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Which boiler is right for my home?

On the hunt for a new boiler this year? We are here to help you with your decision and discuss some of the different types of boilers you can install in your home.

Conventional boilers

Conventional boilers consist of a large water cylinder and a heating system that is powered by the gas of your home. A conventional boiler can be a pain to install due to its bulky size, but it is able to heat and store water for hours which can be a huge help for you at home. When considering a conventional boiler for your home, make sure that you have a sufficient space in your house for this as it can be an unsightly addition to the home if you cannot hide it away.

Combi-boilers

Combi-boilers are less bulky than a conventional boiler and rather than taking water and heating it in a tank – they will take hot water straight from the mains and use this to heat your home on-demand. Of course, this might take a little longer than ready stored water in a tank – but it is also a good option for smaller homes that simply don’t have the space to hold a huge water tank. A storage Combi also has a tank, so if you do have the space for it this could be a good idea to ensure you always have excess water on tap.

System boilers

System boilers might not be as common however they can be a great choice for you this year. A system boiler takes hot water and supplies it to your radiators. This is a highly efficient type of boiler as well as being incredibly easy to install. If you want a no fuss solution to your hot water needs, a system boiler is a great option and is ideal for homes that have many bathrooms.

The Benefits of Smart Controls in Your Home

Smart controls… what are they? You may have heard of them – they have certainly been advertised broadly across TV, social media, and radio – but if you haven’t been thinking of changing your heating system or you haven’t thought about trying to become more energy-efficient or considered that it might be time to save money in your home, then you may not have explored the idea too far. Put simply, smart controls allow you to change your heating temperature (or turn it off entirely) and switch your hot water on – among other things – from any location. So even if you’re not at home, you can still control the energy you’re using. But what are the real benefits? Find out more by reading on.

Extend The Life of Your Boiler

The last thing you’ll want is to find that your boiler breaks down and even needs replacing sooner than you might have expected. When that happens, your home will be cold, you won’t have any hot water, and it will be generally unpleasant until you get a new boiler. The best thing you can do is to take care of your boiler as much as possible, and when you use smart controls, you can extend the length of your boiler’s life by reducing how much you use it.

Save Money

When you think about it, heating your home when you are not present (maybe because you forgot to switch off the heating when you left) is a waste of money since no one is getting any benefit from the heat, and you are using gas or oil, which you must pay for. With sophisticated smart controls, you can turn on and off the heating and choose which rooms you use it in at all times. As a result, you will save money.

Be More Energy Efficient

We have a responsibility to be more energy efficient and using our homes to do this is the best option. Having smart controls in your home means you can be much more energy efficient because not only can you use your energy more sensibly, but you can also see exactly where your energy is being used the most, therefore making any necessary changes.

Choosing The Right Boiler For Your Home

You probably don’t think about your boiler much. After all, as long as it’s working, there’s nothing to think about. But when it stops working and your boiler is no longer efficient, you’ll know there’s a problem. The first thing to do is get a qualified heating engineer to check things over, and if they say it’s time for a new boiler, your next step is plenty of research about which one to get. Read on to find out just some of the things you should be considering when making your choice.

Capacity

Boilers are made for all types of premises, from flats to mansions to huge commercial office buildings. The capacity of the boiler you choose needs to match the size of the property it’s being installed in and the number of people within that property. Always err on the side of caution and opt for the largest capacity boiler you will need. Even if buying the smaller option would save you money, you might find that it won’t keep up with the demand you place on it.

Location

The location of your boiler will make a difference as to which one you can choose. Some locations mean that size is an important factor, especially if there is a cupboard built around the boiler – it will have to fit inside. Alternatively, if you are taking the opportunity to relocate the boiler, it’s best to speak to a heating engineer. In this way, you’ll find out whether your plans are possible, how much the additional installation costs will be, and if your choice of boiler will be suitable for the new location.

Type Of Boiler

Knowing the capacity, the price, and even where you will install the new boiler is a good start, but none of that will help if you can’t decide between a combi boiler and a conventional one. Look at the differences between the two, such as how fast the water will heat, how much they cost to run, and what kind of water pressure they need.

For the ultimate advice, please speak to our expert heating engineers. With many years’ experience in advising on and installing boilers in people’s homes, we have all the answers you need. Book an appointment with us today.

My boiler is leaking, what do I do?

If you have found a puddle of water underneath your boiler, you should move quickly to limit damage to your home. Here are the steps you should take if your boiler has had a major leak.

Be safe

First of all, you need to consider the safety of yourself and everybody else in the home. So, turn off the water and electricity to your home if the leak has spread quickly. If wiring or plugs have been drenched in water, you should turn off the electricity to save yourself from getting harmed.

Locate the leak

If you can, locate the leak. This may be useful when explaining to the heating engineer what exactly is going on. Use a torch to see in the smallest of crevices but be careful. If the leak is within the boiler, then don’t touch it and leave it to a qualified professional to fix.

Clean the area

Your heating engineer will be more efficient and take less time if there is a reasonable work area. So, use a sponge, mop or whatever else you can, to clean up the area.

Call a qualified heating engineer

You need a professional heating engineer who can safely repair the boiler or offer a replacement option. Sometimes older boilers just need to be replaced as the fix to cure the problem may only be one expense before another bigger problem occurs.

Contact us today for a call back from one of our technicians or you can call us today, on 01372 879 787.

Worcester Bosch Greenstar Lifestyle 8000

Is your current boiler outdated or showing signs of wear and tear? Do you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model? Are you looking for a boiler that can offer enhanced performance? If so, the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Lifestyle 8000 could be perfect for your property.

Ideally suited to larger homes, it offers a maximum power output of 50kW. If you have one or more bathrooms or a high demand for hot water and heating, the Lifestyle 8000 will provide all the power you need.

Despite this, it uses an excessive amount of energy in order to deliver a high level of power. In fact, it’s been given an A ErP rating for both heating and hot water, which means it’s highly efficient.

As part of the well-known Worcester Bosch Greenstar range, the Lifestyle 8000 is a gas combi boiler that’s trusted by millions of homeowners. With an optional Intelligent Filling System, you can simplify the plumbing in your property and optimise its operation. By doing so, you’ll benefit from seamless performance and enhanced functionality.

The easy-to-read full-colour display makes adjustments easier than ever, while its compatibility with the Bosch EasyControl thermostat enables you to incorporate heating and hot water into your home’s smart system.

Available in black or white, the stylish design of the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Style 8000 even makes it a chic and sophisticated addition to your interior design!

The difference between hard and soft water

There’s a good chance that you’ve heard the terms “hard” and “soft” to describe water in the past. This can often be somewhat confusing to a lot of people. You may find yourself wondering what causes it and if there are any reasons to be concerned about the hardness or softness of the water in your home. The answer is quite simple: the hardness of water is measured by the levels of certain minerals contained within it.

Hard water

Hard water is defined by the levels of calcium and magnesium contained within it. There aren’t any major health issues associated with hard water and many people live in hard water areas without any issues at all. However, if you have hard water in your home you may notice minor things like slightly drier skin or an itchy scalp after washing your hair with hard water. If this is the case, then you may want to look into water softening systems that can filter these minerals out of the water and make it more gentle on your skin.

Soft water

Unlike hard water, soft water is water with higher concentrations of sodium, or salt. This means that using soft water will be gentler not only on your skin but also on your clothes and dishes. Not only that but your skin will often be better pH balanced and less irritated. Unlike hard water, soft water doesn’t leave any mineral deposits in your pipes which means that the water pressure in your home is likely to be much more consistent.

Why your home might not stay as warm as it used to

Losing heat at home is never pleasant. Suddenly, draughts become an unwelcome guest at the dinner table, and the cold accompanies you to the sofa, too. This is a problem that most definitely points to an issue elsewhere, and it’s something you’ll want to address as soon as possible.
The good news is that, if you achieved warmth once, you can most definitely get there again, however it does mean that you’re going to need to take action before that’s possible. But what exactly should you do when you notice your rooms aren’t getting as warm as they used to?

What you can do

Before you contact the professionals, consider whether you can do anything to turn the heat back up. While severe problems do need a professional touch, some simpler steps could save you the hassle, and they include –
  • Bleeding your radiators
  • Draught-proofing
  • Use a hot water bottle at night instead of leaving the heating on.
  • Checking your thermostat
  • Maximising insulation

What professionals can do

Failing this, it’s time to call the professionals for safe solutions. After all, while they don’t necessarily mean that a total boiler replacement is on the cards, issues with heating certainly point towards the need for some kind of expert repair. The most common causes for this problem include –
  • Clogged radiators
  • Leaking pipes
  • Faulty boiler parts
  • Performance issues
Trained engineers can both troubleshoot and address these issues and may even be able to save you the need for a totally new boiler if you contact them fast enough when you notice this escalating issue!

What to Do If Your Water Pipes Freeze

Preparing your home for the colder months is a step to prevent any freezing pipe surprises. However, when such a problem occurs, it is important to prevent them from causing further damage. Read on to learn a few tips you can adopt when your water pipes freeze.

When experiencing a frozen pipe, the first step is to open your taps if they are closed and switch the main water supply to the home off. Doing this would prevent water damages such as a leak, or water from building up in the pipes when the ice has thawed.

Next, you would want to apply heat to the frozen pipe by wrapping it with an electric heating pad. You can also wrap the frozen pipe with towels soaked in heated water. Whatever approach you adopt, avoid using a blowtorch, propane, kerosene or any open fire device.

Continue applying the heat until your water pressure is completely restored. In case you can’t locate the part of the frozen pipe, or that area is just not accessible, thawing your pipe may be impossible. At this point, you will need to seek expert support to prevent bursting your pipes and ensure you and your home are safe.

A robust plumbing plan will save you from frozen pipes. But in case your pipes do freeze, the smart approach is to manage and figure out how to fix them. If it’s an emergency repair, help is just a call away. Contact us via telephone at 01372 879 787 or visit for more info.

How to save money on your gas bill

If you’re trying to reduce costs at home, your gas bill is one of the best places to start. The gas bill is often one of the biggest outgoings in a home, but there are some ways that you can lower your gas bill, without having to make big or costly changes around your home.
  • Turn down your thermostat. Lowering the temperature by just one degree can save energy and money, without changing how warm you feel.
  • Don’t dry clothes on the radiators. Covering them lowers how much heat the radiator can release. This causes your boiler to run for longer just to heat the room to the same temperature, using up more fuel.
  • Use a hot water bottle at night instead of leaving the heating on.
  • Change to a different supplier. You could be able to find a cheaper option, especially if you’ve used the same supplier for more than three years. You could also use this lower price to negotiate a deal with your current supplier.
  • Move your furniture away from your radiators. The foam in upholstered furniture like your sofa will work as an insulator, stopping the warmth from getting into the room.
  • Use the sun. This is the cheapest and most readily available source of heat. Even in Winter, when the sun comes out, make the most of it by opening doors inside and letting the warm air move around the house.
  • Draw the curtains at night to keep warmth in and cold out.

What to Do If Your Water Pipes Freeze

Preparing your home for the colder months is a step to prevent any freezing pipe surprises. However, when such a problem occurs, it is important to prevent them from causing further damage. Read on to learn a few tips you can adopt when your water pipes freeze.

When experiencing a frozen pipe, the first step is to open your taps if they are closed and switch the main water supply to the home off. Doing this would prevent water damages such as a leak, or water from building up in the pipes when the ice has thawed.

Next, you would want to apply heat to the frozen pipe by wrapping it with an electric heating pad. You can also wrap the frozen pipe with towels soaked in heated water. Whatever approach you adopt, avoid using a blowtorch, propane, kerosene or any open fire device.

Continue applying the heat until your water pressure is completely restored. In case you can’t locate the part of the frozen pipe, or that area is just not accessible, thawing your pipe may be impossible. At this point, you will need to seek expert support to prevent bursting your pipes and ensure you and your home are safe.

A robust plumbing plan will save you from frozen pipes. But in case your pipes do freeze, the smart approach is to manage and figure out how to fix them. If it’s an emergency repair, help is just a call away. Contact us via telephone at 01372 879 787 or visit for more info.

How to save money on your gas bill

If you’re trying to reduce costs at home, your gas bill is one of the best places to start. The gas bill is often one of the biggest outgoings in a home, but there are some ways that you can lower your gas bill, without having to make big or costly changes around your home.
  • Turn down your thermostat. Lowering the temperature by just one degree can save energy and money, without changing how warm you feel.
  • Don’t dry clothes on the radiators. Covering them lowers how much heat the radiator can release. This causes your boiler to run for longer just to heat the room to the same temperature, using up more fuel.
  • Use a hot water bottle at night instead of leaving the heating on.
  • Change to a different supplier. You could be able to find a cheaper option, especially if you’ve used the same supplier for more than three years. You could also use this lower price to negotiate a deal with your current supplier.
  • Move your furniture away from your radiators. The foam in upholstered furniture like your sofa will work as an insulator, stopping the warmth from getting into the room.
  • Use the sun. This is the cheapest and most readily available source of heat. Even in Winter, when the sun comes out, make the most of it by opening doors inside and letting the warm air move around the house.
  • Draw the curtains at night to keep warmth in and cold out.

Signs you may need to replace your boiler

Boiler breakdowns can be disastrous. No hot water can mean chilly bedrooms, no baths or showers, leaks, floods, and in the worst cases, they can be dangerous. It makes sense then to replace your boiler before this could occur. There are some key signs to look out for to let you know it might be time to replace your boiler.

If a boiler has been in your home for several years, it may be less efficient than the newer models. The cost of a new boiler may bring down your bills, which could outweigh the rising cost of an inefficient boiler. Always check to see how expensive your bills are getting against the cost of a new boiler.

If you have to continually get your boiler repaired, then this cost can mount up too. Ask the specialist to diagnose your boiler and assess whether a new model may be a better option for the future. Specialists will be able to test your boiler’s efficiency and advise on the likelihood of it breaking down in the near future. The other factor a specialist can advise upon is the ease of getting parts for your model. As manufacturers update their stock, parts for older models can become scarce and costly.

Finally, if you notice that you continually have to adjust the pressure gauge or that some parts of your home are no longer getting fully heated despite your thermostat being at a steady temperature.

Ever found yourself in the situation where you’ve gone to use the hot water tap to find that nothing, but cold water is running through? It can be a little worrying to experience, and we immediately think the worst. However, before you go calling a professional, it’s worth doing these simple checks and seeing whether any of these are causing a lack of hot water.
Check If It’s Isolated
First, it’s important to find out whether it’s an isolated issue or not. With that being said, run the hot water taps in all areas of your home. This should tell you whether it’s simply a problem with the tap you’re using or whether it’s affecting the rest of the home’s water supply.
Take A Look at Your Thermostat
A quick look at the thermostat is something to check because it might have been lowered by accident without you knowing. If it’s too low, then it’s likely that’s why it’s not running hot enough. You should also check whether there are any timers that might be switching off the hot water at a certain time.
Try Resetting the Boiler
Resetting the boiler might work if you’ve tried to above and nothing has worked. It might be that there’s some form of a power cut or technical issue that’s happened, and it just needs a reboot.
If none of the above solve the problem, then it’s probably best to call out an engineer. They can help do any relevant repair work to get you back up and running again.
Power flushing is a process of cleaning out any sludge, debris and dirt that has built up in your boiler, radiators or across the whole central heating system in general.
A high-power flushing machine will be attached to your central heating circulation pump, and a combination of chemicals will then be flushed through the system to break down any debris.

Signs you need a power flush

Any of the following issues may be a sign that your central heating system needs a power flush.
  • Radiators that have cold spots
  • A boiler that is making a banging or knocking noise
  • A boiler that keeps breaking down
  • A boiler that keeps switching on and off
  • Radiators that take a while to heat up
Benefits of power flushing
Here are the numerous benefits of central heating power flushing.
  • Reduction of your energy bills but 25%
  • It can make your boiler quieter
  • Radiator heat is a significantly increased
  • It will improve the efficiency of your system overall
  • Increased circulation throughout your central heating system
  • Extend the lifespan of your central heating system
  • It is a quick and simple process that will give you peace of mind
What if I do not power flush my central heating system?
Your central heating system, like everything else within your home, will need regular maintenance. Power flushing is part of central heating maintenance, but here is what you can expect if you do not power flush your central heating system.
  • The circulation throughout your system will become slow, and radiators will begin to take a long time to heat up, as well as having cold patches when they do
  • Your central heating at the system will become much less efficient, and you will notice this in your monthly fuel bills
  • You might find that you are paying an increased amount when it comes to repairing costs for your boiler and radiator system when a power flush will have helped the issue
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