A guide outlining the most common boiler issues

If you find yourself struggling with major boiler issues it’s always best to call in a professional Gas Safe registered engineer to take a look.

However, small issues may be something you can fix by yourself. They don’t involve touching the machine in any way. Therefore, it’s perfectly safe for you to try and sort out the issue yourself.

If you’ve attempted to fix the issue but without success, you must not risk tinkering with the appliance. Work should only be carried out by an expert engineer who knows exactly what to look for.

No Heat In The Radiators

If you check your radiators and they don’t seem to be heating up properly, this could mean one of several things. Firstly, there may be a build up of air in the system. Alternatively, rusty pipes or a broken system pump could cause the issue.

The first thing to do is to bleed all the radiators of air by using your radiator key. If the radiators are still not working as they should be, then we recommend you call in the experts. They will know exactly how to fix the problem and might even suggest powerflushing the system.

A Boiler Making Noises

If your machine is making strange noises, this could mean there’s a build-up of limescale within the system.

These strange clunking, whistling and banging noises are ‘kettling’. There are several causes, including limescale build-up. Noises coming from your boiler could also be due to a build-up of air.

To try and resolve the issue, use a radiator key to bleed all the radiators. If this doesn’t solve the problem, a Gas Safe engineer should carry out the necessary repairs.

A Malfunctioning Boiler

A malfunction could be down to one of many problems. However, the most common are a frozen condensate pipe, a build up of air, issues with the water pressure, a faulty thermostat, or a broken pump.

The first thing we recommend you do is check that the condensate pipe is not frozen. If it turns out to be that the case, you must thaw it out.

If after thawing the problems still exist, try bleeding the radiators and ask around the neighbourhood to see if there’s any issues with the water pressure.

For more information regarding our  boiler installation, repairs and maintenance services, call 0800 311 8990.

For your peace of mind, all of our engineers are Gas Safe Registered and experts when it comes to all type of boiler and central heating work. Please fill in the free quote form below regarding any boiler issues or heating problems you may have.

We discuss the pros and cons of a one-off boiler service compared to boiler breakdown cover

While some people opt to purchase boiler breakdown cover for a monthly fee, others choose to take the one-off service route. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss these below so that our customers can make an informed decision.

A breakdown or faulty appliance is an unwelcome headache for any householder. Whilst suffering issues in summer isn’t quite so nightmarish compared to wintertime problems, a machine on the blink needs immediate attention at anytime of the year.

Committing yourself to a monthly payment scheme with a boiler breakdown service provider can offer you a certain amount of peace of mind. Sometimes such schemes don’t always offer the best sort of protection though. This is especially true when it’s a company only concerned with taking your money, without providing good customer service.

Boiler breakdown cover schemes will choose a local engineer for your, saving you time and effort, but the service is often expensive, with lengthy waiting times. In many cases you don’t get a choice between engineers. Therefore, if you aren’t happy with the service, it will result in a complaints process with your cover provider.

However, booking a one-off repair or maintenance job using the online service provided by Warm.co.uk, has many advantages, including no wasteful monthly payments, no hidden costs, and no waiting around for the cover provider to do its job!

The benefits of using our online service:

• Find a local and reliable expert using our quick, no-obligation quote form.
• Receive a quick quote from local professionals within hours (on working days).
• Rest assured that we work with qualified and accredited Gas Safe and OFTEC engineers.
• Our engineers are qualified to work on all makes and models of boilers and heating systems.
• Choose an engineer based on pricing and customer reviews.

Contact us for free and friendly advice on 0800 311 8990. Warm.co.uk is here to make it easy to find the perfect engineers for you.

Always choose professional boiler installation

A boiler that hasn’t been installed properly can cause serious problems once the engineer has packed up and left. Sadly, more often than not, work carried out by ‘cowboys’ or ‘rogue traders’ – fitters who aren’t on the Gas Safe Register – is at risk of malfunction. What you really need is first rate boiler installation.

A Gas Safe Registered engineer should handle the installation, repairs and servicing. Consequently, they should never be fitted, or tampered with by anyone who doesn’t have the appropriate skills or expertise.

If you move into a property where the boiler hasn’t been installed properly, or you have just paid for someone to carry out the work and the job isn’t right, you first need to contact the Gas Safe Register.

Check the register to see if the engineer is on the list. If they aren’t, you can report them online.

If the engineer is registered but isn’t carrying the work out to a good standard, you can make a complaint. The Gas Safe Register will thoroughly investigate each case.

An engineer from the Gas Safe Register might be sent out to your property to inspect the boiler. Depending on his findings, it may have to be switched off and not used until the problems are fixed.

Carbon monoxide leaks

A badly installed boiler could produce carbon monoxide, so a Gas Safe Registered engineer should be booked in immediately. They will make sure it’s installed properly, repair any problems, and ensure the boiler is working safely.

If any other gas appliance work was carried out by the ‘rogue trader’, ask the engineer to look at these as a precaution.

If the initial work was carried out by a ‘cowboy’ gas fitter, you might be able to make a claim to try and recover the money you paid out.

It might well be that the rogue engineer breached the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, by not using the right skills and care when carrying out the boiler installation.

All our engineers at warm.co.uk are Gas Safe Registered. Therefore, they are fully qualified to carry out boiler installations, repair work and maintenance. This provides peace of mind to all of our customers. Call NOW to speak to one of our expert installers – 0800 311 8990.

Alternatively, you can fill in our quick form. There are no obligations.

Statistic show that people living in rented properties are unjustifiably more likely to suffer issues with gas appliances. This is despite the fact the law requires landlords to have an annual gas safety inspection of their properties. An accredited Gas Safe registered engineer must do the work. Faulty gas appliances sadly put many tenants at risk. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also a serious concern.

Annual safety checks are compulsory

To ensure the safety of those moving into rented accommodation, landlords must arrange for an annual gas safety check.  Each year every property should receive a CP12 check. A Gas Safe registered engineer has to do this.

A copy of the CP12 certificate must be provided to the tenant. The landlord should keep a copy for their records.

Landlords have to ensure by law, that all gas fittings and features within each property are safe before renting it out to anyone. An annual gas safety inspection must be arranged in addition. This ensures that the tenant is safe for the whole period of the tenancy.

Landlords failing to comply with the laws regarding gas safety, could face prosecution from local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Possible penalties include a hefty fine and six months in prison.

Landlords must ensure that all gas appliances, pipework, and flues are safe and in good working condition in each of their properties. A Gas Safe registered engineer should complete immediate repair work if there’s cause for concern.

Landlords should also notify their tenants of what steps to take if they have any concerns.

Always ask the landlord before you sign a tenancy agreement

Before you consider renting a property, please speak to the landlord. That way, you can make sure you have an up-to-date copy of the CP12 certificate.

The landlord and tenant must ensure the engineer can access the property when an inspection is due.

To find out more about Landlord Gas Safety Checks, or for any other boiler/ central heating information, help or advice, please click here, or call 0800 311 8990.

All boiler work, whether, it’s a boiler installation, repairs or a service, must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Our local engineers in Southampton are fully qualified experts when it comes to heating and plumbing. Fill in the form below for a free no-obligation quote within the hour.

According to new research, more than 70% of homeowners are left confused by their household bills

A recent survey carried out by the customer service experts at Echo Managed Services, found that more than 70% of homeowners in the UK struggled to understand their heating and boiler bills.

As part of the survey, Echo MS questioned 1,000 adults living in Britain. The purpose of the survey was to uncover what homeowners thought about household bills. It also revealed the way in which energy and service providers dealt with the presentation on these bills.

According to the study, seven in ten people were left totally confused over the jargon these companies used on their bills and how the information is presented.

Around 30% of people would like to see a more simplistic approach to bills.

Around 24% of those polled said they had in the past struggled to understand their bills.

Confusing terms

The 1,000 homeowners who took part in the research, said that terms such as ‘chargeable value’, ‘tariff information label’ and ‘tariff comparison rate’, made absolutely no sense to them and left them feeling even more confused.

Of those people surveyed, 78% said they didn’t know what ‘tariff comparison rate’ meant. 72% had no idea what the other two billing terms meant either.

Some more confusing billing terms include, ‘exit fees’, ‘assumed annual consumption’ and ‘unit rate’.

Echo MS believe that by creating such complicated and confusing bills, the companies were putting themselves at a real disadvantage. Using confusing jargon alienates their customers and leaves the customer feeling not only confused, but let down by these companies.

A debt risk?

The service experts discovered that complicated and confusing household bills can lead to homeowners falling into debt. According to information gathered, 36% of incidents involving late payments, or non payments, were the result of an issue with billing.

The managing director of Echo Managed Services, Mr Nigel Barker, believes that companies need to make improvements to their current billing practices. The information in this new research could help them to make changes. The move could have very positive results, paying dividends for both the company and its customers.

According to Mr Barker, making simple changes to the way these companies communicate the information to their customers would help immensely. It would reduce the likelihood of customer debt and confusion in particular. As a result, it would improve the billing experience and increase customer loyalty.

Contact Warm for help

Warm.co.uk can help you to find a registered engineer who can advise you. They’ll be able to help you manage your heating and boiler bills better. You can reach us on 0800 311 8990 to speak to a member of our team.

Replacing an old fuel-guzzling boiler with a modern system can have many benefits for your household and your pocket. If you find your current machine is playing up and not operating as efficiently as you would have hoped, investing in a new one is a sensible longterm solution. You should view an energy efficient boiler as an essential for your home.

The financial benefits

Installing an efficient boiler system in your home can help save up to £340 per year on your energy bills. This is according information from the Energy Saving Trust. They also estimate that 60% of a household’s bills are those generated by heating.

An efficient boiler requires less fuel to perform its job than an older model. Any new machine installed into a domestic property must contain condensing technology. This work uses heat recovery for 90% of its heat generation.

If your currently boiler is constantly on the blink and you are spending a small fortune on the services of a engineer, it it time to start considering a new model. If you persist with an old machine it will eventually go beyond all help. As a result it will become a constant drain on your finances and patience.

The mod cons

When investing in a new boiler system, it’s a good idea to ask your engineer about all the new technologies. You can choose models with features for controlling and monitoring your energy usage in particular. These include thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), thermostats, and smart meters.

Thermostats can help you control heat levels throughout your property, increasing your comfort and reducing your energy wastage.

Smart meters can be installed free of charge by your energy supplier under a new government scheme. A smart meter display will be set up in your home which will show you your live energy usage and how much you will be billed by your energy provider.

For free advice upgrading to an energy efficient boiler and heating system, call us on 0800 311 8990 or complete our no-obligation quote form for a speedy reply from a local engineer.

There are three different boiler types available on the UK market. Choosing the most appropriate for your home or business property is important and we’re here to help you make an informed decision. Our short guide will help you understand the basics.

The three main boiler types available are:

• Combi
• Conventional
• System

In 2005, the UK Government introduced legislation to ensure every new or replacement boiler that is installed in a domestic property is fitted with condensing capabilities. This generates 90% of the heat needed for fuel burning by using heat recovery technology.

Combi Boilers

The most commonly installed type in the UK. The small stature and hot water and central heating capabilities (hence the “combi” name) make it a smart option for small and medium-sized properties.

They are available as gas, oil and electric. Each machine doesn’t require any extra equipment such as a water tanks. Combi boilers are quick to install so engineer costs are generally cheaper than for system and conventional boiler installations.

Conventional Boilers

Larger properties in rural locations are usually more suited to conventional boiler systems. These systems require separate a cold, a hot, and a central heating water tanks. As a result, it is important to have a large amount of space.

Conventional boilers are highly-efficient. Therefore, they are perfect for homes that are already fitted with a traditional heating and hot water system. They are also good for properties that don’t have a high water pressure. The higher pressure of combi and system boilers can often overwhelm the pipes and fittings.

A conventional boiler allows for multiple hot water taps running simultaneously. This is by far the biggest advantage over combi.

System Boilers

A system boiler operates using gas or oil fuel. They are generally considered more economical than combi and equally economical to the conventional ones, both of which can be used with solar water and heating solutions.

In addition to the unit, a water tank is also necessary. They are ideal for properties with good loft space. Multiple hot water taps can be used with system boilers, just like with conventional.

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

A quick guide to help keep you safe

All gas appliances in your home, such as your boiler, gas fire, and cooker should receive an annual gas safety check. In addition to this, they should need servicing on a regular basis.

You could be putting you, your family, or your tenants in danger if you fail to do this. It also increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as neglected appliances can leak.

A Gas Safe Registered engineer should carry out the safety check. They will show you their Gas Safe ID Card when they arrive at your property to ensure they are a legitimate professional. Consequently, all work will be done in a professional and tidy manner.

Once you have arranged for a Gas Safe Registered engineer to carry out a gas safety check at your home, you might start wondering what an actual inspection entails. Does the engineer simply check everything? Will he/she fix anything as part of the inspection? Do I get my Gas Safety Certificate at the end of it?

Here’s what to expect from a Gas Safety Inspection:

Your Gas Safe Registered engineer will check:

• All gas appliances including the boiler, gas fire and gas cooker
• The gas supply
• All the radiators
• Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector

The engineer will service the boiler and the gas fire if you have one. In addition, they will fix any small problems. He/she will also inspect the loft and cellar if you have one.

Your Gas Safe registered engineer will arrange for any necessary follow up services to be carried out to finalise the safety check.

Upon completion, the engineer will fill out a certificate. You must sign an electronic version to make it legal. The paper certificate will be sent to you within 28 days through the post. You should keep it safe as you may need it in the future.

Homeowners should have a gas safety check annually to keep their property and family safe.

Landlords, by law, must have all their properties gas safety checked annually before allowing tenants to move in.

Warm works with the best Gas Safe engineers

Our approved Gas Safe registered engineers will carry out a gas safety check at your home/rented properties and provide you with the correct Gas Safety Certificate.

For more information regarding Gas Safety Checks, contact us at 0800 311 8990. You can also reach us by filling in the free Quote form.