We want our customers, our potential customers and, in fact, as many people as possible to feel fully equipped with as much knowledge about their homes as possible. Of course there will be times when you absolutely need to call a professional heating engineer right away but there are plenty of small tasks that you can do yourself, to keep your central heating in good working order.
It just makes good sense to know as much as possible about the machinery in your home. For that reason, we have collected together a series of ‘how to’ videos, created by Worcester. Hopefully you’ll find them helpful. If you do, or if there are any other topics that you’d like to see videos on then please get in touch and tell us.
Today we’ll talk you through the guidance provided in the video on how to unfreeze a frozen condensate pipe. Of course, if you have frozen pipes, Cheshire householders can also contact us direct to discuss the problem.
We love that, using these videos, we are now helping people all over the world with their heating. Frozen pipes? Cheshire and Northwest based homeowners can give us a call but if you’re further afield these videos can still help. Simply check out the helpful video on how to unfreeze a frozen condensate pipe, which you’ll find in the gallery section of our site.
This guidance video has been produced by manufacturer Worcester. We recommend that you watch the full video and heed the warnings before attempting to enact any of the guidance but here is an overview of that guidance, at a glance.
All combi boilers produce condensate and installers can choose to run the condensate pipe on the outside of an external wall. This isn’t wrong. It’s fine to run a condensate pipe externally but doing so can lead to the pipe freezing in cold weather, particularly if the manufacturer’s guidance hasn’t been followed closely. If your condensate pipe freezes, your boiler can stop working. To unfreeze it and get things working again, you have three options:
Once your pipe has thawed, it’s a good idea to get your installer back to properly insulate it, to ensure that the same thing doesn’t happen again. If you have frozen pipes in Cheshire, we can do that for you.
As well as this one, there are plenty more ‘how to’ videos in our gallery section now too, so whatever problem you’re facing with your heating system head there and take a look.
For boiler installations and breakdowns, plumbing, heating repairs and frozen pipes Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester contact Causeway.
Which is the best boiler for your home? come to Causeway‘I’m wondering about the best boiler for my home but I want impartial information.’ This is a statement that we hear from customers and that we thoroughly understand and appreciate. If you are considering making the investment in a new boiler then you want to know that the machinery you buy is going to do the job better than any other. Can you really trust an installer like us to provide you with impartial advice? Well, yes and no.
Naturally, our advice isn’t completely impartial. We install boilers and we work with a particular brands, so the chances are that we’re going to recommend a Worcester Bosch boiler. However, Worcester Bosch is one of the leading manufacturers. We Causeway is an independent company, so we’re free to recommend any brands we like and we choose this one for some very good reasons. Also, within the Worsecter Bosch range all bases are covered, so any suggestion we make will always be based on what’s best for you and your home.
The best boiler for my home won’t necessarily be the same as the best boiler for your home. There are variables. However, there are a few consistencies as well. UK building regulations state that all new and replacement gas-fired boilers must be condensing boilers. In addition to this, we see no reason not to have a boiler installed that isn’t A rated. Modern, A rated condensing boilers could take the efficiency of your home to over 90% and and save you up to 30% on your heating bills over the course of a year.
In the boiler section of our website we link to the Worcester Bosch website, where you will find full information about the company’s range and the different types of boilers within it. Here we’ll provide you wiith a brief overview of the three main types.
Combination boiler
The combination boiler, better known as a combi boiler is a water heater and central heating boiler in one. Combi boilers are compact and energy efficient. They heat up water as and when you need it, so there’s no need for you to have a separate tank in your home, storing hot water. Water heated by a combi boiler is delivered hot, at mains pressure on demand.
Combi boilers could be the right option for you if have a small property, want an economical solution and want to maximise space.
System boilers
System boilers are larger because they require a cylinder for storing hot water but both cylinder and boiler are combined in one unit, so they are easy to install and don’t require a separate tank in the loft. System boilers are also compatible with solar panels.
A system boiler could be the best for you if you have solar panels, or if you have more than one bathroom, so need a consistent supply of water to more than one tap at a time.
Regular boilers
Regular, traditional boilers include a boiler, linked to a separate hot water cylinder, which is fed by a cold water storage tank in the loft.
A traditional boiler could be the best option for you if you already have one and it needs to be replaced by a new model, if you have solar panels or if you need to use a lot of hot water all at the same time.
For more on this, give us a call and tell us about your home. We will be happy to provide you with expert advice and cost effective solutions.
Identifying Boiler Issues with your NoseYour boiler provides you with warmth and comfort throughout the harsh winter season. Although you may not pay much heed to it while it’s there, it’s something that you will definitely miss when it’s gone.
Therefore, it’s vital that you keep it in the best condition at all times. Sometimes, water heater issues can manifest in ways that you may not have thought was possible. In fact, you may not even realize the immediate connection at first. There are times when homeowners let issues slide because they don’t think that it has anything to do with their boiler. Before you know it, however, the problem will have gotten out of hand.
One sign that many people overlook when it comes to their boiler system is the smell. After all, what can smell really say about the condition of the device?
In this article, we’ll discuss three distinct scents that you should keep a nose out for, as they may indicate that your unit is not functioning as it should. With that said, let’s get to it.
Boilers generate heat from a metal coil inside the unit, so when dust, debris or other particles come into contact with the coil, they will burn. This is a normal occurrence, so you can expect to smell it once every so often. A burning smell that goes away by itself within 20 to 30 minutes is nothing to worry about.
When it is a recurring incident however, the smell may indicate that there’s an issue with the furnace burner or the air filter. If there are a lot of dust particles in the air, it may pile up inside the heating unit. Once the clump of dust falls onto the furnace, it will burn and send the fumes throughout the room. Therefore, you should look to change your filters every three months to make sure that this doesn’t keep happening. If the problem persists, call in a technician to take a look inside the appliance.
If your boiler smells rather musty, chances are that the scent is due to a buildup of mildew inside the heater unit. This is often an issue with a boiler that hasn’t been turned on in a while and it’s a cause for concern.
Mould spores and mildew can cause respiratory problems and it increases the risk of cold and flu, especially in those with a weak immune system. People with allergies will cough and sneeze more often in such an environment, seeing as they are more sensitive to airborne allergens. To solve this problem, clean out the ventilation pipe, the evaporator, and the furnace coil inside the heater to get rid of every trace of mildew and mould inside the unit. If the problem doesn’t go away after the cleaning, you know who to call.
If the scent of rotten eggs wafts across the room when you turn on your boiler, there is a possibility of a gas leak from the unit. This is highly dangerous, as it means that there’s a flammable gas inside your home.
We suggest you turn off the boiler, get out of the house, and call an inspection service immediately. Fun fact: natural gases don’t have any smell. The rotten egg scent is actually added to the gas to make it more noticeable and warn the residents of a gas leak.
If you’re looking for a boiler repair service in Liverpool, Causeway Heating is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
4 Things You Can Do to Prevent Premature Boiler RepairsNo one wants to encounter problems with their heating system. Heating repairs are one of those things that most homeowners cannot fix by themselves and will have to call in the professionals.
Although it is a given that your heating system will not last forever, there are still things that you can do to delay the need for heating repairs and replacement. Here are some actions that you should take to extend the life of your heating system:
While you may not want to go through the trouble of calling in central heating specialists, it is the best way to make sure that your heating system is running as efficiently as it should. By scheduling regular maintenance appointments with experienced and qualified technicians, you will not have to worry about your central heating system failing anytime soon.
That is because the problems will be eliminated before they develop into something more serious. Heating maintenance is best conducted during the fall as it would be right before you will have to use your heating system full time. The technician will perform a thorough inspection of your heating system. They will also clean the burners, tighten electrical connections, and take other steps to ensure that the unit runs as smoothly as possible.
Another simple thing that you can do is turn down the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is not set to an unnecessarily high temperature. For example, the temperature of 75°F may be a little too high when you could live with 68°-70°F just fine. The last thing you want is your heating system failing when you need it the most. Find the best temperature that works for everyone in the family and stick with it. When no one is home, you can turn the thermostat down by five to ten degrees.
One thing that you can do by yourself without the help of a professional is changing the air filter. All you have to do is go to your local hardware store to get rid of the dirt and any buildup that may be clogging your heating system, preventing it from functioning properly. Not only does a dirty air filter can negatively impact your air quality, but it also affects your heater’s performance. This is why it is imperative that you get your filter replaced every one to three months.
When you change the temperature on the thermostat too often, it can take a toll on the parts of your boiler that is meant to run in steady and consistent cycles. One easy way to prevent this problem is to get a smart Wi-Fi thermostat, which can help you find a comfortable temperature and keep it there throughout the day. Moreover, it is very crucial that the temperature is not turned up too high when the weather is cold. Instead of heating your home faster, the system will only become overworked.
These are some things that you can do to prevent problems that will require heating repairs or even replacement. That being said, your central heating system will not run efficiently forever, regardless of how well you take care of it. When it is finally time that your boiler or radiators will have to be repaired or replaced, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional.
If you’re looking for a boiler repair service in Liverpool, Causeway Heating is your best option.
Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
Household Hacks – Maintain your Water Heater for LongevityWater heating is slowly proving itself to be a necessity in millions of homes around the world, due to the harsh effects brought about by climate change and colder climates.
Can you imagine yourself going through freezing temperatures without a trusty water heater? We definitely couldn’t, and you most likely wouldn’t be able to either.
Taking care of your water heater is an important part of ensuring that life goes on as usual everyday without having to deal with a shower situation that could leave you shivering for hours on end after you finish. However, with continued use, water heaters become prone to breaking and will cause a surge (pun intended) in your electricity bills.
Want to keep warm water flowing through your plumbing so you can have comfortable showers for years to come? Here are a few essential tips that can keep your water heaters in tip-top shape:
Give your T&P valve a thorough check
The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve act as a safety barrier for your water heater by releasing excess pressure and temperature through it in order to help your water heater run smoothly as you use it. However, as you continue to use your water heater, your T&P valve may run the risk of exploding. This can make for a disastrous shower you won’t soon forget.
In order to save yourself from injury or death by water heater (we’re not kidding, that’s actually possible), inspect your T&P valve in three simple steps:
Keep your electricity bill low by lowering your water heater’s temperature setting
When it comes to most standard water heaters, 130 degrees is the typical factory setting that’s used for, well, heating water. However, a majority of professional plumbers and heating experts recommend setting the temperature in the range of 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your electric bills from surging to astronomical levels. This can also prevent your water heater from overheating.
Flush your water heater regularly
In order to keep your water heater running smoothly for extended periods of time, performing a mini-flush that wipes your water heater’s tank free of sediments that accumulate over long usage periods is recommended. When left untreated, your water heater will be significantly less efficient, and the tank may corrode—sometimes beyond repair. Flush your water heater by simply doing the following:
Get an expert to regularly service your water heater
In most cases, there are some aspects of your water heater that you can’t fix or maintain on your own. By hiring a professional (such as someone from the Causeway Heating team) to check your water heater every once in a while, you’ll be able to make sure that it keeps running as smoothly as possible. However, in some cases, they will recommend a complete replacement of your current water heater—an option that is often more cost- and energy-efficient.
Protect your water heater tank with an insulating blanket
By putting an insulating blanket on your water heater’s tank and any other exposed pipes in the system, you can lower the amount of standby heat loss while cutting your energy consumption by a huge margin. That can even extend the whole system’s life in the process.
If you’re looking for a heater repair service, Causeway Heating is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
Household Hacks – Maintain your Water Heater for LongevityWater heating is slowly proving itself to be a necessity in millions of homes around the world, due to the harsh effects brought about by climate change and colder climates.
Can you imagine yourself going through freezing temperatures without a trusty water heater? We definitely couldn’t, and you most likely wouldn’t be able to either.
Taking care of your water heater is an important part of ensuring that life goes on as usual everyday without having to deal with a shower situation that could leave you shivering for hours on end after you finish. However, with continued use, water heaters become prone to breaking and will cause a surge (pun intended) in your electricity bills.
Want to keep warm water flowing through your plumbing so you can have comfortable showers for years to come? Here are a few essential tips that can keep your water heaters in tip-top shape:
Give your T&P valve a thorough check
The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve act as a safety barrier for your water heater by releasing excess pressure and temperature through it in order to help your water heater run smoothly as you use it. However, as you continue to use your water heater, your T&P valve may run the risk of exploding. This can make for a disastrous shower you won’t soon forget.
In order to save yourself from injury or death by water heater (we’re not kidding, that’s actually possible), inspect your T&P valve in three simple steps:
Keep your electricity bill low by lowering your water heater’s temperature setting
When it comes to most standard water heaters, 130 degrees is the typical factory setting that’s used for, well, heating water. However, a majority of professional plumbers and heating experts recommend setting the temperature in the range of 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your electric bills from surging to astronomical levels. This can also prevent your water heater from overheating.
Flush your water heater regularly
In order to keep your water heater running smoothly for extended periods of time, performing a mini-flush that wipes your water heater’s tank free of sediments that accumulate over long usage periods is recommended. When left untreated, your water heater will be significantly less efficient, and the tank may corrode—sometimes beyond repair. Flush your water heater by simply doing the following:
Get an expert to regularly service your water heater
In most cases, there are some aspects of your water heater that you can’t fix or maintain on your own. By hiring a professional (such as someone from the Causeway Heating team) to check your water heater every once in a while, you’ll be able to make sure that it keeps running as smoothly as possible. However, in some cases, they will recommend a complete replacement of your current water heater—an option that is often more cost- and energy-efficient.
Protect your water heater tank with an insulating blanket
By putting an insulating blanket on your water heater’s tank and any other exposed pipes in the system, you can lower the amount of standby heat loss while cutting your energy consumption by a huge margin. That can even extend the whole system’s life in the process.
If you’re looking for a heater repair service, Causeway Heating is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
Troubleshooting Guide for your Heating SystemAlthough the heating system in your home has beaten freezing temperatures time and time again, one possibility looms as you continue to use it over the years: the chance of it breaking down in any way, shape, or form.
Whether it’s a significantly lower output from your boiler or a sudden surge in your monthly utility bills, there are many ways to tell if your heating is experiencing some problems that you need to address.
The reason why your boiler might have some significant problems along the way is because of the ventilation issues that may arise throughout the years, which are usually caused by structural flaws due to damage or incorrect installation.
When faced with a faulty boiler, one of the most practical and useful things you can do is to go over the following carefully to determine what you should:
Before you even attempt to solve any issues with your boiler, you’ll have to determine when the issues started coming up. Just like a doctor’s appointment, the best way to cure your boiler or air conditioning’s issues is to get a proper diagnosis. Only when you know what the root of the problem is will you be able to carry out a plan to fix it.
This step involves having to check your utility bills to determine which month your energy usage started spiking. You may also need to compare your home’s utility costs for the past few years in relation to your heating or cooling activities. If your bill this year is comparatively higher than it used to be, then there’s a problem within your system, but if your bills were always high, then you’re definitely looking at a messed up installation process.
Once you’ve determined the issue at hand, you’ll have to check your ventilation to see if you can identify the main reason behind your boiler problems and if you can troubleshoot it. Whether you can actually fix the problem or not, accessing your ventilation is an important step in determining how the problem can be solved.
Due to the fact that some parts of the ventilation and air ducts are exposed in your basement, garage, or attic, your system’s issues can be easily spotted just by looking at the ventilation without having to pull your walls apart.
Ah yes, the final question that most people want to say “no” to, but actually end up doing at times. If you’ve diagnosed the problem, accessed your ventilation, and checked the plausible problem spots to no avail, then it would be best to have a professional come in and take care of your ventilation problems.
You may think it’s too expensive to hire an expert to eliminate the problems in your heating system and maintain it every once in a while, but the truth is it would be cheaper to do so rather than having to replace your system (or part of it) after your stinginess got the best of you. If you get a professional to come in and take care of your unit, you can avoid any costly repairs and replacement expenses in the future.
If you’re looking for a boiler repair service, Causeway Heating is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
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