Power flushing for Central Heating systems

Sludge is a common problem that is observed in central heating. Dust and rust buildup primarily causes sludge. This can lead to many problems for you and can affect your central heating’s productivity due to the loss of circulation.

Sludge or calcium tends to build up in a heating system from time to time, meaning there could be a problem that’s allowing air to get into the system, causing radiators and heat exchangers to corrode.

This leaves rust and fragments in the bottom of radiators which decompose down into oxide sludge. This then leads to blocked waterways in radiators, pipe work and heat exchangers.

Such type of blockages affect the transfer of heat which causes pipe, valve and heating control severe damage. It will, in some cases, lead to boiler replacement.

When to power flush your central heating system?

• Boiler keeps switching on and off frequently
• Boiler breaking down from time to time.
• If you own a combi boiler you will notice the hot water keeps getting hotter and then cold eventually after a time you will not get any hot water at all.
• Banging and/or knocking noises
• Radiators take long time to heat up
• Radiators getting cold spots
• Radiators not getting very hot when the pipe work is getting hot
• House always feels cold even when the heating’s on
• Boiler making hissing noises

 

What happens if you don’t power flush the central heating system?

Boilers can become so damaged that their repair cost will exceed the cost of a new one. This will ultimately cause your system to become useless.

Malfunctioned systems can cause mechanical failure of pumps, motorised valves, heat exchangers and hydraulic systems in boilers

Benefits of Power Flushing?

• Faster radiator heating up time
• All radiators produce more heat
• Boiler runs quieter
• Overall central heating system quieter
• No cold spots on radiators
• Lower gas bills
• Better hot water temperatures
• Less risk of breakdown
• More reliable and efficient central heating system, giving you a warmer house at a low cost.

Dangers of not getting your boiler serviced

Heat boilers require servicing at least once a year for the continuation of efficiency. A boiler system that is denied an annual servicing will not only be less effective in heating but will also cost you a lot more in the form of increased energy bills.

Condensing boilers are the most modern and these boiler types do not take long to service and the cost is also minimal. These type of boilers usually burn clean air from the outside, which is why there isn’t much of a wear and tear going on inside them.

Previously older boilers required stripping down for servicing and cleaning unlike modern boilers of today.

Spending your hard earned cash on boiler servicing is not a waste of time which is why it is imperative that you take this matter seriously. It is a fact that modern boilers are not as dangerous as the old models.

Here is a general checklist on a modern boiler that require attention from you during boiler servicing

• Check gas pressures/gas rate
• Check whether boiler is in a stable position be sure it is not being blocked and can easily breathe
• Check flues
• Check all seals
• Inspect electrical components
• Check for emissions
• Look for any leakages, rust etc

Things that require your attention:

Emissions will be checked through a flue gas analyzer to assess whether the boiler is burning with in the required limits and not emitting over 200 parts per million carbon monoxide particles.

If your boiler is burning more than the permissible range a full strip down and seal breaking will be done as advised by your engineer.

As modern boilers are sealed from inside and take fresh air from outside, if there is any disturbance in the air intake of the boiler, then carbon monoxide can be leaked out into the property.

It is important for everyone to own a carbon monoxide alarm.

Not to mention, most modern boilers need servicing to keep their warranty valid, ask the engineer to look at your service book when he is done. So think of it as more of an MOT than a service on a modern boiler.

Pros and Cons of Underfloor Heating

When you want to know the benefits of any product, a good place to start for reviews will be to ask those people who have used it. Underfloor heating is of two types one is electric and the other is water fed. Both are suitable accordingly based on the consumer’s usage, here are some pros and cons detailed below:

Pros

• First thing to keep in mind is that underfloor heating is of two types, one uses electric wires that are installed under your floor and the other is water fed, in which hot water is run around pipes underfloor.
• Underfloor heating is usually installed in newer houses, however it is possible to add it to an old house. But it is suggested to opt for electric underfloor heating as installing one would be less of a hassle than water fed systems.
• Like radiators, underfloor heating can also be thermostatically controlled. You can set different temperatures in different rooms, so you don’t waste energy heating places which aren’t required.
• You can install underfloor heating where you think it’s likely to be most effective, like it could be used to maintain a cozy climate in a study room, bathroom or even your kitchen.
• Underfloor heating can be installed with all sorts of flooring like vinyl, stone and ceramic.
• It is suggested to opt for stone and ceramic flooring, as these two are better conductors and can hold the heat for long.
• Underfloor heating can also work with carpets, but remember not to get thick ones as they will eventually absorb all the heat before heating the room.
• Electric underfloor heating can be easily powered from the national grid, and if you are Green enough you can opt for water fed systems and run them with a boiler connected to solar panels maximizing the efficiency and reducing your bills.

So far, so good. But now let’s look at the downside.

Cons

• One of the main drawbacks of using underfloor heating is that is takes a lot of time to heat, unlike central heating systems in which you can feel the heating take effect in minutes, Underfloor heating takes time to warm up whilst you are paying for the energy.
• If you are using electric underfloor heating, a cozy ambience underfloor heating requires two to three hours to heat up your room, which will eventually cost you a lot of electricity.

• Simply like any other type of heating, underfloor heating will be most effective when your home is properly insulated and draught free. So don’t waste time and energy without getting your insulation fixed.

Finally we have come to a conclusion that underfloor heating works in a totally different manner than conventional systems. It produces immense amount of heat that provides an even, mild warm temperature, so it is simple that you are burning more money to heat less and in a longer time.

How to look after your central heating this summer?

The nights are getting shorter day by day and the weather is getting warmer. Summers are here, and it’s the best season to spare some time out for your boiler to amend malfunctions caused by the busy and cold winters.

In summers, room heating is not required and you only need hot water, so this might be the best time to service your boiler, get your system drained or even get your radiators bled before hitting the next winters. Below is a guide on how to take care of your central heating this summer

If you own Combination boilers

If you own a combi boiler, you can switch it to summer mode that will only provide hot water.

Combi boilers provide instant hot water which is good as you won’t be storing any water and will be consuming as you desire.

It is advised to turn down the water temperature through the temperature settings on the boiler as the water coming from the main would be warmer, providing you a combination of hot and cold water, making it possible for you to enjoy a cold shower when the weather gets warmer.

It is advisable that you keep a check on the pressure level on the gauge and periodically turn the heating on, just to be sure that the heating part works.

If you are planning to get your radiators cleaned up and are opening the system, remember to re-dose and take out any air inside.

Conventional boilers

Conventional boilers are also known as open vent or regular boilers, they have both, a separate tank and a cylinder. The main plus point of a conventional boiler is that you can have access to hot water in multiple taps. However, reheating requires a considerable amount of time.

Old properties in the UK still use conventional boilers. Summers are the best time to get into the loft and check the feed and cold water storage.

Check the ball floating valves and make sure they are running properly, and not causing any overflow.

Radiators:

In summers, it is recommended that you get your radiators cleaned by having them bled and flushed as the radiators are not in use during the warmer months.

Summers are the best time to get your radiators upgraded or to fit in thermostatic valves with them, as you now have time to invest so you can experience a better, cost and energy efficient heating in the winters.

Make sure you do not neglect your heating system and hot water this summer, take some time out to get your heating systems cleaned.

Choosing a New Boiler for better heating and hot water

Generally weaker heating systems are experienced during the colder months of the year and as the previous winters were pretty cold, you may be thinking to let go of your boiler and replace it with a new one.

How do you actually make the decision on what boiler to buy? Well before you settle on a decision there are a few questions you need to ask yourself in order to go ahead.

What kind of heating system do I have in my house?

Do I need to replace the whole heating system or just the boiler?

Will I be needing a floor mounted or wall mounted boiler?

What size of boiler would I be needing?

Would it be better to move the boiler to a new place?

Who should I contact to get my new boiler fixed?

Would I be eligible for a boiler replacement through the ECO grant?

You might be thinking these are a lot of questions but unfortunately all of them are important and all need to be answered to assure that your new boiler is suited to your household needs.

So where do you start? The best would be to start from the end of the list.

The government of UK  has taken a bold step to help you get a new boiler through ECO grant scheme under which you will not have to pay anything and yet successfully become the owner of a new, more efficient boiler

Do I qualify for an ECO Grant?

ECO is the abbreviation for Energy Companies Obligation, it was introduced as an initiative to reduce UK’s energy consumption and to support people of UK who are living in fuel poverty. This government initiative helps in the installation of Energy efficient heating systems. It is so important that the Government decided to subsidize this program of theirs to provide improvements to certain groups of people residing in the UK.

ECO Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the Energy Companies Obligation someone from your household must meet the following criteria OR should stand in the following benefits and criteria’s

1. State Pension Credit?
2. Child Tax Credits and have a household income of less than £15,860?
3. Income – related employment and support allowance
4. Working Tax Credit and has a relevant income of £15,860 or less
5. Income Support OR income-based job seeker’s allowance
6. Live in a government chosen postcode

If you don’t meet any of the above criteria, you could still qualify for free insulation, if you live in a government chosen postcode. Simply register your interest to find out if you do.

After checking whether you qualify for an ECO grant or not, the next step will be to find a reliable source for fitting the boiler.

Finding a reliable source for boiler fitting

When you deal with central heating systems especially gas you have to contact a Gas Safe Registered heating company to meet all the safety requirements. Using a non-Gas Safe registered installer could put your life at risk but in most cases, this will also invalidate your home insurance.

Gas Safe registered engineers assure you that your new boiler is safely installed at your residence and is safe for your family as well.

After you have your boiler fitted next comes the other questions, which your heating engineers will be able to answer or otherwise they can guide you through the rest of the process

Do I need to replace the whole heating system or just the boiler?

Your gas safe registered installer can brief you on the capacity of your current boiler system what options are available for a better and energy efficient heating experience.

Will I be needing a floor mounted or wall mounted boiler?

Most modern boilers usually come either floor mounted or wall mounted, again your installer will better guide you through in this regard for an efficient heating experience for a long run.

Would it be better to move the boiler to a new place?

A wall mounted boiler works best when installed on an external wall, if this is unsuitable you can then further discuss this matter with your gas engineer for better heating.

This is just a brief review of what you need to do whilst getting a new boiler installed, your Gas Safe registered engineer will better guide you through what is most suitable for your residence.

Choosing the right home heating system

In these financially constraining times, it is very important to think about how you heat your home in the best cost effective way. With fuel prices rising each day, it is important for your heating needs to be cost and energy efficient throughout the winters.

With many people looking forward to reduced energy bills and efficient heating during the winter months, there is a competition between the energy providers to offer an efficient and economical service to customers.

Gas Central heating systems are the most common in Britain, although there are many there are many home heating system options available, so it may be worth researching to ensure you find the best heating system according to your residence.

Electric Heating Systems

Other than gas heating systems, electric heating systems are pretty much common around people in UK because of their low cost and easy installation. Overall electric powered storage heaters are not very efficient because a lot of energy is consumed by them while night storage heaters need to be kept warm all day. Those who use electric boilers are mostly with low electricity tariff and it is suitable for modern, well insulated residences where you don’t need to keep the boiler on for a long time to make the place cozy and warm.

LPG Boilers

Another alternate to gas heating is Liquid Petroleum Gas. LPG is an alternative of natural gas, where you can’t get gas you get LPG, supplied to you in orange cylinders. LPG works in the same way as natural gas does but you will need a boiler that can be made compatible with the system by using a conversion kit.

In spite the efficiency of this boiler system, LPG gas costs a lot, even people living in well-insulated homes are likely to find that LPG is a costly fuel source to heat your home

Oil Boilers

oil based heating boilers have gone out of fashion, But they are surely one of the most popular in UK’s heating market as even in 2013 many of UK’s homes are still not connected to a gas supply due to which consumers opt for alternate methods of heating. One of the most efficient boilers available in the market are fueled by oil, but you have less options for heating systems if you opt for oil boilers. Oil boilers require a tank to be installed outside your house with sighting regulations, making it very complicated to be installed.

Whatever method you choose to keep your home warm and cozy do keep in mind the choice of your boiler has a significant impact on the atmosphere of your house and can also be improved by better insulations. A lot of things absorb heat, having a thick carpet can make your room pretty much cozy and comfortable. So try to change the atmosphere as well rather than heating the room. Warm furniture and a vibrant/warm color scheme can add a lot to keep yourself cozy.

How does a Combi Boiler work?

Combi Boiler

A combi boiler works by providing hot water directly without the need for a hot water tank or even a water tank. Normal supply water inside the boiler directly as you need it, hot water is then provided instantly when you turn the hot water tap on. Combi boilers work in such a way that the boiler fires up and heats the water coming through pipes, making it more efficient.

How does a Combi Boiler work?

A combination boiler or combi boiler is very much economical to run than other conventional heating systems. Combi boilers instantly heat water on demand directly from the mains so you won’t be needing a storage cylinder. You simply heat water as and whenever you need it.

What are the benefits of a Combi boiler?

Here are some of the reasons why people prefer installing a combi boiler

Combi Boilers give you extra space

You can get rid of water tanks and free a lot of space, Combi boilers are popular in flats and small houses.

Combi boilers save you energy

With regular boilers hot water is produced twice a day regardless if it is used to not, however, when the boiler fires up a lot of energy and hot water is wasted this way. In case of a Combi boiler, you don’t have to face this problem as this boiler type provide you with hot water when you need it whenever you turn the tap or shower on.

It is worth mentioning that Combi boilers are one of the most efficient boilers, these boilers can save a mere 80% of your energy bills easily.

Combi boilers are designed to meet small hot water demands

If you require hot water in multiple outlets (showers, taps) for example you need hot water in two taps at the same time then the combi boiler won’t be suitable.

When should you install a Combi boiler?

In theory you can get your boiler changed anytime of the year, but the best time would be during a general refurbishment phase. Extra costs like running new pipes under floors, and adding new radiators will be minimalized during this phase

It is also advised that you need to try to install maximum insulation during the refurbishment period. Better insulation lowers gas demands as heat takes time to leave the house.

You can further save your hard earned cash by installing new boiler systems other than the winter period as boiler costs and services are much cheaper during the off seasons

When should I replace my old boiler?

People often use boilers for heating their homes and to get hot water, which significantly adds up a proportion of your homes energy bills, especially if you are residing in the UK. If you own an old boiler, they are more likely to be efficient and don’t convert the majority of fuel into usable energy infact you waste it.

Old boilers are therefore inefficient and expensive to run and don’t produce that much energy as required. They tend to waste energy by heating unoccupied rooms, causing you to spend more and gain less.  If this is the scenario in your home then it is time to get it replaced with a new boiler.

Replacing your 15 year old boiler  with a modern boiler can easily get your bills reduced to about one third. If you install good heating controls you would  save around 40% and reduce the carbon footprint as well.

Keep in consideration that boiler replacements can be very expensive, it can cost you around £2,000 on an average. Make sure the amount you spend will be offset by low energy bills. So how would you find out if your boiler is inefficient enough to be replaced?

Check Insulation Measures around your home

Make sure you have checked all insulation measures around the house, weak insulations can easily cause heat to escape from your room or house.

Get a boiler according to the size of your house

Get your boiler replaced with one that easily fits your residence, get it adjusted according to your heating requirements. If the boiler is larger than your heating requirement it won’t operate with much efficiency.

Check For Boiler Rating

Oil and gas boilers around the UK are covered by an Energy Label scheme usually “Gas Safe”. Go for boilers that have an A rating and are GAS SAFE checked. Ratings of different boiler brands and types can easily be checked online at the boiler efficiency database website. Look for “Energy Saving Recommended” and “Gas Safe” logos on the boiler and other heating related items and accessories like controls, flues etc.

Types of Boilers available

The two main types of boilers easily available are heat only and Combination boilers.

Heat Only Boilers is one of the most efficient kind of boiler for heating up water, which provides hot water to radiators and a hot water cylinder. This boiler is usually suitable for large properties as you require room for the large cylinder as well as boiler itself.

A combination boiler or mostly known as combi boiler does not require a large space to operate nor does it require a separate hot water cylinder as it provides hot water when needed. This boiler is best suitable for small homes with few residents as you are only able to draw water from one tap at a time

If you are thinking of getting a new boiler, be careful before taking any decision and keep the central heating costs in your mind as well as the best suitable boiler for your needs. If you think that the cost will be setoff with the savings then it could be the time for you to get a new boiler quote for the best possible deal around.

Why should I get my boiler replaced?

Have you had your boiler checked? Is it effective enough both on your pocket and on the ozone as well? Broken down boilers tend to consume more energy and produce less heating because of leakage of gas and other reasons.

Make your home more energy and cost efficient, Modern boilers tend to be an average 90% more efficient which will be lighter to your pocket as well. Latest boilers have a bigger heat exchange unit than old ones which recovers more heat and is more cost and energy efficient. By simply replacing your old and inefficient boiler you can potentially save about £450 an average per year.

Domestic and General Heating are experts in boiler installations and energy effective heating solutions both for Domestic as well as Commercial use.

Call Us now  08000 786 075 for a new boiler installation and energy efficient plans for heating your home