| The heart of many central heating systems is the | | | | organisation. You can check the engineers' |
| water boiler. Boilers can be powered by electricity, | | | | registration is valid by asking for their registration |
| oil or gas, and will continue to provide heat to | | | | number and checking with the relevant body. |
| your radiators, underfloor heating or hot water | | | | 3. Always agree a price for the standard service |
| systems for many years, without a single grunt | | | | and any additional labour that may be required to |
| or groan of complaint. | | | | replace parts. |
| Ignoring your boiler and assuming all is well can be | | | | 4. Get the engineer to detail a scope of work |
| a disastrous and costly mistake, as a lot of people | | | | that is included in the price. |
| find out, usually when its needed most. No heating, | | | | 5. Most decent engineers will provide a written |
| no hot water. What could be worse? You will pay | | | | service report. This should include any safety |
| almost anything to get your home comforts | | | | checks that are made, the results of any tests |
| back; and you probably will when you see the | | | | carried out and details of any parts replaced. A |
| heating engineers bill land on the table. | | | | general service in the summer can help prevent |
| With just a little planning during the warmer | | | | many problems when the boiler is activated in the |
| months, you can avoid the unnecessary panic and | | | | Winter. However, nothing is 100% guaranteed! |
| associated costs needed to restore your house | | | | If your boiler is greater than 10 years old, you |
| to a home. | | | | may wish to consider replacing it with a new, |
| Here are 5 tips: | | | | higher efficiency condensing boiler. As boilers age, |
| | | | maintenance costs go up and efficiency goes |
| 1. Make sure you shop around for a qualified | | | | down. This all makes for a more expensive |
| heating engineer to come and service your boiler. | | | | heating system for you. Get your heating |
| 2. Engineers working on gas, oil and electricity | | | | engineers advice on the matter, and shop around, |
| should be registered with an appropriate | | | | there are some bargains to be had out there. |