Heating System

By CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERING

Our homes may be heated by a variety of different heating systems, powered by a range of fuel sources, but there are a number of common steps we can take to improve their efficiency.

Have the boiler serviced annually

Regular maintenance ensures boilers work at their peak efficiency and should ensure they run effectively and safely for the year to come. It also helps extend the boiler’s life, reducing the risk of an expensive break down. Ask your engineer about the use of chemical inhibitors in your system to help maintain efficiency.

Replace an old boiler

Although initially costly, if your boiler is reaching the end of its working life, replacing it with a more efficient model can save money on your heating bills. Modern boilers are highly efficient, and with the introduction of Boiler Plus building regulation, are becoming even more so.

Upgrade the controls

Controls allow you to heat your home when it is occupied and only the parts of your house that are in use. New ‘smart’ controls enable you to adjust it, via a mobile app. These systems can also actively monitor your home for movement, going into a lower temperature ‘sleep’ mode if it considers the property to be empty, or that the occupants are asleep in bed. Many also gain information from outside temperatures and weather forecasts, adjusting the heating accordingly.

By using standard thermostatic controls effectively, you could save hundreds on your heating and hot water bills.

Insulate your home

Adequately insulating your attic is essential, otherwise your home will lose around a quarter its heat through the roof space. Blocking up gaps around windows, doors and chimneys will also help save on energy bills and keep your home warm.

Heat wisely

It makes sense to turn the radiators down in rooms you are not using to save energy. However, it is false economy to turn off the central heating and use electric fan heaters instead as it will cost much more to heat each room than it will using a central heating system. Fan heaters are a fire hazard if left unattended, or placed too close to flammables such as curtains. If you want to heat only a couple of rooms in your home, it is far cheaper and safer to invest in thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) and use your central heating system.

Who to call:

• Gas: www.gassaferegister.co.uk

• Oil: www.oftec.org.uk

• Biomass or solid fuel: www.hetas.co.uk

• Make sure any engineer working on a boiler is Gas Safe Registered

• Check your tradesperson has the correct registrations and accreditations to work on your boiler.