Blue Flame Gas Services Shares Their Top Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Heating Systems

    LONDON, ENGLAND, July 30, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Although summer is (allegedly) here and your boiler and central heating system are probably the last thing on your mind, now may be a good time to ensure your heating systems are in tip top condition before winter rolls around again. So says Alan Cecil, Director of Blue Flame Gas Services and whose family business has been running for over 25 years throughout SE London and North West Kent.

Here he shares a few ideas as to how you may get the best out of your heating systems, not only in terms of efficiency, but also in terms of fuel costs:

- painful as it may seem in tough times, put aside a budget for an annual heating systems service and check - this may prove cost-effective in the longer term as the chances of breakdowns may be reduced and you may achieve improved fuel efficiency;

- consider replacing obsolete boilers - nobody would suggest constantly upgrading your boiler to the very latest one available but very old and obsolete boilers may be very inefficient (by today's standards, ie Band F or G) and that may mean considerable extra fuel costs for you;

- the same may also be true for very old radiators that might be half full of sludge;

- consider also fitting thermostatic radiator valves (TRVS) to improve the system's efficiency:

- use a timer - some people don't use their timers at all meaning that their heating system is on for far longer than necessary each day (for example, in summertime, you may find that your boiler only needs to be on for briefly each day to provide sufficient hot water for the taps and showers etc);

- set the water temperature appropriately - if the water coming out of your taps is so hot that it is painful to the touch then there is a very strong argument for turning down the thermostat and saving yourself money in the process, or improving the system controls;

- consider your configuration - ask a heating engineer to review the placement and numbers of your radiators as sometimes, particularly in DIY installations, these may have been placed in the wrong locations leading to cold spots and higher fuel costs;

- get a heating engineer to flush your system - a heating system may end up with an accumulation of black sludge (more correctly called magnetite, a product of electrolytic reactions between different metals) in the radiators and pipes, something which will impede its efficient operation;

- consider installing a system filter to help keep your central heating boiler and systems running efficiently;

- use the correct doses and type of chemicals in your central heating system - speak to your gas central heating engineer for more information;

- check for air or gas in the system formed during sludge formation - cold spots in radiators may indicate an inherent fault in the system and whilst a temporary solution is to bleed your radiators, if the problem is a recurring one, then a gas engineer can recommend some further steps.

Alan summarises: "Giving your boiler and central heating systems a bit of TLC can help avoid problems further down the line. It is also important to note that things like servicing should be carried out annually, rather than on an 'as-and-when' basis. Failure to do may invalidate any claim made your home insurance where the cause is attributable to your heating systems.

"Finally, any gas engineer you use in the UK should be registered on the Gas Safe Register. That way you can feel confident that they are properly qualified."

Visit www.blue-flame.co.uk for more information.

About Blue Flame

A family-run business now celebrating its first 25 years of success, Blue Flame Gas Services has achieved a fantastic customer satisfaction record over the years.

Whether it's a full central heating installation or a replacement boiler in a one bedroom flat, Blue Flame Gas Services can staff the job to finish it in one day to minimise disruption to customers, and ensure maximum customer satisfaction.

Blue Flame specialises in the installation of high quality, full gas central heating systems, system conversions, boiler exchanges and offers FREE energy efficiency advice. In addition, we also carry out much smaller jobs like connecting a gas cooker, for instance.
- Fully trained Gas Safe Register registered engineers
- Adequately insured through a GBP2m Public Liability insurance policy
- We cover the domestic marketplace in south-east London and north-west Kent
- Members of The Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) encompassing the Government's "TrustMark" initiative

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