The post Answering your questions about residential boiler servicing appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>Making sure your heating system is up to scratch and ready to handle anything thrown at it should be easy. But knowing something is wrong is easier said than done. It’s a good job then that any reputable plumbing and heating service provider is only a quick phone call away. To make things even easier, we’ve compiled our own FAQ about residential boiler servicing to clear a few things up.
A residential boiler service involves a Gas Safe registered heating engineer coming to your home to check that your boiler is working safely and efficiently. Any good service should include checks on your gas pressure, flow, flue and combustion, electrical connections, fans, safety, seals, condensate trap, and water and gas pipework.
The cost of a boiler service varies between companies. The average cost of a one-off service is around £72. But remember, large national firms charge around 25-50% more for a boiler service than local businesses. To avoid hefty costs for your boiler service, you might consider a good boiler service cover which covers your boiler in an emergency and for regular servicing for an affordable monthly fee.
Although there are exceptions, most home insurance policies exclude boiler breakdown and servicing from their policies. This is because boiler problems are common because of poor maintenance and the resultant issues can be expensive to fix. Therefore, it’s important to ensure you get your boiler serviced regularly to avoid expensive fixes in the future.
An annual service can make all the difference in improving the reliability and efficiency of your boiler while keeping your household bills to a minimum. While one boiler service per year should suffice, timing is key. It’s best to get your boiler serviced in summer, ensuring that when winter comes around, it’s in full working condition, helping you survive the cold.
We hope that the answers to these FAQs can help you save money and make your boiler last longer. If you have more questions, all you need to do is pick up the phone and get in touch with the GOS team on 01772 734 966. We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions or send our top-class engineers to give your boiler some TLC.
The post Answering your questions about residential boiler servicing appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>The post How to get the most out of your boiler appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>Despite the wide range of boilers and finance plans, buying and installing a new one isn’t exactly cheap. The average boiler lifespan is between ten and fifteen years. Taking care of your unit won’t just maximise the value of your investment, it could also help it last much longer than expected. So, here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your boiler!
This is the best way to ensure your boiler stays healthy for longer. The best time to service it is during the summer. That way, you’ll know of any problems well before winter so you can address them before you need the heating. You can easily prevent unexpected breakdowns by signing up for a reliable, inexpensive service cover from a reputable heating expert.
This will protect your heating system from the build-up of limescale and sludge which, if left unchecked, can cause cold spots on radiators. This means your boiler has to work harder, costing you more money.
Often, sludge in your radiator comes from rust. A magnetic filter can pull this rust out of the system, allowing for efficient heating. They are even better when used with an inhibitor.
An unexpected breakdown is most likely to arise after long periods of inactivity, such as during warmer months, making things difficult when winter rolls around. Switching your boiler on for small periods throughout the summer keeps all the parts working, ready for winter.
Air sometimes gets trapped in your radiators which can put pressure on the boiler and lead to inefficient heating of your home. Bleeding them allows you to release unwanted air and makes sure they heat up properly.
A frozen condensate pipe is one of the most common causes for boiler breakdowns in the winter. But the problem is easy to prevent. You can easily insulate your outdoor pipes by buying inexpensive insulation materials from your local DIY shop. This could save you hundreds of pounds this winter.
Doing these things will keep your boiler in top condition and as efficient as ever, helping to keep your heating bills down. In this day and age, anything that can save you money isn’t a bad idea!
If you need further information on how GOS Heating can provide service cover, boiler installations, filters, and inhibitors, get in touch with us today on 01772 734 966.
The post How to get the most out of your boiler appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>The post Questions you should ask yourself before investing in a new boiler appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>So you think you’re ready to invest in a new boiler? Perhaps one that is far more energy efficient so you can start saving money on those bills? With the price cap on energy bills set to rise this coming spring, with analysts expecting up to £100 being added to the typical annual dual fuel bill, installing an energy efficient boiler is more crucial than ever. But, before you do, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to make sure everything is going smoothly.
Just because someone said you need to replace your boiler doesn’t always mean you do. You should seek the advice of reputable and experienced professionals who will be able to assess whether it’s the right course of action. They will be able to tell you:
– How efficient your boiler is
– Whether it is reliable or likely to break soon
– Whether a repair might be more cost-effective than a replacement
– Where you can get financial help for a new boiler
– Whether upgrading controls would be better than a replacement
– The age of your existing boiler
If you find that you need a new boiler, it’s best to consider your budget as soon as possible. They don’t come cheap. The average boiler will cost anything from a few hundred pounds to thousands depending on the type, the size, the make, the model, and the features. Then there are installation costs to cover. You may find that if you cannot afford a brand new model, repairing your old one may be an effective and affordable option. If you need a replacement, there is financial help available. Some manufacturers and installation companies even offer ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes as well as loan agreements.
Tech companies like Samsung are expanding into the realm of boilers. With them they bring tech that you can control from anywhere using your mobile phone, heating individual rooms to different temperatures and creating extreme efficiency. While these are spectacular additions, they also come with a hefty price tag to match their impressiveness.
Don’t put yourself into debt when buying a new boiler. Most available models come with an energy efficiency rating above 90% so you can rest assured knowing you are doing your part for the environment without breaking the bank.
It’s good to keep these things in mind when deciding if you need a replacement. When you do, GOS Heating, a Gas Safe Registered company specialising in boiler installations and repair services, will be here to help. We offer boiler finance loans for your new model and seamless installation services. For more information, get in touch on 01772 734 966.
The post Questions you should ask yourself before investing in a new boiler appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>The post Which new boiler is best for you and your home? appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>The amount of choice you have when it comes to choosing a new boiler is vast, and their improvements in efficiency are something to be marvelled. However, the broad range of new models can make selecting one a slow and difficult task. If it’s been a while since you last chose a boiler, you might be stunned at the advancements made over the years.
So we’ve made a simple guide to help speed up your decision and make sure you’re choosing the best option for you.
Combination boilers are the most popular choice in the UK, making up around 45% of all installed boilers. They are perfect for those living in smaller homes without a lot of room to spare. This is as long as you don’t need to use many different hot water outlets at one time. They are affordable, energy efficient, and will likely save you money on your bills.
Properties:
– Compact sizes make them suitable for small properties
– Perfect for properties with little or no loft space
– Many energy efficient models to choose from
– Cost-effective – purchase and installation combined can be as low as £650
– Hot water delivered at mains pressure
These are fast and easy to install. System boilers need a hot water cylinder to store hot water. They take up more space than a combi boiler but are better at effectively providing hot water to multiple outlets at the same time. This type is perfect for those who are space conscious but use a lot of hot water at once.
Properties:
– Compatible with solar water heating systems which have environmental benefits and can lower energy bills
– A constant supply of hot water to any number of taps used at the same time
– Economical
Also known as traditional boilers, these are suited to homes with traditional heating and hot water systems which are linked to a separate hot water cylinder. They require hot water, cold water, and a tank that maintains the water level of the central heating system.
They need a loft and may not be as economical as the other models. But they are compatible with solar water heating systems for those who are environmentally conscious. Regular boilers will likely only be the best option for boiler replacements where there is an older radiator system which might not be suited to higher water pressures that combi and system boilers provide.
Properties:
– Can provide high volumes of hot water to multiple taps at one time
– Excellent for homes with more than two bathrooms
– A good option for homes with low water pressure
– Solar water heating system compatible
Once you have decided what type of boiler is best for you, the rest is simple. Take a look at your budget to see what kind you can afford. Make sure you purchase one from a reputable brand with great reviews and an excellent guarantee. Then find a registered installer for your new boiler to have it up and running as soon as possible.
GOS Heating don’t just install your boiler, we also service them, offer affordable service cover, provide invaluable advice, and fix them for you if anything goes wrong. To get started, give us a call today on 01772 734 966.
The post Which new boiler is best for you and your home? appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>The post Ensure your boiler guarantee/warranty is valid appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>An excellent guarantee is always something to look for when getting a new boiler. It’s a reliable way to ensure a warm and comfortable home for years to come. But people aren’t aware of certain rules that need to be followed to keep your guarantee or warranty valid. It’s a small case of not reading the small print that can lead to expensive problems in the future.
Guarantees differ from warranties in that they are legally binding, free, and cover the whole boiler. Warranties may be more specific, only covering certain parts. So you first need to be aware of what type of cover your boiler comes with. It’s always best to try and keep them effective. Here are two important things to look out for in your boiler guarantee.
Sometimes manufacturing guarantees require you to have a yearly service of your boiler to ensure they stay valid. This is not only an excellent way to make sure you don’t experience any unexpected breakdowns at the worst times, but it also means if your boiler does break you can fall back on the guarantee. For example, the Ideal guarantee for the Logic and Logic+ boiler range states that your boiler should be serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer at the end of every twelve months.
If this condition is not met, the guarantee lapses. Meeting these criteria has never been simpler. Plenty of boiler servicing companies offer affordable servicing plans, and they will manage your annual services. This means you don’t have to worry about breaching your guarantee terms and conditions.
Some manufacturers require that you register your boiler with them online within a certain time-frame. For example, Worcester-Bosch requires you to register your boiler online with them within 30 days of installation if your guarantee is to remain effective. Other manufacturers may have rules that vary slightly. For example, Vaillant states on their website that failure to register your boiler within 30 days of installation doesn’t result in loss of guarantee. It instead shortens the guarantee to 12 months from the date of installation.
Following these two critical conditions can help you keep your boiler guarantee or warranty valid and avoid costly repairs in the future. To stay on top of the terms and conditions, you should always read them thoroughly during your purchase, despite how daunting the fine print may seem.
And, when it comes to getting an annual service, why not give GOS Heating a try? We offer affordable boiler cover and service options to suit your needs and are registered installers of Worcester-Bosch boilers. Give us a call today on 01772 734 966.
The post Ensure your boiler guarantee/warranty is valid appeared first on GOS Heating.
]]>