As we’ve seen over the past few months, no one’s sure what’ll happen after the UK leaves the EU. However, past statistics and a look at where our energy comes from and who is in charge could reveal that Brexit could send our energy bills soaring.

Where does our energy come from?

Energy UK claimed that energy bills could rise post-Brexit because of the uncertainty over where Britain stands in the EU’s carbon trading scheme. Around 50% of the UK’s energy supply comes from Europe, and if we leave without a good deal or access to the single market, frictionless trade could be in jeopardy. Importing costs could rise, and as a result, the cost to the end user at home could also rise.

Further concerns for rising energy prices after Brexit come from what happened after the 2016 referendum. Collectively, the British public paid £2 billion more on their energy bills in the year following due to the falling exchange rates. This equates to around £75 extra each year for gas and electricity.

What is clear at the moment is that we don’t know for sure what will happen to our energy bills once we leave the EU. There’s more reason than ever to make sure you’re using energy as efficiently as possible, and that your heating systems are in excellent working order, so you can keep any future rises to a minimum.

How to save money on your future energy bills

Boiler efficiency is the key to saving money on your bills. Luckily, boilers are becoming more efficient as the years go by. Some boilers, while expensive, are 100% efficient. But, for the average household, somewhere above 90% efficiency is the norm for new boilers. If you have an old boiler, it will probably be less efficient. But servicing it regularly using a reputable company is the best way to make sure it’s working as efficiently as possible.

If you do this, you’ll make savings without even trying. There are other simple things you can do at home to help you even further. Make sure your house is properly insulated, check radiators are working properly with no cold spots, and only use your heating when it’s absolutely necessary. That way, you’ll be prepared for the year ahead.

For more information about boiler efficiency, or to get yours serviced, give GOS Heating a call on 01772 734 966. Our heating specialists have everything you need to make sure your energy bills don’t fly sky high.

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From boiler breakdowns to urgent plumbing, there are many things that can go wrong with your heating system. But, if you’re planning on using your insurance to take care of matters, there are a few things you need to know.

Does your insurance cover boiler problems?

Your boiler might be covered under your home insurance policy but don’t automatically assume it does. In 2018, 17% of UK households said their boiler had broken down in the last 12 months. Due to the high frequency of boiler problems, many home insurance providers choose to omit boiler cover from their policies. If you think this might affect you, it is a good idea to check now. That way, you can invest in boiler cover. Preventing hefty costs if something bad were to happen.

Does your insurance have specific requirements?

Be aware that even if your home insurance policy does cover boiler breakdowns and other complications, there is likely to be some fine-print, detailing the conditions necessary for a successful claim. Many insurance companies require that you undergo an annual boiler service as part of their requirements. If you fail to do this, you may find out that your claim isn’t valid and you may have to shell out over £245 for a repair alone.

Preventing problems

You may feel that boiler insurance is the best way to protect yourself from financial hardship. But, there is another effective way to do this that doesn’t involve you jumping through invisible hoops. Getting your boiler serviced annually means that if any problems are looming on the horizon, you’ll be able to fix them before they worsen and become more expensive to fix. Or, if the problem is more serious, you’ll have all the time you need to make the necessary preparations to buy a new boiler e.g. finding finance plans, or saving money.

If you want to make sure your boiler doesn’t leave you in a mess with your insurance company, get in touch with GOS Heating today on 01772 734 966. We offer affordable service cover plans to help you make sure your boiler is always in tip-top condition.  

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The health of your property’s central heating system is critical in ensuring your rooms are comfortable. It also makes sure you’re not running up the heating bill by wasting precious energy. Having a reliable source of heat and hot water is becoming more important as we approach the winter months. This is why you should make sure your heating system has gone through a power flush.

What is a power flush?

With constant use, a lot of heating systems start to gather a range of contaminants like sludge, rust, scale, and other debris. A power flush will remove this from your radiators, boilers, and pipes. This hugely reduces your risk of experiencing breakdowns and leaks. With a power flush, you also ensure that you are complying with UK building regulations where both domestic and non-domestic establishments must properly maintain their central heating.

The benefits of a power flush

As well as removing unwanted debris and contamination, a power flush can also:

1. Create a more even heat distribution throughout the building
2. Improve energy savings
3. Lower household bills
4. Increase system reliability
5. Extend central heating system lifespan

How does a power flush work?

To power flush a central heating system, you need:

1. A power flushing machine
2. An appropriate cleaning chemical
3. A survey kit to measure the effectiveness of the flush

This process is usually carried out by trained professionals due to the equipment needed and the knowledge required to operate it safely and effectively. Before the flush, they will record the temperatures of all radiators, identifying cold spots, allowing you to see the effectiveness of the flush afterwards.

They will record central heating settings so you can get back up and running quickly after the flush. Then they take a sample of the system water for reference and make all the necessary preparations before the flush before they begin. They will then connect the power flushing machine which gets to work cleaning out your system. After this, they will test the water and radiators to see that the flush has been successful.

How do you know when you need a power flush?

When your system builds up sludge, your system may start to corrode. This is a result of undetected air entering the system. This sludge blocks waterways, pipes, and exchange heaters, reducing efficiency and slowing down heat transfer. To find out if you need power flushing, check to see if your system is showing the following signs:

1. Your radiators get cold spots – particularly at the bottom
2. The radiators don’t get hot even if the pipe does
3. Radiators take a long time to heat up
4. Your radiators need bleeding often, producing discoloured water
5. Radiators are leaking
6. Your boiler switches on and off
7. Radiators and boiler have become noisy, make loud banging noises, or knocking sounds
8. Your boiler produces unstable temperatures
9. Your boiler breaks down
10. You boiler sounds like a whistling kettle

If you find that your central heating system is producing some of these symptoms, you might need to complete a power flush of the system. This will keep your efficiency high, save you money, and produce effective heating.

If you have a problem with your central heating or think you need a power flush, get in touch with GOS Heating today on 01772 734 966. Don’t wait until the cold sets in; get your boiler sorted now for a cosy winter.

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To most of us, the inner workings of our central heating systems aren’t worth thinking about. That is until something goes wrong. Then it’s “what does this little tap do?”, “where’s that noise coming from?”, and “should it be taking this long?”

When we have a problem with the heating it’s inconvenient, but usually nothing to worry about. If it is, you can always get a professional plumber to put everything back in working order, but you can solve a lot of common heating problems yourself, saving time and money. Let’s take a look at some of the most notorious heating issues and what you can do about them.

Cold radiators, no hot water

When this happens, it’s normal to assume the worst: the boiler has gone bust. But, you should remain calm and check that your thermostat is on. It sounds stupid, but you would be surprised how many people call in the plumber only to find out that the heating wasn’t turned on. Save yourself the bill, and set your thermostat somewhere between 17 and 20 degrees. If your radiators don’t warm up, go to the programmer and check that both central heating and hot water is on.

If you continue to have problems, you should check whether the system is being supplied with electricity. Alternatively, the heating fuse might have blown. If this is working fine, the issue might be the pump. Turn it off to see if there is any sign of a problem like mechanical failure or blockage, as these are common concerns. If it looks clogged with dirt, start cleaning.

If you still have no luck after this, it’s time to call the professionals.

The radiator is only warm at the bottom

When a radiator is only warm at the bottom, you should bleed it. This is when you let out air that has been trapped inside the radiator, causing cold spots, and reducing their efficiency. All you need to do is find a radiator key in your house or local DIY shop, turn off your heating and open your radiator’s valves. Wait for the water to squeeze out to signify that the air has left, and close the valves. Make sure you have a bucket ready to put under the radiator because dirty water will likely drip out. Also, make sure you check back later for leaks.

The radiator is only warm at the top

This problem could signify sludge buildup in your radiators. It will need to be flushed out. To do this, you need to take the heater off the wall and clean the system with water. If flushing doesn’t solve your dilemma, there could be a problem with your pump.

The boiler is making strange noises

You might experience an odd sound when the pilot light of your boiler ignites. This is known as ‘kettling’. If you hear this, turn the boiler off to see if the noise is being caused by trapped air. At that point, find the air bleed screw and let out excess air. If this doesn’t work, make sure enough water is getting to your feed-and-expansion tank, usually found in the attic. Or, check if the system is clogged with sludge and flush if so.

If your central heating system is showing any of these signs, the solution may be simpler than you first thought. But, remember, if you don’t feel comfortable carrying out this maintenance yourself, or don’t think you know how to do it safely, it’s always best to get in touch with trained professionals.

If any of these problems leave you scratching your head, why not give GOS Heating a call? We have years of experience solving all manner of heating problems. Get in touch with us today on 01772 734 966.

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What is peace of mind?

We live in a society which is so stressful that many of us probably don’t even remember what peace of mind feels like. That’s not healthy. We need to take a step back and consider why were are always so worried, and try to solve this problem one step at a time. Even if you only eliminate small stressors, one by one, eventually they will all add up to give you the peace of mind you deserve. Where do you start? With your boiler.

Why are boilers so stressful?

It may sound silly saying that a boiler can cause you stress. But, think about it. How many people do you know that have suddenly had their heating or hot water shut down in the middle of winter? Asking their family and friends if they could please just pop over for a shower, having to wake up extra early for work, having to plan each day when exactly they could shower, and having to buy mini heaters for their freezing home is undeniably stressful. Boiler breakdowns are just the start of the stress.

You also have to consider the safety of your boiler. News stories about carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly fitted, faulty, and badly maintained boilers are all too common. We hear about the fatalities they can cause. In the back of our minds we are always thinking, does my boiler repair service know what they are doing? Is the boiler engineer properly qualified? Is my boiler working ok?

We can’t help thoughts like these from running through our minds and they can make us feel uneasy. It is this feeling you get when thinking about everything that can go wrong with your boiler that we need to eliminate. Only then can you start making your way towards having complete peace of mind.

The solution

All you need to eliminate your worries is an effective boiler service cover plan from an experienced, professional, and reputable heating company.

These companies will be there when you most need them. If your boiler breaks down, they can be at your door in minutes. If you are in need of a check-up, they will give your boiler the servicing it needs. They will make sure your boiler is regularly checked and monitored. So, if there is any sign of a breakdown, you’re covered. No longer will you need to be concerned with carbon monoxide or sudden loss of hot water in your home.

With service cover, you have everything you need to rest assured that if something goes wrong, you will be just fine. All of this you get for just a small price every month. It seems so small compared to the benefits that you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.

Boiler service cover is simple to use, but finding one may not be that easy, just another worry to add to your list. To put your mind at rest we at GOS Heating are offering you our fantastic service cover for just a small fee every month. This way you can benefit from experienced engineers and a reputable company for an affordable price. No more worries. For a quote, get in touch with us today on 01772 734 966.

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