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

Looking after your boiler is important to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently.

Not only that but a well looked after boiler should help you save money or your fuel bill as well as being less likely to breakdown especially when you need it the most over the winter months. It is therefore recommended that to keep your boiler well maintained you should follow the tips that are detailed below –

Get your boiler serviced regularly

The best tip for boiler maintenance is to ensure that your boiler gets regularly serviced by a qualified and registered company or engineer. This regular service will highlight any problems with the boiler before they happen and deteriorate into an expensive repair or fault. They will also ensure that the boiler is energy-efficient and safe to use.

Don’t cover the boiler

It is important to ensure that you don’t cover the boiler so that it is poorly ventilated as this can cause health and safety issues for your household. This also includes covering up an external ventilation grills and outside flues that may be in operation.

Don’t open the boiler cover

You should never open the boiler cover or attempt to try and fix a problem yourself. Boilers should not be tampered with and if a fault is being experienced you should call a qualified company or engineer to come and investigate the problem.

Check the boiler over the summer months

During the summer months we tend to forget about the boiler and central heating system however we should check the boiler at least once a month during this period. This not only reassures us that the boiler is still working but it can also help reduce any build-up of dirt that can accumulate in the boiler.

Time the heating to come on if you are away for a long period

If you decide to go away over the winter months it is recommended that you time your boiler to come on, on a low temperature during this period. This will ensure that the boiler is regularly worked and it will ensure that pipes within your home are less prone to freezing or bursting.

Install a carbon monoxide detector

It is important to have a carbon monoxide tester installed in your home as this is a system to warn you and your family if there is a carbon monoxide leak in your boiler. It will not only alert you to the fact that there is a fault with your boiler but it can also save you and your family’s lives.

Clean the boiler

Clean the boiler every six months to ensure that the cover doesn’t become rusty or rundown. To clean the boiler you just need to wipe it with a damp cloth. However, if there are any scratches on the painted metal then this should be cleaned by rubbing petroleum jelly over the mark and then wiping it off.

Ensure you have the boilers maintenance manual

If your boiler breaks down you may require the maintenance manual. You may also require the maintenance manual to ensure that you are getting the most out of your heating controls. It is therefore important to have a copy of the manual readily available. If you don’t you should download one from the manufacturer’s website.

Keep an eye on the pressure gauge

It is important for you to keep an eye on and understand the pressure gauge on the boiler as this pressure may need to be topped up or reduced. Ensuring the boiler is working at the correct pressure will ensure that the boiler is kept in good working order. If the pressure changes then you should call out a qualified engineer to check the boiler.

Adjust the controls

Knowing how to use the heating controls is essential for getting the most out of your boiler and ensuring that the maintenance that it receives is based on correct usage requirements. It also ensures you maintain regular use of the boiler.

Guest Article by Sarah Wain

The end of summer is fast approaching and with September experiencing some last minute sunshine you will still be enjoying the break you are having from heating your home over the summer months.

However, during the summer period you should have been thinking ahead to the winter months and getting your boiler and central heating system serviced and if necessary repaired or replaced over this quiet period.

This is because summer is the best time to get the condition of your boiler checked-out by a qualified tradesman and there are many reasons why.

Firstly, if your boiler does have a problem then it can be fixed on your own time and the repair doesn’t become an emergency as if it arose over the winter months. Having this flexibility of time would just not be a factor in winter months.

Secondly, the price may be cheaper in the summer as the engineer and their resources will not be so pressed and booked up. Many companies offer households incentive schemes in the summer months to replace their boilers as they find that their engineers are less busy over this period. Currently, British Gas is running a £400 boiler scrappage scheme on selected new boilers. This means that households who are with British Gas can get a quote to trade-in their old boiler to a newer more energy efficient Worcester boiler and save £400. The only proviso is that the quote and installation needs to take place by the 2nd October 2011.

Finally, if you have to replace your boiler completely, by doing it in the summer months it will mean that you won’t experience any loss of heating as it won’t be on anyway. This would be a real problem in the cold winter months. Also, by replacing a boiler over the summer months it will start saving you money as soon as you need to use it as the newer boiler will be much more energy efficient. This will mean that when your first energy bill of the winter months arrives, though it will be more than your summer consumption it will be less than you have experienced in the past.

If you haven’t had your boiler serviced yet this year or you know that it needs repairs or possibly replacing then it is recommended that you should look to do this as soon as possible. There is still time to book this in before the busy winter period starts and don’t forget to look out for boiler scrappage schemes to help you financially. Make sure you aren’t left in the cold this winter by getting your boiler serviced, repaired or replaced today.

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