With the nights only just starting to get longer, there is plenty of summer still to enjoy in London. However, the inevitable arrival of autumn and winter will leave many fretting, with energy bills set to rise if, as expected, the price cap is raised again in October.
Right now, the last thing anyone in Britain is likely to do is turn on the heating. With lots of sunshine and the daylight hours at their longest, energy bills will be extremely low.
Households typically lower their thermostat at this time of the year as the weather warms up, but subdued temperatures have meant many people have kept their central heating on to avoid the chill. However, those who are worried about their future energy bills might be facing cold conditions anyway, as they look for ways to reduce their heating costs.
Rising fuel prices are going to have a big impact on household bills over the next few months, so one thing homeowners will not want to do is force their heating fees up even more. That is why it is advisable to remove any radiator covers, no matter how fashionable they are at the moment.
At a time when the cost of living has been soaring, many people will have been thinking carefully about how to manage their household budgets; not just in terms of day to day costs, but also in their larger spending decisions.
Underfloor heating in the bathroom can be wonderful when it comes to taking the chill off cold floor tiles on a chilly winter’s morning, transforming the space into a warm, spa-like heaven.
A large energy company has offered a boiler installation worth £2,500 to people on low incomes to help them manage their energy bills more easily.
With the chilly winter temperatures and howling winds at this time of year, many of us will be putting the central heating on earlier and earlier, especially if you’re working from home. However, experts have wanted homeowners to be wary, as their central heating could be causing damage to their homes.
Replacing a boiler can be an expensive job, and the work required can push the cost higher. Boilers can break down suddenly, and potentially when you’re not financially ready for such an expense.
The heating world is in a period of change and flux, with the potential for 2031’s central heating systems to look very different.
The government has previously proposed a staged transition away from gas boiler installation in favour of electric storage heaters, heat networks and hydrogen boilers for new build homes.
At present, whilst there are incentives for switching to renewable heat, there is no requirement to do so in the near future, which means that if you bought a boiler recently it should provide many years of comfortable, convenient heat.
However, if you are having issues or are worried about your boiler, here are some of the factors that will help you decide whether to repair or whether it is time to replace it.
The Problem With Age
Boilers last a long time, and whilst the average lifespan nears 10-15 years, they can potentially last for up to 25 years with care, regular maintenance and regular but not excessive use.
However, at around the ten-year mark, that efficiency can plummet quite dramatically, with a reduction of up to 30 per cent in their thermal efficiency, leading to more expensive heating bills.
Maintaining legacy boilers can also be increasingly expensive as parts and expertise get harder to come by, so if you are noticing that your boiler becomes less reliable over the years, it may be time to get a more efficient new model.
A Yellow Flame Or A Bad Smell
Whilst you often have a lot of time to mull over replacing a boiler if the issue is simply age, if you notice a distinct sour smell, or find that the bright blue flame has turned yellow, you may need to turn off your boiler and contact an engineer as soon as possible.
Both of these are a sign of carbon monoxide leaks or malfunctions, and if left on could put anyone in the home in danger.
Water Leak
Your boiler should never leak water. If it is, that is a sign of a broken valve or seal and can cause significant damage to your home or electrical systems if left unfixed.
When you spot a leak, switch the boiler off and get it checked.
How Fitting Solar Panels Can Benefit You Above And Below6th November 2024 - 10:31 amWith winter almost upon us, energy bills will be a concern for many, but there are ways you can take more control over the cost of your energy and where it comes from – all while being greener.
