New boilers are gas cost-efficient

September 23, 2008 at 7:58 am · Filed under boilers ·Tagged , ,

Many dwellings are currently centrally heated. With a couple of small changes to the central heating controls the system can be made much more energy efficient. Installation of a basic timer or a more complex heating system programmer will allow you to moderate when the heating and the hot water are operating. Fixing the periods when energy is actively being used will definitely cut your charges.

Room thermostats which automatically turn the heating off at a particular temperature will also preserve energy. energy use is limited to that required to preserve in the room warmth level at the set level. Each areas temperature can be individually manipulated by fitting radiator thermostat valves. This is a recommended way of holding the bedroom temperatures lower than that in the ground floor areas.

One of the main causes of high fuel costs and a leading source of energy inefficiency comes from aging boilers. A heating boiler has a typical lifespan of 15 years. New, modern boilers have more efficient designs and use less gas. Condensing gas boilers will use up to forty percent less energy. Exhaust gas heat is used to heat cold water trimming the gas consumption profile of the gas boiler. Government awards are often accessible for homes that install one of these type of new gas boilers.

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Thoughts on buying a new boiler

September 5, 2008 at 10:11 am · Filed under heaters ·Tagged

A quick clip on things to think of when buying a new boiler.
clipped from www.centralheating.co.uk
always get three quotations. The regulations changed as from 1st April 2005 so any new central heating boiler has to be a condensing boiler, this is a more efficient boiler that gives you more heat for the same amount of gas burnt.

The regular condensing boiler heats your hot water through a cylinder and your radiators through a fully pumped system.

The combination condensing boiler gives you instantaneous hot water with no need for a cylinder and heats your radiators through a sealed system so there is no need for any tanks in your loft space. Make sure that whoever you choose is CORGI registered, ideally is recommended and against whom you have some redress should anything go wrong.
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Baxi After Sales Care

August 28, 2008 at 9:09 am · Filed under heaters ·Tagged

Baxi take aftersales seriously with a number of options to look after a boiler once installed. This is a quote from their web site.
clipped from www.baxi.co.uk
Baxi aftersales comprises of heateam, our engineering support arm, and interpart, our parts division.
heateam is the service division of Baxi Group; based in Warwick. Our dedicated customer contact centre is supported by a national network of over 200 highly skilled engineers.
Baxi recommends annual services for all its gas appliances to�keep your boiler working safely and efficiently.� Have�it serviced annually and find out about the benefits.
It is important to register your appliance so that in the unlikely event that it breaks down, we can minimise any� inconvenience to you and your family.

Aftersales
Baxi’s aftersales service is provided by heateam – the service division of Baxi Group.� With a first time fix rate of 95%, heateam engineers are all CORGI-registered, and specifically trained to be experts on Baxi Group products.�
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Combi heating boilers for tiny homes

August 13, 2008 at 1:04 pm · Filed under heaters ·Tagged

If you are about to install a new heating boiler you should consider a combi gas boiler if you have a shortage of storage space. With just a combination gas boiler and balanced flue you have all the pieces you require to put in a full central heating system. With the inclusion of copper pipe to transfer the hot water to the radiators to heat your room you will be complete. You might ask whether we had overlooked some component parts out of this statement. What about the central heating pump, the hot water storage cylinder and the feed and expansion cylinder.

It may surprise you to learn that a combination boiler does not need these pieces. You do not need to purchase a hot water storage tank, there is no call for for an attic based feed and expansion tank, the combi gas boiler houses the other parts inside its casing. As a consequence you can save a significant amount of space in your dwelling house.

Whilst you might think all this is new actually combi gas boilers have been set up for a number of years. They are a very popular gas boiler in the UK and were first installed in the Continent. There are two main differences to be highlighted when compared with traditional heating boilers. The first point to highlight is that the circulating hot water for the central heating is within a fully sealed system. This means that there is no demand for a feed and enlargement cylinder in the loft. A second benefit is getting rid of the need for the hot water storage tank as the boiler stocks its own hot water.

As hot water is required it is produced right away by the heating boiler, turning on a hot water tap will alert the heating boiler to this need. And efficient internal heat exchanger enables the gas boiler to quickly heat and cold water. Hot water in the central heating system is used to instantly heat the heat exchanger. In this way fresh mains cold water is rapidly heated before reaching the hot water valve.

Automated priority is rendered to the need for hot water over water being provided to the radiators to heat up the home. When the valve is shut again the central heating water is returned to its regular circuit.

This might give you food for thought and the impulse to look at a combi heating boiler as your next new heating boiler.

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Prices for new gas boilers

July 9, 2008 at 3:48 pm · Filed under boilers ·Tagged

Prices for new boilers

If you need a fresh or replacement central heating boiler you will certainly question what it will bill. installation prices can be heavily influenced by the type of central heating boiler you currently have fitted and, of course, what type of boiler you have picked out. Gas boilers come in many sizes, forms and types. You should expect to pay around 700 pounds for a good gas boiler but its the installation work itself that will cost more money. Exchanging system radiators or installing newfangled heating controls will also add to this cost.

In evaluating different gas boiler quotations you must also take into account how much energy the heating boiler will burn each year. energy prices are continually rising and total energy consumed by your boiler over its life will cost a substantial sum. The SEDBUK rating will allow you to compare the relative heating boiler efficiencies. A more energy cost-efficient boiler may be slightly more expensive but this could save you substantial sums over its lifespan.

It is also a good idea to check to see whether you’re entitled to some grants to save money on the purchase price.

If you live in England and are claiming benefits you might also qualify for a Warm Front grant of 2,700 pounds towards the price of a new heating system. If you are aged over sixty you could qualify for a Heating rebate scheme grant. This is worth up to 300 pounds.

Leading heating boiler installers also offer up funding schemes and you might want to study one of these. Some of these offer zero per cent interest for a set time and this could be good value. You might get some flexibility on the repayment timing if you ask. You should make sure that you get help in understanding how much of these schemes cost over the repayment lifetime. 30% financing costs are not unheard-of. Another area to look at is your bank as prearranged bank loans can often be better deals.

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Gas central heating energy economy tips

June 26, 2008 at 1:51 pm · Filed under heating ·Tagged ,

Gas cost-efficiency and cutting energy use is critical to us all in modern times. Gas costs seem to be constantly on the rise and it is therefore also helpful to make greater use of the energy you buy. The typical UK home spends more or less fifty percent of it’s energy costs on boiler gas use. If you want to reduce your energy expenses read on as we have defined some actions you can take.

Consider where you are using gas heating systems :
You can easily turn off gas central heating radiators for a period, so switch them off in any rooms that are not going to be used for a while such as a spare sleeping room. If an area of your home is not used often it really doesn’t need heating. shutting the door to these rooms will also stop warm air leaking into them and chilled air flowing out.

Prefer the boiler in preference to using a fire :
A gas boiler is much more efficient than using a fire to heat one room. A lot of the heat generated by a fire goes up in the chimney to the outside, whilst an electric fire appears to give immediate heat it is not as efficient as the central heating system in heating the room.

Eliminate drafts with insulation
gas is wasted in homes due to poor insulation and drafts bringing chilly air into the home. Pay particular attention to your doors and insulate any evident gaps. There can be gaps between the window and entrance door frames and a wall which are easily filled with a foam based sealer. If you live in an older home you might be astounded how often these cracks occur. The flame from a candle can help you to see invisible drafts as it flutters when they are present.

Don’t turn up the heating, put on more clothes :
Putting on a jumper will keep you warm rather than switching up the heating. You can save up to 10% on your heating costs just by trimming the thermostat by 1°.

Make good use of your drapes :
The sun is very effective at heating your home in the winter, when shining, if you keep the drapes opened to allow it in. With falling night-time outside temperatures your windowpanes can lose a lot of heat. Closing a set of heavy drapes can trim this heat loss, you can save a considerable amount of money over time with this method. The thicker the curtains in the greater.

The last tips for reducing your costs :
If your boiler has a hot water cylinder this must be insulated. The hot water tank can keep its heat throughout the day time if insulated making water accessible for you whenever required.

Don’t heat the walls of your house immediately at the rear of the radiators, shiny foil can be used to reflect the heat pruning this energy loss.

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The benefits of a powerflush

June 19, 2008 at 3:31 pm · Filed under heating ·Tagged

With  time your heating system could experience an accumulation of  contaminants.  The contaminants will need to be flushed out to restore your system to normal operation.

You can employ a powerflush service to remove this sludge and revitalise your gas fired boiler and system.

The buildup of sludge is a function on the heating process and therefore most types of boiler and central heating system can be impacted, older heating systems seem to suffer more. If you buy a replacement heating boiler you certainly should consider flushing the heating system first. Installing new components disturbs the existing system stirring up sludge and debris.

It is beneficial to add corrosion inhibitors to your heating system to slow this build up of contamination .

Some other problems which can be converted with a power flush are listed below : -

* buildup of contaminants in your gas fired boiler
* central heating water pump circulation problems
* clogging pipework
* corrosion impacting the heating system inside
* boiler and system blockages
* internal knocks and banging

As a consequence the advantages of the power flush could be :-

* radiator heating efficiency improvements as cold areas are eliminated
* improved central heating system efficiency so reducing fuel costs in future years.
* reduced energy consumption with improved heat exchanger performance
* cuts hydrogen gas build up which can lead to heating radiator corrosion and reduced heat output

The power flush is conducted by use of a powerflush machine. The gas fired boiler and system sludge  is filtered out as it is routed through the simple machine. The cleaning process is finished by the cleansed water being flushed through your boiler and system. The engineer will usually top up the heating system by adding a corrosion inhibitor to protect it in future years.

A power flush be finished by a trained operator to guarantee that it is completed correctly and does not create a mess.

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Gas fired boiler insurance checklist

June 16, 2008 at 1:31 pm · Filed under boilers ·Tagged

It can be an pricey repairing a heating boiler after an unforeseen failure. If there is also a holdup waiting for a plumber to come you could be without hot water for a significant period. Noting the issues many people protect themselves by taking out heating boiler cover.

There are a number of things to look for and a number to avoid when purchasing central heating system insurance. With all policies for a regular fee your provider will send round an engineer to try and fix your gas boiler when it breaks down. The standard promise is to try to call within 24 hours, however, paying a premium on the regular fee can turn this into a guarantee. Priority will usually be given to elderly individuals or families with small children.

Your boiler cover plan can often be expanded to insurance other services in your home such as the plumbing, drains and home electrical wiring. You should expect in the monthly charge to increase as you add in these extra features.

Choosing the appropriate central heating system care care for you will depend on your circumstances. In you have central heating may want to expand to insurance to incorporate your central heating system and radiators. If your wiring is old you might want to incorporate wiring cover.

Often a gas boiler cover plan will include provision of a 12 month boiler service. Due to safety considerations we recommend that have a 12 month boiler service whether you have a central heating boiler insurance plan or not. a 12 month heating boiler service is one of your highest priorities to ensure that your boiler operates safely.

The likelihood of boiler breakdowns can be reduced through regular boiler servicing as problems are identified early. In addition you will ensure that your gas boiler operates safely. Some central heating boiler care providers will only offer cover if you have your gas boiler serviced regularly.

There are some exclusions which you should look out for:

You may find the policy only contains one hours labour and a limited number of parts. Whilst you may save in the short term with this type of policy in the long run it can cost you.

If your boiler is aging you might find that it is not covered. You should check for this type of restriction before purchasing the plan.

You need to continually critique your plan on renewal as is sometimes some limitations will now apply to you. Boilers which incur a number of breakdowns may not be covered in the following year.

Although you could change central heating care providers, it is recommended that you select one that does not include a restriction on the age of the heating boiler on renewal. The older your gas fired boiler the more likely you will need care and less likely a new supplier will provide insurance.

Some central heating system cover plans only permits attendance at two failures per year. If you can select a boiler care plan with limitless call outs.

The monthly fee can be reduced by by inclusion of an access payment amount if you call out the provider. This could be a good option if you have a comparatively new boiler.

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Overview of Baxi Range

June 11, 2008 at 8:40 am · Filed under heaters ·Tagged ,

Details of the Baxi range as reported on their site – the latest details from the manufacturer – see the emphasis on economy. Most boiler manufacturers are now relising that their boiler carbon footprint is important.
clipped from www.baxi.co.uk

High efficiency combination boilers
The Baxi combination boilers in our range are some of the most energy efficient available in the UK.

Baxi Platinum Combi HE A

Baxi Platinum Combi HE A

Baxi Duo-tec Combi HE A

Baxi Duo-tec Combi HE A Boiler
The Baxi Duo-tec Combi 28 HE�received top score recently in a test by ‘Which?’ magazine and is a SEDBUK A rated boiler.
five year warranty speaks volumes about its reliability and performance

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The primary forms of central heating systems

June 7, 2008 at 10:08 am · Filed under boilers ·Tagged , ,

Buying a new central heating system is not a straightforward thing, you first need to interpret what form of system is best suited to your family. This paper will help you to visualise the options available to you. Most if not all of these Central Heating System comprise of a gas fired boiler, radiator and piping.

In northern Europe the primary family system will be the heating system probably powered by a combi boiler, although there is much talk of world-wide warming at the moment there is little mass demand for air conditioning systems. Virtually all new housing developments incorporate central heating systems as a familiar fixture within the household.

The value of central heating systems is fully realised in winter although most are also used to provide hot water every day of the year. A new central heating system can give your dwelling house the ambiance you are looking for. Another essential role for the central heating system is to create hot water. You need heating and hot water every day so you need a system that you can depend upon. You want to match the central heating system to your household needs so that it both meets your needs and uses energy efficiently.

There are two primary types of Central Heating System; pumped/vented and sealed systems.

The most usual type is a pumped/vented system. This type of system has a feed and expansion tank in concert with a hot water cylinder. Water expands when warmed and the expansion tank allows for this. The expansion tank is placed high up in the house often in the attic.

A slightly newer, more up-to-date system that several people are choosing over a pumped/vented central heating system is a sealed system. An advantage of a sealed system is that it has no requirement for an expansion tank. The water for a sealed Central Heating System is rendered direct from the main water supply. It feeds directly from the main water supply. if you embrace this system you don’t need to use your loft for housing in the expansion tank thereby saving space, the whole system is sealed, its unvented, which has its benefits:

- as the piping is removed from the attic it will not be at risk of freezing in the wintertime

- there are fewer system elements reducing any upkeep requirements

- less chance of piping developing leaks

- reduced risk of air locks, corrosion and gunk as there is not a chance of air being drawn down into the system through open vents as the system is sealed

It is usual for the water supply pressure to change and that this is dealt with by incorporating a pressure vessel. Safety valves open if the internal pressure is too high. Other automated valves open to allow the inner water in the boiler to be topped up if it drops to low.

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