Heating health check: having your whole home heating system serviced - not just your boiler - will save money and energy, and could save lives.
A well-maintained boiler burns up to 10% less fuel than a poorly maintained one.
Estimates suggest that one in four homes has at least one faulty gas appliance - so don't risk living with a death trap.
Around 50 people die every year in the UK from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by defective domestic gas appliances and poorly ventilated systems. In most cases, a boiler health check would have prevented these deaths.
Servicing greatly reduces the risk of a breakdown and prolongs the life of a boiler. It could cost far more to fix your boiler in an emergency than the price of a regular service.
What to expect from your boiler service
A well-maintained boiler burns up to 10% less fuel than a poorly maintained one.
Boiler fired to identify any working faults.
Casing removed to check the main components.
A check that flue terminals are unobstructed and internal flue components are sealed properly.
Gas controls adjusted to ensure the burner is working efficiently.
Boiler internals cleaned.
Gas tightness tested to ensure there are no leaks.
Water samples taken to ensure quality.
A system flush.
A report highlighting what your engineer has done to maintain your boiler.
Benefits of a new boiler
Since changes to the Building Regulations in 2005, anyone installing a new domestic gas boiler in the UK has been required by law to choose a high-efficiency A+, A or B rated condensing boiler.
If you think you could benefit from investing in a new gas boiler, always use a reputable Gas Safe Register engineer.
Get it checked! Don't leave your family's safety to chance - call a Gas Safe Register central heating engineer once a year to give your system a safety health check. He will be able to spot potential problems, maintain boiler efficiency and solve any issues before it's too late.
Avoid the rush! Arrange your boiler service for the summer when Gas Safe Register companies are less busy. That way, you'll be ready for winter and won't get stuck in the cold if there's a problem.
For every £1.00 you spend on operating a 15-year-old boiler, you could be wasting as much as £0.50.
A modern condensing boiler wastes as little as 3% of the heat generated – potentially saving £200.00 a year compared to an older gas or oil-fired system.
Modern boilers produce far less CO2 – and could cut your carbon footprint by 0.5 to 1 tonne. If everyone in the country converted, we could save 17.5 million tonnes of CO2 every year.
Know your boilers
The HVCA does not recommend that you shop around for your own heating products – leave it to an engineer to make recommendations. But being aware of the products best suited to your home will help you understand the jargon, recognise the "cowboys" and get the very best heating system for your home.
Combination They are small, don’t require a separate water tank and produce instant and limitless hot water. Heat will be interrupted if anyone else runs a hot tap at the same time.
Best for…smaller houses and flats with only one main bathroom, and homes short on space.
Sealed system (unvented) Rely on stored water, so you will need space for a hot water cylinder. Water pressure will be good as it uses mains water pressure. More than one hot tap can be run at once.
Best for… family homes that need more hot water than a combination boiler can provide, but don’t have the space for two large water tanks. It takes time to heat water, so it can run out.
Open vent and open vent sealed system A traditional system that requires a cold storage water tank in the loft and a hot water storage cylinder in an airing cupboard. Because water is stored, you’ll have less water pressure and only have drinking-quality water from one tap.
Best for… family homes that need more hot water than a combination boiler can provide; a water storage tank is needed in the loft. It takes time to heat water, so it can run out.
Back boilers Often hidden behind a chimney and a fire front, they can be
inefficient, but if you upgrade to new components you will save on your bills. They can also be teamed up with wood burning stoves to provide eco-friendly heating and hot water.
Best for… people who already have the system in place, don't need the extra room or are thinking about using alternative fuels such as wood.
