Archive for June, 2008

Save money on your gas costs

June 26, 2008 at 1:58 pm · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged ,

It is generally accepted that we should cut our energy use to be kind to the planet. Ever rising gas costs make it essential to get the most out of your heating boiler and gas heating system. The typical UK house spends about 50% of it’s gas costs on gas heating system energy use. Here’s a few easy to action advice to help you get lower gas expenses.

Only use the gas boilers heat when and where you need it :
Heating radiators are made to be switched on and off. Have a look at whether there are any rooms in your home which are not being used and switch off the metal radiator there. There are no setbacks in not heating rooms which are not used, but there is an advantage in reducing the energy costs to heat your home. If you keep the entrance door shut to the room it will stop the flow of chilly air around your home.

Use the gas boiler to heat your home rather than other appliances :
If the room needs to be warmer use thermostatically controlled radiator valves and increase the temperature setting. A lot of the heat generated by a fire goes up in the chimney to the outside, the central heating is much more cost-efficient for heating than an electric fire.

Cut down on drafts by use of insulation
If you allow chilled drafts to come into your home then you need to pay for more gas to heat this air. DIY stores stock many insulation materials for use for this. Use a foam based sealant to close off any cracks between your door frame and the window frames where these meet the exterior wall. These type of cracks happen often in older homes as the foundations settle. drafts can be hunted down by using a candle flame and checking when it flickers as you move around the room taking care not to spill any hot wax.

Put on a jumper and warmer clothes :
Putting on additional clothes or just being active for a while will mean that you get hotter without switching up the heating thermostat. Maintaining a 1 degree decrease on the thermostat can save up to tenpercent on your heating charges.

Make good use of your curtains :
In the winter make sure that the drapes are open when the sun is shining to heat your home. At night as the external temperatures drop a lot of heat can leach out through your windowpanes. This heat loss can be decreased if you close the curtains, if you adopt this tactic over many months you can save large amounts on your heating costs. See To It you have thick or lined curtains to make them effective at preventing heat loss.

General guidance for the rest of the home :
You must insulate your gas boiler hot water cylinder if you have one. The hot water tank will hold hot water you have paid for and it is madness to allow this to cool down unused throughout the daytime.

Don’t heat the walls of your house immediately behind the radiators, silver foil can be used to reflect the heat cutting this energy loss.

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Ward Off these central heating boiler installation problems

June 19, 2008 at 3:56 pm · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged

Whilst many boiler installations represent a gas boiler replacement this does not mean that the homeowner is actively involved in the choice and type of replacement gas boiler installed in their home. You might be amazed at this when you study how much it costs to buy a new gas fired boiler and what your energy charges could be in every year.

In the next paragraphs you will find some items to study when selecting your next heating boiler and heating boiler installer.

There is more than one type of boiler

Most new central heating boilers fitted are condensing central heating boilers although these come in many forms. Your installer will need to know the set up needs of the specific variety you choose. The heat yield of the central heating boiler will need to be checked against your hot water needs. Matching the central heating boiler to your heating needs enables it to be most economic resulting in smaller .

Central heating boiler regulations must be respected

The national government has issued regulations detailing how gas fired boilers should be installed to ensure that they are healthy. Replacement gas boilers should almost always be condensing gas boilers. installers should be CORGI registered. The gas fired boiler ventilation is also very important and this must be assessed with the right flue fitted.

Central heating boiler cost-efficiency rankings are very important

The new heating boiler you set up can be considerably more cost-efficient than your old boiler saving big sums on your heating charges over its lifespan.

Over the gas boiler lifespan it will demand to be maintained and frequently inspected

It is important that spare component parts are accessible long after the central heating boiler has stopped production. There are national suppliers who offer central heating boiler care policies to protect against heating boiler emergencies and give you access to trained heating engineers. frequently maintained boilers are safe. Do not put your household at risk through a poor quality fitting or false economies by averting a regular central heating boiler care plan.

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What to look for in gas boiler cover plans

June 16, 2008 at 1:37 pm · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged ,

Having a gas boiler revived after an unexpected problem can be very pricey. If there is also a delay waiting for an engineer to come you could be without hot water for a considerable period. For peace of mind many people seek to protect themselves in an emergency by taking out gas fired boiler or central heating problem cover.

Before you buy central heating system cover there are a number of components to check. With all policies for a monthly fee your provider will send round an engineer to try and fix your heating boiler when it breaks down. You should expect to see a goal of twenty four hours to attend to fix your problem after receipt of the call, this is a best endeavours goal, paying a premium on the regular fee can turn this into a guarantee. Families with young children and elderly people are typically given priority without any additional payment.

Your gas boiler cover plan can often be expanded to care other services in your home such as the plumbing, drains and home electrical wiring. In general the more care you have, the more expensive your monthly fees.

Your circumstances will dictate the right type of central heating system care plan for you. If your central heating boiler heats both your water and your house, you might want to incorporate central heating with your insurance which will incorporate protection for your radiators. You could possibly expand the cover to include all the plumbing in the house with plumbing insurance.

Typically your central heating system cover plan will incorporate a twelve month service. It is recommended that you commission a gas fired boiler serviced annually whether or not it is included in your gas fired boiler insurance plan. As badly maintained boilers can produce deadly carbon monoxide gases it is absolutely essential that you have a twelve month heating boiler service.

The life-time operating bills of your boiler can be reduced through regular servicing and maintenance. Some heating boiler care suppliers will only offer cover if you have your gas boiler serviced regularly.

Keep an eye open for some of the following restrictions in your policy:

Sometimes your parts and labour insurance will only extend to one hour. Whilst you may save in the short term with this type of policy in the long run it can cost you.

If your heating boiler is aging you might find that it is not covered. Obviously you need to check this before you purchase the cover.

Limitations do not only apply to new clients and current clients are sometimes caught out. Some providers will not renew the care of your gas fired boiler if it reaches a certain age or becomes troublesome.

While you might be able to switch to another gas boiler care provider, its best you choose one that renews for the lifespan of your boiler. As your central heating ages you will have more need for heating boiler insurance but probably a smaller selection of potential suppliers.

If your gas fired boiler breaks down twice in a year, some heating boiler insurance policies wont insurance you more than this. Ensure that you have limitless call outs if you have an older gas fired boiler.

Some plans trim the regular charge if you agree to pay an excess if you call out the service provider. If you do not have any breakdowns or have a younger central heating system this could be a good option for you.

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Why you should install a combi gas boiler

June 11, 2008 at 9:06 am · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged

The facts from the governments own site detailing the benefits and regulations relating to combi gas boilers.
clipped from www.direct.gov.uk

Why install a condensing boiler?
Condensing boilers are more efficient than ordinary boilers as they:

  • produce less carbon dioxide while still meeting heating needs

  • reduce the amount of heat that is lost through the flue, compared with ordinary boilers
    		•

  • convert 86 per cent or more of the fuel they use into useful heat (older types of ordinary boilers may convert as little as 60 per cent of fuel to useful heat)
    		•

    Do you have to have a condensing boiler?
    No. You should have a condensing boiler fitted if it is reasonable to do so, but the law recognises that non-condensing boilers are acceptable if it would be too difficult to install a condensing boiler in your home. Your installer will tell you whether your circumstances are too difficult.

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    Guidance for central heating maintenance contracts

    June 11, 2008 at 9:02 am · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged ,

    Each year more companies are beginning to offer gas boiler repair and repair policies. Whilst a heating boiler service is often an elective extra these contracts give you protection against unforeseen breakdowns for a small monthly or annual cost. They come in a baffling variety of names and choices, with a wide range of costs and  alternatives.

    Emergency heating boiler help and maintenance

    Unexpected breakdowns are covered here rather than the annual boiler service – this gives you access to a trained engineer to promptly call and fix your unforeseen gas fired boiler breakdown – there are several different service levels with this type of central heating boiler protection as the service provider has the certainty of an annual plan and will wish to keep your custom. Once customers have experienced a breakdown they typically renew this gas boiler cover as they immediately see its value.

    one of the better it is insurance policies is no callout fee as this can be costly – without this type of cover you could pay out a substantial amount merely to callout a plumber to your household in an emergency, this can be worth a lot, in particular if your central heating boiler is getting on.  Most plans will also include protection for boiler parts and labour so you know you do not have anything further to pay other than the monthly fee.  The cost of an unanticipated boiler breakdown are much higher than the typical annual contract.

    Including a 12 month boiler service

    You can usually add the option of an annual central heating boiler service to your contract at a cost effective rate. There are advantages of having the same company providing emergency cover and servicing your heating boiler. Arranging the gas fired boiler service in advance on the due date will often mean that you can schedule the appointment at a time that is more convenient to you.  Some servive prividers will dismantle gas boiler in the service some will use diagnostic tools, both options seem to have rewards and disadvantages.

    gas boiler repair policies – are they worth it?

    The value of the investment will depend upon whether you have a gas fired boiler breakdown or not.  In money terms the cost of a contract is less than the cost of the boiler repair and of course you gain the benefit of a reduction in your tension layers.  If you have  a trouble free year you will have paid for the boiler contract without a direct benefit but you will have had peace of mind for twelve months.  Consider taking a gas fired boiler repair contract if you do not have access to a good local heating engineer at a seconds notice.  Of course you do not need to take out any gas boiler service contract if you have a father who is an experienced plumber.

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    What design features should I look for in a Carbon Monoxide Gas detector?

    June 9, 2008 at 8:40 am · Filed under Boilers ·Tagged

    Recommended detectors are certified to British Standard and have an audible alarm. Carbon Monoxide Gas is detected giving you time to empty the room. Battery powered types with electronic detection are better than the paper based types which use chemical responses to show a spot on a cardboard detector that changes colour when Carbon Monoxide Gas levels have increased. These are not recommended as they have a life of around six months and you must remember to replace them on a regular basis. Chemical detectors lack of noisy alarms prevents them from waking your household at night time if Carbon Monoxide levels rise and this could be a major safety issue. Co detectors are now readily available in the high street being stocked by many types of stores.

    Are Carbon Monoxide electronic detectors available in the stores?

    Carbon Monoxide sensors can be very effective early warning devices alerting families of rising Carbon Monoxide levels. These days these are several types of detector available in the local shops. Carbon Monoxide detectors are designed to react to the accumulation of the gas over time. Smoke electronic detectors have become a standard feature in homes and the engineering is reliable, Co electronic detectors are not yet as reliable but the technology is making rapid strides. Your best protection against exposure to Co is the regular servicing of your gas burning appliances. A Carbon Monoxide detector will only ever be a backup measure.

    Carbon Monoxide Gas sensors should be regularly checked

    Test your Co detector on a regular basis to make sure it is doing its job to protect you. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on how the detector should be tried out. Check your detector each month to check that it is working satisfactorily, replace it if any faults are found. The ‘test’ feature on many electronic detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. Read the instructions for the lifespan of the detector, often it is as short as two years. There are a variety of electronic sensors designed to meet differing needs. Some operate off the mains others are portable and can be taken on holiday. Select the one that meets your requirements. Some electronic detectors incorporate smoke detection and also Co gas detection. They will have their own installation instructions which you should follow closely.

    The advantages of installing a Co detector in your home

    Without an installed Carbon Monoxide Gas detector your family would have no warning of rising Carbon Monoxide Gas levels in the room. Properly set up detectors monitor Carbon Monoxide levels over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms of poisoning. Whilst smoke sensors need to be installed high on the wall or near the ceiling a Co detector can be installed lower down. Make sure that you will be woken should your Carbon Monoxide detector go off whilst you are asleep. Install the alarm near your sleeping areas.

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    Carbon Monoxide Gas and central heating appliances

    June 9, 2008 at 8:34 am · Filed under Heating ·Tagged ,

    Leaving no smell and having no taste Carbon Monoxide Gas is very dangerous and toxic. Carbon Monoxide Gas can be produced by a gas appliance when there is insufficient oxygen in the air supply to the burning chamber, it is also created by faulty gas fires and other gas appliances. The stock flue gases from a gas appliance, or other gas appliance such as a gas fire, contain Co2, this is displaced by Carbon Monoxide Gas when the oxygen levels are decreased. Building rules prescribing air prerequisites and the widespread accessibility gas appliance servicing services has reduced the relative incidence of Carbon Monoxide poisoning although there are still 30 deaths per year.

    Can I check my central heating appliances to see if Co could be a problem?

    Gas burning in an oxygen poor atmosphere can produce visible deposits which can discolour gas appliances and the walls surrounding them. Another way to check for gas burning problems is to inspect pilot lights and see whether they are burning with a yellowed or other colour flame rather than the blue light of a well maintained system. If the flame changes from blue to yellowed or orange this could mean that Carbon Monoxide is present and you should have the appliance inspected by a professional person.

    Tell me how to reduce the chances of Carbon Monoxide related illness.

    Bad ventilation resulting in lack of oxygen leads to the production of poisonous Carbon Monoxide Gas. The underlying cause of Carbon Monoxide Gas production is lack of air to a gas flame. A CORGI-registered engineer should be employed to service your gas appliances. Carbon Monoxide detectors can give a warning of abnormal Co levels, models with a loud alarm are the most effective at warning the inhabitants of the home. Air air bricks and panels should be kept open and checked throughout the year to make sure that the designed air flow is kept to your gas appliances. Also regularly inspect for plants which might be developing near a vent outside as over the course of a year they can also block them. chimney ventilation can become blocked in the summer by a birds nest and you may not notice id a fire is not used in the summer so a visual inspection should be incorporated in your home maintenance plans. It is important to be aware of the different sounds from your smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide Gas detectors. In an emergency you need to be aware of the different noises so you know which detector was triggered off.

    What are the risks with Carbon Monoxide Gas poisoning?

    If you suspect there is Carbon Monoxide Gas in your home you should err on the side of caution. signs can be similar to other sicknesses so act quickly if you have any doubts. Seek help without delay. Anyone can fall victim to Co poisoning, even the fit and healthy. Your Favourite animals could also be injured or worse.

    What should I look for as early marks of poisoning from Carbon Monoxide Gas?

    Carbon Monoxide Gas poisoning exhibits symptoms which can appear like other sicknesses, for example: -
    - persistent headaches
    - light headiness
    - fatigue
    - biliousness

    Your gas appliances must be inspected by a CORGI registered gas plumber if you see anyone in your home with similar signs. Open windows and improve air flow while you wait and ensure that no one stays in the home until the all clear has been given.

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