Why not get some Tips for heating your home? – With gas and oil prices as high as they are and even with the government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme, there are things we need to consider to help keep our homes warm. We get asked by many of our older customers and those who work from home, how can I stay warm in my home efficiently, so my bills do not skyrocket?

As a result, Kristian and the team have put together this helpful article to give you some tips and recommendations to help keep your home warm.

Eight Tips for heating your home

One – Service your boiler – It is no surprise to hear us tell you that an efficient boiler can make all the difference. If you complete annual boiler servicing, then your boiler’s gasses are correct, and it can run effetely using less fuel, costing you less to run and maintain the temperature in your house. – Think of this like the fuel economy of your car. 

Two – Heating System Powerflush – This helps with the efficiency of your boiler, if the system is free of silt (rust, metal sludge) then the water can move quickly around your heating system. We provide Powerflushing, so if you need to find out more or would like Viking Plumbing to help, then use the contact form or call and ask for details.

Three – Get a new boiler – Sometimes, it can be cheaper to consider a new, more efficient boiler rather than trying to maintain a system that will not see the money savings. Our boiler installation services are competitive, and our skill levels and customer service is why our customers love Viking so much.

Four – Insulation – Walls and ceilings can be insulated to help retain heat. You can save up to 15% on your home’s heat if you have thermal efficiency. This is reflected in your heating bills ad can save you £40.00 per month.

Five – Draft Excluders – Low cost, but helpful. In Modern homes, they are less likely to be required, but the value should not be underestimated. Consider them as a low-cost way to help keep 1-2 rooms warm in your home.

Six – Use curtains – If your windows are not as thermally efficient as they could be, curtains can help, especially in the evenings. However, it is worth noting that using sunlight to help warm your home can be a great way to keep costs lower. If you have a sunny room, it is best to keep the curtains open, as sunlight can pass heat into the home.

Seven – Isolate rooms – Using thermostatic radiators can certainly help you regulate room temperatures in your home, but isolating other rooms and heating only the ones you are in the most. For example, if you use the lounge and kitchen, isolate those rooms during the day and include your bedroom in the evening. This means you can keep your heating on for longer and only heat the room(s) that matter most.

Eight – Consider updating your windows – Windows make up a large portion of our property’s external facing, so that windows can provide a huge inefficiency for homeowners. Windows are not the cheapest, but like with room isolation, you can choose critical rooms based on their value and use in your home. Don’t forget bedrooms, although you may think I spend most of my time in the lounge, well ok that is during the day, in the evening you can spend 6-10 hours a day in your bedroom, so please don’t forget it.

Is it cheaper to leave the heat on all day?

No, it is not cheaper to leave your heat on all day. It is best to choose certain times for the heating to come on it the best way to keep bills low. This was once the thinking but it’s been proven it does not improve costs. If you want help choosing your heating schedule, Kristian and the team are happy to help you review your heating schedules.

Why is my house so cold even with the heating on?

It is likely to be that your home is not thermally efficient, Viking Plumbing and Heating are happy to help you make changes to improve your home efficiently, and we can also make recommendations for some you can make yourself.

Summary

It is important to see where savings can be made, but remember there are grants and payment plans available, and we can help you better understand this and your individual home’s heating systems and how best to save you money. We can review your situation and provide the best options for you and your property. Kristian and the team are here to help, and you can contact us using the contact form on this website. If you are in the Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Beccles or Southworld area and would like some advice, get in touch. We can help you provide a boiler service near you.

If a boiler is not serviced, it can become inefficient, and worse, it can become dangerous. When it becomes dangerous, it can easily be deadly, carbon monoxide can leak from the boiler into the living spaces, and carbon monoxide accounts for over 100 deaths per year in England and Wales. In 2020 there were 116, down on previous years, according to the Office of National Statistics.

What to look out for if a boiler is not serviced

• Unusual sounds from the boiler
• Hot water but no heating
• Corrosion to the outer casing
• Intermittent piolet light
• Radiators not heating up fully
• Noise from the wider heating system
• Leaks from the boiler or signs of water
• Controls not working properly
• Other signs of neglect

Speak to us – 01502717262

Should I replace a 15-year-old boiler?

There is two answers to this question, and firstly, you do not always need to replace a 15-year-old boiler, if it has been well looked after, then it could be maintained until it becomes uneconomical. If it has not been looked after or it is not running economically, then you can decide to replace it. We provide Boiler Installation if you need a new boiler and Boiler Servicing if you don’t.

Is it worth replacing a 15 year old boiler?

It is worth replacing a 15-year-old boiler if it is not performing. There is a case for replacing your 15-year-old boiler because a modern boiler will be so much more efficient. A modern boiler will provide significantly better fuel efficiency, so running costs are less, and if this outstrips the cost of a boiler replacement over say, the next 5-years, for example, then it is worth considering boiler replacement on the grounds if you plan to stay in your property, then it will save you money in the mid to long term.

Why would someone not service a boiler?

Older people, sometimes just get out of sync or simply forget, and if your boiler company does not remind you then service schedules can drift or stop – Genuine mistakes.Ub

In other situations, perhaps someone told you that if your boiler is old, then it is not worth it. Please be careful of any decision not to maintain your boiler it is the heart of your home, and should it fail, then you can be left in a difficult situation. We are available for 24 hours if you have an emergency boiler problem.

Perhaps you are buying a property and someone has not serviced their boiler, then you should seek an immediate boiler check up. We can provide a heating system check so you can buy the property with peace of mind. We are also happy to quote if you are in two minds, and we can provide you with the numbers for you to make up your mind up.

Remember, like a car, with moving parts comes a need for maintenance. So we do not just recommend boiler maintenance we implore you to consider this for your personal safety and that of others in your household. If you need advice, Kristian and the team will be on hand to explain why you need to service your boiler and if you need anything else. Viking Plumbing has a solid reputation for providing advice and servicing in your area. 

So whether you are in Beccles, Lowestoft, Southwold or surrounding areas, we look forward to helping you with your boiler serving.

Emergency Number 07970649476

New radiators are the most efficient, and the reason for this is that in much the same way as boilers, new radiators use more efficient materials and improved design.  Many modern radiators use convection fins to help move hot air into the room and away from walls. The designs can vary by brand but normally, you will find a gap behind the fins to allow an air gap and airflow.

Do double radiators give more heat?

Yes, double or Dual-walled radiators are much more efficient than traditional single-skin radiators.  A double-walled radiator uses triangle fins between the radiating panels, and often these are covered with an outer casing which also helps to vent warm air through the centre of the radiator and up into the room.  The internal fins act as convection chimneys to draw push warm around. Modern double radiators or dual-walled radiators also come with thermostatic adjustments.

 Why is  Thermostatic adjustment important?

Thermostatic adjustment is important because it provides homeowners with the ability to control heat within individual rooms of their homes. Traditional single-skin radiators installed in many homes in the 70s and 80s have no thermostatic control. This means that only the main thermostat will control all room temperatures,  some rooms that remain unused were still heated to the same level as the master rooms.  this is an inefficient way to manage your home heating.  Thermostatic adjustments will help you to use less gas or oil heating systems, and it will stop you from heating rooms which are seldom used.

Can a radiator be too big for a room?

Yes, a radiator can be too big for a room. Some homeowners may have single-walled radiators that were installed many years ago and, based on their single-wall efficiency, oversized accordingly. If a radiator has been replaced and is now a dual-walled radiator, these improvements can make a radiator too large for a room. You will know if the radiator is too big for a room when that radiator brings a room to temperature before the other rooms.

Are replacing radiators worth it?

Yes, replacing radiators is worth it; as discussed above, replacing single-walled outdated radiators and replacing with dual-walled fishing modern radiators, using thermostatic adjustment and more heat efficient materials means radiators perform better, get to temperature quickly and can be controlled with a  thermostat meaning you have greater control of this used areas of your property.

 How do I know when I need a new radiator?

If your radiator is leaking, deformed or terribly damaged, then it is likely on these new radiators. Over time radiators, like all heating systems, become less efficient. With radiators, in many cases, this will be a buildup of grime, metal particles and the result of years of use.  Just because a radiator does not appear as efficient as it once did, does not necessarily mean it needs replacing. Many of our customers use our power flushing service to improve their heating system efficiency and boiler life expectancy and to avoid any dangerous system blockages. Learn about what good boiler efficiency is.

Even an old heating system will see notable improvements as a result of power flushing; if you are interested in learning more about how flushing can help, please look at our power flushing services page. 

Good boiler efficiency is when your boiler runs at its optimal performance. Regular servicing of a Gas boiler, for example, will balance the gas ratios and ensure that it operates with the manufacturer’s guidelines for the boiler’s designed efficiency.

What can help keep your boiler running efficiently?

As mentioned, regular boiler servicing to ensure that gas and fuel ratios are optimal, this can include replacing crucial parts in older boilers. Parts bearings and hot water cylinders, checking flues and other heating system elements.

1. Powerflushing – Cleaning, your radiators and pipework, assists your boiler in running more efficiently as it allows the home to warm more quickly and radiate heat to rooms more quickly, allowing your boiler to run less, use less fuel and save you money. View details on Powerflushing
2. Replace worn parts – If economical to do so; parts replacement can also help to ensure that your heating system is operating more efficiently.  Replacing a part that is no longer functioning well can drop the efficiency of the system; we helped a customer whose boiler was continually heating their hot water while the heating was on. Fixing this issue allowed for significant savings for them as their boiler was no longer continually bring fuel while the rads we on. This was not an issue obvious to them or other engineers who had serviced the system, but Mr & Mr’s Griffith were very pleased. (see testimonial below)
3. Fit thermostatic controls to radiators – Seems obvious but really helps in most situations as it allows radiators to self regular when they get to temperature and by doing so this means the boiler’s resources and effort can be directed to the rooms or radiators that require them.

“Dear Kristian, we had our first bill after your service and saw immediate savings, but after the savings continued over the summer, our account is now £500 in credit, and Scottish power wanted to increase our DD by £98 pm before this. Thank you for your exploration and excellent work”. 

Should I replace my 40 year old boiler?

Yes, you should replace it, the average life for a boiler is 25-years. While it may still function safely, the efficiencies that technologies have brought about is significant. If you think about this like an old car, the miles per gallon in an older vehicle might be 18 to the gallon and with a newer car, we see 68 to the gallon, a whole 50 miles per gallon more for the same fuel usage. This is why it makes shrewd financial sense to upgrade your old systems in most cases.

How efficient is a 25 year old boiler?

It’s not. When compared to modern boilers, technology has moved on so much that the efficiency savings are significant.

What is the cheapest boiler to run?

A new one! There are so many reasons for this be; here are a few:

• Parts run smoothly and efficiently
• The system will have received a power flush if a new system has been implemented
• The recirculation of gases uses every last combustible
• Combi boilers can be, but this is based on family life and usage.
• Boilers with a good warranty; if anything goes wrong this can help.

How long do boilers last?

Industry expectation is 10-15 years, a boiler that is older than this is much less likely to be that efficient. Some more premium boilers like Worcester Bosh last longer as the parts are better made.

What can you do about replacing your boiler?

Of course, you should speak with your plumber, if you do not have one currently, then we’d love to hear from you, so give Kristian and the team a call on 01502717262

We discovered that by attaching the Adey MagnaCleanse to our PowerFlushing machine we get fantastic results. This was some of the sludge we were able to remove from a heating system in Bungay.