A thermostat is a device used by a central heating system. The device regulates the temperature of the system and turns it on and off as necessary. A household therefore sets the desired temperature they want to maintain and the thermostat will switch on and off the heating dependent on whether the temperature is met.

Conventional thermostats would have been fitted to walls but nowadays wireless thermostats have been developed as an alternative option. Wireless thermostat use radio frequency that transmit the on and off signal to a receiver which can control the boiler and switch that on and off as required. This also means that wireless thermostat can change the temperature from any room in a house.

There are many benefits of using a wireless thermostat remote compared to a conventional one.

Firstly, wireless thermostats are perfect for households wanting to relocate their thermostat. Many households find that the location of their existing thermostat is incorrect causing the boiler to come on when not required. By using a wireless thermostat they can move it to a better position without the need for complex and possibly untidy wires to move the existing thermostat.

Secondly, you can take the thermostat remote with you around the house. For example, if you are cold in bed in night you can reach over and adjust the temperature if you have a wireless thermostat meaning that you don’t have to get out of bed. This portability can be very useful for many households such as the elderly and disabled with limited mobility.

Thirdly, you have flexibility as you can put the thermostat in any room and adjust the houses temperature in accordance to the temperature in that room. This would be particularly important to a family with a new baby, for example, as they can ensure the baby’s room remains at the right temperature for the baby by placing the thermostat in their room.

Finally, you can have multiple wireless thermostats in different rooms to help you control the heating system. Or you can install technology that allows you to control the temperature in each room separately. This could possibly help you reduce your energy bill as you will be controlling the temperature in each room.

Therefore, there are many advantages to installing a wireless thermostat. Even though the cost of installing one can be expensive, they are particularly useful if a household wants to try and control their energy bill more closely. The thermostats will also come with the latest digital technology (compared to a conventional one) which means they are considered more accurate.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Radiators are thermal energy heating devices that work by passing hot water around their pipes as a means of heating a room.

The heat that is transmitted from the radiator is radiated throughout a room evenly and this makes radiators efficient in the way that they heat households as the heat is distributed naturally.

In the past radiators tended to be made of iron and be very large, however advancements in technology and innovation has meant that newer radiators are smaller and prettier while providing the same amount of heat. These radiators are also more environmentally-friendly and can therefore help cut a households carbon emissions. As well as wall-mounted radiator units, radiator systems can be installed under floors so that there is not always the need for wall mounted radiators to be installed which is ideal for households that want to save space as there are no visible units.

It is important to look after your radiators and ensure they are working to their optimum level as they play a key role in ensuring the warmth of your home over the winter months. This will mean carrying out such maintenance activities as bleeding the radiators and keeping them painted. Bleeding the radiators will involve removing any trapped air inside it that stops it heating evenly. Painting the radiators means removing any rust on the radiator and painting it with radiator paint which contains pigments that can withstand heat without discolouring.

Households look to replace their radiators when they are either outdated or they want to install more energy efficient ones to benefit from reduced fuel bills and an improved heating system. And over time radiators become less energy efficient as during their life they can develop a build-up of silt and can start to corrode meaning that the radiators will develop cold spots.

If you want to replace your radiators you will need to decide on the type of radiator you want and whether they are suitable to replace your existing system. Most new radiators will be suitable as long as they have standard pipe work and valves. You will also need to decide whether you want to have radiators with thermostatic radiator valves which are valves that automatically switch off the radiator when it reaches the desired temperature. These valves make radiators more energy efficient and when combined with a timer system, energy is saved as they are only used when necessary.

You can install radiators yourself as there are ready to install radiators available at DIY stores and you won’t be restricted in the design as there are many designer radiators available which come in all shapes and sizes.

If your radiators are outdated it is worthwhile investing in new radiators as this could help save you money on your fuel bill as newer radiators use less energy.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

To ensure that you get the most out of your boiler it is important to understand its controls and know how to use them correctly.

This will not only ensure that you can keep your home comfortable and warm, but will potentially reduce your carbon emissions and the cost of your heating bills.

There are two main controls on your boiler that should be familiar with which are as follows:

Thermostat

A thermostat connects to the boiler and regulates a room’s temperature so that the heating will come on until a desired temperature is reached and then will turn on again once the temperature drops. A programmable thermostat controls the temperature in a house and combined with a time control will allow households to set different temperatures at various times throughout the day. If a household wants to regulate the temperature they can install a thermostatic radiator valve which senses the air temperature around them and regulates the flow and heat of the water sent to the radiator it is fitted to.

It is important to ensure that you can use your thermostat correctly as if you do this can mean savings on your energy bill. As by just reducing the temperature by a degree it will mean you can save up to 10% on your heating bill.

Timer and programmer

A timer is a device on a boiler that sets the time that you want the boiler to come on whereas a programmer allows you to set times for the boiler to come on, on different days. The difference between the two is that a timer operates the boiler at the same time every day where the programmer allows you to choose different times dependent on the day of the week.

These controls are important to understand as you can set ‘on’ and ‘off’ time periods. You may also be able to control both the central heating as well as the hot water. The controls mean that you can calculate how long it takes to warm up your house and set the timer to do this for you. Therefore, in the morning before you get up and in the evening when you get home from work, the heating timer can warm up the house for you.

The timer and programmer control combined with the thermostat control means you can set the heating to come on and regulate what that temperature will be in each room.

Knowing what these controls do is therefore important to ensure the energy efficiency of your household and can help you reduce your energy bills while ensuring the temperature of your house is always maintained.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

When you are looking to replace your boiler have you ever considered purchasing a reconditioned one?

Reconditioned boilers are often thought to be a more cost-effective way to purchase a replacement boiler. This is because the amount of capital outlay required is less than if purchasing a new boiler (typically a reconditioned boiler costs around 40% less than a new boiler) and depreciation in cost is also less than that experienced from a new boiler.

As well as the cost advantages, reconditioned boilers will have been refurbished to the highest of standards so you won’t need to worry about the condition and quality of the boiler. In most cases the reconditioned boiler will come with the same guarantees as a new boiler, so you will be safe in the knowledge that the boiler will comfortably meet a household’s need for the foreseeable future.

It is therefore no wonder that many households are opting to install reconditioned boilers. If you decide that a reconditioned boiler is for you then there are some considerations you need to bear in mind before you purchase one. You first need to ensure that it comes from a reputable company, is a well-known brand and has a robust guarantee associated to it. Secondly, it will be vital to assess the boiler in relation to its year of manufacture, usage history, service history and review its annual inspection certificate to make sure that it is reconditioned appropriately.

However, regardless of whether you purchase a new or reconditioned boiler there are a number of questions that you need to ask yourself to ensure that you buy the best boiler for your home. These questions include:

• What type of boiler that you want? You will need to decide which sort of boiler is best for your home. Traditionally conventional or combi boilers are the most popular for households as they are the most energy efficient and easy to maintain.
• What is your budget? You will need to consider how much you are willing to spend on the new boiler and how you are going to pay for the new appliance.
• Where will the boiler be situated? It is important to know where you want to locate the boiler so that any flues and ventilation requirements can be considered.
• What are the usage requirements you are going to place upon the boiler? You will need to consider how your household will use the boiler and make sure the specification of the boiler you are interested in purchasing can cope with the demand that you are going to place upon it.

There are also a number of questions you should ask yourself about the company or engineer you choose to ensure they can install the reconditioned boiler correctly, these questions are:

• Are they a well-established and reputable company?
• Are they gas qualified and will the work they carry out be guaranteed?
• Do they offer a robust maintenance and service programme?

In conclusion, you should remember that when you make a decision as to whether to purchase a reconditioned boiler compared to a new boiler then you need to consider your requirements carefully. Make sure you have sound background knowledge of what type of boiler system you want to make sure you can make an informed decision when you purchase the boiler.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

Gas boilers are comprised of many complicated components that all have the potential of breaking down during the boilers lifespan.

Even with installing a reputable and well-made boiler all boilers are prone to problems. However, it should be noted that all these boiler issues can be planned against and can be diagnosed early by looking out for tell-tale early warning signals.

The most common boiler problems and the tell-tale signs of faults occurring are highlighted as follows:

• Thermostats and time switches – over time thermostats can become faulty and give inaccurate readings and temperature settings (such as putting the heat on or off at the wrong times). Time switches are timer and clock devices that can often go wrong as well. If either the thermostat or time switch fails then it jeopardises the whole operation of the boiler.
• Circuit boards – the circuit boards in boilers can fail. These circuit boards control the workings of the boiler and when the circuit board fails, the boiler will fail completely. Often this is a sign of a bigger problem as a pipe leak can often put water on the circuit board leading to boiler breakdown.
• Condensation pipes – these pipes take condensation from your boiler to the drain outside. Some times in winter and cold weather the pipe is prone to freezing and this will cause blockages which can back-up to the boiler causing boiler problems. Signs that the condensation pipe has frozen include a bubbling sound coming from the boiler or the condensation pipe.
• Pressure, water leaks and the water pump – a boiler needs the correct pressure to ensure it operates at its optimum performance level. You should keep an eye on the pressure gauge to make sure your boiler isn’t losing any pressure. Regarding water leaks these can start off small and can gradually cause a loss of pressure in the boiler. It is also essential to check the water pump is circulating water through the system correctly. If it isn’t it will mean that water isn’t circulating to the radiators.

To repair boiler problems it isn’t recommended that you try to carry out any repairs yourself. You should always employ the services of a qualified and approved gas engineer. It is also recommended that you get your boiler serviced annually to prevent any future faults or expensive repairs. Remember that servicing a boiler is extremely important to test the boiler against the stress that it is put under and to alleviate against wear and tear over time.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain