Boiler Installation Mistakes to Avoid

 

When the time comes to replace your current boiler, you should seek the advice of a professional gas safe registered boiler engineer.

 

They will be able to explain everything you need for the new boiler installation.

 

In the United Kingdom, the law states that any gas appliances serviced, repaired or installed, should only be done by a registered engineer.

 

You should not try to replace your boiler yourself, as this breaks gas and building regulations.

 

You could also find you leave yourself open for prosecution with a high penalty.

 

I hear what you say it’s my property I can do what I want within my property, yes but not with gas.

 

If you undertake the installation yourself, your property insurance becomes void, so ensure you use a registered boiler engineer to carry out the installation.

 

When purchasing a new boiler, ensure you get the right one for your property.

 

Boilers all look the same these days you need to get the correct heat output required for your property.

 

When looking at a particular brand, don’t buy the cheapest model, it may look the same as the others, but it could be the wrong model for your property.

 

All boiler installations must now comply with boiler plus regulations, which is about saving energy when using the boiler.

 

An example would be, a new combination boiler installation must now have a minimum of a load compensation thermostat fitted.

 

There are other options to choose from, such as a weather compensator, but it then starts to become somewhat expensive.

 

A common boiler mistake is an undersized gas pipe most boilers now require a minimum of a 22m pipe size within one meter of the boiler.

 

The boiler will still work with an undersize supply but, not to its full potential.

 

It could also be dangerous if undersized, due to the incorrect volume of gas to the boiler.  

 

All gas appliances need to have the correct volume of gas to work correctly.

 

The gas engineer will carry out a gas rating check for each of the gas appliances.

 

Gas rating an appliance proves the correct volume of gas as well as the safety side.

 

When buying any gas appliance always check it is suitable for your gas supply.

 

The main gas supply in the United Kingdom is natural gas if you live in a rural area you may have LPG (liquid petroleum gas) installed.

 

Don’t try to install an LPG boiler on natural gas supply or vice versa.

 

Every new gas boiler installation installed by a registered engineer needs to be registered.

 

Registration is normally with the gas safe register, who in turn notify the local authority.

 

Once the boiler has been registered, you will receive a certificate confirming registration.

 

You need to keep the certificate safe as you will need it when selling your property.

No certificate will cost you in the long term.

 

Failure to register the new boiler will result in the boiler warranty becoming void.

 

There is a misconception that by trying to install your new boiler yourself will save you on the installation costs.

 

The real truth is it will cost you more in the long term as well as the possibility of getting a criminal record.

 

These are just a few of the common boiler installation mistakes we come across every day.

 

We hope this gives you an insight into what a boiler installation now involves.

 

If we can be of help when it comes to replacing your boiler, please let us know.

Winter Advise To Keep Your Boiler Working

With summer now past, most of us have now switched the heating on for the first time. 

So what’s the best advice to keep the boiler working?

If your boiler is under 14 years old it will be a condensing type boiler,

whilst these boilers are good for efficiency and the environment, they don’t like the cold weather. 

I know that sounds strange, but its true.

To keep your boiler working in the colder months make sure the condense pipe is protected from the weather.

If you are not sure which pipe is the condense, check your boiler manual. It’s normally a white plastic pipe routed into a drain.

Some are routed to an internal drain, if this is the case then you should have no problem. 

Should it be routed to an external drain, make sure the pipe is well insulated, otherwise,

the pipe could freeze and the boiler will stop working and go to lockout.

If you have any other external pipes, again check that they are protected, the same for any pipes within the loft area.

Make sure the boiler has an annual service, this will check that everything is working as it should be.

Should anything needs fixing it can be carried out there and then.

Many people don’t bother with a service because they think they are covered by a warranty or insurance, this is not true. 

To keep a warranty or insurance active the boiler must have a service every 12 months, otherwise, it becomes void.

You don’t want the boiler breaking down on the coldest day, so a service is essential.

Keep your boiler flue pipe clear, you will be surprised how many flue pipes are partly blocked by leaves from climbing plants.

The flue pipe as 2 functions, first it removes the products of combustion from the burner,

it also supplies the boiler with fresh air so it can burn clean and efficiently.

A partly blocked flue makes the boiler burn incorrectly, it will also increase the amount of gas it uses, as well as reduce its lifespan.

For the older boilers, the same applies annual service and keep the flue clear.

Check that there are no other problems with the rest of the system, IE, leaking radiators valves, time clocks and thermostats are all working properly.

Another common problem is pressure loss if your system is continually losing pressure, have it checked and repaired. 

It’s better to call in a professional local gas safe boiler engineer to give your heating system the once over, this should keep your boiler working over the winter.

Keep your boiler working this winter and stay warm.