Five Signs a Boiler Service is Needed for Your Boiler

Five Signs a Boiler Service is Needed for Your Boiler

Boiler Service

 

A boiler service is very important, a well-maintained boiler can last up to 15 years and while an annual boiler service will help to ensure the best possible lifespan of your central heating system, the older your boiler gets the harder it will be working to heat your home.

 

A boiler in need of replacement is unlikely to be energy efficient or cost effective, but more importantly, it could be a danger to you and your family.

 

Serious boiler problems can lead to more than a lack of heat. A serious concern is carbon monoxide poisoning that can be fatal if it goes unnoticed. If any of these signs are manifesting themselves, have a registered RGII technician (Gas Boilers) or a registered OFTEC technician (Oil Boilers) out to have a look at your boiler.

 

1. It has not been serviced in a year

Regular servicing is very important. So if you have not serviced the boiler in more than a year, don’t wait for the serious signs to consider getting it serviced. Your boiler is subject to wear and tear and regular maintenance is necessary to ensure your heating system is efficient.

 

2. The Pilot Light keeps Going Out

A pilot light that will not stay lit is a sign that it is not functioning properly. The pilot light is the ignition source for the boiler; if it does not stay lit then the burners for the boiler cannot be turned on.
Also if the pilot light burns a yellow flame, this could be a sign of carbon monoxide and you should call a registered technician straight away.

 

3. Your Boiler is Making Strange Loud Noises

If your boiler is making an unusual noise, it won’t take long to spot it. Your boiler heating up is one of those sounds that will fade into the background; that is until something is not working properly.
There could be a number of faults that are the cause of any strange or loud noises that are not typical with the boiler, this will be often due to wear and tear of the pump and fan.
It is important to have it checked at the earliest opportunity by a registered technician.

 

4. There is a Strange Smell From Your Boiler

One of the signs that your boiler needs a service is that a strange smell coming from it. This happens when there is a gas or oil leak in your boiler. Leaks can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if unchecked.
If you notice dark marks on the boiler casing, you should contact a registered technician immediately.

 

5. Your Home Doesn’t Feel as Warm as it Should

If your home feels cold even with the heating switched on, then the boiler could be at fault. It is important that an accredited plumber or RGII registered technician (Gas Boilers) investigates the reason why your home is not heating up as it should be. Assuming that all of your radiators are in good working order in which case a power flush might be needed on the heating system but if the radiators are working then the boiler will need to be checked.

 

An annual boiler service is important to keep your boiler well-maintained and to ensure the best possible lifespan of the boiler.
If you are looking for a gas boiler service or an oil boiler service contact us today.

Tips on how to Reduce Your Home Energy Bills and Save Money

Reduce Your Home Energy Bills

 

Home Energy Bills

 

If you are concerned like all families are worried about your energy bills getting out of hand these are few helpful yet simple tips to keep on top of them.

 

Use a comparison website to check gas and electricity rates

If you are not 100% sure you are getting the best rates for your electricity, gas or oil energy bills. Then we recommend you using a comparison website to find the best deal out there for you and your family. There are so many introductory offers available from all the main suppliers and if you bring your electricity and gas to the one supplier you can get even better rates. There’s no need to worry about switching to a new tariff or supplier, it’s all very straightforward. But remember to read the small print.

 

Pay your bills online

Homeowners and business can avail of serious savings on their energy and utility bills, simply by changing the way they pay. If you agree to pay online and by direct debit you will receive even greater savings. Try to have paperless billing also there are even greater savings here. If you have access to the Internet, make sure you use it, let your fingers do the walking.

 

Remember to read your meter regularly

Homeowner end up paying much more than they need to for their energy bills, as they go on the estimates given to them by their suppliers. If you check your bill at the reading if it has a € beside it will mean Estimate. If it has an (A) it will be an actual reading, we recommend reading your meter regularly, so your bills will be based on accurate readings. You should be checking your meter at least once every three months and informing your supplier or updating your online account. If you’ve been overpaying and have a lot of credit on your account, you can ask your supplier to give you some money back.

 

Only heat your home when necessary

If you’re going out for the day, then you won’t really need your central heating or hot water on, as no one will be there to benefit from it. We recommend investing in a timer so that your heating only comes on when you need it to. Make sure you also turn down the radiators in any rooms that you are not using and keep all windows and doors shut when the heating is on. In really cold weather we advise to close the curtains around 6pm when it is starting to get dark as it will save any heat already in the house.

 

Draught proof your home

One of the easiest ways to make energy savings is to draught proof your home. SEAI (sustainable energy authority of Ireland) say by simply investing in some cheap materials to seal your windows, doors, loft hatches and pipework. Whilst you’re at it, we recommend sealing your letterbox, as this is one of the main culprits for letting out heat in the autumn and winter. It’s also an area that people often forget to draught proof!

 

Put on some extra layers

Homeowners use far much more energy than they need to, simply because they insist on walking around in a t-shirt in the middle of winter! “Wake up it’s not the Caribbean” By simply putting on a cardigan or jumper, you will find that you can lower the temperature of your home a number of degrees and can reduce around 10% to 20% of your heating bill. That can make a huge difference in the long run. It may even help you save that extra money to get you to the Caribbean.

 

Upgrade your boiler

Swapping your old boiler for a new condensing a rated boiler will dramatically cut your energy bills by a minimum of a 1/3 each year. Make sure you get quotes for a new boiler installation, so you secure a competitive price. We would be delighted at Dewar Gas & Oil Service to offer you a great deal. Our professional in-house staff will be on hand to provide you with a no obligation quote.

 

Different Types of Gas Boilers for your Central Heating System

Types of Gas Boiler Heating Systems

Types of Gas Boilers

If you have the unfortunate problem of a boiler breakdown in winter and you have to replace your gas boiler or you are simply looking to upgrade your gas boiler then there are a few things you need to consider when choosing what type of boiler to install in your home. The size of your boiler, the type, construction, and energy efficiency will all have an impact on your home and your energy bills. You should take some time to consider your options and think carefully about which boiler to choose.

Below is some information on the regular or ‘conventional’ gas boilers, system gas boilers and combination or ‘combi’ gas boilers. (System boilers are very similar to conventional boilers.)

 

Combi Gas Boilers

A combination or combi boiler is both a high-efficiency water heater and a central heating system boiler in a single compact unit. Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap, so you won’t need a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water storage tank in the attic.
They are also very cost-effective and energy-efficient as water is heated instantly rather than being heated and then stored in a cylinder. An added benefit is that hot water is delivered at mains pressure, which means that you could get a powerful shower without the need for a separate pump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

System Gas Boilers

System boilers require a cylinder for storing hot water, however the major heating and hot water system components are built into the boiler itself, making it quicker and easier to install. In addition, there is no need for a tank in the attic, so it can be an option in a home with little or no attic space or where the space is earmarked for a conversion.
These boilers are also compatible with solar water heating systems, which deliver environmental benefits as well as lower energy bills.

 

 

 

 

 

Regular Gas Boilers

Regular boilers (sometimes known as conventional or heat only boilers) are ideally suited to homes that already have a traditional central heating and hot water system which is linked to a separate hot water cylinder. These boilers also need a cold water storage tank in the attic to feed the hot water cylinder as well as a tank that maintains the water level of the central heating system.

A regular boiler may be the best option for replacing an existing boiler if the property has an older radiator system, as it might not be able to cope with the higher water pressure that is delivered by system or combi boilers.

 

 

 

 

Call us Today for a Free Gas Boiler Replacement Quote

We at Dewar Gas & Oil Service are specialist in this field, looking after ten of thousands of customers across Dublin city and surrounding areas. We would be more than happy to send out a directly employed, qualified and fully insured heating engineer to give you a free written quotation for a Gas Boiler Replacement.

Why your boiler makes banging noise when firing up.

Boiler Makes Banging Noise

Boiler Makes Banging Noise

You arrive home and you put on the heating after a long day at the office. You have been thinking about that book you put down on an exciting chapter last night. You try to cosy up on the couch with a cup of tea. You should be at peace but unfortunately you’re disturbed by a strange but constant banging noise, despite being alone in your home. What the hell is that you ask yourself? Well, if there’s no one else in the house banging around. Let’s pray it’s not a burglar, it’s likely then to be your boiler makes banging noise / central heating system.

Your central heating shouldn’t be noisy at all, so if your boiler makes banging noise or any sort of humming, tapping, clicking and gurgling noises then you need to have it investigated. We in the trade call this kettling.

 

So let’s see what is causing all the fuss?

There are a number of reasons why your boiler makes banging noise but if you’ve just had a new boiler installed; this is likely to be the culprit. Whilst boilers shouldn’t make any noise whatsoever, if they’ve not been installed correctly, they’ll make all sorts of strange sounds.
Other problems can include poorly maintained heating systems and limescale build-ups.

 

Identifying the noise and problem

Before calling a plumber, we recommend you do some of your own checks. Try to find the location and times the noise starts, ie (is it when your heating just starts up, cools down, when the temperature is turned up higher etc. These are some of the questions the heating plumber will ask you when you phone them up. Below we’ve provided a quick guide to some of the sounds you are likely to hear and what they may mean.

 

Banging noise coming from the pipes

If you hear a banging or clanging noise, it’s likely to be coming from your pipe work. Check that they have all been fitted and secured with clips or bracketed and tied down properly. If you can see that they are loose or not secured properly, then that’s probably what’s causing those annoying sounds. If the pipes appear to be secured and clipped correctly, then there may be a pressure issue inside the pipes and system. The best thing to do is drain them out and refill the system again. If the banging persists, you will need a plumber, to perhaps power flush the system or install larger pipes for your new boiler.

If your heating thermostats are set at the wrong timing or the system is filled with too much pressure, they may cause your boiler to create a humming sound. To stop this from happening, we recommend checking that your thermostat is working correctly, that the correct water pressure is present (consult the manufacturers manual) it is usually between 1 mbar and 1.5 mbar depending on the system. If it is, it may be a cause of needing to reduce the water pressure, slow down a pump speed that is feeding the heating system.

Please keep in mind that if the pressure is set too high, it can cause damage to your pipes, which is likely to result in them banging and clanging. If you are unsure of any of these it is wise to contact a qualified heating engineer.

 

Gurgling and tapping noise from the radiators

If you can hear a gurgling or tapping sound coming from your radiators, there’s likely to be a build-up of air inside them. The solution to this problem is pretty simple – you just need to bleed the air out of the system.

To do this, loosen the bleeder screw (ensuring you’ve got a tub underneath, be careful not to open too much the screw could fall out on you) and wait for the water to appear. Once it does, you can be sure that all of the air has gone. Note you may need to top up the heating system if it is a sealed system to the recommended manufacturers water pressure, usually around 1mbar to 1.5mbar.

Tapping sounds can also be caused by lime scale in your radiator pipes also known as kettling. To resolve this issue, you will need to buy a descaling solution to pour into your system. Just make sure your central heating system is turned off beforehand.

 

Call in a qualified heating plumber

If you do not feel confident in investigating or trying resolve any of these issues yourself, it’s highly recommended that you get in touch with a Registered Gas Installer and or Oil Installer to see if your boiler makes banging noise. We at Dewar Gas & Oil Service are specialists in this field looking after ten of thousands of customers across Dublin city and surrounding areas. We would be more than happy to send out a directly employed, qualified and insured plumber to resolve it for you.