Your Boiler – React Before Its Too Late

With the worst of the cold weather about to arrive, boilers will be working their hardest to keep your home warm.  If you’ve been avoiding a boiler service and relying on a creaky boiler you must get it checked. Old boilers cost hundreds more a year to keep your home warm and far worse, can be prone to carbon monoxide leaks which can be lethal.  Be one of the lucky 20 who benefit from our Valentines boiler offer to save money, get warm and rest easy.

Signs your boiler needs servicing/replacing

It’s fairly easy to detect when a boiler isn’t operating correctly. Some of the most common signs are:

• Leaking and dripping
• Lack of hot water and heating
• Whistling and banging noises
• Switching itself off

It’s important that you never attempt to fix a boiler yourself. Attempting to fix a broken boiler is extremely dangerous and so you should always use a Gas Safe registered engineer.

At Affleck we advise the best defence against carbon monoxide emissions as well as to keep your boiler running efficiently (saving you money) is to make sure that it is serviced annually.

In short don’t wait for your old boiler to ‘die’.  Old boilers cost hundreds more a year to keep your home warm and can be highly dangerous. 

The Killer in the Cupboard: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is also known as the ‘silent killer’ due to it being colourless, tasteless and odourless.  The NHS report that approximately 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning and an additional 200 people are treated for serious injuries relating to CO poisioning.   The most likely cause of these cases are old or poorly fitted boilers.

Protect Yourself: Sniffing out Carbon Monoxide

The best way to detect a possible leak is to fit a carbon monoxide alarm that operates much like a smoke alarm. Carbon Monoxide alarms can be bought online for around £14.99, and are also sold in hardware stores.

Carbon Monoxide patches are available for £5 but won’t sound an alarm in the event of a serious leak, so we don’t recommend them that highly.  However they do act as a visual alert which is preferable to no alert at all.

Unbeatable Valentines Boiler Promotion

Affleck are offering a brand new combi boiler, installed by an Affleck Gas Safe engineer, with a seven year warrantee and the second year gas safety check for free.   If you’ve been putting off buying a new boiler now is the time.

Here are the top Five Reasons you should replace your boiler.

• Latest Combi Boiler: Valient or Worsceter
  • A rated Energy Efficiency
  • Worsceter: Which? Best Buy
• Professionally installed by Affleck Engineer
  • Gas Safe registered
• 7 year warrantee
• 2 Years Gas Safety Check Free

All this for only £1600+VAT. Probably the best deal you will ever find in the UK on an A energy rated boiler and installation.

Call Affleck on 0208 971 7000 to arrange our Gas Safe registered Boiler Engineers to visit at a time to suit you. Quote 'Valentines Boiler Promotion' at time of booking.

Offer open to first 10 clients for works booked in February 2014 only. Price subject to survey.

Boilers: Repair or Replace? Why Change your Boiler if its not broken?

Top Five Reasons you should replace your boiler

1. According to Which? people in a terrace/semi-detached home could save over £400 a year on energy bills with a new efficient boiler
2. It if often more cost effective to have a new boiler installed that is under warranty than continuing to pay out for repairs to an old boiler – often the case if the boiler is more than 10 years old
3. Boilers over 10 years old can be unreliable and may not comply with current regulations
4. Health and Safety (HSE) regulations changed from the 1st January 2013 stipulating that boiler flues must be accessible, any Gas Safe Engineer that services a boiler with a hidden flue will have to class them as unsafe and they will fail their inspection
5. Affleck are currently offering a combi boiler swap with a seven year warranty for as little as £1700 + VAT

Tripwire: if you are calling out a Gas Safe Engineer more than once a year for your boiler, it’s time to change

Boilers fix or buy new?

Colin Hunt, Affleck's Head of Plumbing & Heating

"Cost of servicing a boiler for the first years is generally £85+VAT but after the warranty expires the costs often exceed £600 + VAT including parts - plus the discomfort that comes with having no hot water or heating, often at the coldest time of year. Typical parts failure includes pumps, diverter valves and thermostat controls.

There comes a point normally after 10 years where you end up paying so much to repair it, it’s far cheaper to get a new one. Not only will you save on maintenance costs and hassle but also modern boilers tend to be 30% more efficient which will save considerably on your energy bill. Which? calculates that with new condensing boilers – like the ones we’re offering – you could save over £400 a year on your energy bill in a terraced or semi-detached home. The average household saving is £310, which added to servicing costs on old boilers, gives a huge saving.”

Annual fuel costs with different boiler types (source: Sedbuk)
Boiler type	Efficiency	Flat	Terraced	Semi-detached	Detached
Old gas heavy weight	55%	£779	£1062	£1204	£1705
Old gas light weight	65%	£659	£898	£1019	£1442
New non-condensing	78%	£549	£749	£849	£1202
New condensing	89%	£481	£656	£744	£1053

Boiler Change: Case Study

Converted Victorian Terrace between the commons

Lilly - Affleck’s former Office Manager – has a common story.  When she bought her house she was alerted to the age of the boiler and the fact that the heating system was old and the house was plumbed with micro pipes.  Over the past 3 years she kept putting off buying a new boiler and instead paid for boiler services, replacement parts, new pipes throughout the house and new radiators.  All works were carried out to increase the heat capacity of the property. However the boiler continued to fail and some of the radiators didn’t heating up as well as they could – scarves and hats were all the fashion in the house.

Why Affleck Recommend a New Boiler For This Client

• Boiler was over 10 years old and prone to problems
• Lilly had already paid out for repairs and new parts to boiler over the past 3 years and bills were only going to rise
• There was a persistent dropping of pressure which cannot be traced to an obvious leak
• A planned loft conversion which would require a more reliable boiler
• Boiler flue crossed boundary wall and will need to be moved for access to flue

Boiler: Action Advised

Old boiler to be removed, new boiler with 7 year warranty (Vaillant Combi Boiler) installed in new location with easy access to flue.

Replacement Boiler Cost

£2500 + VAT

Client Feedback

Lilly - "Having paid my deposit I had a date with the plumber; the work began two days later. The plumber arrived on time and took charge of my keys and got to work. The works continued into the next day and were finished on time with minimal disruption.

"I hadn’t realised what discomfort we were in until we had the new boiler installed – my home felt cosy again and the hot water was constant, not fluctuating has it had some for some time. My advice is to take Affleck’s advice, if you have more than one service/call out per year on a boiler over 10 years old get your boiler changed ASAP."

• Affleck are currently offering a combi boiler swap with a seven year warranty for as little as £1700 + VAT – saving you hundreds of pounds
• Affleck are offering 7 Boiler Services for the price of 5 when paid for in advance. (In order to maintain your seven year warranty you will need to keep records of your annual Boiler Service)
• We are offering a 15% discount on Boiler Services for August
• Why not book a service now and receive a free estimate for a boiler swap this summer?

Call us now on freephone 0800 316 9595 - to book a service and a free estimate at at time that suits you.

Autumn Promotion: The Brilliant Boiler that Pays for Itself

Get 'Which? Best Buy' rated Worcester Bosch boiler installed by Affleck's expert Gas Safe registered engineers, and safe disposal of your existing boiler from as little as £1700 + VAT, with a free heating survey - a guaranteed best price on a like-for-like basis

Promotion ends 09/11/2012

The Best Boiler Installation in London: the Boiler that pays for itself

According to Which? The average annual fuel cost for a condensing gas boiler is £720* (*based on the needs of a three-bed, semi-detached and well-insulated home). New condensing boilers provide 95% heat per unit of gas, older model boilers only give 70% heat from every unit of gas – which means when compared to an older model you will be saving 25% on your heating costs or approximately £200 a year*, not to mention the additional cost and hassle of servicing an old one.

The Worcester Bosch gas boilers Affleck install are fully guaranteed for 5 years and have a typical life of 12 -15 years, meaning that the savings made more than cover the cost of the new boiler installation. You may also be eligible for a government grant to help pay for it.

Why not get your home really warm and cosy and save yourself time money and hassle? Call us on 0800 316 9595 to arrange your boiler installation at a time to suit you.

Signs your boiler could need replacing

• Constantly breaking down – how many times have you called out a plumber to work on you boiler? More than once a year is a troubling sign.
• Age – if your boiler is over 10 years old it could be coming to the end of its safe working life
• Slow to heat the house – if it takes longer than 45 minutes to heat all radiators in your house then you may need a new boiler
• Money –  A gas bill that is increasing over the prevailing rate is a sign that your boiler is not working efficiently
• Unable to control temperature – if you are unable to regulate the temperature of the boiler there is probably an underlying fault

Why change your boiler now?

• The sooner you switch the sooner the boiler pays for itself.  When compared to a older model you will be saving approximately £200 a year on gas bills, a figure that will rise as fuel bills increase.
• Guaranteed unbeatable price. Affleck will install one of the high efficiency Worcester Bosch condensing boilers (rated best buy by Which?) with 5 year warranty  at a price guaranteed to beat any quote on a like for like basis
• £35 additional discount  for all clients who share this promotion and their feedback via Affleck on Facebook:
• Like 'Affleck Property Services'
• Share/tweet our promotion on your Facebook wall
• Write/tweet your feedback on your Facebook wall and share on Affleck's page

Why use Affleck?

• Guaranteed to beat any on a like for like basis
• Free heating survey
• Gas Safe registered engineers
• Considerate and friendly service from the initial quote to your final visit

Considerations when getting a boiler installed

• A boiler installation will take 1-2 days during this time you will be without heating or hot water -  Affleck can arrange the works to be carried out at a time convenient for you to  minimise inconvenience
• When installing a new boiler Affleck engineers always lay full flooring protection and will treat your home like our own , with the utmost respect
• Only 40% deposit is required to book works;  the final 60% is only payable on completion and sign off by our Head of Heating and Plumbing

Gas boiler grants – get more money off your boiler

You may be eligible for a grant to cover some of the cost of a gas boiler installation from the Warm Front Scheme – English residents who own their own home or privately rent could be eligible for a grant of up to £3,500 towards heating and insulating their home. This scheme is being phased out over the next few years.

Contact Affleck for boiler installation in London on 0800 316 9595

Gas Safety Check: Gas Safety in your Home

Gas Safety can seem dull but it’s a responsibility that can’t be avoided for landlords, tenants and new home owners.  Make sure you know the basics of Gas Safety in your home.  The most important place to begin is with a Gas Safety Check and then by installing a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

Affleck are supporting Gas Safety Week is from 10th – 16th September and aim to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of looking after the gas appliances in your home.

Useful Gas Safety Numbers

• Gas Safe Emergency Number (England, Scotland & Wales) – 0800 111 999
• Gas Safe Register – 0800 408 5500
• Affleck Property Services - 0800 316 9595

What is a Gas Safety Check?

Gas Safety Checks can only be carried out by a registered gas safety engineer.  Many people are most familiar with CORGI but the regulator for gas safety check is Gas Safe Register. Any certified Gas Safe Engineer will do the following safety checks:

• Check the ventilation supply around the appliances is safe
• Check whether the appliance is burning the gas safely
• Check all the gas safety features are in full working order
• Check your flue or chimney to ensure the gases produced from combustion are being safely removed
• Shutting off any malfunctioning appliances

Gas Safety Check Cost

Affleck's highly qualified gas engineers can carry out a Gas Safety check for £75 + VAT for a home and up to two items, additional items are charged at £30 + VAT each.  This is one of the best rates in for Gas Engineers in London.

Protecting your Home from Gas Leaks

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a highly dangerous gas, produced by an incomplete combustion in solid, liquid or gaseous fuels.  It is produced by devices that burn fuels.  On a domestic level Carbon Monoxide can potentially be produced by malfunctioning boilers, cookers and fireplaces.  Any malfunctioning working devices in poorly ventilated areas can create elevated risks of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Protect your home from potentially lethal gas leaks by installing Carbon Monoxide Alarms or indicators.

Carbon Monoxide Indicator

The black spot carbon monoxide indicator is low cost and easy to stick up.  This device will only change to a darker colour when it detects Carbon Monoxide, therefore you will have to check it regularly to stay safe.  Black Spot detectors cost around £5.  However given their limited life-span - typically 90 days - we recommend only using these as a backup option.

Audible Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Audible Carbon Monoxide alarms are more reliable than Black Spot alarms and provide a greater warning as it makes an audible sound when it has detected the toxic gas. This makes it a much more reliable detector and the battery life can last up to 5 years.  The prices for audible carbon monoxide alarms range from £15 - £35. When buying an alarm look for the British EN 50291 mark - also written as BSEN 50291 or with the CE mark, the alarm should also have a British or European Kitemark.

Where to position a Carbon Monoxide alarm

Do not place the alarm right next to a door or in a closed cupboard; position the alarm so it is in a central area in a hallway or living area in the same room as a gas appliance. Fix the alarm on a wall at head height or on a table or bookshelf being at least a metre away from a boiler, fireplace and cooker.

Qualified Gas Safety Engineers

When fitting a new appliance or having a yearly check in your home you are legally obliged to use a registered gas safe engineer. Always ask for their ID so they can prove that they are fully registered.

Getting a cheap Gas Safety Check

No-one wants to pay more than is necessary for their Gas Safety Check.  Ask at least three different companies with registered gas engineers for quotations on the job you need to be completed. This will help you to get the best price in your area.

The quotation should include:

• The description of the work and what materials will need to be used
• Make and model of the appliance to be installed
• Location of the appliance in your home

By using a fully registered Gas Safety Engineer you have reassurance that you are having an appliance installed or checked safely. This helps to prevent any leaks and breakages that may occur with an unregistered worker who can’t guarantee a gas safe home.

On the completion of your new appliance the building regulations for England and Wales require it to be notified to the Local Authority (LA) within 30 days. You will then receive a Gas Safety Certificate.

Gas Safety Check for Landlords

Being a landlord is stressful, looking after a number of properties each one requiring a certain amount of attention. The primary concern for your properties is to be Gas safe. It is your responsibility for the safety of your tenants.

You must maintain pipework, appliances and flues in a safe condition, with all appliances to be serviced within the manufacturer’s instructions.  An annual gas safety check must be made on each appliance, chimney or flue, to make sure that all gas fittings and appliances are safe.

Within 28 days of the new Gas Safety Check you will need to present the check record to the tenants or the new tenants when they move in. Your new Gas Safety Check record should be kept for 2 years.

Gas Safety Check for Tenants

When renting a property from a housing organization or a landlord you should request a copy of the gas safety record.

If you own a gas appliance in your rented property you are responsible for getting them safety checked not your landlord.

If you think that your landlord hasn’t used the correct standards to perform a gas safety check you should request a copy of the check. Though if your request is refused there is a helpline with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which can be found on their website www.hse.gov.uk.

Gas Safety Check when Buying a New Home

When moving house you will need to be certain that the Gas Safety Check has been carried out in your new home. You should ask the previous owner for the certificate of the Gas Safety Check by a registered engineer

If one cannot be supplied you should organise a gas safety check before you move into your new home to assess each gas appliance. If an appliance is not working properly it will be shut off and need replacing.