Service your boiler

The most effective way to prepare your boiler for the winter is to service your boiler during the summer annually. You should service your boiler in Summer as you can identify any threats or potential future issues with your boiler to be able to counteract them before you need your boiler in the winter.

There are a variety of reasons to service your boiler annually, including:
-Detect issues
-Safety
-Legal requirements
-Extending the lifetime of the boiler
-Saving money
If you are unsure why you should service your boiler, check out our in-depth blog about why it is significantly important to service your boiler here.

Complete an unofficial inspection

Before servicing your boiler, it is useful to conduct an unofficial inspection of the boiler. You should look for any obvious cracks and leaks, rusting and oxidation, and any signs of evaporated water on the inside of the boiler. You should also check the flame colour; if it is the standard blue, then it is healthy. If it is orange/yellow, it is likely a serious issue and you should contact Bradford Boiler Company immediately for advice.

Testing

In the lead-up to the winter, you should try to test your boiler for roughly 15 minutes every night to make sure that it works efficiently. Before it gets too cold and the boiler is in use more frequently, you should test it to make sure it heats your home fast. Sometimes, a boiler may stop working well if it has not been used for a while, so it is advised to test it during periods of little use.

Check your boiler’s pressure

The average boiler pressure should be between 1 and 1.5 bar. If your boiler pressure is too high or low, you can attempt to change the pressure yourself. If not, you can contact Bradford Boiler Company to seek advice and support. One way you can reduce the chances of the pressure changing is to turn your boiler on, even when it is warm. During warmer periods, you should turn your boiler on for roughly 15 minutes just to check that it works well.

Bleed your radiators

Bleeding your radiators can increase the efficiency of your boiler. If your radiators feel cold at the top when the heating is on, you should bleed them to release the trapped air in the system.

Insulate your pipes

In the winter, sometimes pipes may start to freeze, causing blockages and decreasing the efficiency of your boiler. This is caused by the water being left during the condensing process. Pipe insulation reduces the chances of freezing, but if your pipe still freezes with the insulation, you can defrost the pipe by using lukewarm water.

Check the thermostat

An incorrect reading from the thermostat can be a problem for a variety of reasons. The thermostat could be producing inaccurate temperatures, which could affect the temperature of your home. This can be by either overheating the house or by it simply not turning on. By testing your thermostat before the winter season, you can identify any issues and resolve them before you need your boiler.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm

Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is not just useful for the winter; it will help to keep you safe, regardless of the time of the year. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is colourless and odourless, which can make detecting it without an alarm very difficult. To read more about the dangers of carbon monoxide, and how to protect yourself during a carbon monoxide leak, click here.

If you have any concerns or would like to have a new boiler installed, please contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01274 317168.

Energy efficiency refers to the amount of energy used to heat your home. An efficient boiler will use less energy to heat your home, which is very cost-effective. Less efficient boilers will require more energy to heat your home, which will cost you more.

What causes a boiler to be inefficient?

Naturally, boilers will never be 100% efficient as some heat is lost through hot gas through the flue. In addition to this, boilers will naturally become less efficient the older they get, which can often be a reason to purchase a new boiler.

Older models of boilers are often less efficient as they are often not built as condensing boilers. Condensing boilers are one of the best types of boilers for efficiency due to condensing vapour, which preserves more energy.

Energy ratings

In the UK, there are two types of energy ratings you may encounter: ErP and SEDBUK. Depending on the age and where the boiler was manufactured will affect which energy rating you encounter.

ErP

Energy-related Products (ErP) are a measurement used by the European Union to measure the efficiency of water heating systems, including boilers. The ErP scale ranges from A – G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least. A-rated boilers are at least 90% efficient, while G rated boilers are less than 70% efficient.

SEDBUK

Seasonal Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler (SEDBUK) is a measurement used in the UK to determine the efficiency of a boiler made in the UK. There are two versions of the SEDBUK, the 2005 version is a scale from A – G, with the 2009 version replacing the A – G grading with percentages. Since 2015, both of these versions have stopped being used; they have now been replaced with the ErP measurement.

Benefits

There are variety of benefits to getting a more efficient boiler, including:
-Reduced bills: As the boiler is more efficient, this means less energy is required to heat the home. This consequently decreases the bills.
-Carbon footprint: Due to less energy being required to heat your home, this improves the carbon footprint of your home.

How to maintain efficiency

Over time, a boiler’s efficiency will decrease due to ageing. To maintain the efficiency and reduce the decline, you should:
Service your boiler – Boilers should be serviced annually to check for faults and potential issues. By regularly servicing your boiler, you can avoid any faults that may affect how efficient the boiler is.
-Bleed your radiators when needed: From time to time, your radiators may need bleeding to improve the efficiency of the boiler. If your radiators take a while to heat up or have cold spots, you should bleed your radiators.
-Test your heating monthly: Even in summer, you should test your heating monthly for a few minutes to make sure it is still working with no issues. This is especially important as it will allow you to check for faults when waiting for the next service.

If you have any questions or would like to replace your current boiler with a more efficient boiler, contact us today at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or at 01274 317169.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether to repair or replace your boiler as it could just be an occasional repair or service it may need, or it could be a financial nightmare with regular repairs required. In this blog, we will review when it might be a good idea to repair, or replace your boiler.

DIY

Sometimes when a boiler breaks down, there can be small DIY fixes that can be used to reduce the chances of needing a boiler repair expert. A few fixes that you can do include:
-Thaw any frozen pipes using hot water.
-Bleed your radiators.
-Ensure the thermostat is set to the correct time. If you own a smart thermostat, you should check that it is connected to the boiler.
If none of these fixes works, then you should contact your local boiler repair experts to fix your boiler.

Efficiency

Newer boilers have been ranked on an efficiency scale, from A – G. A-rated boilers are the most efficient types of boilers, averagely being above 90% efficient. Meanwhile, G-rated boilers are the least efficient types of boilers, averagely being below 70% efficient.

One reason you may wish to replace your boiler is if it is rated lower on the efficiency scale. Not only is having an efficient boiler more environmentally friendly, it is also cheaper to run long-term.

Frequency

Boilers, from time to time, will break down. The seriousness and the frequency of the breakdown will affect whether you should repair or replace your boiler. If the boiler is regularly breaking down, then you should replace your boiler as this will reduce costs long term. If the boiler rarely breaks down, then you should look to repair your boiler by contacting your local boiler company.

Warranty

It is important to check your warranty; you should always check to make sure you are still under warranty, and follow all guidelines set in the contract. If your boiler is still under warranty, then it is worth getting your boiler repaired as it will usually cover the costs of new parts, and potentially even the labour costs.

Future

When debating whether to repair or replace our boiler, you should think about the future: how long will this boiler realistically last? If the boiler has very minor faults, then you may think it’s better to repair your boiler since it’ll likely last for years. If your boiler realistically won’t last longer than a few years without regular repairs, then it is best to replace your boiler. In addition to this, you may also need to consider the boiler’s age; will there likely be easily accessible parts available in the future?

Costs

Purchasing a new boiler can be expensive as they are a long term investment. This reason alone is why many people are hesitant to replace their boiler when they identify problems with their current boiler. When you are considering whether to replace your boiler, you should identify any long term costs; will you often have to pay for repairs? If you think that long term the cost of repairing your boiler will be larger than the cost of purchasing a new boiler, then you should consider replacing your boiler.

Parts for repairs

As a boiler model begins to age, parts for repairs can become progressively more difficult to replace. This means that sometimes a boiler repair expert may tell you to replace your boiler to ensure that long term, you can access parts required for any future boiler breakdowns.

Warning signs

There are certain warning signs that you should look for when it comes to your boiler. Some of these signs can be fixed, however, a replacement might be on the table depending on the damage:
-Unusual sounds – Boilers can make sounds when starting up, but if they start to make unusual banging, gurgling or clunking sounds, then it is important to call a local boiler repair expert to identify any issues. The expert may suggest that the boiler should be replaced if the boiler is very damaged.
-Bad odours – Naturally, boilers do not create an odour, so if you notice a faint bad odour from the boiler, you should immediately call a boiler expert. A smell from a boiler is likely a carbon monoxide leak. Despite carbon monoxide gas being odourless, a leak does have a smell due to the boiler not burning properly. We have written a blog about signs of a carbon monoxide leak, and how to deal with one. Read our blog here.
-Radiators – One common detected issue with boilers as they start to age is radiators taking longer to heat up. There are multiple reasons why radiators can start to take longer heating up, including age, or your central heating system is full of sludge. You should contact your local boiler repair expert to find the cause of the issue. They might be able to flush your central heating system if sludge is present, but they may suggest replacing your boiler if it is down to age or wear.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be difficult to determine when to repair or replace your boiler. Depending on the state of the boiler, sometimes it is financially beneficial to purchase a new boiler.

Repair:
-Younger boiler
-Highly efficient boiler
-Under warranty
-Minor faults

Replace:
-Older boiler
-Bad sounds or odours
-Costs of repairs
-Regular breakdowns
-No warranty

Please be aware that there are given circumstances where these may not apply. If you are unsure whether to repair or replace your boiler, you should contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or at 01274 317169.

Take a look at our range of boilers.

Reliability

Finding a reliable boiler is essential; as boilers are a long-term investment, the brand and model must be reliable to make it worth it. If the company or the model are very unreliable, the likelihood is that the boiler will frequently break down or will stop working after a small period. If you buy a boiler from a respectable brand, you will reduce the chances of having to pay for frequent breakdowns as they will be made with higher quality materials and made to last longer.

If you are unsure if a brand or a product is reliable, you should look at reviews to understand what others think about the service or the product.

Types of boiler

There are multiple types of boilers, which are created differently to meet the different requirements and needs of the user. The main types of boiler are:
-Combi (combination) boiler: Combi boilers do not need a storage tank as they only heat the water you will use, often meaning they are cost-effective and efficient.
-System boiler: System boilers store hot water in a storage tank, but get their water supply directly from the mains.
-Conventional boiler: Conventional boilers use a separate water cylinder to store hot water.
We have explained each type of boiler, and its advantages and disadvantages in further detail here.

Sizing

Another issue that may arise is the size of your house. Depending on the size of the house and how much water will be used, there might be less of a selection to choose from. A combi boiler is often suited best for smaller properties with one bathroom, or for people who live by themselves or with one other person. System boilers are considered best suited for larger properties with larger water demand.

Efficiency

Every model of boiler has a different efficiency rating, based on how much waste product is produced. Boilers are rated from A – G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient. When purchasing a new boiler, you should consider the efficiency rating it has; not only can a more efficient boiler be cost-effective, it is more environmentally friendly.

Warranty

Boiler warranties are essential when getting a new boiler; they cover you when your boiler unexpectedly breaks down or malfunctions. This means that the manufacturer can replace your boiler if it breaks during the warranty. It is important to thoroughly read through the terms and conditions for the warranty to ensure you are meeting the requirements set. This often includes getting your boiler serviced annually.

If you have any questions regarding boilers or would like a boiler installed, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or 01274 317169.

There are a variety of reasons to replace your boiler, including for efficiency or potential health threats. Boiler replacements are not the cheapest, which means they are a long term investment and should be maintained well to maximise the lifespan of the boiler. If you are unsure why your boiler should be serviced, check out our blog explaining the benefits of servicing your boiler here. Below are a few indicators that you should look out for to know when to replace your boiler.

Age

If your boiler is getting old, you should be considering replacement in the future. Your boiler will start to become less inefficient and unreliable, which will affect your energy bills and how quickly your house warms up. Due to the efficiently decreasing overtime, boiler repair costs will increase, which could be more financially straining than replacing the boiler.

Frequent breakdowns

If your boiler keeps breaking down regardless of any issues being fixed, you should stop paying for new parts or repair, and instead buy a replacement boiler. Long term, this will be cheaper than paying for boiler damages more than once a year. A good analogy for this scenario is an old car. At a certain point, an old car will just keep having issues when it goes in for it’s MOT or servicing, and eventually it will then no longer become viable to keep the car due to the cost of maintaining it. You would then rightly start the process of looking for a replacement. This is how you should see your boiler; you should consider whether financially it is worth paying for the repairs, or whether it is worth replacing your boiler.

Sounds

During the normal operation of a boiler, it will make sounds, but should not create loud, regular clunking, hissing or humming noises. If this is the case, you should get Bradford Boiler Installation Company to come and look at your boiler and find the issue. If the problem persists, you should consider replacing your boiler.

Flame colour and soot

A boiler producing a blue flame is perfectly normal for a working boiler. If the blue flame turns yellow, you should call Bradford Boiler Installation Company urgently for an appointment to come and inspect your boiler. A yellow flame is caused through the process of incomplete combustion of natural gas. Large amounts of carbon monoxide will be produced whilst your boiler is running, which can be fatal if exposed to. Black soot marks around the boiler can also be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak, so it is essential to contact a boiler repair expert and replace your boiler if you see signs of a carbon monoxide leak. To see the full list of signs of a carbon monoxide leak, please click here.

Temperature

If your house or radiators are a lot colder than the normal temperature, or take longer to heat up, this could be caused by the inefficiency of the boiler. If this is the case, you should replace your boiler. Not only will this normalise the temperature in your house, this will also reduce energy bills as it will take less time to heat up.

Lack of parts

As a boiler becomes older and newer models are released, parts can become discontinued, which makes it harder to replace the older parts of your boiler for newer ones. This means it is often safe to replace your boiler as parts become more scarce to prevent an unfixable boiler.

Energy bills

One reason why energy bills increase overtime without an explanation is due to the efficiency of the boiler. As the boiler gets older, it becomes less effective at heating up a home, which means the homeowners have to pay more to heat the home. Long term, the additional money paid in energy bills could be used to help replace the inefficient boiler.

Leaks

A leak from a boiler may not require a replacement, but will require a boiler repair expert to analyse the damage and suggest how to fix it. Leaks can lead to corrosion and rusting, so it is best to fix the problem as soon as it is identified. If this becomes a regular occurrence, it is recommended to get a replacement boiler.

Bad odours

This mainly applies to gas boilers, but if a bad odour is lingering from the boiler, you should contact a boiler repair expert immediately as this could be a dangerous leak. If this problem persists, it is essential to replace your boiler.

Corrosion

If there is visible corrosion on the boiler, then it is best to replace your boiler. Corrosion in boilers is often caused by broken valves and leaks, or caused by the reaction between the heat exchanger and burners. Corrosion can occur at any point, but is more common the more the boiler is used.

Additional Considerations

These suggestions do not require you specifically to replace your boiler, but may influence your decision:
–Space/sizing – Older boilers tend to be larger and take up more space in comparison to more recent models. Replacing your boiler with a newer model may provide you with more space.
–Control – Some newer models allow you to control the temperature and the time the boiler starts heating. This is very convenient for homeowners who are out of the house a lot and only need the boiler heating at certain times of the day.
–Energy efficiency rating – Newer boilers are rated based on their energy efficiency from A – G, with A being the most efficient boilers at over 90% efficiency, and G being the least efficient boilers at less than 70% efficiency. If your boiler is lower on the energy efficiency scale, you may consider replacing your boiler with a more energy efficient one to save money on bills.
–Safety – If the boiler is very old, there is a chance that it may not meet newer safety guidelines. It is essential to check whether your current boiler matches the newer regulations.

If you have any concerns regarding your boiler or would like to replace your boiler, please contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or at 01274 317169.

Can My Boiler Be Fitted Outside?

Boilers can be fitted outside by a boiler specialist, providing that the area has enough space and will not need additional pipes. There are boilers created specifically to be outdoor, as these will need to be able to tolerate the weather and reduce the time taken to rust.

Benefits of an External Boiler

There are a variety of reasons someone may consider installing their boiler outside of their house, including:
-No carbon monoxide poisoning risk: When a boiler is poorly installed, this can lead to the boiler leaking carbon monoxide, which can be deadly when exposed to. As the boiler would not be in a tight space or room, this removes the risks of being poisoned. Find out more about oil boilers producing carbon monoxide here.
-Easier access for servicing: As the boiler will be placed outside of the house, it will be easier for the specialist to access it during an annual service.
-More indoor space: Having a boiler outside increases space indoors from places such as your kitchen or your utility room.
-Less noise: This might not be applicable to all boilers, but some can produce a lot of noise with clanging or vibrations.

External Boiler Considerations

Despite the benefits of an external boiler, there are multiple concerns and issues:
-Outdoor maintenance: Despite being in a case, the boiler can be subject to the weather, which can lead to rusting, freezing and overall damage.
-Space: Certain houses may not have enough outdoor wall space to install a boiler on.
-Energy efficiency: Boilers naturally produce heat when burning, which is useful when it is inside of a house. However, if the boiler is outside, the heat is wasted, reducing the energy efficiency.

Examples of External Boilers

There are a variety of boilers that can be installed outside. A few examples include:
-Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II External boiler
-Grant VortexBlue
When purchasing a boiler, you should research the boiler to check if it can be installed outside. This can be done by checking for key phrases such as “outdoor” or “external”, and checking the manufacturer’s website.

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

What Should I Expect From A Boiler Service?

A standard service looks at the efficiency of the boiler, checking for any faults, or any parts that need repairing. As lots of different parts are checked during a service, you should expect it to last at least 30 minutes. Typically, the following will be seen in a boiler service:
-Checking safety devices.
-Cleaning boiler parts, if necessary.
-Internal and external flue checks.
-Checking the operating pressure and heat inputs.
-Check case seals.
-Checking for any working faults.
-Removal of boiler casing to check the main boiler components.

At the end of a service, landlords and businesses will receive records and certificates, in line with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998). It is important to ask the gas safe registered engineer any questions that you may have about your boiler or the service to ensure that you can maintain the condition of the boiler as much as possible before the next service.

Detect Issues Before They Happen

Having a boiler breakdown is inconvenient but by regularly servicing your boiler, potential issues can be detected and amended before they become serious problems. Regardless of how minor the fault might be with the boiler, it is best to address the issue before it causes physical and financial damage.

Safety

When servicing a boiler, a gas safe registered engineer will check your boiler for leaks or potential threats. Any faults, especially if the boiler is not burning correctly, could lead to a leak of carbon monoxide. With carbon monoxide being a colourless, odourless gas, this means that it could be leaking from your boiler without you knowing. To ensure the safety of your occupants and to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is essential to regularly have your boiler serviced.

Save Money

By servicing your boiler, any issues or faults can be identified and fixed to help maintain the boiler. By fixing the faults instead of replacing the boiler, this can save money. An average boiler service is around £80, but boiler repairs can be from £100+, depending on the extent of the repair. In addition to this, you can save money on your gas bills since the engineers will be ensuring your boiler is working effectively.

Extend The Lifetime Of The Boiler

When faults are identified and fixed, this causes the boiler to work more efficiently as any faulty parts have been replaced with new parts. In return, this expands the lifetime of your boiler as you will not have to replace the entire boiler.

A Legal Requirement For Landlords

Due to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998), landlords have a legal requirement to maintain and provide gas appliances. When a boiler service is conducted, landlords and businesses will receive gas certificates and gas records for proof of the safety of all gas appliances; it is a legal requirement to have access to these documents. Please be aware that if the gas appliance is owned by the tenant and not the landlord, it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain the appliance, not the landlord’s. For more information about what a landlord’s legal responsibilities are for boilers, please click here.

Staying Under Warranty

If your boiler is under warranty, there is a high chance that your warranty includes a clause that means the contract will be voided if the boiler is not serviced annually. It is best practice to keep track of when your last boiler service was so you can book the next one just before a year has passed. This good practice will reduce the chances of your warranty being voided, so you can get money if your boiler breaks down.

How Often Should I Have my Boiler Serviced?

As a standard, it is common to service boilers every 12 months. If you have any concerns regarding your boiler, you should book a servicing early to ensure that there are no faults. You should keep track of when your boiler has been serviced, so you know when to book your next annual service.

If you are concerned about your boiler or you need to complete your annual service, call us today on 01274 317169 or email us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk.

Powerful neodymium magnetic filters, or boiler filters as they can be commonly called, are fitted to your boiler’s return pipework, removing magnetic and non magnetic debris from the water as it flows through the filter before it goes through the boiler, having it installed on the return pipework will help stop your boiler getting clogged up.
Another factor to consider is the more radiators you have in your home, the bigger the potential of a sludge/ magnetite problem. The answer is a magnetic filter designed specifically to handle the volume of larger systems:
-Your heating system will heat up more efficiently.
-Will help to lower energy bills.
-Reduces your carbon footprint within the home.
-Increased boiler reliability, reducing the risk of expensive repairs.
-Lifetime expectancy of your boiler will increase.
-Having a magnetic filter can sometimes increase the boiler warranty.

The New British Standard BS 7593:2019 gives guidance for fitting magnetic filters on central heating systems. This new standard replaces BS 7593:2006, which has been withdrawn with immediate effect. British standards relating to domestic heating systems are codes of practice that all Heating Engineers must adhere too. All installers will need to be aware of the following standards when it comes to the new British Standard:
-A Magnetic filter (inline) must to be fitted to every new central heating system.
-Carry out a chemical clean and fresh water flush before fitting the inhibitor.
-Cleaning can be improved with external magnetite capture equipment.
-An Annual water test to test level of inhibitor and system cleanliness.
-Every 5 years or sooner, new inhibitor should added.
-Biocide is essential in cooling and low temperature heating systems like underfloor heating.
-Consider the use of biocide for higher temperature systems like solar thermal.

What Causes Sludge to Build Up?
As heated water flows through the metal pipes of your boiler and central heating system, rust can form due to electrolytic action and oxygenated water. The rust formed along with other dirt and debris will eventually build into a black mud-like substance, commonly referred to as ‘sludge’. If the sludge isn’t removed in some way from your system, it will eventually cause serious problems for your boiler, radiators and central heating pipes. Another factor to consider is the more radiators you have in your home, the bigger the potential of a sludge/magnetite problem. The answer is a magnetic filter, designed specifically to handle the volume of larger systems. Common signs you have sludge build up include:
-Loud noise from the boiler and/or radiators; this is called kettling.
-Radiators taking a long time to heat up, or just getting lukewarm.
-Lots of black debris coming from radiators when bleeding them.
-Boiler regularly breaking down.
These problems will cause your boiler to run less efficiently as it will be increasing your heating bills, and eventually will cause your boiler to fail beyond repair.

Magnetic filters available:
Worcester Bosch Greenstar Filter
-Plastic body construction

Designed by ADEY
-Can increase the length of your boiler warranty when fitted and registered with a new boiler installation.
-Provides full heating protection for the boiler and whole system.
-When fitted with the Max range by an Ideal Max accredited installer, this can increase your boiler lifetime up to 12 years.
-Provides full protection for your boiler and central heating.
-Brass body construction for hardwearing long term use.

Fernox Omega 1
-Brass construction for long term use

Trappex centramag Genesis filter
-Brass construction for long term
-Internal mesh to catch non magnetic debris.
-Powerfull magnet

Adey magnaclean professional 2
-Easy installation
-Push-fit fittings to slide filter onto main body

Is it Possible to Install a Magnetic Filter to my Current Central Heating System?
Whilst it is easier to have a Magnetic filter installed during a new boiler installation, they certainly can be fitted as an after market option to your existing central heating system pipework. Factors like location of your existing pipework may be a factor. If it is possible to add a magnetic filter to your current heating system, we would recommend you give us a call for a quote today.

Do Magnetic Filters Require Cleaning?
The sludge that the magnetic filter is clearing from the heating system needs to be removed from the filter itself every now and then. You can ask an engineer to do this during the annual service of your boiler. The sludge and debris will collect within the filter body over time, it will need to be emptied and the filter cleaned. The best time to do this is on your boilers annual service by a gas registered engineer.

What if I Don’t Have a Magnetic Filter?
A magnetic filter will prevent sludge build up and other contaminants before it causes a blockage within your heating system or boiler; this will in turn leave your system needing a powerflush to clear any blockages. If the sludge hardens and get impacted, then no amount of flushing will clear the blockages. If this happens you will need new pipework or even worse a new boiler installed. Preventative installation is the best course of action to keep your central heating running smoothly.
In conclusion: should I get a magnetic filter fitted?
When having a new boiler installed, you want to know that you’ll be able to rely on it to provide your home with heating and hot water for many years to come. This is where a magnetic filter can help. As sludge and dirt build up in the pipes, your boiler will slowly lose efficiency, which can then lead to your energy bills increasing. A boiler filter will capture all of the dirt and debris before the water is prevented from flowing through the system.

When choosing the best type of boiler for your home, there are a lot of different factors to consider. The information below will help you conclude which boiler you have, and which one you may wish to consider long term.

Boiler Types Explained

There are three main types of condensing gas boilers: combination (or combi boilers as they are commonly called), system boilers and conventional boilers (or commonly called heat only, regular boilers, open vented or regular boilers).
Before deciding which of these boiler systems to proceed with you should always consider:

-The current size of the property and any potential extensions in the future

-The current boiler type and pipework layout in your property

-How many showers and bathrooms are in your home

-The area’s water pressure

-The type of property you live in

-If the boiler needs to be solar compatible

Each type of condensing boiler is designed to meet 1 or more of these needs, depending on your house and lifestyle requirements.
To help provide you with more information into which boiler replacement option is the most practical choice, look at the information below. We will show you how each boiler type operates, their advantages and what kind of homes they work best in.

Combi Boilers

A Combi boiler, also known as a combination boiler, is a type of condensing boiler.
They are the UK’s most common type of boiler in the account, accounting for 95% of all boiler sales, and can be a very cost-effective economical option, as combi boilers only heat the water you use. They are a perfect solution for smaller properties, where spacing is minimal.

Please click here to see Worcester Bosch’s YouTube video explaining combi boilers further.

Energy & Cost Efficient
You only heat the water you use when you turn the tap on, making combi boilers are very economical and cost-efficient to run.
Quick & Easy to Install
A combi boiler does not require a tank, it is a straightforward boiler to install.
Hot Water on Demand
With no hot water cylinder to heat up, combi boilers provide an unlimited supply of hot water on demand.
Compact
Due to not requiring water tanks, combi boiler systems take up much less space than conventional heating systems.

System Boilers

A System boiler heats your central heating system and hot water in a storage cylinder.
They are remarkably alike to a conventional (regular) boiler in that they need to store hot water. Unlike conventional boilers, they take their water supply directly from the mains supply. They are a great solution for large households with more than one bathroom, and larger hot water requirements.
Please click here for a video about systems boilers explained.

Great for properties with Multiple Bathrooms
System Boilers can supply a constant supply of hot water to any number of taps at the same time when the pipework is sized correctly making them ideal for larger homes.
No Cold-Water Feed Tank
With a system boiler, there is no need for a cold water feed tank for the central heating, creating space and removing any worries about leaks or frost damage when it is located in the attic.
Compatible with Solar Water Heating Systems
System boilers are compatible with solar water heating systems, which deliver economic and environmental benefits, lowering energy bills.
Built-in Components
A lot of the components needed for a central heating system are already included in a system boiler. This can make installation quicker and neater.

Conventional Boilers

Conventional boilers run your central heating system through a separate water cylinder and boiler.
The benefits of conventional boilers are similar to the benefits of a system boiler; however, they are a good option if you have an old heating system that may not be to cope with a pressurised system boiler or combi boiler. They are also a good solution where the water pressure is low, as then you can use a pump to create a better flow – although these are noisy.
Please click here to Worcester YouTube video for conventional boilers.

You Can Use Multiple Taps at Once
Hot water comes from a water cylinder; you can use multiple outlets such as taps and showers, without experiencing any real effect on water pressure/flow or temperature.

Compatible with Solar Thermal
Conventional boilers are compatible with solar water heating systems for a lower carbon footprint and lower energy costs.
So, they better for the environment with lower running costs and saving energy.

Low Water Pressure Areas
If you live in an area with low water pressure, a conventional boiler may be the best solution as you can be utilise other equipment to increase the domestic water performance within the property. For example, using a pump to increase the flow of water.

We hope this gives some idea of the types of boiler you can have fitted in your home. For more advice on what type of boiler you require in your home give us a call today for a full in-depth survey to identify what boiler is best for your home and lifestyle needs.

What to check first:

Firstly check the pipework coming up through the floor to your radiator. If the pipe on one side is hot coming into the radiator, but no heat is coming through, then your radiator valves will need looking at. In a lot of cases, it will be the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) where the pin is stuck in the valve or is corroded to a point where it won’t open. This will either need freeing or the TRV will need replacing. This will involve draining the central heating system to change it.

If the pipes are cold coming into the radiator:

The first thing you need to do is turn your central heating on and let the system heat up. Once the central heating system is warm, turn off all the other radiators, except the one that is not getting hot. Hopefully, you may hear some gurgling noises and heat start to come through the pipework. If this is the case you may have had an airlock due to uneven pipework under the floor. This is very common in open vented systems where you have a tank in the loft that supplies your heating system with water.

Leave your boiler running for about 10 minutes then re-check the radiator for heat. If there is still no heat coming through the radiator, change the TRV valve. If a new Valve does not cure the problem then it is most likely there is a blockage somewhere. This is where you will need to call the professionals in to investigate the problem. More than likely, the system will need a flush. For more information on this click here.

No radiators are working in my home:

If your radiators are not heating up and your boiler is working, you will need to check the central heating pump is working. A central heating pump distributes heated water from your boiler around your home’s central heating system. For this, we would recommend calling in the professionals. A common symptom of a failed pump is that you will hear popping and banging noises inside the boiler as the water boils but cannot be moved because of a failed pump.

One or more radiators are hot at the bottom, but cold at the top:

If this is the case, you will need to bleed the radiator to remove the air. Once this has been done and the air has been removed, the radiator will heat up again evenly across the top of the radiator. Remember If you have a sealed system, for example, a combi boiler, you will need to add some water back into your central heating system via the filling loop.

One or more of my radiators are hot at the top yet cold at the bottom:

The most likely cause of this is sludge within your radiators and central heating system. If this is the case you will need to call the professionals in for this one, this is something we would recommend getting the professional in to diagnose and rectify and not really something that should be done without the correct training and equipment. For more information on this click here.