The least you need to know

Facts and Information regarding central heating installation!

WARNING! The information below will save you a lot of money if read, understood and the contents used correctly!

We are one of few companies who adhere to ALL the relevant regulations, instructions, and good practice guides from: Gas Safe Register, CHeSS, (Central Heating System Specifications), water and local authority, Benchmark (code of practice for the correct service and commissioning of central heating boilers), and manufacturers instruction.

Fact: We have a duty of care to make Gas Safe aware of installations not completely to the standards of ALL the above, so have other installers, but, most don’t get involved, we were called to 27 new (less than 2 years old) in the last two years because either the installer had gone out of business, or, the installer do not service there OWN installations! Some of these appliances were reported to the authorities for non-compliance with regulations. Ask for a quote with the compliance written in, as we always write it in our quotes.

Fact: Flue-gas analysers are crucial for the servicing of condensing (which all boilers have to be, since March 2005) boilers, and for the commissioning of some boilers, Unfortunately, many heating installers do not own a flue gas analyser, we have 4 in operation used to commission the appliance. When getting quotes, ask which make and model analyser will be used.

Fact: Many installers do not own either, a ph (acid/alkaline) test kit, or metre, nor a Tds (Total dissolved solids) test kit or metre, these are required to meet boiler manufacturers specification with regard to water quality, the ph must be below ph8, and the tds must measure less than 10% different than the tap water, we own 2 of each of these testers, ask which metre will be used when getting quotes.

Fact: Any new system, full or part, should be power flushed, and more manufacturers are insisting that this be done in order to keep the guarantee, again though, many installers are lacking in this department also, and do not own a power flushing machine, some who do, still do not use it because it is time consuming, but, it is the only sure way of cleaning effectively, we have two Kamco machines with commercial sized iron filters attached and flush every installation. Ask which machine will be used by companies tendering for your installation.

Fact: Many modern boilers have aluminium/silica content in the heat exchanger, products within a regular system contain iron oxide (vented systems), and magnetite, these should not only be removed (by power flushing), but it is good practice to install a unit to remove these harmful substances, many new installations do not have such a unit installed, we install Magnaclean units (see link on web page) to every system, this ensures that none of the substances can enter the boiler. Ask potential installers which unit they use to prevent sludge build up.

Fact: More than 50% of installers are not approved by any particular manufacturer, this means you will be given the cheapest boiler available to them, and will probably only get a minimal guarantee from the manufacturers, we receive 5 YEARS guarantees through Worcester Bosch, this is because we have the knowledge, training and support of Worcester behind us. Ask your potential installer which manufacturer he is approved by, and to see some product literature other than a standard brochure, which would have been picked up at the suppliers. Boiler manufacturers offer plenty of information which is only for use by approved engineers.

Fact: Installations not compliant with the information contained within this info, will usually have problems within 2 years and are likely to be replaced within 7 years.

Fact: Many of our competitors do not service or repair boilers (including the ones they have installed), we service and repair, and have a good many clients who have taken advantage of our breakdown cover (available to all, but designed to take over from the guarantee), most manufacturers insist on annual service during the guarantee period, but installers who do not service will not normally tell you this. Ask for info with your quote from all companies regarding, guarantee period, cost of service per annum (65.00. with us) and cost of breakdown cover at the end of guarantee period (168 with us including full service).

Fact: Over half of the heating installers in this country are not plumbers or heating engineers, they are from different backgrounds, the problem here is, they only know how to install a combination boiler, therefore, no other options will be made available to you (sometimes it is more economical long term to keep a cylinder and a regular boiler, and be solar compatible too). Ask prospective installers if a ‘Y’ plan or ‘S’ plan system is the best for your property, if they look bemused, then throw them out! We consider all options of heating and hot water comfort available to you.

Fact: Many ‘cheap’ installations are exactly that, cheap! Are seldom to regulation and/or manufacturers specification, usually have no temperature control on the hot water output, (crucial if you have children, and/or if you use the bath often), no temperature control means you get what you get! Then, usually have to add cold water to the water you just paid to heat up! Temp control is crucial for efficiency and safety. Ask for your quote to state that it regulates hot water temperature for your convenience! We only use dual control boilers! More and more lately, we hear complaints of customers being told that their boiler is obsolete - in the case of big companies, their computers do not recognise boilers that are not manufactured any more. This DOES NOT mean that PARTS are not available, this is just installers profiteering! Most parts for most boilers are available for 15 years after the cessation of manufacturing the boiler.

The biggest factor here is this: Nobody provides more protection for your new system than we do. No other company offers a better after sales (24 hour) or after guarantee service (breakdown warranty) than we do. And positively non of our competitors do what we do at a better price than we do.

If it’s cheaper than ours, there’s a reason (or more than one) for it, and it’s usually a bad one! (or two).

Derek Hardman (Main engineer)
Acop, acs, Worcester Bosch approved.
Logic accreditation from Worcester and Gas Safe, Gas Safe reg 220836

"Central heating installations,
Boiler, fire and heater servicing,
Breakdown warranties,
Sales, service and repairs"