Isn't it funny that bad news always arrives at the worst possible time? Just as we need to tighten our belts that little bit more due to the state of the economy and rising prices in general we are dealt the added blow of increased fuel bills. Just as we have to increase our fuel consumption because of the winter temperatures we are told we are going to have to pay more for it. Doesn't seem fair does it? But there are a few simple tasks we can perform, some minor improvements we can make around the home that could save each of us a considerable amount of money. Energy saving measures lagging pipes, fitting draft excluders to doors and windows and loft installation are all things that most people can do to cut down on fuel consumption in the winter and save money. The water boiler is at the heart of your home, providing you and your family with hot water and heating. It should be looked at as an essential tool in providing you with comfort and security and needs to be looked after accordingly. If you are not looking after your water boiler by maintaining it properly and getting it regularly serviced then you are not getting the most from it for your family. It is well worth checking that it is safe and reliable during the winter months. Water boilers, like anything, age and eventually become redundant. The can become dangerously hot if they are used when they are not functioning properly and can also give off dangerous fumes. In extreme cases they can explode. There are many different types of water boiler, the kind of repairs will obviously depend on what type you have but there are also things they have in common. Whether you have a steam or hot water boiler and whether it is gas, oil or coal fired it is important to keep it maintained. Of course there are things that only a qualified professional can do; hydraulic testing and certification, burner servicing, chemical descaling, checking of smoke vents and replacement of faulty thermostats. All these checks need to be carried out by a qualified professional to ensure your boiler is performing as it should. A service by a reputable engineer will highlight any problems and in most cases they will be able to be fixed with minimal fuss. Often it is just a case of replacing a worn part or cleaning the water boiler. However there may be occasions when a boiler needs to be removed because it poses a danger or is beyond repair. The need to ensure that water boilers are looked at and given due care and attention was perhaps highlighted in the case of the death of a baby in Somerset who was scalded when a faulty boiler in the roof space above her cot exploded. There are warning signs to look out for if you think that you have a problem: 1.More hot water coming out of the hot water taps than you'd expect 2.A bubbling sound or noise coming from the hot water cylinder 3.Hot water coming from the cold water taps 4.Steam present in the roof space Particular care and attention should be taken with water boiler systems that are over 10 years old. Legislation is, quite rightly, very strict and often changes on a regular basis in accordance with new data and research. This can mean that a boiler that may have conformed to all the required laws when it was installed needs to be looked at again only a few years later. If you are in any doubt about your water boiler or central heating system the advice is to contact a registered, qualified engineer.
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