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]]>Energy-efficient heating is essential in every home. But, in care homes, it can be a matter of life and death.
Care home operators face a difficult task. They continually have to make decisions that affect the health, safety, and well-being of their residents. At the same time, they’re resisting financial pressures. Opportunities to improve the residents’ standards of living often go directly against desires to reduce spending. Heating is no exception. But, favouring one over the other will result in either a poor reputation for the care home and a lack of quality in the care they provide to residents or severe budgeting problems.
But, if you had the chance to save on costs while improving the well-being of residents, why wouldn’t you?
As we age, our ability to control our body temperature declines. So does our ability to feel the cold. This leaves older people at a higher risk of hypothermia during cold weather. The Guardian reported that during the UK’s winter, one older person dies every seven minutes from cold-related illnesses. This rate is significantly higher than other countries in Europe with much colder climates. So why is this happening in the UK?
The Office for National Statistics states that countries with milder winters, like the UK, are less prepared for the cold and tend to have lower thermal efficiency in their homes. When cold weather strikes, their homes are not equipped to keep the cold out. This is also true for care homes, which leaves many older people at risk.
However, cold-related deaths may have more to do with the increasing cost of energy. It’s becoming more and more expensive, leaving many older adults in fuel poverty.
Going without heating is not an option for care homes as it endangers the lives of many of the older people who live there. Particularly those who are also living with other illnesses who are at further risk. Keeping these people safe requires the constant use of effective central heating. The 24/7 operation of care homes means heating adds up to be one of the most significant expenditures, leading to the temptation to cut down on its use.
This is not the answer. The answer lies in more efficient heating and effective service cover.
Heating efficiency in care homes is the most crucial factor in protecting the residents while staying within budget. Installing energy-efficient boilers, effective wall and roof insulation where possible, and double glazing, will all help keep the heat in. You could also consider including green energy from solar panels. This means less heat is wasted to the environment while saving you money in the long run. But, most importantly for your care home heating, it is an affordable, effective service cover for your boiler.
Boiler breakdowns are all too frequent in the UK. In an environment such as a care home, they can cause serious health issues. As a result, it is imperative that you prevent boiler breakdowns. This is done with regular servicing. Boiler service cover from a reliable heating company allows you to have regular boiler check-ups and ensure there are no breakdowns insight. It also gives you access to immediate, emergency servicing should your boiler breakdown. Some companies will even be able to install greener, more efficient, and cheaper heating systems to make sure your costs stay low while the heating stays high.
GOS Heating is one of these companies. We provide the best, affordable service cover for care homes, commercial buildings, and residences so that you can relax, never having to worry about the heating again. Our extensive knowledge of energy efficiency will also save you money so don’t hesitate to take a look at our service cover options, or get in touch on 01772 734 966.
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]]>The post Increased efficiency: How a boiler service can improve efficiency appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>Although a boiler service probably isn’t the first thing on your mind right now, it’s definitely something you should be considering. Getting your boiler serviced not only ensures that it’s functioning as it should be, but it also has substantial benefits within your home in relation to both saving money and ‘greenness’. But these aren’t the only benefits…
A boiler service is carried out by a qualified engineer to make sure your boiler and central heating system are cooperating as they should. It’s important to check that your boiler works safely and effectively so it doesn’t cause you any future issues or put you and your family at risk.
The engineer will check numerous aspects of the boiler to ensure that it’s performing to its full potential, such as:
The inspections carried out on your boiler focus on the safety and efficiency of your boiler. However, the engineer will even clean out the inside of your unit if it needed.
A boiler service is a cost-effective measure to ensure the safety and warmth of your home. An engineer will check for any potential threats or current ones such as health hazards caused by carbon monoxide escaping. 4,000 people go to A&E each year with carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK alone due to leaks in their boilers. This statistic is shockingly high and highlights the importance of getting your boiler regularly serviced. Without these checks, it’ll have detrimental effects on not just your wellbeing, but also your wallet.
Getting your boiler regularly serviced can help reduce your energy bills by ensuring that it isn’t wasting energy. This will also improve the overall ‘greenness’ of your home, as well as decreasing fuel costs. It’ll also let you avoid unexpected repairs in the future.
Getting your boiler serviced is serious but simple. A qualified engineer will visit your home and will be done within an hour, giving you plenty of time to get on with the rest of your day. To find out more on boiler services or our other heating services, you can contact us here.
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]]>The post Why an A-rated boiler is the best choice for your home appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>You’ve probably seen the A to G rating scale on new boilers (or many other appliances). But you might be less familiar with what that means for your household. Or, more importantly, your wallet. This rating is simply a measure of boiler efficiency, and each letter often comes with a percentage measurement of efficiency. It looks like this:
A – 90% and above
B – 86% – 90%
C – 82% – 86%
D – 78% – 82%
E – 74% – 78%
F – 70% – 74%
G – Below 70%
Most modern boilers are now A-rated, as they are incredibly efficient. More and more boilers are even being rated A+, A++, and A+++, which are so efficient they have outgrown the original scale. There are models that, while expensive, are 100% efficient. A-rated boilers and above are a spectacular advancement in technology, in response to our overconsumption of fossil fuels, increasing contribution to climate change, and rising energy prices.
Buying an A-rated boiler means you invest in efficiency. Essentially, this allows you to get more heat per each unit of energy you purchase, making your money go further. If you were to compare an A-rated boiler with a D, E, F, or G boiler, or even B and C, you would notice a marked increase in energy consumption to get the same output. Therefore, investing in energy efficient boilers is one of the best ways to save money on your household bills and lead a greener life.
Even when they’re not broken, low-rated energy efficiency boilers will lead to you spending more than you need to as they waste a lot of energy unnecessarily. This is a rare case when the adage ‘don’t fix it if it isn’t broken’ doesn’t ring true.
If you’re still using an inefficient boiler, upgrading to an A-rated one will be an excellent investment for you and the planet. And, the availability of these boilers is better than ever at affordable prices, so don’t wait around for energy prices to increase further.
If you need help finding or installing a more efficient boiler that is going to save you money, get in touch with GOS Heating on 01772 734 966.
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]]>The post How energy efficient are you? Take our quiz to find out appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>Over the Christmas period, you might not have realised how much energy you were using in your home. Having just paid for Christmas, being stung by surprise gas, electricity and water costs isn’t what you need. Inefficient boilers, forgetting to turn off appliances, and leaving windows open can lower the temperature and increase the bills.
But do you realise how good or bad you are? Maybe you think you’re an expert at saving energy, so why not take our quick quiz to find out?
A) Yes, I have invested in regular maintenance.
B) No, why bother? It seems fine.
C) The radiator is making noises; we’ve been ignoring them.
A) I always make sure to unplug the kettle, switch off the lights, and unplug chargers.
B) I’m guilty of leaving the lights on or appliances on standby.
C) Why should I switch appliances off?
A) Yes! I already have some.
B) I have heard of them, but don’t have any.
C) What makes them energy efficient?
A) Absolutely! Heating bills are expensive.
B) I try to, but sometimes I forget.
C) I never think about it.
A) Yes! My home is well insulated, and I make sure to keep the drafts out.
B) No insulation but I have thick curtains and double/triple glazed windows.
C) I haven’t invested in any specific ways to keep the heat out.
A) Yes, I regularly check out the best deals.
B) I have switched providers a few times.
C) I trust the provider I’m with – why bother changing?
Now you’ve finished the quiz, see how you rank below:
Mostly A: Well done! You know how to keep the cold out, save money, and get the most from the energy in your home.
Mostly B: You’re on the right track, but you could be doing more to ensure that your home is energy efficient. Make sure to invest in regular boiler maintenance, remember to unplug appliances, turn off the lights, and think about installing insulation.
Mostly C: Without realising it, you are probably putting the heating on more than you need to be, risking a broken boiler, and forking out for a costly energy bill. Try investing in an energy efficient boiler, closing the windows, and switching providers.
The first step to making the right change is recognising where you’re going wrong. We’re not here to judge! Hopefully, this quiz is an eye-opener, and you can start to develop better habits. After that, watch your energy bills drop!
At GOS we can install a new and efficient boiler in your home and provide regular maintenance so that you can get the most from your heating. Contact us today on 01772734966 to find out more.
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]]>Earlier this year, both British Gas and Scottish Power announced they were increasing the price of some of their services by 5.5%. This has the potential to affect around 5 million British customers. Despite the problem of rising energy bills continuing to affect Brits, there is some good news. Energy efficiency is rising in boilers. So, for those looking to keep their energy bills as low as possible, now could be a great time to invest in a new boiler.
Since the 2000s, the EU has made it so energy-consuming goods have to be labelled with their efficiency rating – you’ve probably seen them stuck on the front of your white goods. It provides a double benefit: saving the planet and saving you money. This is particularly true when it comes to your boiler.
Heating accounts for 66% of the energy used in UK homes. In general, products that generate heat use the most energy. This includes tumble dryers and electric hobs. But, these appliances are essential in our everyday lives. They aren’t something we can just switch off and go without. So, the solution is to make them as energy efficient as possible, and that’s what manufacturers have been doing.
Boilers are more energy efficient than they have ever been before. This means that for every unit of fuel they consume, more of it is turned into heat. This is how higher efficiency saves you money – you consume less fuel. This reduction in cost is ideal for a number of people.
You’re no doubt familiar with the EU’s energy efficiency rating that comes with appliances. At first, appliances like boilers were rated using a scale of A to G. You can still see this rating when you buy a new product, usually plastered on it somewhere. As energy efficiency has improved, this scale has had to change, with A+, A++, and A+++ being added to the range to make room for the appliances that go above and beyond.
Sometimes, there’s a bit of a difference with boilers – they’re rated with a percentage. Since 2010, only boilers that are 88% or more efficient can be installed in homes. This isn’t usually an issue considering many boilers reach the 90s in efficiency these days.
The age and type of your boiler will affect how efficient it is. The most efficient boilers on the market are currently modern condensing boilers. These boilers, unlike non-condensing boilers, stop the loss of heat from hot gases via the flue. Instead, they use them to heat water. Replacing an old G-rated non-condensing boiler with a condensing one could save you £310 per year.
Technological advancements in heating are also helping many people keep costs down. Several companies, like Worcester Bosch, offer smart heating controls. They allow you to manage your heating from your phone, tablet, or computer. Some of these controls actively learn from your past usage and adjust your boiler to be the most efficient. If you’re not home and your heating comes on, you can turn it off at the click of a button.
You can create an elaborate schedule for your heating, and adjust the temperature in individual rooms, rather than wasting heat on the whole house. This increases your boiler efficiency and saves you money. It’s something to keep in mind as winter approaches and the heating is turned on more.
But, if you’re not ready to purchase a new boiler just yet, our advice is to get your existing boiler serviced. Older boilers and broken ones aren’t energy efficient. By fixing any problems, and finding ways to improve your existing boiler, engineers can ensure your boiler is as efficient as possible. It can stop your bills going through the roof.
If you need a boiler check-up, fitting, or advice on energy efficiency on your property, get in touch with GOS Heating today on 01772 734 966.
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