People in Wales risking heating failure shows new research

Get more heat from less energy

New research has shown that almost two thirds (62%) of homeowners have had to adjust their spending habits to pay for rising energy bills and, alarmingly, 60% said that they are doing so by spending less on food. 

Deeply concerned to hear of people having to choose between eating and heating, new advice is coming from within the plumbing and heating industry which has the power to make a tangible difference to homeowners.

Many homeowners are familiar with tips and advice for reducing energy use and ideas such as cavity wall or loft insulation for reducing heat loss. However, fewer people know that a lot of energy is wasted due to boiler inefficiencies as a result of the build-up of debris in radiators which then stops heat from circulating. This could have a significant impact on the cost of heating a home.

UK manufacturer, ADEY estimates that by looking to improve the health of their home’s central heating system, bill payers could save up to 7% a year on gas usage* and could immediately gain up to 47% more heat output from radiators. 

Their research, which surveyed 2,000 homeowners, revealed that three out of four are looking for simple ways to reduce energy bills, but with more than half (52%) unaware that it’s water circulating through the system that is the most common cause of breakdown, ADEY is keen to spread the message that heating system maintenance is part of the answer.

ADEY strongly advise homeowners to talk to a plumber or heating engineer about tips to reduce heating bills and consider a system flush and installing a MagnaClean filter which are the foundations of improving heating efficiency. An annual boiler service is also an essential, according to ADEY, adding that while it can feel like an avoidable expense, boiler services help ensure things are working as they should and can identify problems before they become costly breakdowns.

*based on independent research carried out by KIWA Gastec based on average usage in the UK, saving is on gas usage only and does not include standing charges. 

ADEY’s Top Tips for Efficient Heating

Colin Yearp, Head of Training at ADEY shares his top tips for ensuring you are getting the best out of your boiler and heating system. Colin spent 35 years as a Gas Safe heating engineer in Gloucestershire, and for the last seven years has been training plumbers and engineers in the latest best practice for protecting systems.

Do

Control the temperature in each room using the thermostat on the radiator – turn the dial up to 5 or 6 to get more heat in rooms you spend most time in, or down to 1 or 2 if the room’s not in use so much.  

Book a boiler service every year with a Gas Safe registered plumber – they will check that everything is calibrated correctly, and your boiler warranty may not be valid without it.

Do all that you can to keep the water flowing around your system clean – ask your plumber to test the water, if it’s dirty they can clean it and take action to stop the sludge and scale coming back. A clean system is more efficient, which could save 7% on gas usage, give out as much as 47% more heat than a dirty system, and prolong the life of your boiler by up to 7 years.

Bleed your radiators once a year. Turn the system off to bleed the radiators and use the correct sized radiator vent key. Protect the area with cloths and be ready to turn off the vent quickly when water comes out. If you have a sealed system, you may need to top up boiler water pressure via the filling loop if a lot of air is released. Make sure all radiators are free from air before finishing. Only bleed once a year or you will dilute the good chemicals that stop corrosion. Get a plumber to check your system if you need to bleed more often as this suggests a bigger problem.

 

Problem signs:

Your hot water shouldn’t be scalding. If it’s running too hot to touch without mixing it with cold water, you are burning more energy than needed.

The dials that control the heat on each radiator should move easily. Turn it up and check that the radiator gets nice and hot, then turn it down and feel if it gets cooler.

Your heating shouldn’t make clunking or grumbling noises. This is a sign that something’s wrong – ask your Gas Safe registered plumber to check the system over. Fixing any problems early can prolong the life of your boiler.