All your boiler emergencies taken care of in Ramsgate, Kent
Improving the efficiency of the heating system in you property does not just lay with the replacement of an old boiler, other elements need to be taken into consideration.
The existing system and the build of the property needs to be investigated and certain actions taken to improve the overall efficiency of it.
Firstly, look at the boiler and the rest of the heating system:
Boilers
Most modern condensing domestic boilers now run at 91% efficiency whereas old boilers perform well below this, being as low as 65% and worse. There is clearly a major difference and changing this element could save you £26 for every £100 of gas you buy. You need to remember that it's units of gas you are buying and the price of these has gone up. Therefore, people who say that their bill has not gone down since they changed their boiler may be incorrect in that their unit use has gone down but the price of the gas has gone up. Just the same as petrol for your car.
Radiator Valves
Replacing old radiator valves with new TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) and lock shields valves will not only improve the efficiency of the system but also make it more comfortable and controllable. They are very simple to use, being no more difficult to adjust than the temperature on your hob or oven.
The Hot Water Cylinder
A modern replacement can hold its heat for 24 hours, with very little heat loss. They are also much faster to heat up. A new modern cylinder requires it to be controlled by a cylinder stat and motorized valve which should be set at 65 degrees centigrade. This is the recommended temperature to store hot water at, as below this could cause legionella.
Servicing boilers
You should service your boiler & gas appliances every year, not only to ensure safe and efficient operation, but because preventative maintenance could reduce expensive repairs and inconvenience in the future. Additionally, more and more manufacturers are insisting on seeing a service record before they will attend a service visit under a warranty call, and some will refuse to uphold the warranty on an appliance if it has not been serviced in the last 13 months - even on a 5 year guarantee boiler that may only be two and a half years old.
Double or Triple Glazing
Changing old single pane glazing for new modern glazing can also improve the efficiency of your property, but please keep in mind that additional ventilation may be required after installation, as sealing the house up too much can remove the natural draughts in the property that would normally remove stale air and moisture.
Alert Plumbing and Heating offer professional care and advice on:
- Boilers
- Radiators and pipe work
- Radiator valves
- Hot water cylinders
- Loft insulation
- Double or triple glazing recommendations
- Servicing boilers
