Ward Off the troubles in a gas boiler failure
Ward Off the troubles in a gas boiler failure
The heating boiler in your home is generally ignored in the summertime when warmth is plentiful, but if it does suddenly stop working, you may be stuck with measly kettle fulls of hot water and chilly cold showers everyday. It is only when the central heating system breaks down that you become acutely aware of its importance in your home. Its vital role in providing warmth and hot water becomes sorely missed; and fears arise of the costly repair bills to come.
Generally a tenant paying rent is not liable to repair a malfunctioning central heating boiler as the landlord is responsible for maintenance and repair of his premises. But if you own your home, a little money kept aside every month as an emergency fund will come in handy in such a central heating boiler failure if you do not decide to invest in heating boiler insurance.
Instead of repairing a ten year old central heating boiler, consider installing a newer and more efficient system which could significantly cut down your utility bills and pay for itself in a number of years. Your choice of a gas boiler should be determined by the capacity required (based on family needs), the space available for the heating boiler and the existing heating system. For smaller homes with fewer people a combi heating boiler tends to be the most common choice, especially if you want instant hot water at mains pressure. Unlike a storage gas boiler, a combi central heating system warms the water directly at the mains, thus eliminating the tank section. Hot water will be available instantaneously on demand, but if a hot tap is opened by someone else while you are enjoying your shower, you better jump out fast unless you like cold showers!.
A sealed boiler system has a storage tank, often in ventilated closet, and allows a big family to simultaneously use the hot tap and take showers without diluting hot water or reducing the water pressure. The benefit of using a system gas boiler is that it can be installed quickly and easily in a relatively small area. But if hot water is used too quickly it would run out because the storage tank hot water would be depleted and is replenishment is not instant.
Older models of boilers are generally of open vent type – requiring a couple of loft mounted water tanks as well as a storage section installed in an airing cupboard. This has similar benefits and disadvantages to the sealed systems as it enables several taps to be used at once, but you will have to wait for the water to heat and pressure is sometimes an issue.
A back gas boiler takes a lot of space but it allows multiple outlets of hot water without loss of water pressure. Traditionally back boilers are stored in a chimney breast, but unless you already have one, it’s probably not worth switching to one. It would save you a lot of money on installation of a new gas boiler if a back central heating boiler is already installed in your home when you moved in, as it is cheaper to replace an old back central heating boiler rather than install a completely new heating system.
Any malfunctioning central heating boiler system requires expensive overhauling and repair. That is why it is important to get heating insurance so you can be confident that any costs will be taken care of if something breaks down, costs which cover labour and spare parts for your central heating system. Buy an insurance plan that includes an annual breakdown contract and emergency house calls and repairs when needed; you will save some extra money and mean you never have to shiver in your shower again.