What would you do if your boiler breaks down? Who would you call? A heating engineer or a plumber?

We get phone calls all the time from worried customers form across south Wales with faulty boilers who are unsure whether they have called the right person. It’s fair to say that the lines between a heating engineer and a plumber can be blurred and when the pressure is on to stop a leak from a boiler or restore heat to you house, knowing which one to call can make all the difference.

Your boiler uses a lot of water pipes and is plumbed into the mains, so should you call a plumber to repair your boiler? The answer to this question is …. No.

Here’s the difference between the two.

Heating Engineer

The clue is in the name! A heating engineer will work solely on heating in domestic and commercial properties rather than working across the broader industry, making them specialists in heating and gas work. They carry out a wide range of jobs from maintaining and installing heating pipework to fixing appliances when they break down. For this reason, you may prefer to contact a heating engineer rather than a plumber, as they may be more familiar with your issue.

You should still ensure that your heating engineer is Gas Safe registered before allowing them to work on your boiler.

Plumbers

We feel the confusion has come from plumbers, as their trade can cover a multitude of tasks when it comes to bathrooms, kitchens, wet pipes, dry pipes, boiler maintenance or servicing and heating systems.

While many plumbers do possess a number of plumbing skills and qualifications, they are not essential in order for them to trade as a plumber, meaning that anyone can refer to themselves as a plumber without any formal certifications. Although they may be experts in their field and highly recommended, they may not be Gas Safe registered and therefore can not work on your boiler.

Some plumbers are also Gas Safe registered, however this should not be expected as standard. If you find a plumber who is also offering gas central heating services, check the Gas Safe register to make sure that they are legally permitted to work with gas.

Gas Safe Register

A boiler repair or service involves working with gas, so only a Gas Safe registered engineer can legally work on a gas boiler. The gas industry is highly regulated to ensure that relevant services are provided to the highest safety standards, so if your repair is to a boiler or other gas appliance, you must make sure that you contact a Gas Safe engineer.

Luckily Limgreen has everything you need right here, with just one phone call and a few simple questions we can have the right person on the job.

Boiler Check list.

• Check your gas supply – are your other appliances working? Is the emergency control valve open? If none of your appliances are working, then call your gas supplier as it is likely to be a problem at the mains.
• Press your reset button – it might have tripped due to a safety precaution. You should find it on the front of your boiler but otherwise check manufacturer’s instructions. You should NOT have to remove a panel to locate the reset button.
• Is your boiler pilot light? Older models with a pilot light might require reignition. Follow your boiler manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s a newer model, then you could try pressing the deblocking button to reignite the burner.
• Check your power supply – check to see whether one of the fuses hasn’t tripped on your fuse box. Sometimes the obvious is overlooked! And can be fixed with a simple reset.
• Heating controls – check the times on your thermostat / programmer. Get the manual out and make sure you’ve got them set up correctly. Check your timer. Your thermostat will lose accuracy as it gets older and might need replacing.
• Check your boiler pressure – low system pressure in boilers can cause them to run at a lower capacity or cause them to stop working completely. It’s especially common in combi boilers. The pressure gauge should be at 1 bar when your system is cold. If your boiler has a flexible filling top, you’re able to fill up (charge) your system with water yourself. If you’re at all unsure as to how to do this then please call us and we’ll set out one of our Gas Safe Register engineers to service your boiler.
• Radiator valves – these might be a problem. Fiddle around with them to see if you can get them warming up. For a standard lock shield valve, you’ll need to remove the plastic cover and use the appropriate tool (can be from DIY shop) to adjust the setting, whereas a thermostatic valve can just be turned to the desired setting.

Contact limegreen 

The post Do I need a heating engineer or a plumber? first appeared on Limegreen.

There are five common problems that require immediate attention if your home is to stay warm and inviting during the festive season through the New Year, and a well maintained boiler not only keeps you cosy and warm but also money.

No Pilot light. 

This could mean you have a significant problem with your system that requires an expert right away. Pilot lights can go out as a fail safe to prevent an explosion from a build up of gas! If you smell gas you should leave the property and contact us immediately!

My boilers knocking and clunking 

This is an easy symptom to notice as the clunking and clanging is keeping you awake at night! This is probably caused by a build-up of air in the system. Leaking  or loose pipes, taps or connections can draw in air, and the same problem can be caused by low pressure. Not a serious problem but it is something you’ll need to call one of our engineers to resolve.

The lights are on but no one is home?

Everything seems to be working but your radiators are FREEZING! This is the most common fault with boilers and can happen with the new type of ‘condensation boiler’ that has a pipe at the back that funnels condensation away from the unit. Because it’s filled with water it can freeze during winter, causing the whole boiler to stall. This is something you can easily fix yourself  simply by defrosting the pipe with some warm (not boiling!) water. Simply pour it over the length of the pipe until it has thawed.

Working but not warm enough

You may be sat at home with the heating on but it just isn’t pumping out enough heat, what do you do? Well there are a number of causes for this problem,  but perhaps the most common is your thermostat is inaccurate. As a highly sensitive piece of equipment it can only take a slight knock to throw the thermostat out. It needs to be placed with a high degree of accuracy, and over time its delicate electronic components can wear out.  So before calling us to quote you for a new boiler it might be worthwhile checking the thermostat is up full or getting us to check out that old thermostat,  as that might be the main suspect.

The dreaded limescale 

In the same way it can effect your kettle, taps or shower, limescale and hard water are problems that Limegreen residents have had to deal with for years. The white residue from hard water can be visible in most appliance, but can go undetected in your boiler.  If this builds up it can significantly reduce your boilers efficiency and puts stress on the system. If this is the case you need to have it professionally removed using a specialist cleaning product.

The post Our Top 5 Winter Boiler Problems first appeared on Limegreen.

One problem that can occur during this time is your rads not heating up like they should. Air can get trapped in your heating system. This trapped air causes the radiators to have cold spots which reduces their efficiency.

You can bleed your radiators yourself with a relatively cheap radiator bleed key which should free the trapped air and allow the hot water to fill up the radiator.

•  turn off all your heating to let the radiators cool down. Bleeding involves putting a radiator key  onto a valve at the top of the radiator, you don’t want to do this when the heating’s on.

• Grab an old towel or cloth and hold it at the bottom of the valve. Gently use the radiator key to open the valve until you hear the air will come hissing out. When you see water coming out turn the key back the other way to shut the valve off.

• *IMPORTANT Once you have finished bleeding all the radiators you require, you will need to check the pressure on your boiler. Top the pressure up using the tap under the system. The gauge should indicate a pressure level between 1–2bar. When you turn the valves you will hear water rushing into the system and see the pressure gauge raise. If the pressure does not increase then you may need to call out an engineer.
  

  Are your radiators back to normal?

• Check for SLUDGE! If when you check your radiators you find they are still cold at the bottom rather than the top this means there might be sludge, which is debris that builds up in the radiators over time and settle at the bottom.  This could mean you will need to have your system power flushed to unblock the pipes. If left untreated this can cause holes and leaks in the radiators themselves and possibly greater more expensive repairs.

For more information on this or to call out an engineer for a poorly heating system get in touch with Limegreen on 029 2066 6622 to arrange a call out.

The post Top Tips On Bleeding Radiators first appeared on Limegreen.

Walking through Cardiff’s Bute Park in the mornings it is clear to see the leaves are turning and winter is well and truly on it’s way. Soon we’ll all be turning our boilers on for the first time, but before you bring your boiler back from it’s relaxed summer holiday, it could be time to book it in for a service.

Having your boiler serviced regularly is essential to ensure that it runs efficiently and safely.  Yet most people only ever call a boiler engineer to arrange a boiler service when it’s too late  and their boiler stops working. By this time the problem is usually major, costly and you could be putting your family’s health at risk.

A well-maintained boiler will be safer and more efficient

A regularly serviced boiler will also help reduce your heating bills. The correct checks and cleaning will not only help in the efficiency of your boiler, but it will also detect any wear and tear or distress to the boiler. This means it may be easier and cheaper to treat effectively. So, a safe boiler is less likely to breakdown if you have it serviced regularly

Our team of fully qualified gas engineers have over thirty years experience in the industry, safely installing reliable and cost effective boilers into homes throughout Cardiff & South Wales. Their approachable manner and broad knowledge is the foundation of their dedication to providing a high level of service for all customers.

To book your boiler in for a service or simply a check up call our engineers who are all Gas Safe registered engineers.

The post Winter’s coming, Have you had your boiler serviced? first appeared on Limegreen.

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe.

• Check your gas appliances every year. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants – make sure your landlord arranges this. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at staygassafe.co.uk.

• Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500. 

• Check your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card. 

• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctlyg. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. 

• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

The post Gas Safety Week: Fighting for a Gas Safe nation first appeared on Limegreen.

Smart thermostats let you easily monitor and control your heating from anywhere via computer, tablet or smart phone.  Smart thermostats could save you up to 30

Some are smarter than others too with the ability to learn your heating habits, switch on your heating ready for when you arrive home via geo-location and even utilize cost-saving techniques such as turning off your heating when the device senses no-one is at home.

Smart thermostats give you so much more control over your heating system and allow you to understand the cost and implications of your heating habits an change them accordingly to save money.  A smart thermostat such a The Tado, Wave or Nest device could save a family with 3 children up to £240 per year on heating bills due to increased efficiency.

What are the benefits of a smart thermostat over traditional thermostat?

• Make savings on your heating bills – in fact it could pay for itself within 12 months!
• For the first time you can see how much heating you are using in your home.
• It`s so easy to adjust the heating, when you are in or out of your home.
• You will never pay for heating your home when you are not there again.
• You can ensure your home is nice and warm when you arrive

Limegreen is a SmartInstaller approved company. Be smart and give us a call today.

The post Smart thermostats could save you up to 30% on your energy bills! first appeared on Limegreen.

Abdul Manik, 54, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at Plymouth Magistrates following an investigation.

HSE began inquiries when Plymouth City Council alerted them to the lack of a gas safety certificates for a number of flats at the property at Meadfoot Terrace, Plymouth. The council had asked him to provide certificates on at least seven separate occasions.

HSE served an Improvement Notice on Abdul Manik, requiring him to undertake landlords’ gas safety check and maintenance but this had not been done by the notice expiry date.

In December 2014, a gas engineer called in by one of the tenants at the flats found serious problems with the gas boiler at the flat and notified HSE. The gas boiler was classified by the Gas Safe registered engineer as ‘immediately dangerous’, meaning if operated or left connected to the gas supply it could cause an immediate danger to life or property. The boiler was replaced by Plymouth City Council after Abdul Manik failed to undertake the necessary repairs.

Abdul Manik of Lockington Avenue, Plymouth pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulations 36(2) and 36(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Section 33(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined a total of £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,817.

HSE Inspector, Simon Jones, speaking after the hearing, said: “Landlords have a legal duty to carry out gas safety checks and maintenance which are there to protect their tenants from death or injury.

“In this case, Mr Manik ignored repeated requests to carry out the checks and as a result, a serious fault with the gas boiler at one of the flats undetected until discovered by an engineer.”

The post Dont be a silly Landlord first appeared on Limegreen.