F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Gas Safe?
Gas Safe are the new governing body for gas safety and have replaced Corgi, all engineers working on gas are legally required to be gas safe registered.
How do I know if someone is gas safe registered?
Every company stating they are gas safe registered will have a number assigned to them which can be looked up on Gas Safe's website - follow our link on the right of this page to view ours - In addition to that every engineer will have his own i.d. card and number so their details can be viewed online or by ringing Gas Safe, Each engineer will have the card on their person. Every engineer needs a separate qualification for each item they work on, be it boilers, water heaters or cookers etc.
How often should I have my boiler serviced?
Every year, this is for your safety and also to keep newly installed boilers under guarantee.
How often should I have my fire serviced?
Again yearly and also the chimney should be swept.
Whats a Magnaclean?
Magnaclean is one of a few branded names of central heating filters, magnaclean is essentially a large magnet and reinforced housing to remove debris from your central heating system, it's intended to clean the water of sludge and protect your boiler. This should always be used with inhibitor to prevent further rusting and sludging of the system
What is Inhibitor?
Inhibitor is a chemical treatment designed solely to prevent the sludging up of heating systems and also contains antifreeze. Inhibitor should always be added to central heating systems upon refilling.
I think I can smell gas what should I do?
The emergency number for your gas supplier is 0800 111 999. Gas leaks can sometimes occur on meters and rotten pipework in concrete, also unserviced boilers may not be burning properly and creating a variety of smells.
I have a combi boiler and my hot water is not getting very hot what should I do?
Call us on 02083359123 , check your system pressure if it's below 1bar it will struggle to heat the water, if the pressure has dropped then theres a reason, either a leak, a faulty pressure vessel, or you may have even vented the radiators and not refilled the system.
My heating and hot water bills are really high what can I do to lower them?
To save money sometimes you need to spend money, listed below are ways to save energy :
- Condensing boilers are 90% efficienct compared to say a boiler from 1990 which may be 70% efficient
- pressurised systems as supposed to open vented systems heat much quicker, use less energy and unvented hot water cylinders can hold their heat for longer
- Thermostatic radiator valves, set the temperature of the radiator in each room, when the desired temperature is reached the radiator will shut off, meaning theres less water to heat
- Make sure you have up to date controls, a room thermostat is essential as is a cylinder thermostat.
- Older one pipe heating systems are vastly ineffective and coupled with an old cast iron boiler can cost a lot to run.
- Heating pumps are another overlooked item, 'A' rated pumps are now available that have intelligent self control to save on electricity.
- Renewable energy although they cost more than a boiler they provide a good long term investment with great results when installed correctly
- Underfloor heating provides a more consistent heat for your household and is a great energy saver
- If your heating system is pressurised then check the pressure! its essential for it to run properly and should be between 1-1.5 bar when the system is cold and will increase as it heats up.
- Cold spots on your radiators? then the system may be full of sludge and this greatly reduces effiency and people often turn they're boilers up to compensate for lack of heat and in turn use more energy.
Top of Page
