Are you about to have your cooker, boiler or gas fire fixed, fitted or serviced? One in three of us trust a tradesman to do gas work based purely on the recommendation of a friend or neighbour without checking out their registration and qualifications first. If they work for a Gas Safe registered firm during the week and are doing private work in their spare time on the side, they are also illegal.

Not all gas engineers are qualified to work on all types of gas appliance. Make sure you check the back of their ID card to make sure they are qualified to do the specific type of gas work you need. If they put in a gas fire for example, but they’re only Gas Safe registered for pipework and boilers, they are illegal.

Remember that dangerous gas work can be deadly. Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Using an illegal gas fitter can end up costing you thousands of pounds to have fixed. Worst of all, it could put the lives of you, and your loved ones in danger.

All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card showing the type of work they are qualified to do. Before you let your gas engineer into your home to work on your gas appliances make sure you check it by either going to Gas Safe registered online, via text by texting Gas then the engineer licence number to 85080 or by calling us free on 0800 408 5500.

There are more than 120,000 engineers on the Gas Safe Register. To check that they’re continuing to work safely we inspect the work they’ve carried out. If you’ve had gas work done in the last six months, you can nominate it for a free gas safety inspection.

With gas and other energy bills so high, getting good value boiler maintenance is more important than ever. Regular gas boiler servicing ensures your boiler is safe and can help save money on your energy bills.

To get your money’s worth for the boiler servicing, here are some things that you should know. These services might justify the boiler service cost from about £60 (some boilers require a special service kit) depending on the provider and nature or type of the boiler and service. For a good quality servicing, the following must be in place or at least most of these items must be done during the check up. A preliminary examination must include a short interview with the customer if there are some noted problems with the boiler system. A check of appliances used for its suitability and condition, presence of safety devices, quick check for electrical wiring regulations, and a gas pipe work check for installation procedures and compliance with rules. These initial procedures must be done during the consultation.

Moving on to the full procedures, the main burners must be removed, cleaned and inspected as well as the gas injectors. The expert is also expected to check ignition leads and electrodes if they are working properly. The heat exchanger, burner assemblies and joints must be checked for seals and leaks and must be properly cleaned. He should also check the pilot flame and the flame supervision device attached to the system. The other parts should be checked for proper fitting and cleanliness. Our experienced Gas Safe technicians would also provide some tips and suggestions for you in order to maintain your boiler service. A good service would normally last over an hour. Knowing these procedures should help you gauge if you’re getting what a boiler service cost should provide.

Having a replacement heating system installed in your home can be a big undertaking. While the main work is typically done by professional installers, the hardest part for you may very well be making sure that you’ve picked out the right system for your home and the right company to handle the installation. This is often easier said than done, due to the number of factors you’ll need to take into account when you’re making your selection.

If you feel like you don’t even know where to begin this process, we at Gas Glow Home Services in Edinburgh can help you choose the system that is best for your circumstances. Our heating experts will walk you through the selection process and help you pick out a system that’s appropriate for the dimensions of your house and the specific heating needs of your family taking into account your budget and time constraints.

A new heating system is a big investment so it is worth your time to do it right. A heating system should last for 15 to 20 years – you wouldn’t want to live with a bad decision or pay to do it over.

There are a lot of central heating systems that are over-sized. Over-sizing wastes fuel, leads to equipment breakdowns and uncomfortable home owners.

The Central Heating Installer is your most important choice. Many homeowners focus entirely on the brand of the central heating system or seek out the lowest installed cost. The truth is there are many brands of central heating equipment that are high in quality, have great warranties and are available with comfort enhancing features. In all cases the central heating installer you select has the responsibility to design and install a complete system that includes many important items in addition radiators and boiler you select. Your installer needs to calculate the correct size unit for your home and also needs to incorporate ductwork, piping, venting, wiring, controls, draining and filtration if required.

When a homeowner ends up dissatisfied with a heating system installation, it is almost never the brand of equipment installed, rather it is due to the equipment not being installed correctly. It is better to have the least expensive equipment installed correctly than the most expensive equipment installed wrong.

Today’s central heating systems are designed for reliability, comfort and energy savings. For you to realize all the benefits of these systems they must be installed correctly. We at Edinburgh’s Gas Glow Home Services have the experience and commitment to excellence required for you to get a great system. And we guarantee in writing that you will be 100% satisfied or your money back.

Electric Boilers
Most electric boilers are installed with a heat pump to keep operating costs down. An electric boiler is a good option to consider when you’re looking at new heating systems for your home. These boilers run extremely quietly and since they don’t use gas or oil for fuel, there’s a reduced risk of fire associated with them. Electric boilers are also a bit cheaper to maintain, as they don’t require tune-ups as often as some other similar products. However, you will still have to keep to a regular schedule of professional maintenance if you want to make sure your boiler continues to work well for many years to come.

Gas Boilers
Despite some of the attractive features of electric boilers, gas boilers are still the more popular of the two. They tend to have a lower operating cost than electric models, and as long as they’re properly maintained, gas furnaces are perfectly safe to have and operate in your home.

AFUE Ratings for Gas Furnaces
One thing you’ll notice when you’re comparing various types of furnaces is that they all come with what’s called an AFUE rating. This number reflects the energy efficiency of that particular model, so it’s important to take into account when you’re making your selection.

Gas Glow Home Services can help you choose the furnace that best fits your needs.

Our Guarantee
We have the strongest guarantee in the area. We include with every system installation our written 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. We are so sure we will make you 100% satisfied; we will refund your money in full if we are not able to do so.

At Gas Glow Home Services we find that a heating system is a lot more effective with the correct controls. The installation of a modern high efficiency condensing boiler is only the first step towards reducing a buildings energy usage. Proper controls also offer many other advantages.

Zone Control
You Can split your heating pipework between space heating and hot water provision. In the summer when it’s warm, heat your hot water from your boiler instead of your electric immersion and save on your energy bills. Split your space heating into different zones and allow different areas of your building to be heated independently. Heat only the areas that need to be heated and reduce on energy usage.

Programmer
Modern up-to-date timers or programmers can allow each different zone of heating circuit to be placed on a daily or weekly routine. This can range from simple 24hour on/off boiler control to PLC multiple zone control placed on different weekly routines.

Mechanical Thermostats
Place your thermostatic radiator valves on each radiator or a hot water cylinder coil. Apart from reducing energy usage these mechanical valves make a living space more comfortable to live in and prevent hot water cylinders from overheating.

Dial Thermostats
Dial thermostats can select the ideal setpoint temperature for your building or hot water. Programmable room thermostats can incorporate a programmer and thermostat in one unit. Cylinder thermostats help maintain hot water temperature and prevent scalding.

Manifold Kits
Bring each radiator circuit to a common point called a manifold. This gives greater control over each radiator and allow radiators circuits to be isolated if required. A problem on one radiator can be isolated without draining down the entire central heating system.

Weather Compensation
Weather compensation allows a heating system to react more quickly to changes in the outside temperature conditions. The can lead to big reductions in energy usage of at least 20% and means room temperatures are less likely to overshoot their temperature setpoints.

Frost protection
Although it is commonly overlooked frost protection can becomes serious if a pipe bursts from cold weather conditions. Frost protection allow boilers to activate when a minimum temperature setpoint is reached. This can become important if a building is left vacant during a holiday period.

Boiler Service - Boiler Repair - GasGlow Central Heating, Edinburgh

A regular, annual gas boiler service essential to ensure that any issues developing are discovered and dealt with quickly and efficiently at less inconvenience to yourself, it is also essential for safety, energy efficiency, and ensuring you get the most out of the life of your boiler.

All of our Gas Safe Registered Engineers carry out the following checks to ensure your boiler will provide you with safe and economical operation:.

• First we carry out a visual check to ensure the boiler still meets current standards.
• We then do a gas tightness test conducted to ensure no leaks.
• The boiler is then ignited to identify any working faults.
• The boiler casing will then be removed to check all main boiler components which are the burner, the heat exchanger, the main injector, spark/senor probe.
• Our engineer will then inspect to ensure the flue terminals are unobstructed and internal flue components are sealed properly.
• We will make any adjustments to the gas valve to ensure that burner is combusting efficiently and properly using a flue gas analyser.
• We will then clean all boiler parts where necessary.
• The inside of the casing will then be cleaned if required.
• The boiler casing will then be put back on while checking it is properly sealed.
• We will then issue you a legal report which confirms everything the engineer has carried to maintain your boiler.

Please avoid the following:

DON’T use an engineer that is not Gas Safe Registered – Check Anyone Here. Check ours here.
DON’T skimp on boiler costs – it’s a false economy and it could kill you.
DON’T cover your boiler up so that it is poorly ventilated.
DON’T let jargon put you off. Ask your boiler engineer to explain clearly how well your boiler is working.
DON’T let your old boiler cost you money. New boilers can be much more energy efficient and could save you money.

Gas boiler technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, with big gains both in efficiency and in cleaning up exhaust emissions. So if you would like to run a greener household and save on running costs at the same time, then replacing an ageing boiler is a good way to do it. Modern condensing gas boilers can operate at over 90% efficiency, compared to as little as 50% efficiency for some older boilers that are still in use in the UK.

If your boiler is over 15 years old it’s probably time to replace it. By law, new gas boilers must now be of the high efficiency condensing type, which can help you save up to a third on your heating bills and even more if you upgrade to modern controls as well.

Upgrading your boiler will be benifical for the following reasons:

• Improved efficiency leading to reduced running costs
• Reduced energy consumption and emissions, giving a smaller carbon footprint
• Freeing up space in your kitchen. Modern boilers tend to be physically smaller and are more flexible in where they can be mounted, so you may be able to move your boiler elsewhere
• Freeing up space in your loft. If you have a traditional system with tanks in the loft then you may be able to convert to a system or combi boiler and remove the tanks in the loft.
• You have added an extension and your existing boiler is no longer of adequate capacity

Just want a Service
Don’t worry. If you just want your existing boiler serviced we won’t give you the hard sell to get you to buy an upgrade you don’t want, and we won’t resort to the unscrupulous tactics used by some. We won’t tell you your existing boiler is unsafe (unless it really is), or that it needs a new part that is no longer available. We will try and source any spares needed from our extensive network of suppliers and we will give you good honest advice, and let you make the choice that is best for you.

Most manufacturers recommend an annual service to keep their boilers running safely and efficiently, so if your service is overdue – feel free to give us a call and we shall ensure that your boiler is kept in tip-top shape and most importantly runs safely for you and your family.

Condensing Boilers
Most modern gas boilers are condensing boilers. Condensing boilers use a heat exchanger within the flue to recover heat that would otherwise be lost. Because of this, condensing boilers are much more efficent than non-condensing boilers, typically operating at an efficiency of more than 90%, compared to 70-80% for non-condensing boilers. There are three types of condensing boilers: Traditional, System or Combi – as explained below.

Traditional Boilers
Traditional boilers, also known as conventional or regular boilers, use a feed and expansion tank in the loft, and a hot water cylinder, often in an airing cupboard, as well as the boiler itself, commonly located in the kitchen.

System Boilers
System boilers are similar to regular boilers except that they do not need a feed and expansion tank in the loft. They do still need a separate hot water cylinder.

Combination or ‘Combi’ Boilers
Combination or Combi boilers are so called because they combine within one compact unit what would otherwise require a boiler, a separate hot water cylinder and a cold water feed and expansion tank. So you combine three functions in one! Combi boilers heat water on demand, rather than storing hot water in a separate tank as the other two do.

LPG Boilers
LPG boilers are also available in all of the above types. LPG combi boilers, LPG regular boilers and LPG system boilers are available from both Worcester Bosch and Vaillant, as well as other suppliers. Our Gas Safe registered engineers are qualified for the fitting of these boilers in domestic premises (but not boats, caravans or mobile homes).

SEDBUK Ratings
SEDBUK stands for Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK and is a means of comparing the efficiency of different boiler models, which has been agreed between the boiler manufacturers and the Government’s Energy Efficiency Best Practice Program. SEDBUK is a measure of the average annual boiler efficiency in typical domestic conditions and UK climate.

Gravity Systems
Normally found in older properties, gravity circulation is used to heat the hot water cylinder. This works on the principal that water expands when heated. The result is that it actually weighs less than cold water. This phenomenon is very handy as the cold heavier water sinks to the bottom of the system and causes the hot water to be pushed up.

The gravity system is pretty reliable as it doesn’t have a pump. It does however need larger 28mm pipes. For best results, the cylinder is installed upstairs above the boiler.

The same water recirculates round the system. There is a ‘feed and expansion’ cistern (usually in the loft) which keeps the system topped up when water is lost by evaporation or leakage. This same cistern is also used to cope with expansion of water from the system as it heats up.

Above the cistern you’ll see a pipe which hangs over it. This is called the vent pipe and acts as a safety measure so that excess pressure can be relieved.

Sealed Systems
These are gaining in popularity now for a number of reasons. As the name implies, the system is closed and has no feed and expansion cistern. It is most common for the boiler to be a combination type rather than connected individual components. These are very efficient and have the added advantage of saving space.

A pressure vessel copes with expansion and contraction of the water. In addition there is a safety valve to relieve excess pressure instead of a vent pipe.

On the upside, these systems run at a generally higher temperature than other types and therefore radiators can be a little smaller. These systems suffer less from corrosion. The other major advantage is that not only is less pipework needed, but also no space is required in the loft for a feed and expansion cistern.

On the downside, because the system runs under pressure, the installation requires higher quality fittings to ensure leaks do not occur. Also, since the system is not automatically topped up, in addition to the thermostat, the boiler must have a safety cut out to prevent over heating in the event of water loss.

As Gas Safe registered Installers & experienced staff all our work is carried out to the highest possible standard for both domestic and business clients. We supply a high quality service unmatched by our competitors to ensure that your needs are met promptly, with the minimum of fuss and in the quickest possible time.

Whatever you require, landlord safety certificates, homeowner gas safety checks, advice on a new central heating system, new boiler installation, boiler servicing, re-position your existing boiler or gas hob and oven fitting. It could simply be replacing tap washers or the installation of an outside tap, GasGlow will supply the high quality service that you expect. Our engineers will arrive in company uniform and vehicles that hold a comprehensive range of quality spare parts and equipment to meet every need. In the unlikely event of a problem after our visit you can take comfort in the knowledge that we are fully insured.

To get in touch with GasGlow Plumbing & Heating Specialists, or if you need a free estimate please e mail us at enquiries@Gas-Glow.co.uk or telephone us on 07799-838686