Hey smart control users Due to planned maintenance on 15/2/24 between 8:30am - 11am, the EasyControl and HomeCom apps will be temporarily unavailable. Please do not try and reset during this time.
If left, the unit should carry on as normal following your time programs or last settings. If for any reason it has disconnected from the boiler entirely you may be able to use a manual mode or override depending what appliance you have.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for your patience.
If left, the unit should carry on as normal following your time programs or last settings. If for any reason it has disconnected from the boiler entirely you may be able to use a manual mode or override depending what appliance you have.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for your patience.
The signs you need a new boiler are not always clear, but you can bet it is frustrating when you find out your boiler does need replacing. Unless your heating has cut out or the water has run cold mid-morning shower, spotting the signs you need a new boiler is easy if you know what you're looking for, below are the 6 signs you need a new boiler. Bills, bills, bills, rising energy bills: If your energy bills increased without any reason, it could be that your current heating system is losing efficiency due to being an older boiler. The older a boiler is, the less efficient it becomes. Your boiler should have a label displaying the efficiency rating of the boiler, making it easy to find out your boiler rating. The rating system is graded A-Rated (90%) efficiency to G-Rated (70%) efficiency, so if you upgraded from G to A, you could be in for a saving of a few hundred pounds a year. Radiators Your radiators should heat up relatively quickly.If they don't, that could be a sign that you need a new boiler. If it is the case, your boiler will be working to capacity to heat up lukewarm radiators; resulting in wasted energy and wasted money. Contacting a heating engineer to service your boiler might be a good idea. Leaky Boiler Nobody likes a leak, but if there is a puddle of water near or around your boiler, then it needs to be fixed quickly. A leak could be a sign that your boiler has internal faulty parts. Whatever the cause, a leak can cause damage to your property and become a costly incident. If you discover a leak, contact a Gas Safety registered heating engineer to assess your boiler. Noisy Boiler If your boiler sounds more like your neighbour playing the drums or as if it was a washing machine with a brick on a slow cycle rather than an actual boiler, switch it off and call a heating engineer. Boilers are supposed to make a noise when you turn them on, but they are supposed to then level off into a quiet hum not dissimilar to a fridge. So, if your boiler is making an unusual noise, it might not be one of the signs you need a new boiler but a sign you should contact a registered Gas Safety heating engineer. Smelly Boiler A healthy boiler shouldn't have an odour. If it does have a smell, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak which, although naturally odourless, can cause a boiler to smell because the leaking CO is preventing the boiler from burning properly. Carbon Monoxide is extremely dangerous and in the event of a CO leak you should vacate the premises and contact the emergency gas line on 0800 111 999. Old Boiler The most obvious signs that you need a new boiler are the ones you've been living with for a while. The water takes longer than it used to heat up or the pressure is always dropping, your bills are not getting any cheaper, and the last time you replaced your current boiler, your soon-to-be a teenager was still wearing nappies. If your current heating system is 10 years old or more, you could get more boiler for your money with a boiler upgrade. The more energy-efficient your boiler is, the more money you're going to save on your energy bills. There you have it, six signs you need a new boiler and if you're not scrambling to find a Gas Safety registered engineer; then your boiler might not need replacing. It could still worth get it serviced, though. Should you be interested in receiving a free quotation for your new energy efficient boiler , click the link below and get your quotation within 30 seconds. Get new boiler quote here .
The signs you need a new boiler are not always clear, but you can bet it is frustrating when you find out your boiler does need replacing. Unless your heating has cut out or the water has run cold mid-morning shower, spotting the signs you need a new boiler is easy if you know what you're looking for, below are the 6 signs you need a new boiler. Bills, bills, bills, rising energy bills: If your energy bills increased without any reason, it could be that your current heating system is losing efficiency due to being an older boiler. The older a boiler is, the less efficient it becomes. Your boiler should have a label displaying the efficiency rating of the boiler, making it easy to find out your boiler rating. The rating system is graded A-Rated (90%) efficiency to G-Rated (70%) efficiency, so if you upgraded from G to A, you could be in for a saving of a few hundred pounds a year. Radiators Your radiators should heat up relatively quickly.If they don't, that could be a sign that you need a new boiler. If it is the case, your boiler will be working to capacity to heat up lukewarm radiators; resulting in wasted energy and wasted money. Contacting a heating engineer to service your boiler might be a good idea. Leaky Boiler Nobody likes a leak, but if there is a puddle of water near or around your boiler, then it needs to be fixed quickly. A leak could be a sign that your boiler has internal faulty parts. Whatever the cause, a leak can cause damage to your property and become a costly incident. If you discover a leak, contact a Gas Safety registered heating engineer to assess your boiler. Noisy Boiler If your boiler sounds more like your neighbour playing the drums or as if it was a washing machine with a brick on a slow cycle rather than an actual boiler, switch it off and call a heating engineer. Boilers are supposed to make a noise when you turn them on, but they are supposed to then level off into a quiet hum not dissimilar to a fridge. So, if your boiler is making an unusual noise, it might not be one of the signs you need a new boiler but a sign you should contact a registered Gas Safety heating engineer. Smelly Boiler A healthy boiler shouldn't have an odour. If it does have a smell, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak which, although naturally odourless, can cause a boiler to smell because the leaking CO is preventing the boiler from burning properly. Carbon Monoxide is extremely dangerous and in the event of a CO leak you should vacate the premises and contact the emergency gas line on 0800 111 999. Old Boiler The most obvious signs that you need a new boiler are the ones you've been living with for a while. The water takes longer than it used to heat up or the pressure is always dropping, your bills are not getting any cheaper, and the last time you replaced your current boiler, your soon-to-be a teenager was still wearing nappies. If your current heating system is 10 years old or more, you could get more boiler for your money with a boiler upgrade. The more energy-efficient your boiler is, the more money you're going to save on your energy bills. There you have it, six signs you need a new boiler and if you're not scrambling to find a Gas Safety registered engineer; then your boiler might not need replacing. It could still worth get it serviced, though. Should you be interested in receiving a free quotation for your new energy efficient boiler , click the link below and get your quotation within 30 seconds. Get new boiler quote here .
Cost of a new boiler You've seen the signs that you need a new boiler, you have started to research the different types of heating systems available, and you need to know how much does a new boiler cost because your budget might dictate your heating set-up. How much does a new boiler cost? Depending on your requirements, a boiler replacement or upgrade could cost anywhere between £1500 and £3000. It sounds like a lot of money because it is, but it is money worth paying because a new boiler will be more energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long term. It means no more low-pressure moments, cold running taps during a shower, wasted energy and higher bills. Added to that, the cost of a new boiler will include a long term warranty and options on maintenance cover. Upfront payment If you're in a position to pay the cost of a new boiler upfront, it takes away having to apply for finance; so you can get straight into the fun bit of choosing the right boiler. It also gives you the option of choosing your preferred heating engineer to install your replacement heating system. Boilers on finance If you're looking at boilers on finance, there is a range of finance deals available to the cover the cost of a new heating system, the terms and conditions may vary depending on the company, with some companies specialising in offering boilers on finance. On average you can expect monthly repayments to be between £12 and £30. If you are interested to know more about finance, then please click here Boiler with bad credit You might have a less than perfect credit score and think that your options for boilers on finance are limited, but it's not the case. Plenty of companies will still discuss boilers on finance, with some companies specialising in clients with bad or poor credit rating. These companies tend to cover a limited range of boilers, usually exclusively combi-boilers. Finance might not be your only option, depending on your circumstances you could be eligible for a boiler grant. Green Homes Grant If you own your home, you could be eligible for the government Green Homes Grant. That means you could get up to a £5000 energy-saving grant to upgrade your boiler to a low-carbon emissions one, taking away the majority, if not all, of the cost of upgrading your heating systems. So now you know what your options are and the cost of a new boiler, but if you want to ask any questions, feel free to contact Blue Flame Services Ltd for a chat.
Are you noticing a rattling or other unfamiliar noises coming from your heating pipes? Not only is this annoying, but it could also lead to a cold home. These noises can be an indication of air in your heating system, which prevents the ideal distribution of heating water in the radiators. You might also notice that your radiators are warm at the bottom but stay cold at the top. Step 1 - Preparation A radiator key to open the bleeding valves of your radiators (you can buy one in a hardware store) A bucket to catch dripping water A cloth to wipe up water - just in case Step 2 - Switch off your heating Make sure your heating is turned off. This will stop your circulation pump from operating and moving heating water and air through your pipes. All thermostat valves need to be open. Step 3 - Wait for your radiators to cool down After switching off your heating, wait approximately one hour to ensure that all radiators are cold. This prevents you from getting burned in case hot water or steam leaks during the bleeding process. Step 4 - Place the radiator key in the radiator valve The valve is usually at the upper side of the radiator. It looks like a small, round hole with a little square inside. Hold the cloth against the wall to protect it from potential spraying water. Place the bucket directly underneath the valve. Step 5 - Open the valve carefully Slowly turn the radiator key anti-clockwise. A quarter to half a turn should be sufficient. You will hear a hissing noise as soon as air drops out of the radiator. Be careful not to open the valve more than suggested. This will limit the amount of water leaking from the radiator. Step 6 - Close the radiator valve Let some of the heating water run out before you turn the radiator key clockwise to close the valve. Don't close the valve too tight, otherwise you might damage it. Step 7 - Turn on your heating system Before you switch your heating back on, be sure to check the water pressure of the system by looking at the pressure gauge or digital display on the boiler - you may get an F22 fault code (please refer to the operating instructions for guidance if you are unsure). The boiler should read between 1 to 1.5 bar of pressure when the central heating is cold. If the pressure is too low, you need to refill the heating water. Finally, check if all radiators are warming up evenly.
Summer may seem like an odd time to consider preparing your boiler for the winter months, however conducting checks on your boiler now could significantly reduce the risk of a breakdown when you need it most. We’ve put together some handy tips and advice, all of which can be carried out before winter arrives. To ensure your boiler and central heating system are both ready for when the cold spell hits.
Don't leave it to late, check your boiler
Don't leave it to late, check your boiler
- It is normal to have your central heating off over the warmer months, and have your boiler switched to just the hot water mode to help reduce your energy bills. However, it is important to turn your heating back on early and check that everything is working efficiently. A good way to test your boiler and heating system is to run your boiler and radiators at the highest temperature for around 15 minutes and make sure your boiler runs smoothly with no problems. Running this check, can help you identify any problems before you need your boiler the most.
-
It’s normal for air to build up in your heating system over time, causing gurgling sounds, or the tops of your radiators feeling colder than you would expect. If this happens, you will need to bleed your radiators to make sure your heating is working at full efficiency and keeping your house warm throughout winter. After bleeding your radiators check your boiler pressure.
Check your boiler pressure
- Your boiler pressure is usually indicated on the boiler by a dial. The optimum boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 when the system is cool. If your boiler has lost pressure, this is something you can quickly resolve yourself. Please refer to your boiler user manual.
- Frozen condensate is one of the most common winter problems with modern boilers. If part of your condensate pipework is outside, then in very cold weather it may freeze. This could cause your boiler to stop working. You might hear a gurgling noise coming from the boiler and if your boiler has a digital display, you might see an ‘EA’ error code too. There’s no need to worry if your condensate pipe freezes. You can usually thaw it safely without the need to call an installer or plumber. During the winter months, standing water in your pipework can freeze. This can in turn cause your boiler to stop working. Insulating your pipework or keeping your heating on at a constant low temperature can help to prevent this from happening. Use the months ahead of winter to ensure your pipework is insulated and prevent unwanted frost from forming later in the year. Should the water in your pipework freeze during the winter months, you can defrost them simply by pouring over warm water or applying a gentle source of heat such as a hairdryer.
- Getting your boiler serviced before the extreme weather arrives is advisable to make sure your boiler is in optimum working condition. This will reduce the risk of you encountering any surprise problems during the winter months.
- Safety - Every year in the UK 50 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of broken and damaged gas appliances and boilers. (Top tip – for peace of mind keep a carbon monoxide alarm in the room your boiler is kept)
- Save Money - Regular servicing of your boiler can help to improve efficiency, reliability and reduce heating bills.
- Warranties - Many boiler warranties and guarantees require the boiler to receive an annual service, failure to do this can void your warranty or guarantee.
- Save money on repairs - By having your boiler serviced regularly and maintaining it correctly you can save money in the long run as repair costs associated with boilers that aren’t serviced tend to be much higher than maintenance costs for those that are.
- Law for Landlords - It is a legal requirement for Landlords to have boilers in commercial and rented properties serviced annually a CP12 Inspection Certificate must be issued. With our Landlord cover plan we’re able to provide you with a CP12 at your Earliest convenience.
Voted Which Trusted Trader of the month for July
G Gentles • July 20, 2018
This is a subtitle for your new post
Here is the publication Which? Came up with for winning trader of the month.
Our July Which? Trusted trader of the month, Blue Flame Services Ltd, is a medium-sized business based in Maryport on the Cumbrian coast. Tim Kemp started the business, working as plumber and heating engineer on his own in 2003. He joined up with his business partner, David Harrison, two years later, and the company now employs 50-60 people, providing plumbing, heating and electrical services throughout Cumbria.
Although Tim started out offering plumbing and heating services, the business has its own electrical division, too. He explained: ‘We realised very early on that it makes sense for both the business and the customer if we could control the job and have all the trades in-house. There’s no down time, and we can manage the job from start to finish.’
The company’s high level of customer service is clear from the many positive reviews on its Which? Trusted Traders profile page. The judges were also particularly impressed by the way Blue Flame Services has fully embraced the Which? Trusted Traders scheme, and how it uses the logo throughout the business and prominently on its promotional material.
Making the most of the endorsement
Blue Flame Services joined Which? Trusted Traders in March 2016, and has amassed well over 160 reviews in its two years on the scheme. The team take the time to respond to each review.
Tim explained: ‘When we get great feedback, we want to pass it on to the lads and the staff. We want to thank our people for the great work they’ve done. We ask the lads to get customers to fill in a card or a review – it’s integral to how we work now.’
There are loads of ways to use your Which? Trusted trader logo, and Blue Flame Services Ltd has taken advantage of most of them. The business has a fleet of vehicles, and the logo is on each one. It’s also on every quote and letterhead, promotional videos, merchandise, adverts in the local paper, brochures and social media.
Blue Flame has incorporated the Which? Trusted trader logo on to its own mascot, as you can see in the example below.
The Which? Trusted trader logo is next to the Blue Flame Services logo at all times. It’s this association that works for the business.
Tim said: ‘It’s an honour to have the Which? Trusted trader logo next to our own. People see it on our vans and they take us seriously as a result. Everybody knows Which? and there’s no other accreditation or association that we want. Which? is the one for us.’
Investing in the community
The Which? Trusted trader of the month judges were very impressed with how the business is active within its local community. ‘The community is kind enough to give us the work, so we want to give something back,’ Tim told us. Blue Flame Services sponsors its local football teams, donates to charity and, most recently, it has set up a partnership with a local school.
‘It’s like a young enterprise scheme,’ Tim explained. ‘It’s a way of bridging the skills gap. A lot of young kids don’t have the communication skills you need to work with customers. We give them the experience of being in the workplace, and it encourages them to work hard at school and get the qualifications they need to go into the business.’
Two students in year 11 are now combining on-the-job training with their studies, with the view to gaining an apprenticeship as gas fitters when they leave school. This provides an amazing opportunity to the students involved, as well as giving Blue Flame Services access to some of the new talent in the area.
The business takes a responsible approach to the environment, too, with its own recycling centre. Blue Flame Services takes the old heating systems it removes from homes and businesses, and strips them down for parts. Some are refurbished and offered for sale on eBay (once they’ve been fully tested), extending their life further and keeping them out of landfill.
‘It creates more jobs,’ Tim said, ‘and it’s a great way for the young apprentices to learn about parts, how to use the tools of the trade and so on, somewhere we can supervise them on site, rather than out in the field. So it works on a number of different levels.’
For all its enterprise within the community, Blue Flame Services’ success is built on a sound basis of the principles of good customer service. Tim said: ‘I realised from the beginning, when I was on my own, that if you’re polite and courteous, and do the job to the best of your ability, you’ll always get repeat work.’ That positive work ethic has definitely paid off.
Many congratulations to our July 2018 Which? Trusted trader of the month, Blue Flame Services Ltd.
Hey smart control users Due to planned maintenance on 15/2/24 between 8:30am - 11am, the EasyControl and HomeCom apps will be temporarily unavailable. Please do not try and reset during this time.
If left, the unit should carry on as normal following your time programs or last settings. If for any reason it has disconnected from the boiler entirely you may be able to use a manual mode or override depending what appliance you have.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for your patience.
If left, the unit should carry on as normal following your time programs or last settings. If for any reason it has disconnected from the boiler entirely you may be able to use a manual mode or override depending what appliance you have.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and we thank you for your patience.
The signs you need a new boiler are not always clear, but you can bet it is frustrating when you find out your boiler does need replacing. Unless your heating has cut out or the water has run cold mid-morning shower, spotting the signs you need a new boiler is easy if you know what you're looking for, below are the 6 signs you need a new boiler. Bills, bills, bills, rising energy bills: If your energy bills increased without any reason, it could be that your current heating system is losing efficiency due to being an older boiler. The older a boiler is, the less efficient it becomes. Your boiler should have a label displaying the efficiency rating of the boiler, making it easy to find out your boiler rating. The rating system is graded A-Rated (90%) efficiency to G-Rated (70%) efficiency, so if you upgraded from G to A, you could be in for a saving of a few hundred pounds a year. Radiators Your radiators should heat up relatively quickly.If they don't, that could be a sign that you need a new boiler. If it is the case, your boiler will be working to capacity to heat up lukewarm radiators; resulting in wasted energy and wasted money. Contacting a heating engineer to service your boiler might be a good idea. Leaky Boiler Nobody likes a leak, but if there is a puddle of water near or around your boiler, then it needs to be fixed quickly. A leak could be a sign that your boiler has internal faulty parts. Whatever the cause, a leak can cause damage to your property and become a costly incident. If you discover a leak, contact a Gas Safety registered heating engineer to assess your boiler. Noisy Boiler If your boiler sounds more like your neighbour playing the drums or as if it was a washing machine with a brick on a slow cycle rather than an actual boiler, switch it off and call a heating engineer. Boilers are supposed to make a noise when you turn them on, but they are supposed to then level off into a quiet hum not dissimilar to a fridge. So, if your boiler is making an unusual noise, it might not be one of the signs you need a new boiler but a sign you should contact a registered Gas Safety heating engineer. Smelly Boiler A healthy boiler shouldn't have an odour. If it does have a smell, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak which, although naturally odourless, can cause a boiler to smell because the leaking CO is preventing the boiler from burning properly. Carbon Monoxide is extremely dangerous and in the event of a CO leak you should vacate the premises and contact the emergency gas line on 0800 111 999. Old Boiler The most obvious signs that you need a new boiler are the ones you've been living with for a while. The water takes longer than it used to heat up or the pressure is always dropping, your bills are not getting any cheaper, and the last time you replaced your current boiler, your soon-to-be a teenager was still wearing nappies. If your current heating system is 10 years old or more, you could get more boiler for your money with a boiler upgrade. The more energy-efficient your boiler is, the more money you're going to save on your energy bills. There you have it, six signs you need a new boiler and if you're not scrambling to find a Gas Safety registered engineer; then your boiler might not need replacing. It could still worth get it serviced, though. Should you be interested in receiving a free quotation for your new energy efficient boiler , click the link below and get your quotation within 30 seconds. Get new boiler quote here .
The signs you need a new boiler are not always clear, but you can bet it is frustrating when you find out your boiler does need replacing. Unless your heating has cut out or the water has run cold mid-morning shower, spotting the signs you need a new boiler is easy if you know what you're looking for, below are the 6 signs you need a new boiler. Bills, bills, bills, rising energy bills: If your energy bills increased without any reason, it could be that your current heating system is losing efficiency due to being an older boiler. The older a boiler is, the less efficient it becomes. Your boiler should have a label displaying the efficiency rating of the boiler, making it easy to find out your boiler rating. The rating system is graded A-Rated (90%) efficiency to G-Rated (70%) efficiency, so if you upgraded from G to A, you could be in for a saving of a few hundred pounds a year. Radiators Your radiators should heat up relatively quickly.If they don't, that could be a sign that you need a new boiler. If it is the case, your boiler will be working to capacity to heat up lukewarm radiators; resulting in wasted energy and wasted money. Contacting a heating engineer to service your boiler might be a good idea. Leaky Boiler Nobody likes a leak, but if there is a puddle of water near or around your boiler, then it needs to be fixed quickly. A leak could be a sign that your boiler has internal faulty parts. Whatever the cause, a leak can cause damage to your property and become a costly incident. If you discover a leak, contact a Gas Safety registered heating engineer to assess your boiler. Noisy Boiler If your boiler sounds more like your neighbour playing the drums or as if it was a washing machine with a brick on a slow cycle rather than an actual boiler, switch it off and call a heating engineer. Boilers are supposed to make a noise when you turn them on, but they are supposed to then level off into a quiet hum not dissimilar to a fridge. So, if your boiler is making an unusual noise, it might not be one of the signs you need a new boiler but a sign you should contact a registered Gas Safety heating engineer. Smelly Boiler A healthy boiler shouldn't have an odour. If it does have a smell, it could indicate a carbon monoxide leak which, although naturally odourless, can cause a boiler to smell because the leaking CO is preventing the boiler from burning properly. Carbon Monoxide is extremely dangerous and in the event of a CO leak you should vacate the premises and contact the emergency gas line on 0800 111 999. Old Boiler The most obvious signs that you need a new boiler are the ones you've been living with for a while. The water takes longer than it used to heat up or the pressure is always dropping, your bills are not getting any cheaper, and the last time you replaced your current boiler, your soon-to-be a teenager was still wearing nappies. If your current heating system is 10 years old or more, you could get more boiler for your money with a boiler upgrade. The more energy-efficient your boiler is, the more money you're going to save on your energy bills. There you have it, six signs you need a new boiler and if you're not scrambling to find a Gas Safety registered engineer; then your boiler might not need replacing. It could still worth get it serviced, though. Should you be interested in receiving a free quotation for your new energy efficient boiler , click the link below and get your quotation within 30 seconds. Get new boiler quote here .
Cost of a new boiler You've seen the signs that you need a new boiler, you have started to research the different types of heating systems available, and you need to know how much does a new boiler cost because your budget might dictate your heating set-up. How much does a new boiler cost? Depending on your requirements, a boiler replacement or upgrade could cost anywhere between £1500 and £3000. It sounds like a lot of money because it is, but it is money worth paying because a new boiler will be more energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long term. It means no more low-pressure moments, cold running taps during a shower, wasted energy and higher bills. Added to that, the cost of a new boiler will include a long term warranty and options on maintenance cover. Upfront payment If you're in a position to pay the cost of a new boiler upfront, it takes away having to apply for finance; so you can get straight into the fun bit of choosing the right boiler. It also gives you the option of choosing your preferred heating engineer to install your replacement heating system. Boilers on finance If you're looking at boilers on finance, there is a range of finance deals available to the cover the cost of a new heating system, the terms and conditions may vary depending on the company, with some companies specialising in offering boilers on finance. On average you can expect monthly repayments to be between £12 and £30. If you are interested to know more about finance, then please click here Boiler with bad credit You might have a less than perfect credit score and think that your options for boilers on finance are limited, but it's not the case. Plenty of companies will still discuss boilers on finance, with some companies specialising in clients with bad or poor credit rating. These companies tend to cover a limited range of boilers, usually exclusively combi-boilers. Finance might not be your only option, depending on your circumstances you could be eligible for a boiler grant. Green Homes Grant If you own your home, you could be eligible for the government Green Homes Grant. That means you could get up to a £5000 energy-saving grant to upgrade your boiler to a low-carbon emissions one, taking away the majority, if not all, of the cost of upgrading your heating systems. So now you know what your options are and the cost of a new boiler, but if you want to ask any questions, feel free to contact Blue Flame Services Ltd for a chat.
Are you noticing a rattling or other unfamiliar noises coming from your heating pipes? Not only is this annoying, but it could also lead to a cold home. These noises can be an indication of air in your heating system, which prevents the ideal distribution of heating water in the radiators. You might also notice that your radiators are warm at the bottom but stay cold at the top. Step 1 - Preparation A radiator key to open the bleeding valves of your radiators (you can buy one in a hardware store) A bucket to catch dripping water A cloth to wipe up water - just in case Step 2 - Switch off your heating Make sure your heating is turned off. This will stop your circulation pump from operating and moving heating water and air through your pipes. All thermostat valves need to be open. Step 3 - Wait for your radiators to cool down After switching off your heating, wait approximately one hour to ensure that all radiators are cold. This prevents you from getting burned in case hot water or steam leaks during the bleeding process. Step 4 - Place the radiator key in the radiator valve The valve is usually at the upper side of the radiator. It looks like a small, round hole with a little square inside. Hold the cloth against the wall to protect it from potential spraying water. Place the bucket directly underneath the valve. Step 5 - Open the valve carefully Slowly turn the radiator key anti-clockwise. A quarter to half a turn should be sufficient. You will hear a hissing noise as soon as air drops out of the radiator. Be careful not to open the valve more than suggested. This will limit the amount of water leaking from the radiator. Step 6 - Close the radiator valve Let some of the heating water run out before you turn the radiator key clockwise to close the valve. Don't close the valve too tight, otherwise you might damage it. Step 7 - Turn on your heating system Before you switch your heating back on, be sure to check the water pressure of the system by looking at the pressure gauge or digital display on the boiler - you may get an F22 fault code (please refer to the operating instructions for guidance if you are unsure). The boiler should read between 1 to 1.5 bar of pressure when the central heating is cold. If the pressure is too low, you need to refill the heating water. Finally, check if all radiators are warming up evenly.
Summer may seem like an odd time to consider preparing your boiler for the winter months, however conducting checks on your boiler now could significantly reduce the risk of a breakdown when you need it most. We’ve put together some handy tips and advice, all of which can be carried out before winter arrives. To ensure your boiler and central heating system are both ready for when the cold spell hits.
Don't leave it to late, check your boiler
Don't leave it to late, check your boiler
- It is normal to have your central heating off over the warmer months, and have your boiler switched to just the hot water mode to help reduce your energy bills. However, it is important to turn your heating back on early and check that everything is working efficiently. A good way to test your boiler and heating system is to run your boiler and radiators at the highest temperature for around 15 minutes and make sure your boiler runs smoothly with no problems. Running this check, can help you identify any problems before you need your boiler the most.
-
It’s normal for air to build up in your heating system over time, causing gurgling sounds, or the tops of your radiators feeling colder than you would expect. If this happens, you will need to bleed your radiators to make sure your heating is working at full efficiency and keeping your house warm throughout winter. After bleeding your radiators check your boiler pressure.
Check your boiler pressure
- Your boiler pressure is usually indicated on the boiler by a dial. The optimum boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 when the system is cool. If your boiler has lost pressure, this is something you can quickly resolve yourself. Please refer to your boiler user manual.
- Frozen condensate is one of the most common winter problems with modern boilers. If part of your condensate pipework is outside, then in very cold weather it may freeze. This could cause your boiler to stop working. You might hear a gurgling noise coming from the boiler and if your boiler has a digital display, you might see an ‘EA’ error code too. There’s no need to worry if your condensate pipe freezes. You can usually thaw it safely without the need to call an installer or plumber. During the winter months, standing water in your pipework can freeze. This can in turn cause your boiler to stop working. Insulating your pipework or keeping your heating on at a constant low temperature can help to prevent this from happening. Use the months ahead of winter to ensure your pipework is insulated and prevent unwanted frost from forming later in the year. Should the water in your pipework freeze during the winter months, you can defrost them simply by pouring over warm water or applying a gentle source of heat such as a hairdryer.
- Getting your boiler serviced before the extreme weather arrives is advisable to make sure your boiler is in optimum working condition. This will reduce the risk of you encountering any surprise problems during the winter months.
- Safety - Every year in the UK 50 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of broken and damaged gas appliances and boilers. (Top tip – for peace of mind keep a carbon monoxide alarm in the room your boiler is kept)
- Save Money - Regular servicing of your boiler can help to improve efficiency, reliability and reduce heating bills.
- Warranties - Many boiler warranties and guarantees require the boiler to receive an annual service, failure to do this can void your warranty or guarantee.
- Save money on repairs - By having your boiler serviced regularly and maintaining it correctly you can save money in the long run as repair costs associated with boilers that aren’t serviced tend to be much higher than maintenance costs for those that are.
- Law for Landlords - It is a legal requirement for Landlords to have boilers in commercial and rented properties serviced annually a CP12 Inspection Certificate must be issued. With our Landlord cover plan we’re able to provide you with a CP12 at your Earliest convenience.
