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

It is recommended that you get your boiler serviced once a year to ensure that it won’t break down over the winter months and that it is as energy efficient as possible.

However, if something goes wrong and your boiler does develop a fault when you need it the most are you covered to get this fixed quickly?

That is when boiler insurance cover can come into its own as it gives homeowners peace of mind that their central heating system can be repaired quickly without having to phone around local companies to get quotes and then schedule the boiler to be fixed. But many people consider boiler insurance as a waste of money as it could be something that is never needed. These people feel it is better to run the risk and if a breakdown occurs they will pay for it out of their savings. Also, with the credit crunch hitting family spending and budgets the thought of paying for additional insurance cover that may not be required can seem uneconomical.

The main benefits of boiler insurance cover is that it firstly covers all your call-out charges, labour and parts, so is comprehensive in this manner. Secondly, the policies will often cover the annual servicing fees as well as providing safety checks. Thirdly, there are policies which can pay towards the cost of boiler replacement if the boiler is beyond repair.

However, there are also disadvantages of boiler cover. The main one is that you could take out the cover and never use it and therefore could spend a lot of money that could be utilised elsewhere. Also, with ad hoc servicing and repair it is understandable why individuals decide just to pay out rather than taking out a policy as it is estimated that the average cost of a service is £70 and a repair to a boiler is £200.

At the end of the day, the decision as whether to take out boiler insurance cover or just rely on ad hoc boiler servicing is a personal one that is swayed by the households’ personal finances. It needs to be a balance between whether it is felt that ad hoc boiler servicing is enough or if the boiler is old and prone to breakdown whether it needs some more robust cover. It is therefore up to you to assess the risk of the boiler breaking down and to make a judgement as to what is the best option.

There is no doubt that if you need to get your boiler fixed or replaced it will cost a large sum of money so paying a small amount each month won’t hit your pocket for one lump sum. However, insurance cover can be expensive as there are varying degrees of cover that can be taken out. For example, just covering the boiler and controls will be a lot cheaper than insuring the whole central heating system. Also, the make, model and age of your boiler will affect the monthly price that needs to be paid. And you will also need to find what the policy covers and whether a replacement boiler if required is part of the plan. If not, you could still be paying out.

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