly servicing your boiler.
Benefits
A boiler service will clean and adjust your boiler, ensuring that it’s running as efficiently as possible. This can save you money on your energy bills in the long run, as you’ll be using less energy to heat your home.
It’s also essential to have your boiler serviced each year, as this will help to extend its life expectancy. If you don’t service your boiler, it could break down, costing you even more money in repairs.
Boiler breakdowns are among the most common reasons for home fires, so it’s crucial to ensure that your boiler is in good condition. Boiler installation and servicing is a job for the experts, so be sure to call in a qualified heating engineer to carry out the work.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your monthly energy costs, consider having your boiler serviced. A boiler service will clean and adjust your boiler, ensuring that it’s running as efficiently as possible. This can save you money on your energy bills in the long run, as you’ll be using less energy to heat your home.
It’s also essential to have your boiler serviced each year, as this will help to extend its life expectancy. If you don’t service your boiler, it could break down, costing you even more money in repairs.
In Closing
So, if you want to save money on your energy bills and keep your boiler in good condition, make sure you get it serviced regularly.
Is it worth replacing my gas boiler?
When was the last time you replaced your boiler? Most people don’t replace it when they are living in their house, and they don’t even replace it when the boiler shows signs that it’s effectively dying. Before you can decide whether it’s a good idea to replace your gas boiler, you need to know if the one that you currently have is sufficient enough for your needs. How much gas are you using per year? How much are you spending on your current heating bills? These are important things to remember, and you should check your past 12 months of bills to see how much you’re spending.
If you have been dealing with rattling boiler issues or a weird smell from your boiler, then it might be worth checking with a Gas Safe Registered engineer if your boiler is working properly. No matter what, though, the process of replacing the boiler needs to be considered because it can be a rather big job! If you speak to a qualified engineer, you can ascertain whether your gas boiler is being replaced with another gas model, or if you choose an electric one.
There are some standards that need to be upheld when it comes to your boiler. If yours keeps breaking down, then replacing it may be the cost-effective option. Replacement of your boiler can be necessary if it’s overworking the one you have. Speaking to an expert can help you to decide whether you upgrade your boiler and to which model.
What is the difference between a boiler and a heat pump?
The vast majority of UK homes are currently heated by gas boilers, but there’s an ongoing push to replace these boilers with heat pumps, across many sectors of society.
A boiler and a heat pump both achieve the same thing in different ways. But which one of these options is likely to be the most suitable for you?
Let’s take a look.
Boiler strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
There is a vast infrastructure in place supporting gas boilers, with huge numbers of qualified heating engineers available to carry out boiler service and boiler repair work.
Boilers offer consistent heating in different weather conditions, and their performance isn’t impacted by what’s going on outside.
It’s unlikely you’ll need new radiators or pipes fitted for a new gas boiler, but it’s likely with a heat pump installation.
Weaknesses
Boilers are less environmentally friendly than heat pumps and have lower energy efficiency when heat pumps are working in ideal conditions.
Based on government carbon targets, gas prices may be prone to rise.
Heat pump strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
Heat pumps are a renewable and environmentally friendly source of heating and offer great energy efficiency when operating under ideal conditions. Heat pumps have a COP score of up to 3, so each unit of energy put into the heat pump yields three units of energy as heat.
Heat pump installation falls under the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme, so you can have your installation subsidised at up to £5,000.
Weaknesses
Heat pumps work almost like a reverse refrigerator, by drawing in and condensing heat from outside. They are therefore more efficient on hot days, and less efficient on cold nights. The opposite of what most people want.
Ideal heat pump performance relies a lot on modern home builds and good insulation. Many UK homes don’t meet this profile.
Heat pumps are fairly cumbersome and need a unit installed outside the home. This could be an eyesore, and might be noisy, too.
There are few heat pump specialists to conduct repairs.
How A New Boiler Can Save You Money
During the cold winter months, central heating can account for a massive proportion of your energy costs – as much as 60%.
We all want to save money, especially given the difficult times at the moment. It can seem like an impossible chore, but by adopting energy-saving measures like insulation and draught-proofing your doors and windows, you may be able to significantly lower your energy expenditures. Investing in a new gas boiler is also a smart way to save money on gas and energy.
Many of us are still using boilers with old technology – if your boiler is more than ten years old, this is certainly the case. While it might seem like it is working ok, it is potentially costing you lots of money in gas use and potential boiler repairs, it is definitely not as efficient as it could be. Boilers have improved massively in recent times and replacing your old one with an energy-efficient, A-rated eco-friendly condensing boiler and making sure you keep up with yearly boiler servicing can save you as much as £300 a year.
Why is a new boiler more efficient?
It all comes down to how the boiler gets rid of waste gases. Depending on your system, gas or oil is burned and used to heat the water in your central heating system when you use a boiler. As a result of this process, waste gases are produced. These waste gases must be removed from the property for safety reasons.
As a result, the boiler relies on a flue to expel waste gases from the building. Unfortunately, when waste gases exit through the flue in outdated boilers, a lot of usable and valuable heat energy is lost along with them.
Thanks to a secondary or extended heat exchanger, condensing boilers may recover a lot of the critical heat energy that would otherwise be squandered in the atmosphere. This has a considerable impact on the efficiency of the boiler and the overall operation of your central heating system – and save you money.
Hot Water But Not Heating? How To Diagnose The Problem.
Find the support you need to get your hot water heater working properly.
With colder weather approaching, if you notice any issues with your hot water heater, now is the time to address them so that you can stay warm all winter long.
Try these four action steps to diagnose the problem and determine whether you can do it yourself or if a boiler repair or replacement is in order.
1. Assess the boiler pressure.
The first thing you should do is look at the pressure gauge on the unit itself. If there is a low-pressure reading, you will need to top off the pressure using the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.
2. Inspect the radiators.
Check your radiators to determine if they are cool to the touch. (While you are there, look for any leaks.) If the unit feels cold, a power flush or bleed is recommended. Follow the operating instructions, and you should be able to accomplish this task on your own.
3. Inspect your thermostat unit.
Sometimes you will find a problem with your thermostat. Try adjusting the temperature and then wait a few minutes to see if there is an increase in heat. If not, turn the unit off and on. If you have a smart device, look at the corresponding app to see if there are any problems. Check your Wi-Fi, as well.
4. Call the experts.
Sometimes a situation calls for professional servicing. Once you have exhausted all of your efforts, it may be time for a new boiler. After your boiler install, schedule annual maintenance to ensure the boiler stays in good working order year after year.
Radiator cold at the bottom? Here's why that might be
A radiator that’s cold at the bottom is definitely not something you want to deal with. You need your radiators to work well to heat your home efficiently. If your heating system isn’t working as it should, you need to fix it ASAP. You need a warm home, and you don’t want to waste money on your heating. A cold radiator isn’t too hard to address if you can work out the cause.
Diagnosing the Problem
The bottom of a radiator might be cold if there’s a blockage. Sludge can form and settle at the bottom of the radiator due to water and debris mixing. This sludge then blocks hot water from getting into the radiator. The problem can occur over time, but it can also be fixed once the issue is diagnosed.
Can You Fix It Yourself?
If you suspect that there is a blockage in your radiator, you might first ask yourself whether it’s possible to fix it yourself. The answer is that it is technically possible. However, it can be time-consuming and messy. The better option is to get a heating engineer to take a look and determine the best solution to a blockage in your radiator system.
Professional System Flushing
Having your heating system professionally flushed can get rid of a blockage. A chemical flush uses chemical products to break down the blockage, while powerflushing uses pressurised water to get rid of the blockage. With either method, you get a clean system that’s more efficient.
Benefits of Powerflushing
If you have ever wondered why your heating bills are getting more expensive each year. Or, for those who question why their home takes so long to heat up, you might have debris in your central heating system.
To get rid of debris and a build-up of sludge in your system, power flushing can clean up your system for greater efficiency. There are so many benefits from cost savings to a warm home. On that note, here are the benefits that you will want to know about power flushing.
Cost-saving
Speaking of cost savings, it is the number one advantage of power flushing. If you have a build-up of debris in your central heating system, it will take much longer for your home to heat up. Thus, you might increase the thermostat, and this will increase your bills. Power flushing will clean your system and make sure that you save money and spend the right amount on your heating bill.
Achieve a warmer home quicker
When the debris is cleaned up from your heating system, there will be no disruption to the flow of hot water. Thus, your radiators will warm up much quicker, which will warm up your home quicker.
Less frequent maintenance
After you clean your heating system, you will find that you need to call the boiler repair team out a lot less often. A blockage could be causing you to ask for help each year. A clean boiler will run more efficiently and last longer, without needing maintenance.
Which boiler is right for my home?
Boilers come in many shapes and sizes – and today we are going to take a look at a few of the different boilers you can install in your home.
Conventional boilers
Conventional boilers have a large cylinder which stores heated water – and this is supplied to your radiators, taps, and shower as and when it is needed. The main issue with a conventional boiler is the size of it and how awkward it can be to install. If you don’t have a cupboard space or a corner of the kitchen to store your water tank, this is probably not for you.
Eco boiler
Everyone is trying to be more eco conscious these days – and one way you can do this is with your boiler. An eco-boiler is not prone to carbon monoxide leakage and comes in two different types – eco biomass and eco condensing. Choosing an eco-friendly option might be better for you and it will save you money as well as doing some good to the planet.
Combi-boilers
Combi-boilers are a common type of boiler and instead of storing water for hours in a cylinder, they provide your home with hot water on demand from the mains. This can be a much more efficient way to get your hot water but also takes up much less space. If, however you do fancy a storage tank – you can get a storage combi which will take any excess water from the mains and hold this until you need to use it.
The Benefits of Smart Controls in Your Home
You’ll notice that smart controls are becoming easier to find and cheaper to install and having them in your home can offer many excellent benefits. What are these benefits, and why should you consider upgrading your heating system to include smart controls?
Money-Saving
Heating control systems can help you save a significant amount of energy. If you heat your home while you are not present, you are essentially wasting energy and increasing your gas or oil bills. This may quickly build up over the course of a year. You will undoubtedly save money if you can programme your smart controls just to heat the home when absolutely necessary and to choose the areas you are in rather than heating the entire house at once, which is wasteful. By turning the heating up, down, or on and off, you are in complete control no matter what location you are in.
Energy Efficiency
Smart meters are becoming more common, with users studying their usage to discover which areas of their lives utilise the most energy regularly. A smart home system allows you to see where your energy is going at any moment. You can also focus on specific electricity devices and make sure they only come on when needed, rather than wasting massive amounts of electricity on standby.
Keep Your Boiler Working
Although every house will require a new boiler at some point, if you can delay this as long as you can by maintaining your present boiler, you can save money, and it’s more eco-friendly not to dispose of your old boiler. By just using the heating and hot water when necessary, the boiler in your home will not have to work as hard and will last far longer than if you used it every day for no reason.
Choosing The Right Boiler For Your Home
Boilers are like many important things in life; we do tend to take them for granted. Until, of course, they stop working and we realise what we’ve lost. When your boiler is no longer as efficient as it once was or has given up entirely, replacing it might be your best option, especially as today’s boilers are so well made with up-to-date technology. Choosing the right boiler for your home comes with various questions; here are some of them.
What Type?
If you’re wondering what we mean by what type of boiler, just take a quick look online, and you’ll find that, far from all boilers being the same, there are various ones to choose from. Knowing what type of boiler you need – combi or conventional, gas or LPG, and so on – will help you narrow down the choice and also ensure you are choosing the right boiler for your home.
What Budget?
Once you know what kind of boiler will suit your needs best, the budget is something you’ll need to think about. How much can you comfortably spend? Some boilers will be ideal for your home, but if they are over your budget, then you’ll need to have another option in mind. However, we do recommend that you don’t try to cut corners to save money; this can backfire and mean you need another new boiler much sooner than you usually would.
What Capacity?
The capacity of the boiler you need will depend on the home you’re installing it in. The larger the house, the larger the boiler needs to be, and the more people who live there, the larger still. So a one-bedroom flat with one person in it will require a much smaller capacity boiler than a six-bedroomed house with 12 people there. Calculating the capacity of your boiler correctly means you’ll always have heating and hot water when you need it.
For more advice and guidance on just how to find the best boiler for your home, contact us today. We have experience in precisely this field.
My boiler is leaking, what do I do?
A leaking boiler is certainly an inconvenience. It can cause damage to your home and to your boiler, and it might mean that the pressure on your boiler keeps dropping too. If you notice water coming from any part of your boiler or you suspect that there might be a leak, it’s important to address it quickly and get it repaired.
Check for Signs of a Leak
Sometimes, it’s obvious if your boiler is leaking. You can see water coming out or perhaps a wet stain where it looks like water has been leaking. There could be other signs of a leak that you don’t notice right away. One sign is the pressure of your boiler dropping quickly over a short amount of time. You might also see mould or other signs of water leaking out and collecting.
Steps to Take When Your Boiler is Leaking
When you have a leak in your boiler, it’s a good idea to leave the repairs to qualified heating engineers, boilers are complex pieces of engineering.
Before someone arrives to repair the problem, you can do a couple of things. You can turn off the water to prevent any further leaking and make sure that your heating is also turned off. Clean up any water that has leaked to prevent any damage.
Fixing your boiler as quickly as you can get it working efficiently again and help you to avoid further problems.
Signs You May Need to Replace Your Boiler
Boilers will not last forever, and all need replacing eventually. If your boiler is becoming less efficient, then that might be a sign you need to replace your boiler. If you notice that your bills keep creeping up, this could be a sign and it is time to start looking for a replacement. Older boilers are less efficient and, therefore, more costly to run. It’s worth weighing up what you spend on your yearly bills against the cost of a new boiler.
Older boilers may also need to be repaired a lot. Running repairs can become costly, especially if older parts are becoming harder to find. If your boiler is frequently breaking down, ask a specialist to test your boiler, diagnose any problems, and to advise if the cost of ongoing repairs may outweigh the cost of a new boiler. If you are ever unsure of your boiler’s safety or efficiency, it is always important to speak to a specialist and not attempt any repairs yourself.
If your boiler is just not working like it used to, then it might take longer for your house to warm up, or you might frequently have to adjust your boiler’s pressure. These may seem like minor niggles, but it is worth getting this checked out before the boiler breaks down entirely, leaving you in a cold house before a new one can be installed. Specialists can diagnose your boiler’s performance and recommend new installations to match your home and lifestyle needs.
Worcester Bosch Greenstar Lifestyle 8000
Designed to deliver optimal power with minimal fuel usage, the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Lifestyle 8000 is a leading boiler for residential properties. Available as a gas combi boiler or as an LPG model, its versatility ensures it’s a great choice for a wide variety of homes.
Given an A ErP rating for both heating and hot water, the lifestyle 8000 is a highly energy-efficient boiler that can reduce your household’s carbon footprint and even minimise your utility bills.
However, don’t let its energy efficiency fool you. It’s a powerful boiler that’s capable of providing sufficient heating and hot water to larger properties. If you have two or more bathrooms, for example, you’ll need a boiler that can cope with the increased demand and the Style 8000 can do just that.
With an optional Intelligent Filling System, it’s easier than ever to ensure you always have access to hot water and heating, no matter how many appliances, showers or sinks are running at the same time.
Additionally, wireless connectivity and compatibility with the Bosch EasyControl smart thermostat means that operating the Lifestyle 8000 is simple and straightforward. If you’re looking for a gas combi boiler that can be integrated into a smart home, this boiler fits the bill.
For homeowners, reliability and functionality are key when it comes to boilers and the 12-year guarantee that comes with the Lifestyle8000 will certainly give you peace of mind.
The difference between hard and soft water
You may well be familiar with the terms “hard water” and “soft water” without being sure what exactly they mean. You might have wondered, what determines whether water is hard or soft and whether or not one is safer or healthier than the other. The science behind it is actually rather simple: all water contains chemicals and minerals, and the concentration of those minerals is what contributes to whether water is hard or soft.
Hard water
The hardness of water is measured by the levels of calcium and magnesium that it contains. Water softening systems reduce the concentrations of these minerals from the water. Higher levels of these minerals make water hard. Some of the common signs of hard water include:
- An odd film on your hands due to the way that soap and calcium react together in the water.
- Mineral stains on your clothes and clothes that wear out more quickly
- Water marks on things like glasses and dishes after washing them due to small deposits of calcium carbonate
- Reduced water pressure in your home due to mineral deposits that form in your pipes and reduce their internal diameter and impact the water flow
Soft water
Unlike hard water, soft water tends to have higher concentrations of sodium in it. Signs of soft water can be:
- A healthy lather when washing clothes, dishes, and even your body
- Softer, less irritated, better pH balanced skin
- The water pressure in your home will stay more consistent
- You may experience a slight sodium taste in drinking water
Why your home might not stay as warm as it used to
Cold is always an unwelcome house guest, especially when it sneaks up seemingly out of the blue. You know how it goes – one moment you’re enjoying a well-heated space, and the next you’re piling on extra layers.
Aside from being an inconvenience, progressively losing heat is a sure sign that something’s not right. Aside from costing you more in heating, this could be the prelude to a much bigger problem if you don’t take action.
That’s why, if your rooms don’t stay warm for as long as they used to, you should ask yourself the following questions.
Have you draught-proofed your house?
Always start by considering your draught-proofing. Simple solutions such as draught excluders and thick curtains can certainly help to save you from the worst of a particularly cold snap.
Are your radiators functioning as normal?
Clogged or leaking radiators often contribute to heating issues. Blockages in particular can lead to patchy heating at best. Luckily, bleeding your radiator is often all it takes to overcome this, though you may want to seek professional help if problems persist.
Is your boiler doing what it should?
Lastly, look at your boiler. Wear, tear, and faulty parts can all lead to poor heating efficiency. Equally, a boiler that doesn’t fit your current needs could altogether fail to supply the heat you require.
In either instance, expert engineers are the best people to find a solution, offering the repairs and maintenance that you need to get things back up to heat at last.
What to Do If Your Water Pipes Freeze
Winter is here again, and although it can be a little chilly in some locations, it can be a bit colder in others. Temperatures can get frosty enough to freeze water in pipelines, which can be frustrating and lead to extra repairs. To avoid any mishaps, here are a few things you can do if your water pipes freeze.
Call the plumber
It is quite tricky to detect which parts of the pipelines are frozen, and without the right expertise, you may cause more damage. With the help of your plumber, you can use a thawing machine to melt out the frozen water stuck in the pipe. Be sure to close the main water supply but keep your tap open during the thawing process for the melted ice to seep through.
Apply heat to the frozen area
You can identify a frozen pipe when it’s coated with frost or looks slightly bulged. When you notice this, you can wrap heating cables around the pipes and keep it plugged in. You can also place towels soaked in hot water onto the pipes to melt the frozen water stuck in them safely. You can even blow hot air on them using a hairdryer, although this may only be effective depending on where the frozen pipe is.
Turn up your home thermostat
This method works well for pipes behind walls or in places that are hard to reach. By increasing the heat in your home, you increase the chances of melting an ice blockade. Do not begin the thawing process without shutting off the main water supply point, to prevent water from gushing out when thawing begins.
The winter season indeed comes with a lot of challenges for household pipelines. However, with these handy tips, you can prevent other damages from occurring.
How to save money on your gas bill
If you’re trying to save money, you should be looking at your household expenses to see where you could make savings. The gas bill is a good place to start in most homes, so here are some smart changes you can make to save yourself some money.
- 1. Insulate your door furniture. Cover your letterbox and any key holes. A surprising amount of heat can be lost through these small gaps!
- 2. Check your loft insulation. A lot of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Around 270mm of insulation in the loft is best. If you add more insulation, make sure it isn’t compressed. Fit raised platforms, above the height of your insulation, for storage.
- 3. Check your wall insulation. A lot of heat in uninsulated homes is lost through the walls. If your home has cavity walls, have them filled. A solid wall can also be insulated, either internally or externally, but this is a more complex and expensive process.
- 4. Fit double or triple glazing. If your windows are in need of repair or replacement, think about fitting either double or triple glazing. Both options will cut heat loss through the glass.
- 5. Fit secondary glazing. If you add a second pane of glass into an existing window, this can be just as effective as a sealed replacement unit, but for a much lower cost.
There’s never a good time for your hot water to fail; it’s always inconvenient to some extent. Most people only have a vague idea of what to do, causing more frustration. Check out the top tips below to get your hot water back fast when it fails – if in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a professional engineer.
Check the Fuse Box
If there is no electricity reaching your boiler, it won’t heat or distribute water throughout your home. The most common reason is a blown fuse that you can check in the fuse box. It’s a fast fix to get your water back.
Check the Pilot Light
The blue flame in your boiler that ignites when the hot water is called the Pilot Light; if it goes out, it can cause a loss of hot water, but luckily, it’s easy to fix. Check your boiler’s manual for instructions.
Check the Boiler Pressure
A lack of boiler pressure can also cause a loss of hot water. The boiler pressure can be viewed on the built-in pressure gauge and should read between 1 and 2 bars; if it is less, try re-pressurising your boiler.
Look at The Hot Water Tank
If you have a Regular or Systems Boiler, it’s a good idea to check the hot water tank. These systems also have thermostats on the hot water tank that may need reset. Double-check the temperatures and timings on these thermostats.
Reset the Boiler
Resetting the boiler can be an effective fix if you suddenly have no hot water, but this is only possible if the reset button is accessible from the front of the boiler. If it is inside the unit, you will require a professional gas engineer.
Airlock in the Pipes
An airlock happens when a bubble of air gets trapped in the pipes and prevents the optimal flow of water – you find that your hot water runs slow. In this case, it’s best to contact a professional engineer.
Are your radiators failing to pump-out some heat over those chilly winter months? Your central heating system might need powerflushing or cleansing. Powerflushing/ cleansing clears out your central heating by pumping water through the system under high pressure. Here are just a few of the benefits of using powerflushing.
Save money. The better your central heating works, the less money you’ll waste on a poorly working system. You’ll also save money on more comprehensive repairs if the sludge damages the rest of the system.
Prolong the life of your central heating. Powerflushing/ cleansing is particularly useful for older central heating systems, as clearing out the debris may avoid the need for a complete repair. Keep older systems running as good as new throughout the winter months.
Keep your boiler running. Sludge and rust can damage your boiler over time, causing it to overheat or even shut off completely. Boiler repairs are far more expensive than a simple powerflushing or cleansing treatment.
Stay warm. A clogged central heating system will fail to give out adequate heat, especially if the whole, or part of, the radiator stops working correctly. Radiators can also take longer to warm up if clogged, and the actual hot water temperature may be reduced due to the debris in the system.
Quick, simple, and cost-effective. Powerflushing/ cleansing works with one simple machine and is quick to implement, leaving you with a sludge-free system that works properly. It is also far more cost-effective than central-heating repairs later down the line if the system is permanently damaged.
Only use a GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER to FIT, FIX and SERVICE your gas appliances. Click here for more info.
