A greener way to heat your home

The average life span of a boiler is 10-15 years, after this their efficiency decreases, you might start to run into some problems, and they could start increasing your energy bill. Here are a few signs that it might be time to have an engineer look at your boiler, or time to consider an upgrade: Intermittent hot water: Do your taps run hot only to go could after a couple of minutes? Intermittent or inconsistent hot water, it could indicate a problem with your boiler. (Be sure to check your thermostat isn’t turned all the way down!) Low water pressure or flow: If you notice a change in the water pressure or water flow in your home, this could be gradual or sudden, it could indicate a leak or an issue with one of your boiler's components. Keeping your boiler regularly serviced can help to increase its lifespan and detect any developing problems early, before they become more serious or even dangerous. Cold spots on your radiators or underfloor heating: If you feel like your home isn’t as warm as it was, or there are noticeably colder areas throughout the property, this may mean that there in an issue with circulation from either your boiler or a part of your central heating system or a fault with the boiler itself. Depending on the diagnostics, the solution could be anything from a simple boiler repair to power flushing the heating system or even a boiler replacement. Noise coming from the boiler: Although it is normal for your boiler to emit a low humming noise when turned on, there are some noises that can indicate a problem if you hear them. Loud gurgling, whistling or banging noises are all signs that something is not quite right. Even if the noise disappears after a few hours or days, it’s still important to get it checked, as it could be a sign of a more serious issue. Water leaking from the boiler: Boiler leaks are often a sign of a faulty seal or valve within your boiler, they can also be caused by corrosion that might not be visible to a non-professional. If you find a boiler leak, it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible, water leaking on the inside of your boiler can cause serious problems and dramatically reduce the lifespan of your boiler. It can also put the electrical components of the boiler at risk. Other signs to look for are if the pilot light keeps going out (this will be if you’ve got a boiler on the older side), or if you find you’re constantly having to top up your boiler pressure. When booking an engineer’s visit, always make sure that you use a Gas Safe registered company, and that the engineer who provides your diagnostics is fully qualified. Safe Gas and our engineers are Gas Safe registered, and our team regularly undergo supplementary training to build on their knowledge and make sure they can deliver the best possible service. We offer diagnostics from £75+VAT and boiler installations from £2,250 +VAT. If you would like to get in touch about diagnostics or to arrange a free site survey, please get in touch with one of our friendly team who will be happy to assist.