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Look after your heating this summer

May 31, 2023

Tip to keep your heating system in top condition...


There are a few simple things you can do during summer to keep your heating system in top condition – read on to find out more….


1: Turn it off


You can simply turn your boiler off in summer when it’s warm enough that you won’t be needing your heat on. But do remember to turn it on for 15 minutes once a month to prevent problems in winter. Combi boilers can just be turned to ‘hot water only’ – easy peasy!


2: Service your radiators and pipes


It’s not just your boiler – the radiators and pipes need some love too! And the ideal time to do this is when you’re not using the system much.

  • Insulate your pipes – pipe lagging is cheap, easy to fit, and can make a big difference
  • Fitting reflective insulated panels on the walls behind your radiators can heat a room quicker, and keep it warm for longer
  • Powerflushing can clear out accumulated sludge from your system – give us a call to find out more



3: Get it serviced


Boilers work best with a little TLC, and an annual service will make sure that everything is running smoothly. Give us a call to book a boiler service with us – it’s the perfect time, now you’re not using your heating


4: Check the pressure


Boilers work best at the correct pressure – it can vary depending on the conditions, and whether the water in the system is hot or cold, but should generally be around 1.5 bar. Below 1, or above 2.5, and you may need to correct it, either by adding more water into the system, or by bleeding a radiator to reduce the pressure. Check your user manual for simple instructions – or if you’re not sure how to do it, just get in touch and we’ll sort it for you


5: Repair or replace


Boiler on its last legs? You don’t want to be stuck without heating during the winter, so why not think about upgrading now? We have a range of offers on boiler upgrades, so just let us know what you need!

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Look after your heating this summer

By Adam Gill • 31 May, 2023
Tip to keep your heating system in top condition...

How smart is a smart thermostat anyway?

By Adam GIll • 25 May, 2020
So what IS a smart thermostat? You probably remember the catchy jingle from the Hive adverts when they launched a few years ago, and they do pretty much what they say on the tin. Connecting to the boiler in the first instance, the thermostat tells the boiler when to turn on the central heating, at what temperature and how long for. Smart thermostats then use the internet to sync to a website or mobile app so that the heating can be managed from anywhere with an internet connection. Most providers also give the user access to information which can help them to save money by showing trends and suggesting smarter ways to use your heating. Are they expensive? Depending on the brand and capabilities the price can vary quite a lot. However, a smart thermostat can be bought for around £150-£300, a cost which you should be able to save from your energy bills through the coming months or year. Should I buy one? The biggest perk of a smart thermostat is using it away from the home. If you’re looking for a way to track your energy uses there are more cost effective devices for this, so if you’re home most of the time it’s likely an unnecessary investment. The main sell is that you can turn the heating off from the airport if you forget to before leaving for a holiday. You can also turn it back on as you set up to come home to ensure the house is warm for you when you walk in. The same goes for impromptu overnight stays with friends or family or even if you’re leaving work later or earlier than expected. Having this control does and has saved thousands of happy customers a lot of money. Which smart thermostat is best? There really isn’t a fix all answer for this one. If you need help picking the right device give our team a call, once we know what you want to achieve and your budget we can put together a free, no-obligation quote to solve your problems. There are four market leaders though which generally are the ones most worth working with. They are well developed and tried and tested with good warranty and support options. Google’s smart thermostat, the Nest Learning Thermostat, and tado both have artificial intelligence to enable them to make decisions for you based on your behaviour. It monitors your heating settings in the beginning then maintains them for you going forward whilst giving of course an override option. British Gas’ Hive and ScottishPower Connect are more about user control, whilst giving a large array of data to their users to help them make smart decisions, they take the passenger seat and require full user management. These devices suit a more sporadic and spontaneous lifestyle better than the former. Will I definitely save money? If you take the time to manage the device properly then chances are the answer is yes. According to tado, its smart thermostats will help customers save an average of 31% on their heating costs – about £200 a year. ScottishPower on the other hand, claim that they could save you around £337 a year if you spend about around £200 a month on your heating. Ok, I’m sold! ...What now? Give the Pro-Gas team a call so we can talk to you about your options and take you through the next steps!

A Gas Safety Guide for Landlords

By Adam GIll • 05 Feb, 2020
Thinking of renting out your property? More and more of us are taking this route, but it's important to remember that being a landlord comes with a long list of responsibilities and obligations - and near the top of that list is Gas Safety. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your tenants when it comes to any gas appliances installed in the property. Whether you're a new landlord, or someone that is already renting out a property who just wants to brush up on their legal obligations, we’ve created this brief guide to help you make sure you’re doing everything you need to. Who is a landlord? Under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, and landlord is anyone who rents out a property, or part fo their property, under a lease of less than 7 years. So even if you’re just renting out your spare bedroom, or letting your home out on Airbnb for the week whilst you’re on holiday, you are legally considered a landlord – and these obligations apply to you. So what are my responsibilities? As a landlord, you must: Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in safe condition Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue Keep a record of each safety check Can I delegate responsibility to my tenants? In a word: no! It is your responsibility to ensure that your property is Gas Safe. Can anyone carry out a Gas Safety Check? Again, no. The regulations state that ONLY a Gas Safe registered engineer may carry out a gas safety check. You should always check the registration card of the engineer that visits you to carry out the check. You can check our credentials on the Gas Safe Register here . Is there any support to help me make sure I’ve done everything right? Yes, lots! Both the HSE website and the Gas Safe Register offer lots of advice and guidance for landlords You can ring the Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363 Or you can call us here at Pro Gas – we have lots of experience in the field, and our Gas Safe Registered engineers can guide you through everything you need to do!
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