What's the Right Boiler for You?

Buying a new gas boiler can be a daunting experience. Not only will it probably be one of the most expensive items you'll ever buy for your home, there are numerous brands and types on the market to chose from.

The first thing to mention is that it is vital that your boiler installation is completed by a professional and if it's a gas boiler you must hire a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

Once installation is complete they will supply you with a certificate to prove that the equipment has been tested and complies with all safety standards. Your boiler MUST then be serviced every year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

Combi Boilers can be gas or electric and provide unlimited hot water and heat. You don't need a tank in your loft and they don't take up much space. The main downside is that water pressure may drop if you need hot water from more than one tap.

System boilers, or sealed boilers, come with a water cylinder that normally sits in an airing cupboard and has no water tank. Because there's no water tank it takes up less space and you can get water from more than one tap at a time. System boilers are a bit slower though and you won't get hot water straight away. Once it runs out you will have to wait until it reheats and although you don't need a tank, you will need to find room for the cylinder.

Conventional boilers have a cylinder and a tank and will allow you to get water from multiple taps at the same time, however like system boilers, once the hot water runs out you have to wait for it to reheat. Not only that, you need to find room for the cylinder AND the tank.

Condensing boilers are energy efficient because they capture some of the heat that would have escaped from the flue and reuse it. So you get more heat from the same amount of fuel, meaning you will save money.

Most UK households use gas heating, but what alternatives are there for the estimated 4.3 million households (source Which?) that are not connected to the UK's gas network? Other options include oil burners, liquid petroleum gas, wood burning stoves or electric.

When installing your new boiler make sure to speak to your engineer about heating controls, as this would be a good time to look at replacing them. Modern heating controls are an excellent way to manage heating costs as you can not only control the temperature, you can go as far as managing the heat in each room on some systems.

If you would like to find out more about replacing your boiler then please call us on 020 8682 2244.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2015...we hope that it will be an exciting and prosperous year for you all!

Have you made any resolutions? If you haven't then we have a perfect one for you - arrange a boiler service for your home. You may not think it's not a very exciting resolution to make, but it's quick and easy to arrange and will ensure that you, your family or your tenants are gas safe for the next 12 months.

We are open today, so pick up the phone and call 020 8682 2244 to arrange your boiler service.

Five Signs that your Boiler Needs a Service

We use our gas boilers all year round, but as the temperature drops and the heating comes on we often find that's when a problem can occur. Having no heating or hot water is inconvenient and annoying, but more importantly, if your boiler isn't performing properly it can pose a health risk.

If you are a regular reader of our blog then you will know that your gas boiler, along with all of your other gas appliances, should be serviced once a year. These yearly checks will make sure that your appliances are working properly, inspect parts (such as pilot light and burners) and repair any gas leaks. These checks are vital as they not only ensure your boiler is working efficiently, they will work towards protecting you and those who live with you from carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's important to not just rely on your annual visit to protect you and your home. Be aware of the warning signs of a faulty boiler - if you recognise any of these signs call your local gas engineer as soon as possible.

1. Smoke or soot stains appear on or near the appliance
2. A yellow or irregular flame
3. The pilot light frequently goes out
4. You have very little hot water or the temperature isn't as hot as it should be
5. The boiler is making noises it shouldn't

It's better to be safe than sorry; if you recognise any of these signs then contact Maintracts who will be able to give you the best advice possible.

Does your boiler need a MOT?

Get the most out of your boiler by knowing what the signs of potential faults and breakdowns are. 

You should always have your boiler serviced once a year, but here are some of the early warning signs that may mean you need a service sooner rather than later.

• Water isn't as hot as it should be
• Hot water is running out too soon
• Rooms aren't as warm as they normally are

By servicing your boiler you can make sure that you don't incur unnecessary repair costs in the future and also avoid high bills due to energy wastage. It's also important to have your boiler checked for signs of carbon monoxide if it's a gas boiler.

Get in touch if you think your boiler needs a service.

Winter Money Saving Tips

It's predicted that this will be the worst winter since 1947. With Arctic winds, heavy snow and sub zero temperatures, this winter will not only be the coldest for the UK, but possibly the most expensive.

Here are some top tips to help you save money during the coldest of months.

1. Replace your boiler

Boilers contribute up to 55% towards your annual energy bills*, so it's worth looking in to whether you could benefit from a new boiler. Modern boilers work more efficiently by heating quicker while preserving energy.

2. Turn down your thermostat

By turning your thermostat down by 1 degree, closing your curtains, shutting doors and using draft excluders you can contain the heat and keep warm.

Use a 30 degree wash and save energy

3. Washing your clothes

If you are buying a new washing machine look out for the Energy SavingTrust Recommended logo. These machines will be far more efficient and cheaper to run.

Wash your clothes at 30 degrees. Most detergents work effectively at a lower temperature and by cleaning at 30 degrees you are using approximately 40% less energy than higher temperatures*.

You can also save on your bill by only washing a full load and not using a tumble dryer. Use a clothes airer instead and speed up drying time by placing the airer in a room where you have the heating on.

4. Water

A leaking hot water tap uses up more energy then you think (and can waste more than 5,500 litres of water a year), make sure that you check all of your taps an ensure that washers and taps are in a good condition. You can also make further savings by installing lower flow taps.

Take less baths – a standard bath fills around 80 litres of water, but taking a four minute shower (with a water-efficient showerhead) uses just 32 litres**.

5. Insulation

Insulating your water tank is one of the best ways to conserve energy and save money; make sure that you insulate any visible pipes for further savings.

6. Kitchen savings

Always make sure that your dishwasher is full and on an energy saving setting before turning it on. Make sure that all food is scraped off plates, pans and utensils and that salt and rinse aid are topped up to ensure a thorough wash.

Turn off your taps! A running hot water tap wastes more than six litres of water a minute*.

You can also save money by only boiling the water you need when using the kettle and investing in energy efficient appliances when you can.

Have you checked your radiator?

7. Upgrade your heater

Storage heaters are well known for wasting vast amounts of energy. You could install a new central heating system, but if that's not possible you can upgrade your current system. You can install storage heaters which have better controls or fit thermostats to make your heating work more efficiently.

8 Turn off your plugs

Leaving your electric appliances on stanby can significantly contribute to a higher energy bill. Unplug and switch off your appliances to save between £50 - £90 a year*.

9 Replace your light bulbs

For the biggest savings invest in some LED or CFL bulbs. They use much less electricity and last for 15 – 20 years.

10. Switch suppliers

This winter has seen the majority of energy suppliers increase their rates. There is still time to change supplier and save some pennies. Visit U Switch to compare prices and see if you can save this winter.

Contact us if you would like to find out more about replacing your boiler or upgrading your heating.

*source: EnergySaving Trust

** source: WaterWise

Radiator image courtesy of Jon Doc
Washing machine image courtesy of Dave Kennard