Did you know that the 1st October was official ‘Central Heating Day’? According to a recent article published by the BBC news service, the 1st October is the day most people turn their central heating back on and as the weather turns colder the thermostats chug back into action.

Rising costs of home heating mean people try to hold out for as long as possible before turning their central heating back on. Lucky though we are to have this ’standard’ luxury, most people take central heating for granted. However, the BBC article explores the ways in which our lives have changed as central heating became common place.

People no longer ‘dress’ for cold weather in their homes – favouring watching telly in a t-shirt, despite temperatures plunging outside. A modern condensing boiler and central heating system have changed the way we furnish and decorate our homes. Out have gone heavy curtains, thick carpets and small dingy rooms, replaced by designer blinds, open plan living and laminate flooring.

The flip side is people gathered as a family to keep warm but still interacted with each other, but today everyone spends more time alone in separate rooms in front of a telly or computer. Let us not forget the impact on carbon emissions and the environment.

So, instead of complaining about the cost of gas and electric prices, why not appreciate the luxury of central heating in your home and the freedom it provides. But, also try to do something for the environment and turn your thermostat down! Average homes set their thermostat at 22 degrees, but surely you could lose a degree or two by simply wearing a cardigan?

It goes without saying that gas central heating is fundamental to most homes across Great Britain. During winter, it is important to ensure that domestic heating appliances work effectively and efficiently. Although a broken down boiler will represent quite a considerable headache, the hidden costs associated with operating an inefficient boiler can hit where it hurts. However, the bank balance need not take a hefty knock this winter if the new boiler scheme by British Gas is taken up by those intending to replace their existing boilers.

Customers contacting British Gas before the 31st October 2009 to purchase their new boiler will receive up to £752 worth of savings. Specifically, customers will be able to enjoy £300 off the price of a brand new boiler and up to £248 worth of radiator heating controls or their cash equivalent. In addition, Free HomeCare 200 will be included with the boiler, which represents a saving of £204. Although this offer is sufficient to justify switching to a new British Gas boiler, there are a number of other reasons why it could be worthwhile. Replacing a noisy, ageing or malfunctioning boiler is something that should be done sooner rather than later to save costs and ensure that the central heating system remains safe – especially with Christmas fast approaching.

British Gas also claims its new boilers can save energy consumers money. Typical estimations suggest around £235 per year can be saved on heating bills by switching from an old, inefficient boiler to a new British Gas appliance. Moreover, British Gas boilers are installed by fully qualified Gas Safe engineers and spare parts are guaranteed for a minimum period of 10 years.

In today’s modern world, we are often reminded about our impact on the environment with not just green charities and seemingly faddish green energy devices being thrust into our lives, but also the Government passing new laws and rules on how we consume energy in our homes. But, apart from the environmental benefits, why should you or I strive for higher energy efficiency – what are our bonuses for an often expensive choice?

The answer is in energy efficiency – the more efficient our boiler system is in our home, the cheaper our energy bills become, and with the steady rise in gas, oil and electricity prices we are all experiencing, investing in a boiler that is more efficient is the answer.

But what is a high efficiency condensing boiler – and how do they work?

The Basics

The condensing process that occurs on high efficiency condensing boilers are what gives them their name. Condensing occurs in the most efficient types of boilers, inside using a larger or a secondary heat exchanger – this means that more of the energy that is created by the boiler is extracted to the exchanger to heat the water while the boiler is in use, and reduces the amount of energy that is wasted. Normally, this heat would escape up the flue of an average boiler, but in a high efficiency condensing boiler the heat of the flue area is lower, reducing the temperature of the flue gases and producing condensate.

When it comes to energy efficiency, a high efficiency condensing boiler is the most efficient type of boiler available on the market today, converting more than 86% of all the fuel consumed into heat. Most conventional boilers only manage around 78%, with older boilers and back boilers managing even less.
High efficiency condensing boilers are not just efficient with their energy, but also in the amount of materials used in their construction, and ultimately, their size. Depending on the work-load of the boiler needed, the size will vary, but many will fit snugly into a standard kitchen cupboard space. This can be much smaller than many other boilers on the market, especially when you factor in the energy efficiency – a less efficient boiler may need to be larger to create the same output as a high efficiency condensing boiler.

Types of High Efficiency Condensing Boilers

There are three main different types of high efficiency condensing boilers on the market today, these include:

Regular Boilers – A heat only or regular boiler provides hot water straight to your radiators. The system needs a storage cylinder for supplying hot water to taps and showers.
System Boilers – Requiring a separate hot water cylinder for storing heated hot water, but not requiring a roof tank like some types of boiler.
And
Combi Boilers – Requiring no tank, a combination boiler will heat up hot water on demand and circulate it where required. These are the most popular type of modern boiler, as they take up considerably less space.

What are the Negatives of a High Efficiency Condensing Boiler?

A high efficiency condensing boiler will suffer from an effect called ‘pluming’, which occurs in all types of condensing boilers. Pluming is a side effect of the condensing method, and looks like steam or gas escaping from the boiler and is much more noticeable in colder weather as it has an average temperature of 54°C. This plume of wet steam vapour will condense on a cold surface into small droplets of water, similar to when breathing on a window, and for this reason it is advised that all high efficiency condensing boilers are situated away from windows or cooler surfaces, as well as walls or internal corners where the damp may be trapped.

We’re pleased to announce our sister site Boiler Guide has been launched, the site offers a complete list of nationwide engineers for the installation and servicing of gas and oil central heating boilers.

The site enables consumers to find and locate engineers in their area and in some cases request quotes directly through the site. The quote request feature is being gradually rolled out as more engineers register for the service which is currently on a 6 month free trial basis.

Popular locations include Birmingham and London alongside Manchester and Leeds and with over 8,000 engineers listed we’re hoping to supply Britain’s boiler and heating engineers with a good supply of sales leads!

Spring is upon us and that means a new boiler offer from British Gas Boilers, this time you can save up to £504 on a new boiler or central heating installation, the breakdown is a follows…

1. £200 off the price of your boiler
2. £100 off if you are a current British Gas customer
3. £204 the value of a year’s British Gas HomeCare 200 taking care of your whole central heating system.

A Saving of £504!

More information can be found here  www.britishgas.co.uk/boilersavings

British Gas announce price drop…

British Gas today announced it will cut gas prices by 10% from 19 February 2009.  The reduction will apply to all customers on British Gas’ standard tariff, benefiting more than 7.5 million homes.

The price cut, which will save customers £79 on the average annual household gas bill, is the first standard gas tariff cut by a major energy supplier since 2007.

Managing Director, Phil Bentley, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to announce this price cut for our gas customers.  At British Gas we understand energy bills are a significant cost and we are committed to providing the best possible prices for customers.  This price cut will go some way to helping customers manage their budgets, and we will continue to do what we can, when we can.”

Over the last 12 months, the wholesale market has experienced unprecedented volatility. In 2008 the wholesale price almost doubled, but British Gas protected its customers from the full impact of this increase by buying wholesale gas in advance.

Mr Bentley explained: “Demand for gas is four times higher in winter than in summer.  We buy gas months before it is used so we can make sure we always have enough for our customers, and can protect them from sudden rises in wholesale prices.  The recent dispute between Russia and Ukraine demonstrates how important it is that we continue to do so, as it caused a sharp rise in wholesale prices which had fallen from last year’s peaks.”

On 19 February, British Gas will also introduce a ‘prompt payment discount’ of up to £15 per year for customers on standard gas tariffs who pay quarterly. For those standard tariff customers paying by direct debit, British Gas will automatically reduce their payments by 10% when the price cuts take effect.

These changes come on top of a recent price reduction for British Gas’ pre-payment customers and improved information about the company’s online product – making British Gas the first energy supplier to meet Ofgem’s key requirements following its recent probe into the UK energy market.

Energy efficiency – further savings

Announcing the 10% price cut, British Gas also highlighted the importance of energy efficiency in helping customers reduce the amount of energy they use and save money.  Because of rising energy prices and the tough economic climate, the company has seen a huge increase in demand from its customers for expert advice on using less energy – particularly through its website: www.britishgas.co.uk.

Mr Bentley confirmed: “More than two million customers have filled out an Energy Savers Report, and through our advice we have shown how households can save, on average, £175 per year on their energy bills.  While we expect gas markets to remain volatile, we strongly recommend customers take control of the amount of energy they use, and we’re keen to help them do this.”

As well as offering expert energy-saving advice, British Gas has a commitment of around £1 billion by 2011 to subsidise the installation of energy efficient products in customers’ homes.  This includes the use of insulation and energy efficient boilers, which can reduce energy bills by up to £365 per year.

More info can be found here: British Gas Websaver

British Gas Boilers today announced an additional discount for new and replacement boiler installations, the new offer which will come as great relief for anyone considering  a new system in these cold months will also benefit from a years worth of HomeCare 200, British Gas’s emergency breakdown service.

The offer which runs until the end of January 2009 offers a £300 discount on new boilers + if you’re an existing HomeCare customer a further £100 off, new systems will also receive the free HomeCare package worth a further £204, a potential saving £604.

You can apply for the offer at British Gas’s website here

Start saving with a new boiler from British Gas.
With a new boiler from British Gas, you’ll save now and could save even more later. Trade in your old boiler and they’ll give you a £200 discount. Plus, if you’re an existing HomeCare customer, you’ll save another £100. You’ll also get a year’s free HomeCare 200 (worth £204) to take care of your boiler and central heating system. It includes unlimited call-outs, plus parts and labour. But that’s not all.

Enjoy long-term saving, too.
You could save up to a third on your heating bills by replacing your old boiler – that can add up
to £270 a year. Add to that your free reward of either thermostatic radiator valves, cavity wall
insulation or loft insulation to save even more. Cavity wall insulation alone could save you a further
£275 a year. British Gas even have a Flexible Heating Improvement Plan available for some customers, so you can pay for your boiler over a period of time. Find out more at British Gas Boilers
on Home Heating Guide or at the following British Gas Links…

www.britishgas.co.uk/tradeinboiler
www.britishgas.co.uk/boilersavings
www.britishgas.co.uk/boileroffers/homeheatingguide

British Gas have just released a new offer that runs until 25th October 2008. In summary this is as follows and applies to new boiler and central heating installations

• Save up to £604 off a new boiler with British Gas – hurry as the offer ends 25th October!
• £300 off when you trade in your boiler with British Gas, £100 off for existing Homecare customers and save £204 with a year’s FREE Homecare 200 worth £204
• You could save up to 1/3 on your energy bills by replacing your boiler with an energy efficient one
• British Gas have 5,500 Corgi registered engineers that will install your boiler quickly and with minimum interruption

Call 0845 358 2286 to benefit from this great offer or click here to read more about British Gas and the advantages of using them.

The last thing you want when you have a plumbing job that needs doing is to hire the services of cowboy plumbers. These dishonest tradesmen regularly pass themselves off as reputable plumbers but then go on to provide sub-standard work for the price you pay. So how do you tell who is honest and who is the cowboy? The following 10 point guide will hopefully help you to decide:

1. Reputable plumbers will be able to provide credentials and certificates if you ask for them. They may also show that they are members of the trade association ‘Institute of Plumbers’. There is no law to say that plumbers have to be members of the association, however, those that take pride in their work as honest plumbers will almost certainly have membership.
2. When you ask for a written quotation, honest plumbers won’t have a problem providing one but cowboy plumbers may only offer a verbal quote or a scribbled note with some figures written on it and in these cases you should avoid using their services.
3. You should also ask to see their Certificate of Public Liability Insurance. Any plumber without this type of insurance is sure to be a cowboy plumber.
4. Most reputable plumbers will also be able to supply the names, addresses and phone numbers of past customers that are willing to vouch for the quality of their work. Cowboy plumbers on the other hand will probably make excuses why they can’t provide suitable references.
5. Most tradesmen today, and this includes plumbers, offer a standard contract that guarantees the work they do in return for the agreed payment. Cowboy plumbers almost certainly won’t offer this extra service which means their work will in no way be guaranteed should something go wrong with it later on.
6. Along with the standard contract, honest plumbers will also offer some form of insurance-backed warranty on the work that they do.
7. Quality plumbers are normally booked up for weeks or even months in advance. This means that if a plumber says he can start tomorrow then he probably isn’t the kind of plumber that people recommend or return to for a second time.
8. Good plumbers are often recommended by customers to their friends and family whereas cowboy plumbers aren’t. If someone you know recommends a plumber by name then he is probably worth taking a look at.
9. When having plumbing work done, you shouldn’t be asked to pay anything in advance. If you are asked for payment up front then the plumber is probably a cowboy. The same goes if they ask for payment in cash and don’t offer a receipt for the money.
10. Legitimate plumbers will be able to provide you with a business or home address and a land line phone number as well as their mobile number. If they can’t provide this information then you should look elsewhere.

Conclusion

With a bit of common sense and forethought it is quite easy to spot cowboy plumbers. Saying this, thousands of people fall prey to them every year and so it is advisable to use a recommended plumber before you go searching through the local phone book for one.