Why Do Boiler Prices Vary So Much?

/in /by

The weather has been so good lately that Brits haven’t had to think about turning their central heating on over the last few weeks. 

The temperatures have regularly been over 20C, and even exceeded 32C on June 10th in Chertsey, Surrey, which is the first time the mercury has gone above 30C since August 2022.  

While many of us are enjoying being in the garden on a sunny day, going to the beach, or having barbecues with friends and family, it won’t be long before the need to put the heating back on returns. 

Therefore, if your boiler had started to play up before the hot spell, you might need to consider replacing it. However, there are big differences in the cost of boilers, which can be confusing to many homeowners. 

Which? explains the costs will vary according to the type of boiler you opt for, such as a heat-only or storage boiler, or one with a hot water cylinder fitting. 

The brand or model of boiler will also result in differing prices, and while lots of people may be tempted to go for the cheaper option, this might not work out being cost-effective.

“Getting a reliable boiler is the most important thing to consider when deciding which brand to go for, as it will save you money and stress in the long run,” the consumer expert stated.

Lastly, the size of the boiler can alter the price, with larger models being more expensive. 

 

Those who are worried about the expense of a new central heating system should consider getting new boiler finance in London, which can help spread the cost. 

Should You Turn Your Heating Off In Summer?

/in /by

There is much confusion around whether or not turning your heating completely off or leaving it on low helps you to save money and while the choice is entirely your own, it may be a good idea to understand which is the best option.

Many people believe that turning your heating off entirely is a bad idea and that you should leave it on year-round, even during the summer, at a low temperature to help reduce bills. However, this is not actually the case.

Leaving your heating on constantly can cause increased energy bills and can actually cause your boiler to deteriorate faster.

The best way to conserve energy and keep your boiler in good condition is to set your heating on a timer using a thermostat, so the heating only comes on when your home drops below your pre-set desired temperature.

This allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and stops you from overheating the house, as the heating will also turn itself off once the desired temperature has been reached.

This is the perfect compromise In the summertime and means that you can leave your heating and boiler on without actually having to use it.

While some people may prefer to turn their heating off entirely during the warmer months, it is advised that you still turn it on every so often during the summer to ensure it is still in good working order and no problems have arisen.

Your decision will depend on where you live, how warm it gets outside and your own personal preference. However, there is no right or wrong answer. You can leave your heating on without actually using it or turn it off entirely.

Either way will be sure to save you more money than setting it at a constant low temperature.

 

For boiler repair in North London contact BBS Plumbing & Heating today!

One In 25 Older People Have No Central Heating

/in /by

Recent data has shown one in 25 people over the age of 65 live on their own without central heating, putting their health at risk. 

This means there are more than 66,000 elderly people in England and Wales in one-person households who face freezing cold conditions during the winter, the Express reported. 

Age UK told the publication this could have “potentially serious consequences”, with its director Caroline Abrahams saying: “Older people lacking central heating often find it very difficult to stay warm during the winter months. Living alone can make this worse, as it means one person’s income has to stretch further to cover the fixed costs of heating.”

The area with the greatest problem was found to be Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, with 5.4 per cent of its elderly population living alone without central heating. This was followed by Gwynedd in north-west Wales at 4.6 per cent. 

London also has a high proportion of over-65s who do not have heating, with Waltham Forest (4.3 per cent), Lambeth (4.1 per cent), and Westminster (4.1 per cent) the worst affected areas. 

At the end of last year, Age UK called for the government to take further action to help elderly people afford to turn on their heating. 

It wanted discounts for lower-income households to be able to afford their energy bills, vulnerable households to receive funding for energy efficiency improvements, and more active promotion of the Energy Bill Support Scheme to help those on prepayment meters. 

Following the surge in energy prices over the last year, it warned more than a million older households were at risk of a “long, bleak winter”. 

Making your home more energy-efficient helps to bring down bills, which is why getting a boiler replacement in north London could help elderly people so they can keep their heating on over the winter. 

Here Are Five Signs That It Is Time To Get A New Boiler

/in /by

Nobody wants to start the new year with a broken boiler, knowing the next few months will be even colder. So, here are some signs to look out to see whether your boiler is on the blink and it might be time to get a boiler quote in London. 

Feeling cold

The most obvious sign your boiler is no longer working well is your home feels cold even when the heating is on. 

More expensive bills

Thanks to the fuel crisis, everyone is experiencing higher-than-normal gas and electricity bills at the moment, but if they are significantly steeper than previous months’, this could be due to your boiler’s inefficiency. 

Leaking

If you notice your boiler leaking water, this is a sign to have it professionally looked at straight away, as it could indicate internal damage. If it is not attended to, it could cause an electrical short-circuit, which can be dangerous to your property and those living in it. 

Becomes noisy 

If you suddenly notice your boiler has started to make noises, such as whirring, vibrating, humming, or clunking, this could be a sign it is past its best. 

There could be a big fault within the system that needs an engineer to look at, so pay attention to changes in noise. 

Smelly

If you think your boiler is having problems, be vigilant about checking for gas. Check if there is a smell around your machine, as this could mean your boiler is not burning effectively and carbon monoxide is being emitted. 

Dark marks on the boiler are another indication there is gas leak, so turn off the boiler immediately.

What To Do If You Need A New Boiler In The Next Year

/in /by

Over the next year, all boilers should ideally see at least one service, and during that time, a skilled engineer will look at your boiler, sometimes other parts of your water system or gas supply and make suggestions.

In some cases, they may give your boiler a clean bill of health. In others, however, they may slap a warning sticker following the unsafe situations procedure (GIUSP). This often requires shutting off the appliance or even disconnecting the gas supply until the issue is fixed or the boiler is repaired.

In quite a few cases, however, the advice will simply be that you need a new boiler soon, sometimes as far in the future as the next 12 months, whether that is due to obsolescence, age or other factors.

Once you get that news, here are some top tips for what to do next.

Look At Your Options

With many of the rules surrounding boilers changing over the next few years and a lot of options available, it is worth taking some time to look at potential options and alternatives to a conventional boiler.

This can include buying a new boiler, as new boilers designed to a “hydrogen-ready” standard are set to become available as early as 2023 according to British Gas. These would be designed to work with a blend of up to 20 per cent hydrogen once installed, but can also be easily modified to work with 100 per cent hydrogen.

Alternate options include heat pumps, both for ground and air sources, as well as biomass boilers and solar heaters.

Wait Until Summer If You Can

Boiler installations can take a few days, so ideally you will want to arrange it for a time when you do not necessarily need it, so it is ready for you when you do.

To this end, summer (as well as the months just before and just after) is the perfect season to get a replacement. It can also save money in installation fees and allow you to get it installed at your convenience.

For more information and advice from plumbers in London, get in touch today.

Top Tips For Saving Money On Your Gas Bill

/in /by

Heating your home in the winter can be expensive, especially with the cost of living seeming to constantly be on the rise. Being warm and comfortable in your home is important, but you can still stay cosy while saving a few pennies along the way. 

Keeping your boiler and heating systems in good shape can help save you money and improve efficiency, so your home will heat up and stay warmer for longer. 

Be sure to have your boiler and radiators checked to ensure they are working as they should and you aren’t losing money due to faulty equipment. 

Turning down your thermostat just a little can help you save money. You likely won’t notice the difference of a few degrees but your bank account will. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature doesn’t require always having the heat on full blast, so where possible turn it down a notch. 

Electric blankets are a great way to warm yourself up and they are incredibly inexpensive to use. Rather than cranking the heat up overnight to stay toasty in bed, try investing in an electric blanket that will keep you just as cosy at a fraction of the cost. 

Ensuring doors and windows are properly sealed and aren’t letting in a draft can make a world of difference. Even the tiniest of air leaks can cool a room down so make sure everything is nice and sealed so you aren’t losing heat – and money – unnecessarily. 

Finally, as old-fashioned as it may seem, try layering up before dialling the thermostat up. A jumper or extra blanket may be all you need to feel warm again without having to spend extra on heating the home. Besides, nothing beats curling up with a cosy blanket and a cup of tea on a cold winter’s day.

 

Do you need a boiler repair in North London? Contact BBS Plumbing and Heating today. 

New PM Caps Energy Bills At £2.5k

/in /by

Households worried about how they will afford their energy bills this winter will be pleased to hear the government has capped them at £2,500 per year from October 1st 2022.

Prime Minister Liz Truss, who took her new role on Monday (September 5th), has revealed plans to prevent the average household energy bill exceeding this amount.

Truss’ cap will last two years, meaning billpayers do not have worry their fees will skyrocket again in a few months’ time. 

This comes after Ofgem recently announced a cap of £3,549 in October, over £2,000 a year more what they were before last April.

On August 26th, the regulator revealed this reflects the rise in global wholesale gas prices, as a result of Russia cutting off gas supplies to Europe, as well as the aftermath of the pandemic. 

Chief executive of Ofgem Jonathan Brearley called the new Prime Minister to “act further to tackle the impact of the price rises that are coming in October and next year”. 

Truss said the government will be able to offer the reduced cap by “securing the wholesale price for energy while putting in measures to secure future supplies at more affordable rates”. 

She added this will ensure “we are never in the same position again”.

However, some have argued the new Prime Minister’s actions are not enough, with Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey noting this price cap is still double what they were last year. In April 2022, Ofgem increased bills for 22 million customers from £1,277 to £1,971 per year.

 

Find out about Barnet boiler repair for more efficient heating. 

Why Now Is The Time To Fit Underfloor Heating

/in /by

Right now, the last thing anyone in Britain is likely to do is turn on the heating. With lots of sunshine and the daylight hours at their longest, energy bills will be extremely low.

However, much as few will want to imagine it, shorter days are on the way. With Midsummer having passed, the nights will gradually draw in and a few months hence these long, light, sunny days will have given way to dark, cold, wet, frosty morning.

That may sound depressing, but it is important to think ahead, especially after the huge increases in energy bills last winter, a trend that could continue.

A key reason for this is that a major factor in the increases – the disruption of global gas supplies caused by the Russia-Ukraine crisis – is likely to continue, with fears that Russia may cut off supplies to ‘unfriendly’ nations altogether in the coming winter. Indeed, Germany, which uses more Russian gas than most, has made plans to ration use.

While Britain uses a mix of domestic and Norwegian gas, the knock-on effect on the global market will continue to push up process, so now could be the best time to invest in new ways of heating a home, by contacting underfloor heating installers in north London.

This will enable your home to be heated more effectively, meaning you can minimise the amount of energy used.

Of course, this will not be the whole story; energy efficiency also depends on good insulation so that when the heat has been generated it will not be lost too soon.

The government is believed to be considering a £1 billion plan to insulate low income households across the UK, but even if you do not qualify for such a scheme it could be well worth having it fitted.

With underfloor heating to keep your home warm and a few other measures, you can keep those winter bills down for years to come.

Have You Turned Off Heating To Cut Bills?

/in /by

Households typically lower their thermostat at this time of the year as the weather warms up, but subdued temperatures have meant many people have kept their central heating on to avoid the chill. However, those who are worried about their future energy bills might be facing cold conditions anyway, as they look for ways to reduce their heating costs.

Sky News has reported how more and more pensioners are switching off their heating and putting on lots of layers of clothing instead to stay warm.

One-fifth of retired men and women in the UK are already living in poverty, and with the cost of living expected to soar, this problem will only worsen.

Earlier this month, the energy cap was increased, which means households could spend up to £246 more on their gas bills every year, according to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). For many people, this extra expense is not one they can afford, particularly as the price of food and petrol are also increasing at a rapid rate.

Doreen Moore, 74, is just one example of someone who is relying on an electric fire, closed doors, and drawn curtains to keep her home warm.

She told the news provider: “It’s depressing. And it’s getting worse.”

BBC News also revealed how some pensioners are staying in bed all day to stay warm, skipping meals to save money, and using hot water bottles for extra heat.

One way to reduce energy bills is to upgrade your boiler and make it more efficient to run. Find out more by calling us today.

Major Energy Firm Offers Free Energy Efficient Boilers To People On Low Incomes

/in /by

A large energy company has offered a boiler installation worth £2,500 to people on low incomes to help them manage their energy bills more easily.

The scheme, offered as part of E.ON’s Affordable Warmth Scheme, offers the free standard boiler to people on a low income that are in receipt of certain benefits and are currently dealing with a broken or faulty boiler.

The criteria for which benefits qualify is somewhat specific but includes:

  • Universal Credit,
  • Other forms of income support for unemployed and low-paid staff, such as the Employment And Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • Carer’s Allowance,
  • Disability Living Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and other disability-related benefits
  • Several Armed Forces benefits, including the Armed Forces Independent Payment and War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

E.ON has noted that people do not need to be an existing customer of theirs to be eligible for the support, as it is part of a government scheme to help improve the energy efficiency of homes for people who are on low incomes.

It is also separate from a similar scheme known as the Green Homes Grant, which covered up to two-thirds of the cost of heating improvements that helped to boost the energy efficiency of a home or convert to a low carbon heating method.

This can include some forms of boilers, such as those which use biomass, as well as heat pumps that convert ambient heat in the air or from a ground source into heat to warm a home.

Once the Affordable Warmth boiler is applied for, E.ON will undertake a home survey to help identify areas where energy can be saved. Some of these works may not be covered under the scheme and the homeowner may have to pay part of the cost if they wish to go through with them.