frequently asked questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered some of the most common questions from our customers!
Think of boiler servicing as an MOT for your heating system – you should book one every 12 months to make sure your appliances are working safely and efficiently. New boilers under warranty from the manufacturer require annual servicing or you may invalidate the warranty.
Only Gas Safe-registered engineers are allowed to work on your gas appliances. All our staff carry Gas Safe cards, which you should ask to see when we arrive. While servicing, we can see if there are signs of emerging problems such as water leaks or seals perishing. We can’t see everything, so problems may arise even after having the appliances serviced, but regular boiler servicing will usually extend their lifespan.
A new boiler is always a large investment, but it can help save you money by using less gas and reducing emissions. On average, heating costs make up around 55% of what we spend on annual energy bills, so replacing an older boiler with a modern, A-rated condensing boiler with updated controls is definitely the cost-effective option.
Some people only replace their boiler when it breaks down, whether it’s leaking or requires an old part that puts it beyond economical repair. However, waiting until a breakdown leads to emergency replacements and panic buying.
While budget boilers provide an upfront saving and a new warranty, their lives are usually shorter than the leading boilers. What’s more, some engineers will refuse to work on cheaper brands. Taking control of when you replace your boiler will be better all around in the long run.
Our boiler services vary in price depending on what type of boiler you have. However, we provide a competitive alternative to manufacturer repairs, charging from £60 + VAT. We also offer a monthly service plan to help spread your budget.
An inhibitor is a chemical we put in your central heating system to prevent corrosion, sludge, or scale building up, which in turn would affect your heating system’s performance. As well as preventing boiler and radiator damage, the inhibitor will eliminate any minerals in the system. Most boiler manufacturers and maintenance providers will refuse to carry out services and even invalidate any outstanding warranties if there are minerals contaminating the system.
When we power flush your heating system, we connect a cleaning machine and pump strong cleaning chemicals around the whole system. We also cover each radiator in turn, making sure we get most of the dirt and flush it all out before refilling. On very dirty systems, we also add inhibitor chemicals.
A MagnaCleanse is a machine which uses two large and very powerful magnets to collect any metals floating around your heating system. Once this is connected to your heating system, we also add a cleaner to each radiator in turn, restoring good even heating throughout the system and saving you money on energy costs. After we have completed this, we will flush out the system, refill it, and add an inhibitor.
Boilers with pilot lights normally have instructions on how to relight them if they go out. However, if it won’t stay lit, you need to call a heating engineer to come and change the thermocouple. Only Gas Safe-registered engineers can take the front cover off the boiler, so please always check that your tradesman is registered.
There are a few reasons for varying water temperatures, whether it’s sensors detecting dirt and faults, or the boiler pressure needing a top-up. We find the most common cause is the plate heat exchanger having a blockage caused by sludge in the system. Simply changing the plate heat exchanger will cure the problem, but if the system isn’t cleaned it will soon block again and you will have to change the part regularly. Regular servicing and cleaning will avoid future issues and extend the life of your boiler.
When we service the boiler, we test the gas-carrying pipes for any leaks at your gas meter. We also take the boiler cover off and clean any dirt from inside. If you have a modern boiler, we will clean out the condensation trap and check the seals and the fan.
Next, we check the boiler’s emissions with our flue gas analyser and make sure they are within the manufacturer’s settings set out in the boiler manual. We check flue seals and make sure products of combustion are being expelled correctly and we inspect any flue joints. Flue inspections are essential to check for carbon monoxide, which is tasteless, odourless, and very dangerous. However, it can be detected from signs of staining around the flue.
Finally, we check the system for efficiency to make sure it’s running at its best, saving you money, and helping the environment. Boiler breakdowns are rarely expected, and regular servicing reduces the risk of this happening. If your boiler does break down or require repairs, we’re here to help.
When replacing your boiler, there are several questions to consider, such as:
-What Fuel Type Do You Use? (e.g., Gas, Oil, LPG, or Electric)
-What System Do You Currently Have?
-How Many People Live in Your Home?
-How Many Baths and Showers Do You Have?
-How Many Radiators Do You Have?
-How Much Hot Water Do You Use?
-How Good Is Your Water Pressure?
-How Much Room Do You Have for Your New Boiler Installation?
Different types of boilers suit different needs. Options include:
Combi-Boiler – A combination boiler heats the water when you turn the tap on. This option will free up space by removing the need for tanks in the loft or hot-water cylinders in the airing cupboard. Please note that combi-boilers require good water pressure.
Heat-Only Boiler – These boilers come with a hot-water cylinder supplied by a tank in the loft and an immersion heater backup. This means if your boiler fails, you still have a means to get hot water.
System Boiler – Also using the hot-water cylinder design, this boiler has an in-built pump to remove the need for the smaller water storage tank in the loft. The system is filled for the cold mains via a filling loop, which will prevent major water damage if there is a leak.
Aside from replacing your old boiler, you can also save money by upgrading your heating controls. For instance, thermostatic radiator valves can be fitted to each radiator in your house, except the radiator nearest the room thermostat. This will provide easier individual heating control at the turn of a valve, allowing you to set the temperature in different rooms as you desire.
Another cost-effective option is a modern room thermostat and programmer, which can be used via mobile phone apps or computers. Your room thermostat will detect when the room has reached your desired temperature and shut off the boiler, so it doesn’t waste energy.
You can also keep your heating system clean by fitting a magnetic filter that will make the system run more efficiently. These will help the radiators to heat evenly, without any cold spots or sludge in the system. Magnetic filters should be checked annually to ensure the system is clean. If it is still dirty, we can insert an inhibitor to maintain optimal performance and prevent corrosion.
When a system is dirty and corroded, your system will be clogged up with magnetite, or “sludge”. What’s more, your boiler and pump will work harder and wear out quicker to compensate for this. Catching this early and getting it cleaned will prevent further costly problems and extend your system’s lifespan.
A cheaper alternative to power flushing, this service involves adding a cleaning chemical to the system and leaving it for a few days so the boiler and pump can circulate it. Then, we come back, flush it all out, and refill the system. This is an efficient and cost-effective way to clean a system that’s not so dirty.
If you find water under or around your boiler, you should get a container to catch the water to prevent any damage to your property. When the leak is large, you should also isolate the main stopcock and electric supply and call a heating engineer so they can come and repair it as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, the leak could get worse and cause more damage that will be more expensive to repair.
If you have lights flashing or a code on the screen, you can get the boiler manual to check the light sequence or fault code to get some idea of what is wrong. If it’s a low water pressure code, the boiler pressure will need to be increased. Alternatively, if the gas has run out, the boiler can be reset by simply pressing the reset button. Please give us a call if faults persist and we will come round for a closer look.
Many people get confused when we talk about condensing boilers they think it means they have to have a combination boiler and lose their hot water cylinder. This is not true – you can get condensing heat-only or system boilers as well as a combination boiler. More efficient than older models, a condensing boiler uses the heat from the flue when gases are expelled. The boilers produce condensation which runs down the flue and through the boiler and to a nearby drain, which is why new boiler installations must be connected to the drain.
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From boiler breakdowns to complete system upgrades, our experienced team is ready to help. Contact us for a competitive quote and discover why thousands of customers across Dorset and Somerset trust us with their heating and plumbing needs.
