FEATURE / WINTER PREPARATION
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fter a summer of record-breaking temperatures, the winter seems a long way off. But smart customers who plan ahead will be booking in early to have their heating systems overhauled during what is the busiest time of the year for the industry. The volume of winter business is not surprising. A survey conducted by the Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy this year found 86% of UK residents use gas central heating. Customers have good reason to ensure their boilers are winter-ready, because in recent years the hot summers have been followed by harsh winters. In 2018, the ‘Beast from the East’ brought 50cm of snow and temperatures of -14ºC. In those conditions, old heating components and poor installations quickly fail under the relentless daily pressure.
So where to start? Going back to basics will help your customers in an emergency. So, make sure they know the location of, and have labelled, the stop-valve on the incoming water supply main. Most service work will centre on the boiler, particularly in domestic settings but manufacturers update products regularly so refreshing your knowledge is useful ahead of the rush. Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi Heating, says: “Without ongoing training, skills would quickly become dated and the quality of installations would suffer. We’re committed to investing in training
Increased usage can put pressure on gas appliances and could lead to them breaking down
www.ciphe.org.uk
to help plumbing and heating engineers feel confident when working with Baxi products and to reach their learning and development goals.” Up-to-date product knowledge is especially relevant when it comes to the fault codes that modern digital boilers use to show that something is wrong. As each manufacturer has a different system of codes, it’s worth finding out what they are. But irrespective of the make of boiler you’re servicing, or its age, there are general steps to follow when it comes to preparing one for winter.
Follow the process The service checklist is crucial for ensuring a boiler remains under warranty, whatever make it is, but there are also building regulations to remember. Power flushing the central system is now a requirement for all central heating systems, as it prevents contaminants damaging the system. If the heat exchanger becomes clogged with a build-up of corrosion or sludge, it can lead to failure. The same is an issue for the circulation pump, which can become clogged by magnetised algae. The Domestic Water Treatment Association advises: “If microbial fouling is found within a central heating system (often detected by the presence of organic slime or a ‘rotten egg’ smell), consider treatment by chlorination. Further advice should be sought from the chemical treatment manufacturer. “Red water or rust in a central heating system is a sign of oxygen ingress due to a fault or incorrect component installation. These faults must be rectified before the system is cleaned and inhibited.” Boiler manufacturers have the same approach. Worcester Bosch says: “Think of it as if you were buying a new car; you wouldn’t use the oil from your old car.”
USEFUL TIPS Keep up to date with the latest guidelines for winter preparations
Check manufacturers’ websites for advice: Vaillant offers technical advice via its website. Go to: www.vaillant.co.uk/ for-installers/ Worcester Bosch has an FAQ section at: www. worcester-bosch.co.uk/ professional/support/ troubleshooting/faqs Baxi has a trade hub for installers at www.baxi. co.uk/trade DWTA Code of Practice. Read more on flushing systems through at: www.beama.org.uk For CIPHE advice on winter plumbing emergencies see: www.ciphe.org.uk/ emergencies The Gas Safe advice tip sheet for customers: www.gassaferegister. co.uk/media/1450/wintersafety-factsheet.pdf
Gas escape A system that has not been used could have pipework that has failed or a blocked vent. This could lead to a gas leak. Gas Safe advises looking for an inspection hatch. If there is condensation in the room or
Servicing your customers’ central heating systems before winter will prevent breakdowns in cold weather
SEP / OCT 2019
P&H ENGINEERING 21