Save Money On Your Energy Bills.

Energy saving tips Help. 20 ways to save money on your energy bills

The Energy Saving Trust

read our blog on replacing your old inefficient boiler

      1. Turning down your thermostat by 1 degree can save over £150.00 per year on your energy bills. For every 1 degree below your                         normal temperature setting you will save money on your energy bills.

      2. You can save energy by upgrading your old boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and                      thermostatic radiator controls.

       3. Adding a chemical inhibitor to your central heating system on your annual boiler service will keep your boiler protected to                               save money on breakdown bills.

       4. The ideal pressure on your boiler’s pressure gauge is between 1 and 1.5 bar. If your pressure gauge is higher or lower, you could be                 losing lots of money.

       5. Familiarise yourself with topping up the pressure on your Combi boiler. Over time, your combi boiler’s pressure will decrease,                       which will impact the efficiency of the boiler.

       6. Getting your boiler serviced annually helps to maintain safety, energy efficiency and keep your boiler warranty/guarantee valid.

       7. Having a magnetic filter helps with boiler reliability, causing fewer breakdowns by catching magnetic debris (often referred to as                   sludge). They can also collect non-magnetic debris as well if they have a screen inside.

Loft Space Energy Saving Help Tips

8. Insulating your loft will shave around £135 off your energy bills each year if you live in a typical semi-detached house.

       Empty Rooms

9. Are you heating rooms that aren’t being used? Make sure all your radiators have thermostats on them and are being used correctly.                The Energy Saving Trust suggests that turning down your thermostat by just one degree could save around £75 per year.

Radiators Save Energy

10. Periodically bleed all of your radiators to make sure there are no cold spots at the top of your radiators.

Hot Water.

11. Taking shorter showers uses less hot water and saves energy and money.

12. Save upto £25 a year by washing up in a bowl rather than using a running tap.

13. Buying an efficient showerhead can save you as much as £18 per person a year on energy bills. An additional savings can be had if                  you have a water meter.

Curtains

       14. Closing your curtains and tucking them behind the radiator when installed under a window is a great way to save money and keep                 the heat in your room to make it warm and cosy. The thicker the material the better insulating they will saving more energy usage.

Draught Proofing.

15. Check around your home for draughts, especially near outside doors. Draughts can cause your home to be cooler, which means                       you’ll have to spend more on heating your home.

Electrical Appliances.

16. Electrical appliances that you are not using should be switched off. Having an appliance or item on standby uses electricity, which                means you are losing money.

17. Turn off lights when you are not in that room, Every little helps.

Solar.

18. Consider having solar panels with a batteries fitted while the initial investment may be high. With electric and gas prices                                   constantly rising, having solar panels coupled with batteries installed may prove to be a good long-term investment.

Windows

19. Are your windows are double or triple glazed. Nearly all homes in the UK will have either double or triple glazed windows,                               but do pay attention to windows that have condensation inside the window panes. This indicates they have lost the argon                                 gas, that helps insulate your home, has dissipated away. There are specialist firms that will repair glazed window units.

20. Internal and external doors closed. Rooms not being used will suck the heat out of other rooms if you don’t close                                                 your doors. Keeping the external doors open will waste even more heat energy than internal doors due to letting the cold                                  from outside into your home.

What is a combi boiler?

A combination boiler, otherwise known as a combi boiler, is the most common type of boiler found in the UK, with over 50% of the new domestic installations in the UK being combi boilers.

How long do combi boilers last?

Combi boilers last between 10-15 years, depending on the model of the boiler and how well it is maintained. One way to improve it’s lifespan is to have your boiler serviced every year. To find out why it is very beneficial to service your boiler every year, please click here.

What are the benefits of a combi boiler?

Combi boilers are very popular due to how useful they are to many types of households. Benefits of combi boilers include:
-Saving space: combi boilers combine the central heating boiler with the water heater, which reduces the amount of space required. This means combi boilers are more space effective, allowing you to use the extra space as you wish.
-Lower costs: Due to the boilers being combined, they are easier to install, which can lead to lower installation costs than system and conventional boilers.
-Instant water: Combi boilers use the water mains grid to retrieve water to use in your heating system, meaning your showers will be more powerful.
-Efficiency: Combi boilers are considered to be highly efficient, with many combi boilers having an efficiency rating of over 90%.

What are the disadvantages of a combi boiler?

Combi boilers, despite being used in most UK households, do have one major drawback: they are not ideal for larger households. If your household has several bathrooms, or lots of rooms, then a combi boiler will not be powerful enough to supply the entire house. A system or conventional boiler will be more efficient for larger houses due to their use of a water cylinder.

The other main drawback to combi boilers is their usage of the mains. This may be beneficial from a space perspective, however, this can significantly impact the pressure of the water if multiple water appliances are being used at the same time.

If you would like a boiler installation or repair, please contact Bradford Boiler Company at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01247 317169.

The Law

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), the landlord is responsible for repairing and supplying water, gas, sanitation and electricity. A landlord is also responsible for arranging annual gas safety checks with a Gas Safe engineer. They do not necessarily need a boiler cover, but the repairs and maintenance of the boiler is the responsibility of the landlord.

The only exception to the landlord taking responsibility for boiler repairs is if the tenant caused the damage to the boiler. The tenant’s general responsibility is ensuring the general upkeep of the boiler is maintained, and reporting any issues they identify to their landlord.

Can tenants get boilers fixed on their own?

A tenant is not legally responsible for boiler repairs, unless caused by their own doing, therefore tenants should contact their landlords regarding the situation. Tenants should especially not attempt to repair the boiler themselves; not only is this dangerous, this can also cause issues with your boiler, which is your responsibility to amend.

In conclusion, if you are a tenant, your responsibilities are to maintain the boiler and to report any issues with your boiler to your landlord. Your landlord’s responsibilities are to ensure the boiler is annually serviced and repaired. To find out why you should annually service your boiler, please click here.

If you would like a boiler installing or repairing, please contact Bradford Boiler Company at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01247 317169.

Firstly, it is important to consider whether you are living on a university campus, or whether you are living in private accommodation. If you are living on the university’s campus, it is the responsibility of the university to address any heating concerns. If you are concerned about your boiler, you should contact your university. If you are in private accommodation, you will need to contact your landlord.

Signing the lease

If you are going to live in private accommodation, you should check out the central heating system in advance to ensure there are not any issues before moving in. This can include asking for evidence of a gas safety check certificate, checking for a sufficient fire and carbon monoxide alarm, and asking for the boiler to be turned on.

Issues living in accommodation

Boilers inevitably become less efficient as they age, and can stop functioning as well. This could occur while you are living in private accommodation, which can be difficult to deal with. If you start to notice any issues or concerns, you should raise them with your landlord. It is your landlord’s responsibility to resolve any issues with your boiler, so they should organise an annual servicing to ensure your boiler is running perfectly. To understand the importance and benefits to getting your boiler serviced annually, please click here.

What to look out for

There are many ways you can identify issues with your boiler, for safety or financial benefits. This includes:
-Soot build-up or a yellow flame: These are indicators of a carbon monoxide leak; make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm and alert your landlord as soon as possible. To learn more about identifying signs of a carbon monoxide leak, please click here.
-Cold spots on radiators: Having cold spots at the top of your radiator when the central heating system is on is often an indication of air being trapped in your radiators. You should bleed your radiators and see if that improves the issue. We have a guide on how to safely bleed your radiators, which you can read here.
-Noise: If your radiators start to bang, clang or gurgle, then that can be an indication of there not being enough water in the system. You should contact your landlord immediately to get a specialist to check your boiler.

If you would like a boiler installing or repairing, please contact Bradford Boiler Company at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01247 317169.

What does size mean in terms of boilers?

‘Size’, in the context of boilers, refers to kilowatts (kW). A “larger” boiler will have a larger amount of kWs; it will not necessarily be physically bigger. It is very important to keep in mind that you should purchase a boiler that suits your and your home’s needs; buying a boiler that has a larger kW than you need will only waste the fuel and will become a long-term financial burden. Likewise, it is also important to not try to save money by buying too little, as you will run out of hot water.

Types of boiler

Your boiler type will impact which size boiler you will need, due to how the different types of boiler are made. Before purchasing a boiler, you should consider which boiler type you have and which one would be beneficial for your hot water needs. The three types of boiler are:
-Combi boiler: A combi boiler is the most common type of boiler found in UK houses. Combi boilers are most efficient for small houses due to only heating the water you need.
-System boiler: A system boiler heats your hot water and heating system through a water cylinder, typically located in the attic. System boilers receive their water directly through the mains which is very useful for large houses.
-Conventional boiler: A conventional boiler heats your hot water and heating system through a water cylinder. Conventional boilers are useful for older buildings that may not be able to handle higher boiler pressure.

Count your radiators

One way to determine what size boiler you will need is to count your radiators. For example, if you live in a one-bedroom bungalow, you will need a smaller boiler than a 5 bedroom house, due to having a larger demand for hot water. Below are estimates to what size boiler you need, depending on the type of boiler, and how many radiators you have:

Combi boilers:
-Up to 10 radiators: 24kW – 27kW
-10 – 15 radiators: 28kW – 34kW
-15 – 20 radiators: 35kW – 42kW

System and Conventional boilers:
-Up to 10 radiators: 12kW – 15kW
-10 – 15 radiators: 18kW – 24kW
-15 – 20 radiators: 30kW – 40kW

Combi boilers require more energy due to heating the water instantly, unlike system and conventional boilers. It is very important to know which boiler type you have so you can ensure you purchase the correct size boiler, using the estimations above.

If you have any concerns or would like a boiler installed, please do not hesitate to contact Bradford Boiler Company at 01274 317169 or at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk.

Take a look at our range of boilers.

When to bleed your radiators

There are a variety of reasons why you may need to bleed your radiators, including:
-Cold spots at the top of the radiator: This is the most common reason why a radiator needs bleeding. This occurs when the air becomes trapped in the radiator and is unable to escape, meaning the hot water cannot circulate through the radiator like it normally would.
-Damp or mould: If you start seeing mould or a room is damp after little usage, then this might be caused by your radiator. Mould is caused by bad circulation and humidity, so it is important to bleed your radiator if you start to notice that the room is damp or has mould.
-Rattling radiators: Noisy radiators, whether it be a rattling or gurgling sound, should be bled and checked for issues by a heating specialist. As there are a variety of reasons why a radiator might be making unusual sounds, it is best to also get it checked out in case there are any risks or if the radiator is close to breaking completely.

What tools do I need to bleed my radiators?

There are only two tools that you will need to successfully bleed your radiators: a radiator bleed key and anything that can catch water (such as a jug or a cloth). Radiator bleed keys can typically be found in hardware shops, but if not, a flat-headed screwdriver may also work.

How do I bleed my radiators?

Before starting to bleed your radiators, you must first identify which radiators need bleeding, as not all of your radiators may need it. You should start with the radiators closest to the boiler on the ground floor. From there, you should work your way backwards, away from the boiler. You should work your way from storey to storey.

–Step 1: Make sure your heating is turned off and all of the radiators are cold.
–Step 2: Place your jug or cloth under the bleed valve and insert the bleed key.
–Step 3: Turn the bleed key anti-clockwise to loosen the valve; this will allow the trapped air to escape.
–Step 4: Once the water starts to escape, turn the key clockwise to tighten the valve. When water starts to escape, this means that all of the trapped air has been released.
–Step 5: Repeat on all radiators.
–Step 6: Once all required radiators have bled, you should check the pressure to ensure it has not dropped.
–Step 7: Turn on the heating to check if the radiators are working.

Additional Information

Can the heating be on while bleeding your radiators?
The heating MUST NOT be on while bleeding radiators due to how hot the water is. As some water may escape when bleeding the radiators, it could cause a burn if it comes into contact with your skin. In addition to this, more air may get into the radiator while the valve is loose if you have your heating on.

How can I tell if bleeding my radiators worked?
Once all radiators have bled, the heating should be turned back on to test the radiators. You should look for how long the radiators take to heat up, and if there are any cold spots on the radiator. If there are still issues after bleeding your radiators, you should contact a boiler specialist for further guidance.

How often should I bleed my radiators?
Though not essential, it is recommended to bleed your radiators once every 6 months to ensure that there are no build-ups of sludge or trapped air.

What are the advantages of bleeding my radiators?
There are a variety of benefits to bleeding your radiators such as:
-Efficiency: Your boiler and central heating system will be more effective at heating a room faster if the trapped air is removed regularly.
-Energy-efficient: As the radiators will not lose heat to the trapped air, less energy will be required to heat the room. This results in fewer fuels being burned and therefore is more environmentally friendly.
-Identify issues: If the radiators are already having issues, bleeding them will determine whether the trapped air was causing the problems or not. If bleeding your radiators doesn’t help, you should contact a heating specialist for further assistance.

If you would like a new boiler installed, or need any boiler assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01274 317169.

How to check the boiler pressure

As boiler pressure is the most common reason for a boiler breakdown, it is essential to check your boiler pressure. On most modern combi boilers, the pressure gauge can be found either on the front of the boiler or under the control panel. If your boiler is older, the pressure gauge might be located near the pipework. You can use your instruction manual if you are unsure where your pressure gauge is located.

It is useful to do a monthly check of your boiler to identify any obvious issues and to check that your boiler’s pressure is perfect. Boiler pressure may also be brought up during an annual service, so the specialist may fix it on your behalf and identify the cause of the issue. To find out the importance of annually servicing your boiler, please click here.

Standard boiler pressure

Standard boiler pressure is between 1 to 2 bars. Fortunately, most pressure gauges can show you if the pressure is perfect by using red and green sections. The green section means the boiler pressure is fine and doesn’t need changing. If it is in either of the red sections, it means the pressure is either too high or too low. Please be aware that your boiler may still continue to work, even if the pressure is too high or low, so it is important to check and adjust the pressure when necessary.

High boiler pressure

High boiler pressure is not always a serious issue; most boilers have mechanisms to counteract high pressure. Many boilers will shut down if the pressure is too high, or the valve may release some water into a small pipe away from the boiler to resolve the issue.

Signs of high boiler pressure

Unlike low boiler pressure, there are only two simple signs to look out for. If the system has shut down, or the gauge is in the red section, then the boiler pressure is high.

Causes of high boiler pressure

High boiler pressure is usually accidentally caused when adjusting boiler pressure. Sometimes, when fixing low boiler pressure, it might be adjusted too much and cause higher pressure than intended. In addition to this, if a valve is not tightened enough, this can cause too much water to flow, which can impact the pressure. If this is the case, you will need to tighten all valves to stop the overflowing of water.

If your boiler has high pressure and it was not caused by adjusting pressure or by having loose valves, then it is likely that your boiler is faulty, and may need checking for issues.

How to reduce high boiler pressure

In most cases, it is possible to reduce high boiler pressure without needing to contact a boiler specialist. If you follow these steps, but it continues to increase, then you should contact us for further guidance as it could be caused by a faulty boiler.

Step 1: Turn off your boiler
Step 2: Make sure all valves are tightened
Step 3: Once the system has cooled down, bleed your radiators. If you have any issues with bleeding your radiators, contact a professional immediately – it is very easy to bleed a radiator incorrectly!
Step 4: Check the pressure gauge. If the pressure is still high, bleed your radiators again

Low boiler pressure

Low boiler pressure is usually more noticeable than high boiler pressure due to the effects low boiler pressure has on heating the building. On Average, a boiler will need the pressure increasing between every 6 months to 12 months due to the heating system naturally heating and cooling water.

Signs of low boiler pressure

Low boiler pressure can cause no heating or hot water to go around the system due to there not being enough pressure in the system. If you notice these issues, you should check the gauge on your boiler (usually located on the front, on the front panel, or on the pipeline).

Another sign of low boiler pressure is the gauge showing the pressure in the red section. If it is only slightly low, you may not lose hot water or heating to a noticeable degree, so it is useful to check your boiler pressure from time to time to make sure it is not too high or low.

Causes of low boiler pressure

There are three main causes of low boiler pressure:
–Water heating and cooling: Naturally, boilers will lose pressure over time due to water heating and cooling within the system. As a result of this, you may need to repressurise your heating system every 6 months – 12 months. If this is the case, this does not mean that your boiler is broken or there are any issues within the heating system, so there is no need to panic.
–Small leaks: Sometimes, a leak may occur in the pipelines. These leaks can be so small that you may not notice any water escaping, but over time, the water escaping will build up and cause the pressure to decrease.
–Bleeding your radiators: As water can escape when bleeding your radiators, it can slightly decrease the pressure

If you have high boiler pressure and reduce the pressure, you can also cause the boiler pressure to be too low. This is not a common cause of low boiler pressure but can be easily fixed.

How to increase low boiler pressure

Increasing your boiler’s pressure is a simple task and can be done without the help of a professional. By following these steps, you can repressurise your heating system:

–Step 1: Turn off your boiler
–Step 2: Locate either the filling loop or the keyed filling loop, depending on the type of boiler. The filling loop is a hose that connects to two water pipes, with two levers to control the valves. If you cannot find your filling loop, you should refer to the boiler manual.
–Step 3: Turn both levers so they are aligned with the direction of the hose. If this is done correctly, you should hear water starting to run.
–Step 4: Keep an eye on the gauge and stop the valves once the gauge hits roughly 1.2 bar. Make sure that both valves are closed to avoid high boiler pressure.

Top tip: Do not turn on your boiler straight away, you should wait before using it to check if the pressure is still decreasing. If the pressure continues to decrease, you should look for leaks. You should contact a boiler specialist if you suspect a leak, in order to amend it and receive the most appropriate recommendations for your specific heating system.

If you would like to learn more details about low boiler pressure, read our guide to low boiler pressure here.

In conclusion, usually boiler pressure being too high or too low is not a big problem. As you can adjust your boiler’s pressure, you can fix most pressure issues without the worry of having to call a boiler specialist. However, you should contact a boiler specialist if you have any concerns with adjusting your boiler pressure or you are still having issues after adjusting the pressure.

If you have any boiler concerns or would like a boiler installed, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 1274 317169.