All You Need To Know About Gas Safe

When you hire an engineer to service your home gas appliances, such as your oven or boiler, it is very important to make sure they are Gas Safe Registered. Poorly serviced or incorrectly installed appliances can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, and it is thought that low standards of workmanship account for almost all deaths caused by gas leakage. You can easily check whether your gas engineer is Gas Safe Registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or calling 0800 408 5500.

The Gas Safe Register replaced the old CORGI system (Council of Registered Gas Installers) in 2009. It is now the only official register of gas engineers for the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

The Register works by only accepting engineers who have recognised qualifications and adhere to strict safety standards. All of the work completed by the engineer is then logged for potential customers to check online or by calling the freephone number. The registered engineers also carry an ID card with their name, photograph and details of their qualifications. It is a good idea to check this before allowing an engineer to service your appliances, as an engineer who is qualified to repair a gas oven may not be able to service a boiler, for example.

No matter how plausible an engineer may seem, it is always a good idea to make sure they are registered with Gas Safe. It only takes a couple of minutes to check and it could be a valuable decision. The Gas Safe Register was created not only to promote high standards of safety but also to investigate unlicensed traders who could potentially put your home at risk.

Do You Need A New Boiler?

If your boiler is around ten years old, it could be time to replace it. Older boilers are less efficient, use more fuel and produce less heat than newer, condensing boilers. Despite the initial cost, by buying a new boiler, you could be saving yourself a significant amount on your heating bills. According to Boilers.org.uk, an old boiler costs the average household around £634 a year compared to a new energy-efficient boiler which costs a household only £401. There are also plenty of grants and special offers available if you feel you can’t afford the full cost of a new boiler so it’s worth checking out if you qualify.

All boilers fitted in the UK have to be classed as energy-efficient. This means they provide the maximum amount of power on minimum fuel. By purchasing an energy-efficient boiler, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also helping to save the environment, too.

A combination (or combi) boiler is a popular choice for many households, as they can provide the hot water for your whole house without needing a separate tank. However, if you have a large house and often need to run more than one shower or bath at the same time, a system boiler is a better option. These come with storage cylinders that can hold a large amount of water at any one time. The system boilers have largely replaced the old open vent or heating only boilers as they take up far less space.

Boiler insurance is a good idea, even with the purchase of a new boiler. Central heating repairs can be expensive and, without insurance, you could be left with no hot water or heating until your boiler can be fixed.

The best thing you can do is speak to a trusted, Gas Safe registered London plumber to find out the best type of boiler for your property.