In the cold winter months your boiler is put under additional strain and stress as you rely on it more and more to heat your home and make your household comfortable.

However, over the cold snap you may be one of the unlucky ones who experiences problems with boiler breakdown including a total failure of the heating system.

To add to any concerns you may have about your existing boiler, it has also recently been found that the new condensing boilers that the majority of UK households have installed have major problems associated to them working correctly in the winter months. This is surprising to learn as even though these boilers are considered to have better energy efficiency and households are encouraged to install them (especially with Government legislation) they are prone to breakdown issues. This fact is backed up by the findings from British Gas who in Yorkshire alone had over 60,000 call-outs regarding broken down boilers last year.

The reason for the condensing boiler breakdown seems to be due to the same reoccurring problem being when the cold weather causes the pipe which takes waste water from the back of the condensing boiler freezes. This causes the boiler to stop working, shutting down the whole system and in some cases causing permanent damage to the boiler.

This type of issue isn’t common in older boilers as they produced hot gases which heats the water in the system and around 25 per cent of these gases are let out of the waste pipe in the form of hot steam therefore freezing doesn’t happen. But, in condensing boilers these gases condense into water which is then fed back into and around the system.

One of the ways to plan for such a breakdown is to install radiant heat technology which uses embedded pipes in the walls and floors and therefore reduces the possibility of the pipes becoming frozen. Even though this is a common solution and feature of many houses in Europe it is not common in the UK and therefore would costs thousands for a home to try and back engineer this type of technology. Therefore, in the UK the only way to try and prevent freezing is to lag and insulate as many of the visible and external pipes as possible.

Another problem associated with the boiler is that the water vapour that is produced by the boilers can be slightly acidic which can cause erosion to the boiler parts which causes it to breakdown. Unfortunately, when this happens the parts will need to be replaced.

The best solution in both cases is prevention. It is therefore important to get the boiler serviced regularly as this will keep it in the best economic care and prolong the life of the boiler and its parts. It will also alert you to any potential breakdown issues which you can fix in a timely manner to ensure that you aren’t one of the unlucky ones shivering in winter when the boiler breaks down unexpectedly.

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

British Gas HomeCare is an insurance scheme that aims to give households cover on their central heating, gas appliances and electrics by providing maintenance when unexpected incidents arise.

Households can choose a HomeCare plan for them and the amount of coverage they want in their home. There are currently four plans available which range from £13 to £27 per month dependent on the type of cover required and the additional options selected. British Gas HomeCare plans currently covers boiler and controls, central heating, plumbing, drains and home electrics.

The main feature of the plans is maintenance and repairs as well as accidental damage cover and the allowance of unlimited callouts per contractual year.

Obviously, the greater the price of the plan that you choose the more additional features you get and the more home emergency problems you are covered against. For example, the cheapest policy at £13 per month only covers boiler and control repairs whereas the £27 per month policy will cover against repairs to your central heating boiler, controls, radiators, pipework and your hot water system as well as repairs to your internal hot and cold water supply pipes, internal waste pipes and non-shared external drains.

The plans ensure that you are covered 24/7 and give you access to over 7000 qualified gas registered engineers as well as 500 highly skilled electricians. Therefore, this type of protection can ensure peace of mind for any household. However, as with any type of insurance cover you should make sure you are aware of the key exclusions within the policy documentation to ensure you are being covered exactly for what you require and expect.

So is this type of cover any good and is it worthwhile paying for British Gas’s HomeCare service?

From doing some research it appears the British Gas HomeCare service has received some bad press and complaints regarding the standard of service that has been received by policyholders. However, this is balanced out by the number of positive comments regarding the service. Many of the negative reviews tend to come from households who have older central heating systems and it is therefore harder for companies such as British Gas to support these boilers as getting parts if maintenance is required becomes harder or impossible. Therefore, in these situations British Gas will have no choice but not to support the boiler any more. It would therefore be worthwhile considering the age of your boiler when you take out such a policy and gain an understanding from the policy holding company as to how long the boiler will be supported for, so you aren’t in for any nasty shocks.

It is however generally regarded that these types of policies are a good deal as they can offer households peace of mind. If you don’t have a policy in place then you will either need to fix the problem yourself or find a local tradesman to come and fix the problem. Both of these options can cause unnecessary stress and hassle.

At least with a policy such as HomeCare you will know that you have access to qualified professionals and experts as well as a knowledgeable customer service team or help centre that are there specifically to answer any concerns or questions that you may have.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

British Gas boilers are installed by Gas Safe qualified engineers; they are also the largest installer of boilers in the UK and offer free consultation. A Heating Adviser from British Gas will visit your home and discuss the best options available including how you can be more energy efficient and save money on your heating bills.

• Free consultation with fixed cost quote
• Installers are Gas Safe qualified
• All heating systems sold with breakdown cover
• All heating systems have a 5 year guarantee
• Parts are guaranteed to be available for 10 years
• Frequent special offers and discounts are available
• You can pay using a monthly payment plan
• No deposit is required

Guest Article by Carlan Li

At this time of year, with the clocks going back, the days shortening and thoughts of next year’s summer way off, most boiler companies are asking their customers to ensure that the clocks on their devices have gone to the correct time.

Most modern day combination condensing boilers come complete with automatic clocks that, like computers, are pre-programmed to adjust to Greenwich Mean Time and British Summer Time changes.

Boiler manufacturer Worcester is just one that reminds customers to make sure the change has happened correctly, although it points out that most of its models do so of their own accord.

These Worcester boilers have controls for example that automatically adjust to GMT/BST:

• DT20 twin channel digital programmer
• DT20RF digital RF thermostat with twin channel programmer
• TD200 text display
• FW100 weather compensation controller
• FW110 programmable room thermostat.

But even if you think that your boiler is clever enough to stay ahead of the game, now is a good time to check the controls and look again at the timings that will get you through the winter period. And its been well researched that clocks and timing devices that are incorrectly set for the various seasons, can add a considerable amount to a householder’s energy bills.

Make sure that your heating and hot water comes on at the correct times to maximise that expensive energy you are generating.

And while you’re doing that, also give your system the once over as it prepares to cope with the demands of water. Check that the pilot light is burning correctly, that there are no stains around the boiler and that there are no leaks. Do this, but always bear in mind that you can’t do any DIY repairs on your own boiler – it is against the law. Only gas engineers on the Gas Safe Register are allowed to work on boilers so, if you think you have a problem, call one of them. Remember, never play around with you’re a boiler. Adjust the controls certainly, but never think you can service it yourself, or make repairs.

Also, give your system the once over, feeling for cold spots in radiators, muck stuck in water tanks, or any leaks you can see in the piping. Always remember that a central heating system will likely fail on the coldest day, on a Sunday (or it always seems that way), so make sure you check it out.

Guest Article by Neil Camp