Is your heating ready for another big chill this winter?
Although we probably don’t like to admit it the winter months are drawing ever closer but is your heating system ready to cope? The old age ‘out of sight out of mind’ is often used when it comes to boilers, but giving your heating system a health check sooner rather than later can go a long way to making sure you don’t feel the cold this winter.
Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester, Bosch Group, suggests the following points to help keep you cosy this winter:
Check your servicing is up to date
“Even if your boiler is not that old, it is important it has an annual inspection from a qualified engineer to make sure it is running at its most efficient. In a recent survey by Worcester, only 50% of those asked got their heating system serviced at the recommended yearly intervals – 20% admitted they never had their boiler serviced.
“A regular check-up will keep your boiler running for longer, help prevent any costly repairs and ensure you are using fuel wisely, so maintaining your heating system has never been a sounder investment.
A recent Which? Report suggests that a good service should include the following checks:
A thorough visual inspection
Checking the operating pressure, heat input or if necessary both – these test require a gauge
Checking the ventilation as well as the effectiveness of the flue
Ensuring the boiler is safe, for instance by checking safety devices
The engineer should also see whether the boiler needs cleaning to ensure it works efficiently.
Bring in the professionals
“It is essential that anyone carrying out work on a gas boiler should be Gas Safe Registered or OFTEC registered to carry out a service on an oil-fired boiler. It is actually illegal for anyone without the relevant registration to work on a boiler, so don’t be afraid to check credentials before they start work.
“Worcester has a useful ‘find an installer’ service on their website (worcester-bosch.co.uk) which allows you to find installers by postcode.
Maintain a Healthy System
“Although you may have been using your boiler for hot water throughout the summer, there is nothing worse than switching on your heating system when the weather turns cold only to find there is something not working. To ensure that you don’t discover a problem too late, simply running your system for an hour now will make sure that everything is in order – or can be corrected before you need it!
Set your thermostat efficiently
“If you’re keen to reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%, then try simply reducing your room thermostat by 1°C. Somewhere between 18°C and 21°C should be plenty to ensure your home maintains a comfortable temperature.
“If you are having a new boiler installed, make sure you discuss the options with your installer so that you get the best efficiency your home.”
Update an ageing boiler
“An ageing heating system of 15 years old or more may actually be wasting as much as 30 pence of every pound spent to heat your home or water – meaning as much as £235* may actually be escaping through the flue each year. Older boilers are also likely to have a standing pilot light, which could be costing in the region of £50-£60 per year just to keep that going.
“However, if you do find your boiler falls into this category, all is not lost. Updating your heating system to an ‘A-rated’ condensing boiler, such as Worcester’s Greenstar range of gas and oil-fired condensing boilers for example, could make your system up to 90% efficient – so it’s well worth considering.
“Replacement is also an ideal opportunity to get your boiler off the floor to free up some space for more cupboards or worktops. Plus, if you choose a condensing combi boiler you will have instant hot water, so there is no need for a hot water cylinder so you may even free up ample space for a walk-in shower!
Do your research
“Buying a new heating system is undoubtedly an investment so it is always worth doing some research. When making the decision to replace your boiler, reliability and service are key when it comes to knowing which brand to choose.
“Worcester, Bosch Group, for example, has received top accolades for both in the latest survey of Which? panel members. Worcester’s award-winning A-rated Greenstar gas-fired boilers claimed the top spot for brand customer satisfaction whilst no other manufacturer featured higher than Worcester in the brand reliability category. In addition a third of the people surveyed had opted for a Worcester boiler which made it the most popular brand among its members.”
Worcester’s ‘A’ rated condensing Greenstar range of boilers are available for mains gas, LPG or oil systems. For more information on Worcester’s range of SEDBUK ‘A’ rated boilers, visit worcester-bosch.co.uk.