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This year more than ever before, Gas Engineers are in high demand. Demand for housing is increasing, and more people are pursuing higher education – leading to a deficit in skilled, experienced Gas Engineers across the country. 

Are you interested in a lifelong career that guarantees employment, progression, and the opportunity to always learn something new? A Gas Engineer job may be for you. We’re hiring – apply here. 

It’s not always easy to know which professional you need for a domestic job. Plus, entrusting your central heating system to someone you don’t know can be nerve-wracking – being able to trust the tradesperson’s qualifications is an absolute must. 

Is a gas engineer the same as a plumber?

This is a common misconception. Even more confusing is throwing the term ‘Heating Engineer’ into the mix! Let’s clear up the differences:

• Gas Engineer
  Works with all kinds of gas appliances – from installation to servicing and repairs. Must be registered annually with the Gas Safe Register.
  
  
• Plumber
  Doesn’t work with boilers – experts in pipe-work, installation of potable (drinking) water systems, and maintenance/repair of sewage/drainage systems.
  
  
• Heating Engineer
  Often work alongside gas engineers. Qualified to work on all kinds of central heating appliances not involving gas. Usually the step taken before someone becomes a fully-qualified Gas Engineer. 

The term ‘Heating Engineer’ is nowadays often interchangeable with Gas Engineer, especially as many heating engineers have their Gas Safe License and relevant qualifications, or work with a range of appliances under other licenses (i.e. oil boilers, with an OFTEC license). 

Do I need a gas engineer or a plumber?

Gas engineers can repair, replace, service, and perform emergency diagnostics on the following:

• Radiators
• Central heating systems through vents
• Thermostats 
• Hot water cylinders
• Associated piping 
• Boilers

Make sure they’re Gas Safe registered by asking for their ID card and checking it matches the requirements we laid out in this handy blog post. If you have an oil boiler, check they’re OFTEC registered. 

Plumbers are experts in the domain of water-based appliances, not central heating. This includes toilets, dishwashers, sinks, and taps. 

Plumbers are qualified to:

• Maintain, repair and install drainage and sewage systems
• Diagnose and repair toilet issues like overflowing and non-flushes
• Fix and repair bathroom suites, as well as assist in installation
• Troubleshoot tap and pipe issues, e.g. dripping taps, blocked or burst pipes

Clearly, gas engineers and plumbers are very different specialists! Some Gas Engineers are qualified as plumbers, too – but you should always check the qualifications of a tradesperson claiming to be an all-rounder. Sometimes, a specialist is best. 

Can a gas engineer install my new boiler?

Gas Engineers are qualified to install and safety check your new boiler. At Harvey Heating Ltd, our boiler swaps and installation prices are guaranteed to be the best price for a 5-star level of quality and efficiency.

For gas and LPG boilers, the installer must be Gas Safe registered. Oil boiler installers must be registered with OFTEC. All of our engineers are Gas Safe and OFTEC registered, for your peace of mind.

What happens when Harvey Heating comes to install my new boiler?

We will make sure that your system complies with current building regulations, and provide you with safety check documentation to prove this. We’ll also recommend when you should book your next service – boilers should be serviced every 12 months to keep them running efficiently and safely. 

Pencil in your boiler swap today with Harvey Heating Ltd. Call 01748 812963 or use our contact form to book an appointment.

Ofgem has announced that energy bills are rising again this Winter. Shopping around for a new energy provider is a great way to save money, but it can only make so much difference if your central heating system is outdated and inefficient. 

Heating bills account for 53% of all household energy bills – with this in mind, an efficient boiler should be top priority. 

If you think it’s the right time to invest in a new boiler, read on as we explore everything you need to know about swapping your boiler. 

What are the benefits of a new boiler?

Modern boilers tend to be condensing boilers – they have a large heat exchanger which stops gas from escaping up the flue pipe. This is a modern innovation that makes them more efficient than older boilers.

What fuel type do I have?

Most homes are connected to the gas mains, or had a connection in the past. Gas prices in the UK are the cheapest per kWh, compared to Economy 7, oil, LPG, and coal.

Some properties are not connected to the gas mains. In this case, you could look into getting paid to install low carbon heating through the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

What type of boiler do I need?

The type of boiler you need depends on your household size, energy consumption, and behaviours. 

The two main types of boiler are regular, and combination; also known as a ‘combi’ boiler. 

Regular boilers store hot water in a cylinder. This means it has a higher capacity for producing hot water than a combi boiler, but thermal energy is lost from the cylinder itself. This can lead to compounding heat loss over time, which – depending on your household – could make a combi boiler more efficient for you.

Combi boilers don’t have cylinders – they heat and release hot water on demand. This means they have a smaller capacity for hot water, but can produce it quickly. Combi boilers can be an excellent choice for one-or-two person households in smaller properties, such as flats, as they also take up less space and can simply be mounted on the wall. 

Can I improve my heating system without getting a new boiler?

If you’re looking for ways to introduce efficiency to your existing heating system, consider the following:

• Install a timer, room thermostat, and thermostatic radiator valves. Generally considered to be the most effective combination, these three heating controls will keep your home at the right temperature without wasting thermal energy.
• Top up your water cylinder insulation to a minimum of 80mm. Many older hot water cylinders have inadequate or damaged insulation. You could save up to £20 a year on your bills by increasing the quality and thickness of your insulation, which prevents heat loss from the cylinder. 
• Install a corrosion inhibitor in your old hot water cylinder. Older systems can be prone to corrosion deposits, which create sludge and scale – eventually this needs clearing out, but over time it prevents the system working effectively. 

Who can install a new boiler?

Get at least three quotes from different installers. At Harvey Heating Ltd, our boiler swaps and installation prices are guaranteed to be the best price for a 5-star level of quality and efficiency.

For gas and LPG boilers, the installer must be Gas Safe registered. Oil boiler installers must be registered with OFTEC. All of our engineers are Gas Safe and OFTEC registered, for your peace of mind.

What happens when Harvey Heating comes to install my new boiler?

We will make sure that your system complies with current building regulations, and provide you with safety check documentation to prove this. We’ll also recommend when you should book your next service – boilers should be serviced every 12 months to keep them running efficiently and safely. 

Pencil in your boiler swap today with Harvey Heating Ltd. Call 01748 812963 or use our contact form to book an appointment.

Sources: energysavingstrust.org.uk, ofgem.co.uk

Summer is probably the time of year you think least about your central heating. After all – it’s warm outside and you’re more concerned with keeping cool! 

Take this opportunity to check your boiler and radiators for any issues that could have cropped up over Winter.

In this blog, we explore how to bleed your radiators – why, how, and what to do if you need help.

Do my radiators need bleeding?

You may notice that your radiators have cold spots, especially along the top. This is caused by trapped air that accumulates over time and can reduce the cost efficiency of your central heating.

Gurgling or clanking noises can also be a sign that your radiators need bleeding.

How do I bleed my radiators?

Bleeding your radiators is a fairly simple task, but if you would prefer a professional to do it – don’t hesitate to get in touch. We know peace of mind makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your home warm and cosy.

What will I need to bleed my radiators?

You’ll need a radiator key, and a small container or towel to catch any water that comes out. 

Radiator keys can be purchased from your local homeware/DIY shop.

How to bleed my radiators:

• Turn off the heating. Let the radiators cool all the way down – this may take a few hours. Never attempt to bleed a warm or hot radiator. You could burn yourself on the hot liquid that comes out.
• Identify the valve at the top of the radiator. Use the radiator key to turn this valve in an anti-clockwise direction.
• You’ll hear a hissing noise once the valve is adequately opened – don’t worry, this is just trapped air escaping.
• Have a container or towel close by to catch any water that may follow, once the hissing has stopped.
• Once the hissing has stopped completely and only water is escaping, retighten the valve to stop too much water escaping.
• Repeat for all your radiators. Check the valves are tightly closed. 
• Turn your central heating back on.
• Check the pressure gauge on your boiler. Bleeding radiators can cause the pressure to drop. If it is too low you’ll need to refill it using the filling loop – usually a tap or a lever on the boiler. Your boiler manual should say exactly which pressure the gauge is supposed to read – don’t go above or below this value.
• Go and check your radiators for cold spots.

If you do find cold spots still in your radiators after bleeding them, your issue might be caused by something else.

You can call or email Harvey Heating to book a diagnostic appointment with our OFTEC and Gas Safe Registered heating engineers. 

Just call 01748 812963 or email office@harveyheating-com.stackstaging.com

Don’t let a scammer into your home. Find out how to spot a FAKE Gas Safe ID Card and keep yourself gas safe.

What is the Gas Safe ID card?

The Gas safe ID is issued to all Gas Safe Registered engineers. They must carry it at all times when they’re carrying out work.

When you book a boiler service, installation, replacement or other work through Harvey Heating, our Gas Safe registered engineers will have their ID cards on display. If you want to double-check – don’t worry, they won’t be offended!

Ask to see the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card.

Then, look for the following features to check if the ID is legitimate…

On the front

• The engineer’s photo. Check it matches their face.
• The business they work for. In our case – Harvey Heating Ltd.
• Start and expiry date. Gas Safe ID cards must be renewed every 12 months. If the date is expired, don’t let the engineer into your home. Contact the Gas Safe Register with their license number.
• The licence number. Registered engineers get a unique Licence number when they pass their certification. This is located along the top of the card, and is embossed into the middle too.
• Gas Safe Security hologram. This hologram, featuring the Gas Safe Logo in an iridescent blue, is on all official Gas Safe ID cards.

From now on, you’ll be able to spread the cost of your plumbing and heating work over 10 months at 0% APR, saving you loads of money up front and making essential fixes affordable. 

In these unusual times, making the pennies stretch that little bit further every month has become a challenge for many of us. Still, if your boiler breaks leaving you without heating or hot water, getting it fixed is a priority. 

We’ve partnered with Kanda to offer you 0% finance on qualifying heating and plumbing work. This means we can come in and fix your boiler, replace your water cylinder, and much more – for no upfront cost.

Instead, you enter a credit agreement with Kanda at 0% APR, and pay the cost of your work over up to 10 months.