Your boiler is a crucial piece of kit within your home – and can be responsible for a large chunk of your bills each month.

In fact, a boiler can account for around 55-60% of your energy bills – and that’s working on the basis it’s an efficient working machine. An inefficient one could be wasting up to 30% of your fuel – that’s like pouring money down the drain without even using it.

It’s important you’re making smart choices when it comes to heating your home. There’s no need to spend a fortune in order to have a cosy and warm home. In fact, you really could save yourself hundreds of pounds each year just through maintaining it. It’s about ensuring it is efficient, effective and affordable.

Generally, the older your machine is, the less efficient it’s going to be. The most efficient type on the market is a modern condensing boiler. It also matters what efficiency rating it has. This will be different depending on the type in your home. You will be able to check the label on your boiler to find this out. Alternatively, ask your engineer during his next visit.

How can you identify a boiler isn’t working properly?

Your house may feel warm – or perhaps it doesn’t and you’re concerned your boiler isn’t efficient. But how do you actually know if your boiler isn’t working properly?

Kettling

First off, can you hear any strange noises – for example, clunking sounds coming from your boiler? If so, it may be that water is boiling in the pipes or it might be that something called ‘kettling’ is happening.

This is when there is a build up of limescale or sludge in your central heating system and the deposits build up in your machine, blocking the flow of water within the heat exchanger. This can cause the water to then overheat and forces the appliance to work harder, costing you more money. You can resolve this by using a descaler and then flushing your system and bleeding your radiators. However, it’s always safest to call on an engineer to ensure your system is working properly.

No hot water?

Next, are you actually getting hot water and heat to your radiators and taps? If you’re finding you’re not, there may be a problem. This needs resolving quickly before it becomes an issue for you! This won’t be as easy to tell in summer when you’re not using your boiler so much. Therefore, it’s important to keep testing your appliance throughout the year.

If you find that certain parts of your house are colder than other areas, it may be that your boiler isn’t functioning properly. It could also be a sign of a blocked central heating system. This will require a complete power flush to help elongate the lifespan of your machine.

Loss of Pressure

Should you find that the heat has completely gone from your home and your water, it may be that the pressure has dropped from your boiler. In this case, it will be best to get an engineer out to safely diagnose and treat the problem. This is also the case for if your pilot light goes out.

Other signs

Other signs that your boiler isn’t working efficiently include your radiators not getting hot and your boiler suddenly using a lot more energy than normal. You can help to extend the lifespan the appliance by keeping it running on a constant, although for less time on every use, rather than having it switch on and off all the time. Having regular checks is also really important in keeping it efficient and energy-effective.

If your boiler is old and you don’t think it is serving you well, there are a lot of benefits to installing a new one:

• Waste less energy
• Save a lot more money
• Reduce your energy bill
• Make your home more energy efficient
• Less chance of them going wrong (particularly during colder months when you’re relying on them most heavily).

It may seem like an expensive outlay initially but the money it will save you in bills and engineer work will soon add up and you’ll find yourself with a warm home and a comfortable bank balance.

Some things in life are necessary – paying taxes and insuring your car, for example. But what about a boiler service?

Some people view this annual service as something that can happily be put at the bottom of the never-ending list of ‘things to do’. But is this wise? It might seem as if you’re delaying the task of paying for that service, or even putting it off indefinitely. But as some people have found, this tactic can have the potential to lead to a bigger problem later on.

You see, a boiler service is performed to check your boiler is working just as it should be. We test for emissions and ensure they’re recorded at safe levels, we check for leaks that may indicate something needs tightening or replacing. We also look for corrosion that could suggest the boiler needs replacement parts or might be in need of other treatment.

Average Price

The cost of a service can change depending on the circumstances. This includes the price set out by the engineer, the type, and the boiler brand. You can expect a one off service to cost you anywhere from £60-£80, however remember that this is only a rough estimate.

You should book a service with a Gas Safe engineer who will carry out a thorough inspection of your boiler. If any work such as repairs are necessary then this will cost you more. Sometimes it may be worth checking if your boiler is under warranty. This is because the required work may fall under wear and tear which it can cover. As a result you will save you money. Many people forget that they get a long warranty when they buy a new boiler.

Ongoing Service And Maintenance Plan

An option many people invest in is signing up for a cover plan. This will help you arrange your annual boiler servicing with ease. They also often have additional work that they cover such as repairs for breakdowns. Because of this they can cost you more than standard servicing, approximately £150-£250. They are beneficial though when you consider the peace of mind that they offer and the money you would save in an emergency as it can be expensive.

What happens if you ‘save money’ and avoid a service?

If you don’t have this service done, you could be storing up problems for the future. No one can tell when a particular boiler is going to break down, but if you get yours serviced regularly, you’ll certainly improve the chances of enjoying a good performance from it for as long as possible.

In short, a small problem caught and resolved on a regular annual check will be a lot easier and cheaper to repair than a bigger issue that results from a lack of servicing.

So to book your next boiler service, and to get an idea of how affordable it can be. We can book a Gas Safe registered engineer to attend your property on a day that fits your schedule. It’s that easy to find out how cost-effective a boiler service could be.

Does regular servicing help ensure better efficiency?

In a word, yes. A boiler that gets an annual service will likely be more efficient. This is because the engineer will check everything is operating safely and effectively. If it isn’t, not only could it be potentially dangerous, it could also be troublesome in terms of its performance.

This means you may be paying more to operate your boiler than you should be. This makes it even easier to see how important that boiler service is. The more you can do to ensure your boiler doesn’t let you down, the more likely it is your boiler will be able to save you money.

Our team is ready and waiting to take your call now. When you speak to us, we’ll provide a quote for your boiler service.  So you know exactly where you stand before you book an engineer. That way, you’ll be able to plan ahead and book in your service just when it fits with your schedule – and your budget.

Long Term Savings

There are a few people who incorrectly believe that servicing is a waste of money when they look at how much should a boiler service cost. What they do not think about however is the safety behind getting your boiler checked.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous possibility that comes with using an unsafe appliance. The longer you leave it without a check, the higher the potential of a problem developing that could release this harmful gas.

Not only can you avoid a boiler breakdown through servicing, but also the costs that come with it. This means that servicing will stop you needing to spend hundreds on repairs or even a new boiler.

Reach out to Warm now

And if there is anything you need to know, our engineers will be able to help out. Get the most from your boiler by calling us today on 0800 3118990 or fill out our Quote form and we’ll call you back.

A quick guide to boiler pressure from the experts

If your boiler pressure is too high, yet your appliance still seems to be working okay, then you don’t need to worry too much. There probably isn’t anything wrong with your boiler. Consequently, you should be able to get the boiler’s water pressure down to the right level yourself.

The pressure of a boiler should stay at around one bar. However, your machine only runs at this level when your central heating is switched off and no hot water is running.

Once the boiler starts to heat up, it makes the water expand and causes the pressure gauge to raise up.

This is normal behaviour. Boilers are well equipped to deal with these jumps in pressure thanks to their built-in pressure relief valve.  That means there’s no need for concern if your boiler’s pressure gauge needle is steering towards the red areas whilst you are using your central heating and/or hot water.

The pressure gauge on your boiler should automatically drop back down to a safe level once the central heating and/or water is turned off.

What to try if your boiler pressure remains too high

If you’ve repressurised your boiler recently, you may have caused the problem. Check to make sure the valve or filling loop has not open by accident, or the valve has loosened slightly. Close it tightly to make sure it isn’t causing the issue.

You could also try bleeding your radiators. This could help to reduce the pressure in the heating system and in turn the boiler.

Bleed all of the radiators until the air is expelled and the pressure gauge has dropped back down to a safe level. This is around one bar.

If you’re still having problems trying to get your boiler pressure down, there could be an issue inside the appliance. This may be a fault with the boiler’s filling loop. Never mess with the appliance and its inner workings yourself though! Always call in a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

You don’t need to worry whilst you wait for the engineer to arrive – if the boiler is working and not making any strange noises, the appliance will be safe. The pressure relief valve will put a stop to the appliance over-pressurising.

To find out more about our boiler installation, repairs and maintenance services, call and speak to one of our Gas Safe Registered engineers today on 0800 311 8990.

Alternatively, please fill in our free no-obligation quote form below. One of our fully qualified boiler installers will reply within the hour.

A simple guide on how to sort your boiler pressure

If your boiler pressure is going down, the first thing to do is not to panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to contact a Gas Safe Registered engineer to carry out emergency repair work just yet; it could simply be that the pressure is too low. You should be able to repressurise your boiler yourself. This will generally only take you a couple of minutes to do.

Most modern boilers these days have a built-in pressure gauge. It is easy to check for loss of pressure. One bar of pressure is what most boilers need to stay at to maintain efficient operation. The pressure gauge will most likely have red marks to signal when the pressure is too low or too high. Alternatively, there could be a red needle to show the boiler’s ideal water pressure.

Check to make sure there are no leaks coming from the appliance, pipework or the radiators. These could lead to loss of pressure. Have a good look around your home for wet patches or visible leaks and call in the professionals if you notice an issue.

Your manual should be referred to if you need to repressurise your boiler. Follow the instructions carefully. Also the instructions should be clear to read on the panel of your machine. Repressurising should be easy to do if there are no other issues.

If there’s still issues with the pressure of your boiler after repressurising the system, then it might be that the pressure release valve is broken.

Call professionals if problems persist

If the problem continues and the pressure keeps dropping, you should call in the professionals. A Gas Safe Registered engineer will know exactly how to fix the machine. You should never tinker with the internal components of your boiler yourself.

For more help and advice concerning repairs, boiler installations, servicing, replacements or cover, call us on 0800 311 8990 to speak to one of our local Gas Safe Registered engineers.

Alternatively, please fill in our simple form for a free no-obligation boiler quote.

Read further for more tips on how you can save money on your household boiler bills

On Monday, we published Part One of our top tips for reducing the cost of your dreaded monthly heating bills. Here we present our customers with more advice. This will also help reduce the amount of energy consumed by your boiler and heating system; which will inevitably cut your monthly outgoings.

Part One of our guide focused on solutions that involved some not insignificant initial costs; these were:

• Wall, roof, loft, and floor insulation
• New and efficient boiler installation
• Double/triple glazing

Our second part will focus upon a few cheaper options for improving heat retention in your home.

Draught elimination

Block off any gaps in your property through which heat could be escaping, including gaps around entry doors, windows, and loft entrances.

Rugs and Curtains

If your property is fitted with wooden flooring, or any other type of cold material, considering investing in some large rugs, which will help prevent heat escaping through the floor. As an added bonus, it will also keep your feet snug and warm. Additionally, thick and heavy curtains or closely-fitted blinds are a good and cheap option for preventing heat from escaping through your windows.

Wrap up your water pipes

Insulation for water pipes is cheap but it’s effective for heat retention and for keeping your water hot. This is ideal for systems which use a water tank, as hot water will stay warmer for longer, meaning less waiting around.

Open your doors

Of course we mean your internal doors. Unless you have a particular reason for containing heat within one room, it is generally recommended that internal doors should be left open to allow air to flow unrestricted around your property. A slow air flow requires more energy to keep up with the changing directions.

Call us free on 0800 311 8990 for helpful advice regarding all makes and models of boilers and central heating systems. Alternatively, complete our easy quote form for a speedy, no-obligation quote from a local and qualified engineer.

Receiving the monthly heating bills is a thing of dread for many householders, especially during the cold winter months. This is when the central heating is turned on around the clock, resulting in higher costs. However, there are a number of measures we believe are worth considering. Many of them can help to reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your house warm.

Let’s now take a look at the main methods for maintaining a warm home without it costing an arm and a leg:

Boiler Efficiency

If you have an old boiler installed for heating and hot water purposes, the unit could be running inefficiently. This will cost you more than necessary due to increased energy usage. Old models require more fuel to perform their heating and hot water tasks. Therefore, investing in a boiler with an energy efficiency rating of 90% or more will save you money in the long term.

Boilers become gradually less efficient overtime, especially when they aren’t serviced regularly. Replacing a worn out model will cost but the energy savings are worth the initial investment. There’s also the improved reliability.

Insulation

Improving the insulation of your property will improve its heat retention capabilities. As a result, your boiler won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable heat.

Wall, roof, and loft insulation are key to keeping a warm home and reducing your energy bills. However, floor insulation is also available for those who want to go the extra mile.

Landlords in particular should be aware of new regulations coming into force in April 2018. They state that private properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of more than F. The EPC covers the issue of boiler efficiency ratings and the efficiency of a building’s insulation.

Double Glazing

Double glazed, or indeed triple glazed windows, act as great heat retainers. The two (or three) layers of glass help to prevent heat from escaping through the windows. They help to maintain the temperature of your property.

Property owners with single glazing should consider making the investment. The extra heat retention protection will reduce energy consumption and the bills.

If you would like free boiler and heating advice, please call us on 0800 311 8990 or complete our no-obligation quote form for a speedy reply from a local engineer.

What does the colour mean?

The pilot light in your boiler should always be a clear, crisp blue colour. A blue flame means the system is running at its most energy efficient.

A yellow pilot light, or one that even has a slight tint of orange or yellow, not only means wasted energy, it could also be producing carbon monoxide (CO). The issue should be taken seriously; it’s extremely dangerous and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

This dangerous gas is colourless and odourless. As a result it is very difficult to detect it. The elderly and young children are the most vulnerable.

If your light is burning a yellow or an orange/yellow colour instead of a crisp blue and you are feeling unwell, you should seek medical attention straight away.

Carbon monoxide symptoms include nausea, headache, fatigue and dizziness. These could also lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or even death if not treated quickly enough.

Why has my pilot light changed from blue to yellow?

If your boiler pilot light is burning yellow, this could mean that the gas-to-air mix in the gas boiler is wrong and too much air is going into the system.

Other signs to look for as well as a yellow pilot light, is whether there’s any soot or staining around the boiler itself, or you’ve noticed condensation in the room or a fumy smell.

Even a small breeze could mean extra air in the system. This might cause the pilot light to burn yellow/orange or may even blow out altogether. As a result, it is one of the most common reasons why a boiler pilot light changes colour.

To prevent this from happening, ensure the boiler cover is secured properly and draught-proof your property. Always make sure that vents and flues are never blocked. Most importantly, don’t ever try tinkering with the mechanics of the boiler yourself, leave that to the experts.

What action should I take?

As trusted Gas Safe Registered boiler and heating engineers, we recommend switching off the machine and the gas supply before calling in the professionals.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous and a very serious matter, so should be treated as such.

Don’t hesitate to call in the experts if you notice your pilot light has changed colour.

Contact us on 0800 311 8990 to arrange a service from professional Gas Safe Registered engineer. They will know exactly how to deal with a faulty pilot light and will have your boiler up and running perfectly in no time. This makes sure you and your family are safe.

It’s easy to take your household boiler for granted, relying on its continued operation, without blip or glitch. However, its important to remember that the machine is a mechanical object and it can develop faults and issues overtime. Boiler servicing is important to spot faults and prevent them.

Just like the mechanical components of your car can gradually suffer from wear and tear, certain parts that make up your boiler may also come to the end of their lifespan and need replacing with a brand new component.

Save money with a boiler servicing

Booking a boiler servicing with a Gas Safe or OFTEC qualified engineer can ultimately save you a great deal. A one-off servicing carried out by a qualified technician can reduce the chance of faults occurring in the future, and hopefully prevent a costly breakdown.

Professional boiler servicing will leave your appliance in tip top condition. This results in a more efficient system, ultimately saving you money off your energy bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

We recommend booking servicing in early autumn. This way, you will avoid any nasty surprises when you switch your central heating back on in winter. There’s also a good chance you will receive faster service. Engineers experience their busiest period during the winter months because breakdowns are more frequent.

What will the engineer do?

Here we have compiled a checklist of the tasks a technician will perform during boiler servicing:

• Visual inspection of the unit and its internal components.
• Check for leaks, corrosion, and discolouration.
• Perform a flue test and other safety checks to ensure against carbon monoxide leaks.
• System check to ensure the machine is working efficiently.
• Pressure check.
• Cleaning of any necessary parts.

Following servicing, the engineer will inform you of any extensive repair work that is recommended and will also present you with a report. If your boiler is still covered by a manufacturer warranty, the engineer will record the service appointment in your manual.

Contact us on 0800 311 8990 for free advice regarding boilers, central heating systems, and gas appliance safety. Alternatively, complete our no-obligation quote form to receive a quick reply from a local engineer.