New Boiler Regulations

Update To Boiler Building Regulations

 

If you are in the market for a new boiler there is a new regulation that everyone has to comply with be it a homeowner or installer.

It’s called boiler plus

 

From the 6 April, any new boiler installed will now need to have a time clock and room thermostat fitted as standard.
All new combination boilers will also need the above fitted as well,

Either, a flue gas heat recovery, weather compensation,

 

load compensation or some form of smart control.

 

Every new boiler will need to meet the new ERP efficiency rating of 92 percent.

This new legislation is part of the building regulations part L and must be followed by law.

 

Failure to comply with this new building regulation could lead to prosecution,
not just for the installer, but the homeowner as well.

The homeowner may only want a new boiler installed and no controls fitted, but under the new regulation,

the boiler installation must comply with law.

This regulation comes originally comes from the EU and applies to England.

 

So what does this mean for the Gas Safe Installers?

 

First, it will mean the Gas Safe installer explaining to their customers that extra controls are now needed

For the boiler to comply with building regulations and as such the price will rise.

The best and probably cheapest way to comply with this new regulation is to install a smart thermostat.

 

First it’s a room thermostat, second, it’s a time control as well as a weather compensate.
These smart controls need to connect to your home broadband, so they can check the local weather and adjust the boiler accordingly.

They also work via an app that you download on to your smartphone.

 

Most of the boiler manufacturers are now producing their own controls which can be fitted on to the new boiler internally or externally.

These controls tend to be on the expensive side though but comply with the new regulation.

 

As an installer myself I think this new regulation may cause a problem,

I come across many people who find it difficult just to raise the funds to have a new boiler installed,

now with the extra costs involved in upgrading the controls, it could become a problem.

It’s bad enough now when you tell the customer the cost of a new boiler, some think you are having then over,

So now you have to explain that it’s not just a new boiler installation but also a control upgrade as well.

What You Need To Know About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that is produced from carbon fuels like gas and oil and basically anything that burns.

You cannot see it, you cannot smell it, you cannot taste it, that’s why it is known as the silent killer.

Your home gas appliances if not maintained could leak carbon monoxide into the room they are located in.

One of the most common causes is the gas fire, they seem to get overlooked and are never maintained.

For the gas fire to burn correctly it needs to have a sufficient supply of fresh air, this is normally an air brick fitted into an outside wall somewhere in the same room.

If sized properly it will supply enough air for the fire to burn correctly.

The chimney for the gas fire needs to be checked for blockages, so the products of combustion can be removed, if blocked, the products will enter the room.

The home central heating boiler is another cause of carbon monoxide if not maintained.

The most common boiler at risk is known as an open flued.

This means like the gas fire it requires fresh air to combust correctly.

Thankfully here in the United Kingdom they are slowly disappearing and being replaced with room sealed boilers.

Another source of carbon monoxide poisoning is the barbecue.

How many times have you moved the barbecue into a closed area when the rain started falling down.

Never when using the barbecue move it inside the house, it could be fatal.

What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide?

Some of the symptoms to look out for are feeling nausea, headaches, feeling sleepy, flu like symptoms. These are just a few to look out for.

 If you experience any of these symptoms take action straight away.

Turn off any gas appliance, open all windows and doors, seek medical advise straight away.

How To Avoid Carbon Monoxide

Fit a carbon monoxide detector alarm in every room that has a gas appliance fitted, even if you use a wood or coal burner fit an alarm.

They are not very expensive around £20.00 each from the local DIY stores, a small price to pay if they save a life.

Make sure you check the alarm is working regular, the same as you would with the home smoke detectors. These alarms could save your life.

If you think you may have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning seek medical advise straight away, contact your local doctors and explain your feelings, they can carry out a blood test to see if you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide can be caused in many ways, it’s normally due to lack of maintenance of the appliances and chimneys, or if the air to the appliance is restricted.

Contact a Gas Safe Company to visit your home and check all your appliances are safe to use.

They will be able to advise you if there is a problem.

You can find a local company by visiting the Gas safe Register online.

When it comes to gas, you need to use a gas safe registered person or company, don’t be fooled into thinking you joe bloggs can do your work. It could cost lives.

We are gas safe friendly and can issue a certificate once all works is complete.

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