Posts Tagged gas

Boiler installation in flats

Gas boiler installers often face installation tasks which are not standard.

On such question seen on the corgi trade site is

“I’m installing a boiler on the 3rd floor of a block of flats. Do I need to terminate a pressure relief safety discharge pipe from a combination boiler at ground level? Can I bend the pipe back to the wall as it exits their apartment?”

The answer is that this can be done although the important fact to remember is that the termination point needs to face downwards and back to the wall to prevent any scalding water from harming persons or property below the termination.

See … boiler installers need to think as well as fit pipes.

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Consider a combination boiler if you have a petite household

If you have a small-scale home a combination gas boiler offers space saving opportunities to you. It is possible to fit a complete central heating and hot water system by purchasing only a gas powered combi gas boiler with a balanced flue. If your heating engineer adds in a number of radiators and the appropriate copper pipe you have absolutely everything to warm your home. Your first reaction maybe that we had forgotten some parts. Isn’t it true that most systems seem to require a feed and enlargement tank in the attic, a water pump to transfer the hot water around and a storage cylinder to keep hot water when not required.

It may surprise you to learn that a combi boiler does not need these components. The hot water storage tank can be excluded from your system, space in the attic can be saved by leaving out the feed and expansion tank, and the other petite components are already built into the heating boiler. Adopting this system means you can retrieve a significant amount of room.

Do not think that all this is new as combi boilers have been installed for a while now. The combination has been more popular in Europe than in the U.K., but is now being fitted more frequently as an alternative to the traditional wall mounted boiler. By comparing with orthodox heating boilers you will see that there are two main divergences. On the central heating side you still have a fully pumped system but all the heated water which circulates around is sealed in. The feed and enlargement tank destined for the loft can now be dispensed with. The gas boiler itself incorporates a large capacity expansion tank but again this is part of the sealed unit.

Domestic hot water is created on demand, this is signalled when you switch on a valve. The hot water is created by the use of a highly cost-efficient integral heat exchanger. Hot water circulating in the heating system is diverted to the heat exchanger. On the other side of the heat exchanger cold mains water is heated before finishing its journey to the hot water valve.

Hot water provision to the radiators is a lower priority than the production of instant hot water for the house. The moment the valve is closed the combination boiler will return to providing hot water to the radiators.

So in conclusion and combination boiler can save you a respectable amount of space in your household.

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Save money on your gas costs

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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What to look for in gas boiler cover plans

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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Carbon Monoxide Gas and central heating appliances

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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