Smart Gas News & Views

6 Tips to keep your home warm this Winter

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:00:48 GMT

Now the days are getting shorter, it really does feel like Winter is here.

The chilly weather has arrived, which means we turn to our heating to keep us toasty and warm.

Now is the perfect time to ensure everything is as it should be.

Follow these 6 simple tips to check that all is well with your heating and ensure you minimise any issues over the coming season.

Test your heating.

If you haven’t yet turned your heating on, test it out and check each radiator is all working correctly. If you notice any strange noises or it’s louder than before, give your local Gas Safe engineer a call. Check the pressure too. If it’s too high or too low, then tell your engineer and get them to take a look.

2. Bleed your radiators.

If the radiators feel cold at the top and hot at the bottom, it means there’s air in the system. To let the air escape, the radiators need bleeding and can easily be done by yourself.

Not sure what to do? Go to our handy guide and follow the easy steps.

3. Book an annual service.

If you haven’t already, get your boiler booked in for its annual service. This will flag up any potential issues that could affect its performance over the Winter months.

See our range of options, suitable for any budget

4. Check your timer.

If your heating is set above 21°C, then you’re heating the home above the recommended range of 18°C - 21°C and this will be costing you more money. Think about using Smart Heating Controls. You can check how warm your home is, turn the heating off when you’re not there and turn it on when you make the journey home.

Consider adding room thermostats too, so you can control the heating of each room. Every little thing you can do to reduce costs helps in these times of high gas prices.

5. Fill the gaps!

If you’re in an older property, you might have draughts around the doors and windows letting in the cold. Fill these gaps and use draught excluders to keep your home as warm as it can be.

6. Consider your pipes.

Pipes suffer in the cold just as much as we do and they need protecting from the freezing temperatures. Insulate them as much as you can to stop them freezing over and reduce heat loss.

This Winter, we’re here to help.

If your boiler is between 10 and 15 years old, it won’t be as efficient as a newer model, so start to think about a replacement.

For complete peace of mind, we offer a range of affordable Cover Care Plans giving you access to an engineer when help is needed.

This Winter, choose Smart Gas.

No one cares about what we do more than us.

How to bleed a radiator

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 12:34:16 GMT

It’s a common situation.

The radiator is cold at the top and hot at the bottom and the room is not feeling very warm.

The likely scenario is that there’s air trapped inside.

Other ways to tell whether there’s an issue with the radiator are:

The radiator is completely cold. This means that the trapped air has restricted the flow of hot water. For this it’s best to call out your gas engineer to sort out

There may be mould or damp. If this is common in the house, it could mean the radiators aren’t working properly

The radiators are making strange noises. Gurgling or rattling noises can be a sign that the radiator needs bleeding.

Ready to bleed a radiator?

Follow these simple steps, but first you’ll need the following:

A radiator key
A small bucket or bowl
An absorbent cloth or old towel
Safety or protective gloves

** The water can be very hot, so do take care and wear protective gloves

and protect your lower arms. **

Recommendations

Always seek a recommendation from a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague. Most people in your network will have used trades people at some point and will be able to point you in the direction of a good one! Remember, when seeking advice, getting info on a good trades person or company can be as useful as getting info on the ones to stay clear of.

Check their Reviews

If your connections can’t provide you with a good referral, there are potentially thousands of other people that can. Facebook, Google, Which and many others all associate a star rating to the trades people they list. This isn’t always a foolproof way to get the right person but it’s certainly a good start. Look at how many people have reviewed an individual or company. Those with a higher volume of reviews are probably a good bet, provided the feedback is positive, of course.

Professional Bodies

Each trade has a professional body that represents it. They regulate their members and ensure that they have sufficient knowledge, experience and practical skills to do the job they say they can do. Check the website of the relevant professional body, which will list its members, to confirm that the person you’re considering is there. If you have any concerns, call the representative body for more information.

The Rule of Three

Never accept the first quote that you’re given. It’s generally considered good practice to get at least three quotes. This will allow you to not only receive a price but it should detail exactly what that trades person / company is going to do for you. This also puts you in a stronger position to negotiate with your preferred supplier. Additionally, all of the quotes should be broadly similar in terms of price and services provided. If one quote is considerably different then there will be a reason why, often there may be extra services that some will recommend and others wont in order to keep the cost down. In any case it should be made clear by the contractor the benefits of the service they are providing.

Get a Reference

If your trades person has come recommended, then that in itself is a good reference but there’s nothing to stop you asking for more. The individual or company you’re looking at appointing should be able to provide you with referrals, either online or otherwise, from a host of happy customers. If you haven’t been able to get a referral from someone you know then asking for referrals is a must.

Check their Experience

There’s no substitute for experience. Ask your preferred trades person / company how long they’ve been trading and, if they’re a registered company, ask them for their company number. You can then verify the information they have provided.

Get the Paperwork

Quotes that are agreed verbally or sent via text message leave you susceptible to confusion further down the project timeline. Ask for a detailed quote that scopes out the full scale of the works and the associated costs. Here are a list of key questions you should ask:

Is there a detailed brief of works that are to be carried out?
What materials are being used? Makes and models should be specified where applicable
What materials are you required to supply (if any)?
What materials are to be supplied by the contractor?
Is VAT included?
Are subcontractors fees included?
Is cleaning up and disposal of waste included?
What are the payment terms?
What forms of payments are accepted?

You should also ask to see their liability insurance, so you know that they’re covered - just in case!

BBC Children in Need DIY SOS: The Big Build

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:37:56 GMT

Did you see it?

The Smart Gas team had the pleasure of being involved in BBC Children in Need’s DIY SOS The Big Build in September and it was recently aired during the fundraising extravaganza on Friday 19 ^th November.

The Mission?

To transform an empty field into a purpose built adventure camping site for St Michael’s Youth Project in Hull.

For over 30 years they’ve been working to deliver a variety of activities that improve the physical health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. These activities also contribute towards raising their self esteem and self confidence and since their usual home surroundings are often cramped and overcrowded, these overnight stays give them access to outside space, building life experiences for them.

The physical health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people has become an increasingly important issue since the lockdowns and school closures.

So, when they were looking for an army of volunteers we didn’t hesitate to offer our services. No job is ever too big or small for us and over the two days we were involved in a variety of general tasks which included fitting a gas pipe to the boiler and fitting shower curtains in the shower block.

It was incredibly rewarding to see everyone come together for this project, knowing we played a small part in helping children and young people experience things that many take for granted.

You can still donate!

Just click here

When is the best time of year to have a new boiler installed?

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:44:45 GMT

Spring is in the air. It’s getting warmer and those cold, dark winter days and nights are becoming a distant memory.

We’re using our heating less and those boiler niggles and concerns are pushed right to the bottom of the priority list. If there was a breakdown at this time of year, it wouldn’t be a three jumper affair shivering in the corner until a heating engineer can come and fix it. It would be an inconvenience especially if you were without hot water but not a completely desperate situation.

So, is now the perfect time of year to have a new boiler installed?

The team at Smart Gas install boilers every month of the year so for us, it’s always business as usual.

However for the customer it’s a much more pleasant process during the Spring and Summer months. Windows and doors can be opened and as the heating and hot water is turned off during the installation, homeowners don’t feel the effect as much.

Another important consideration is that during the winter months as the demand on boilers increases, breakdowns surge. The need to get a new boiler becomes urgent and homeowners don’t have the time to look at what options are available because after all a cold home has a serious effect on the young and elderly. Make plans to have a new boiler installed during the warmer months and take the time to do your research, choose the most reputable company and have a worry free winter when it comes to your heating system.

So, wh ich boiler is right for you?

Combi Boiler. A combi boiler controls both your central heating and hot water making it a popular choice when it comes to a boiler installation.

Compact in size. There’s no need for a hot water tank so it fits in every home and is easy to install.
Highly efficient. They are very efficient which makes the combi boiler an affordable way to heat every home.
On demand hot water. There’s no need to wait for water to heat up, it’s instant
Cost effective. Only what is needed is used, saving money from heating large amounts of water that just sits there

System Boiler. A system boiler is similar to the more traditional boilers where it delivers the hot water directly to the central heating and store it in a cylinder.

Handles high demand for hot water. The tank can store large amounts of hot water which allows for simultaneous use in a home
Eco friendly. It’s quick to heat the property and the water pump allows for very quick water distribution to the radiators
Can be used in conjunction with solar panels. After installation, the cylinders can be heated through solar panels
Good water pressure. System boilers use the mains water supply when distributing water which improves the pressure
Space saving. Only a water cylinder is needed giving some much needed loft space back

Heat Only Boilers. This is the most traditional boiler to heat your home.

Extremely effective. It can heat up large amounts of water to cover the heating and demand for hot water
Have hot water from multiple taps. Meet the demand of a multi bathroom property by having the ability to use multiple taps at the same time
Suitable for low water pressure. If you live in a low water pressure area, a conventional boiler may be the best solution for your home
Great for older properties. If you live in an older property replacing the same type of system is easier from an installation perspective

We’re here to ensure you have the right boiler installed whatever the time of year, because no one cares more about what we do than us.

Contact one of the team today.

As always, we’re here to help in any way we can.

Just give us a call on 01482 644 722

5 signs your boiler isn’t working efficiently

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:49:25 GMT

As we’re nearing the end of the winter months, the heating will have taken a bit of a battering. Especially since the majority of us have been at home juggling work and home schooling.

So, you may be aware that at times the house doesn’t feel as warm as it should be or that your heating bills seem to have rocketed. Are these signs that everything is not as it should be with your boiler?

It’s always best to get any problems sorted out to avoid a complete breakdown of your heating system, especially when you need it most, so here’s our top five things to be aware of.

1. A dramatic increase in gas usage

Yes this could be down to the fact that we’re in our homes more and the heating is being switched on at different times of the day, but it could signal an issue with the boiler itself. If it’s using way more gas than you would expect then get a service booked in to just to eliminate anything.

2. The system is making strange noises

If clunking or whistling noises are coming from your pipes and radiators, then it’s a sign of a limescale or sludge build up. These noises are common but not normal and as the system gets blocked, it ends up costing more to run. Over time limescale can cause damage so it’s best to get the system cleansed and flushed through.

3. There are areas of the house that feel colder

Cold spots are a sign that there are blockages or the boiler isn’t functioning as well as it should. So if you go into a ‘heated’ room and feel a chill then get the system checked.

4. The pressure keeps dropping

If the pressure keeps dropping to below 1, then you have an issue. It’s most commonly caused by a leak but if the pressure drops too low, then it can cause damage to the heating system.

5. Your boiler is old

If you’re noticing something different about your boiler that you hadn’t noticed before give your gas engineer a call. It’s best to get it sorted before it becomes part of a bigger problem.

As always, we’re here to help in any way we can.

Just give us a call on 01482 644 722

How to Choose the Right Trades person for the Job

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:16:50 GMT

Cowboys, charlatans, chancers and bodgers. We’ve all been there, or at least know someone who has!

When identifying a trades person to come and do some work on your property one of the biggest risks is getting the right person or company. Afterall, you’re trusting someone who may be completely unknown to you with one of the most expensive assets, both financially and sentimentally, that you have.

So, the risks and issues are well documented. But how do you avoid them? Well, that’s the tricky part.

Here’s our guide to some of the dos and don'ts when it comes to getting the right person / company for the job.

Recommendations

Check their Reviews

Professional Bodies

The Rule of Three

Get a Reference

Check their Experience

Get the Paperwork

Is there a detailed brief of works that are to be carried out?
What materials are being used? Makes and models should be specified where applicable
What materials are you required to supply (if any)?
What materials are to be supplied by the contractor?
Is VAT included?
Are subcontractors fees included?
Is cleaning up and disposal of waste included?
What are the payment terms?
What forms of payments are accepted?

You should also ask to see their liability insurance, so you know that they’re covered - just in case!

What to Expect When we Come to Service Your Boiler

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:17:58 GMT

Servicing your boiler is a fundamentally important part of its maintenance and it should be done annually.

By keeping it in good condition you’ll reduce the risk of voiding the manufacturer’s warranty, negate the chances of damaging parts that could incur additional costs and, ultimately, avoid the need to replace your boiler.

Additionally, there can be very serious health consequences associated with faulty boilers, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, which can result in hospitalisation or worse.

But what actually happens when an engineer knocks on the door to service your boiler?

Well, a coffee and a biscuit never goes amiss but, of course, we’re mainly focussed on the practical elements of the job!

Firstly, a tightness test will be performed to ensure that there are no gas leaks in your property. Often, a leak can be found that the home home owner is totally unaware of. This process involves checking all the gas pipes, to test them for any areas of leakage. We need access to the gas meter to do this.

Following that, we’ll perform a second leakage test. This time, we’re looking for water leaks; of course this is less of a health hazard to occupants but still vitally important to the overall health of the boiler. We’ll check all of the internal components to confirm that they’re water tight.

The heat engine is one of the most important parts of the boiler and needs to be maintained annually if you are to keep those gas bills low. This is where the heat is transferred from the gas flame to your hot water and so routine maintenance keeps your boiler operating as optimally and efficiently as possible.

The system filter will then be cleaned to clear any blockage and dirt that can build over time. This is a common issue that we come across and can seriously affect the efficiency of a boiler.

We also check the state of the heating system water by using a comprehensive testing process called the Procheck® by Adey. This gives us the ability to treat your system accordingly.

Subsequently, we’ll then bleed the full system around the property. This is to make sure that all of the radiators are full of water and remove any air that might have got into the system. Again, this is to boost the overall efficiency of the central heating so your house warms up as quickly as possible, which is an important factor on chilly winter evenings!

The main work on the boiler is now complete and the final checks can take place.

These start with taking a reading for the CO (carbon monoxide) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels to confirm that they are inline with manufacturers' recommendations.

Provided all of the checks and readings fall within specified guidelines, we will then issue a record of gas safety, which proves your boiler has been certified by a Gas Safe registered engineer and covers you in other areas, such as a manufacturer’s warranty and insurance.

The boiler is now safe for another year and, unless there are any issues in the interim period, we’ll be in touch in 12 months time to remind you that your boiler service is due again.

Why Should You Get Your Boiler Serviced Every Year?

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 09:56:30 GMT

We all know how much we rely on our boilers, particularly at this time of year. As the nights draw in and the temperature takes a dive, having heating and warm water readily available is an absolute must.

But, whether it’s closed in a cupboard or hidden in a nook somewhere out of sight, it’s easy to forget about what’s powering this creature comfort; your boiler.

That is, of course, until it stops working. It doesn’t take long for a winter chill to take hold and, even though we might not be leaving the house as much as we’re used to at the moment, scrubbing up for a zoom meeting or just keeping good general hygiene isn’t the same in a stone cold shower. Not to mention the more serious safety issues around a boiler that isn’t functioning properly.

However, all of this can be avoided by regularly servicing your boiler. It’s not a task that anyone looks forward to booking into their annual calendar but it’s vitally important.

Here’s exactly why you should make your boiler’s yearly checkup a top priority.

1. Safe to use

Aside from a chilly shower in the morning, there’s a very real and serious reason why your boiler needs to be checked. If it’s leaking gas this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning to those living in its vicinity, which can result in serious health problems. If you suspect any gas-related issues with your boiler you should switch it off immediately and call a professional.

Additionally, if water is leaking it can lead to the corrosion of other parts, creating a much bigger (and more expensive!) problem than correcting the initial fault.

2. Save money

We’re all looking at ways to save a couple of quid and the answer could be as simple as getting your boiler serviced. Look at the cost you’ll pay a gas engineer as an investment. A more efficient boiler will save you money in the long run, as well as providing you with short-term benefits like getting your house warmer and more quickly!

3. Reduce the chance of a breakdown

It goes without saying that when your boiler finally gives up it can cause all sorts of issues. But they’re avoidable! Simply get it serviced regularly and you’re far less likely to encounter any issues. The health and longevity of a boiler are closely linked and one in good condition can run for several years, if not longer.

4. Extend your boilers life-span

Buying a boiler can be a hefty lump sum to lay out in one go. But if it’s correctly maintained it will last longer, meaning the cost of a yearly service is nothing compared to the costs you could be incurring. It’s also a prerequisite of many manufacturer’s guarantees, so if you do come across a fault, you could be leaving yourself exposed without a service. If left unchecked, some faults can be irreparable and a new boiler will have to be installed, but - if caught in time - most parts can be replaced whilst keeping the original boiler in situ.

SmartGas help promote Gas Safety Week 2020

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:29:39 GMT

This year, Gas Safety Week celebrated its 10th anniversary and ensuring good gas safety practices are followed is as important today as it was a decade ago.

Whether you have access to gas at your workplace or home, the risks of not being safe through faulty connections, bad fittings or general mal-practice can be catastrophic.

If you’re having gas work done, big or small, you need to make sure you're using a Gas Safe registered engineer and business. You can check their credentials easily and simply by asking them to show you their Gas Safe Register card.

Gas Safe Register is the only official gas registration body of gas businesses and engineers in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey. By law all gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register.

It is recommended that you have all of your gas appliances checked annually, regardless of how often they are used. In general, people are good at getting their boiler serviced but forget about fires, ovens and other appliances.

This can be very dangerous. Any gas appliance can produce carbon monoxide, which is a highly poisonous gas, created by unburned gas leaking from a badly fitted connection. Leakages also lead to fires and explosions.

There are some telltale signs that you should keep an eye out for and, if you see any of them, call a registered gas engineer immediately:

Your appliance isn’t working properly
It produces a floppy yellow flame rather than a crisp blue one
Black/brown marks on or around the appliance
The boiler pilot light keeps going out
Increased condensation inside the windows

Exactly what is involved in a gas safety check can vary depending on the appliance that is being checked but your engineer should always check the manual to consult with the manufacturer’s advice. This could include an analysis of the combustion exhaust gases to ensure the appliance is burning gas safely or a check of the appliance’s condition including signs of heat or distress, effectiveness of seals and gaskets, and cleanliness of heat exchangers.

SmartGas director, David Atkinson said: “We take our role very seriously and the importance of doing things by the book when it comes to gas maintenance and installation cannot be understated.

“We work closely with all our customers to educate them on the importance of following gas safety procedures and practices going forward.

“As everyone knows, gas can cause a range of problems, from explosions to poisoning through inhalation, so if anyone suspects an issue with their gas system it’s better to play it safe and get it inspected.

“Gas Safety Week is a really important initiative that helps raise awareness around the risks of poor gas safety and we’re delighted to be part of it.

“All week we’ve been using our social media channels to help give it a push as well as educate local people about just how important it is.

“We’re only playing our own very small role in a much wider campaign, but if we can encourage people to take a closer interest and explain some of the key details that they need to be looking for it could make a big difference overall. Who knows? It might even save someone’s life!”

SmartGas is a fully qualified Gas Safe business. For those who want to find out more about Gas Safety week visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk