HOMEOWNERS are being warned of six boiler mistakes that could be costing them hundreds of pounds.
If you have noticed your energy bills going through the roof, it could be down to more than just energy price hikes.
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Andy Kerr, founder at BOXT boilers says there are six signs that your boiler might need some attention.
Here is what to look out for if you think your boiler might be on the blink.
Your energy bills are soaring
Andy said some homeowners are surprised to discover that an indication of a long overdue boiler repair could be in their monthly bills.
A more efficient boiler system can significantly reduce energy wastage, which will help to reduce heating bills.
He recommends that you can save up to £95 a month with a new A-rated boiler and a Google Nest Learning Thermostat.
Of course, keep in mind that getting a new boiler is a costly investment.
It’s making a noise
Unusual sounds coming from your boiler may also suggest issues, said Andy.
Rattling or humming sounds could indicate issues with water pressure or air build-up in the system, while a hissing sound may indicate something completely different.
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Leaving this unattended could turn into bigger problems and lead to a costly breakdown.
The boiler expert suggests calling an expert if your boiler has not been serviced in the last 12 months and you are hearing noises coming out of it.
Reduced performance
If your boiler is not heating up properly, or you are having inconsistent hot water temperature or fluctuations when running your tap or when the radiators are turned on, these are all signs that your boiler needs servicing.
It could also mean that some parts need replacing.
Regular boiler servicing will prolong the life of your boiler and save you money in the long run, as well as keep your boiler warranty valid.
Your boiler is deliberately switching off
A faulty boiler may intermittently lose power or turn off without warning.
It may even fail to start running after you turn it on.
This is usually a sign that there is a serious issue with your boiler, and could be something to do with the various electrical components such as thermostats or other additional external controls such as the pump or valves.
However, Andy also warned that this could mean your boiler size is wrong for the size of your property and potentially not powerful enough to cope with the demands.
He recommends looking at the digital display as it may show an error code that will indicate the root cause.
Your radiators are not heating evenly
If the bottom of your radiators remains cold even with the heating on it could be due to a build-up of debris or sludge inside.
Andy warns that any build-up may damage parts of the hearing system such as pumps, heat exchangers, and even the radiator itself after a very long time.
He said it might be part of the service for your engineer to check water quality to make sure further work isn’t needed such as a flush to get your system water quality back up to scratch.
Cold radiators could also be a sign of trapped air. This is an issue that you could fix yourself by bleeding radiators.
Black marks near or on your boiler
Andy warned that scorch or spillage marks near your boiler are a major cause for concern.
He said they will look like dark marks on or near your boiler and could be due to lack of maintenance, overuse, consistently high temperatures, or electrical issues.
It could even be a fire hazard, so if you spot any dark marks, follow emergency procedures and ring gas emergency services immediately on 0800 111 999.
The number can also be found on your gas meter.
Andy concludes that: “Looking after your boiler can help you manage your energy bills in a more substantial way than you may have thought.
“By purchasing a new boiler, in the long run, you’ll not only save energy, but you’ll also save money, with research from the Energy Saving Trust showing that you could save up to £840 a year on energy bills with a new and more efficient A-rated boiler.
How do I get my boiler serviced?
A typical boiler service costs between £80 and £130 depending on where you live.
It should be easy to book one in – you can go through your normal plumber.
Or you can book an appointment with a larger company, like British Gas.
Watch out for plumbers offering substandard services as well.
The Sun spoke to Winston Davis, plumber and founder of Avenue Heating, who said anyone doing a service should be spending 45 minutes to an hour and a half checking, cleaning and replacing parts where needed.
To avoid being on the receiving end of a shoddy service, Winston said to do an ID check on the plumber.
“Before anyone carries out gas work in your home, ask them to show you their Gas Safe identity card or proof that they are a gas engineer,” he said.
“There are thousands of unqualified people going around carrying out illegal gas works.
“If they are a genuine engineer, they will have no problem showing you their card or link to the Gas Safe website where you’ll be able to see on there.”
The Gas Safe website has a “Find an Engineer” service where you can trace the plumber and check if they are on the Gas Safe register.
Alternatively, you can find a local engineer who is registered with Gas Safe.
You just have to go on www.gassaferegister.co.uk.
