Is your home ready for the cold this christmas?

December 22, 2016/in News /by Phil Finchett

Is your home ready for the cold this Christmas?

Enhanced Energy Solutions can provide Rotherham and its surrounding areas with many services- from performing a boiler repair, to installing heat pumps. And with Christmas just round the corner, we’ve decided to put together this post to help you make sure your home is ready for the cold!

Preparing your plumbing

Being unprepared for the dropping temperatures this winter could end up causing serious issues for your plumbing system. Pipes can be vulnerable to freezing- affecting your heating and plumbing systems- and are vulnerable to bursting. Burst pipes can cause significant damage to your home! So, to keep yourself safe from these risks follow these tips:

Insulate your pipes and hot water heater

Insulating your pipes will help prevent them from freezing. It’ll also help keep your energy bills down. Hot water heater blankets can be a great way to insulate hot water heaters. It can reduce energy consumption and extend the heater’s lifespan- because the system won’t have to work as hard.

Fix any leaks

Leaks can always be a problem. They can make your water bills soar! They can also cause damage to your home and are associated with some health problems. So, we always encourage you to keep a lookout for leaks and get any fixed at the earliest opportunity.

In winter fixing leaks seems especially important. When the temperature drops, even the smallest of leaks could cause big problems. If the water freezes, there could be more damage to the surrounding pipes. And- as mentioned= leaks can cause serious damage and costs to your home. So, never ignore them- it can and will just make the problem worse!

Preparing your heating

Along with your plumbing, you should check that your central heating system- particularly your boiler- is still operating efficiently and safely. Make sure you fix any boiler problems as soon as you can. To see some boiler signs which indicate a problem, keep reading. Some problems may [just] be annoying and affect your energy bills. However, others can leave you and your home in significant danger! So make sure you familiarise yourself these common boiler warning signs.

Boiler warning signs

Boiler noises
Frequent repairs
Fluctuating water temperatures and pressure
Lazy orange flame

A lazy orange flame can be a sign of carbon monoxide. This is a dangerous- potentially fatal- gas. So we encourage you to know its symptoms– see them here. Seek immediate help if you suspect its presence. Also fit a carbon monoxide detector, if you haven’t already. It’s one of the best ways have your house ready and protected from this poisonous gas. Detectors can be purchased cheaply from most hardware stores, and are easy to install. For guidance please click here. However, if you’re struggling with this, an engineer can assist you.

Annual boiler servicing

Have you had your annual boiler service? Your boiler should be serviced every year. It can allow for any problems to be detected, before they become more serious. A service helps make sure your boiler is operating efficiently and safely. Plus, not having a service invalidates most boiler warranties! So, if you haven’t had your annual boiler service yet, we encourage you to promptly arrange one.

Do you need a boiler repair in Rotherham?

If you need a boiler repair, or any other heating and plumbing assistance to help your home- in or around Rotherham- get ready for the cold this winter please don’t hesitate to contact us. With full public liability insurance, you can hire us with complete peace of mind!

Is smart home heating the way forward?

December 16, 2016/in News /by Phil Finchett

Is smart home heating the way forward?

Our customers often ask our advice on their home heating. Smart home heating is increasingly gaining interest. So we have decided to put together this blog to tell you what smart home heating is, it’s pros and cons, and if it could be the way forward for you.

Smart Home Heating

Smart home heating involves the use of thermostats. A typical/ traditional room thermostat simply allows you to change the temperature in your home by using a control panel or dial. A smart thermostat, however, provides you with more efficient and user-friendly control over the heating of your home- by using just three basic components.

3 components:

The first component is plugged directly into your boiler. It can wirelessly communicate with the second component. This is an in-home device- which is the thermostat and chief control. The third component is an app. This app is typically downloaded on to a tablet, or smart phone- though some are downloaded onto computers or laptops too. Users can then remotely control the second component (the thermostat/chief control device), by using the app. This allows them to easily alter the heating, wherever they are!

Note, however that this is just the basic foundation of smart thermostats. Some smart thermostats can offer much more! Some, for example, remember your household’s schedule, or can detect when you’re close to home. They can then prepare the heating accordingly.

The benefits of smart thermostats/heating

Being able to remotely control a home’s temperature can be especially appealing to those with busy schedules, or those particularly forgetful. If you have gone out and left the heating on, or if you have a meeting or appointment that is overrunning (so you’re not home when expected) you can just use your phone to turn your heating off!

Smart heating can thus save you from feelings of stress, the inconvenience of having to return home to turn off the heating, and save you money on your energy bills. You will no longer need to leave an empty house being heated. So although smart thermostats may not directly save you money- in the way switching energy suppliers can- they can save you money by helping reduce your usage. You can receive reports about how you use your energy. Becoming aware of times when you use and probably waste energy, will help you adjust your behaviour and preferences. Being less wasteful will obviously decrease energy bills.\

Potential cons:

Some smart thermostats may seem like an initial undesirable expense. Yet, often the savings make them worth it. Many manufactures predict you will make the cost back within the first year! However, your actual savings will depend on several factors, such as which thermostat you choose to install and your current heating features and habits.

But please bear in mind that smart heating (and any smart technology) does require a good wireless internet connection, and the app to be downloaded on a modern device. So if you have an older model phone or tablet, you may find compatibility issues. And if you live in a remote area and suffer poor internet connectivity, smart heating doesn’t seem like it’ll be the way forward for you.

Do you need any boiler repair assistance in the Rotherham area?

If you would like more advice, or any boiler or heating assistance, please get in touch with us here. We are always happy to provide a no-risk consultation- free of charge!

How dangerous can a burst pipe be?

December 16, 2016/in News /by Phil Finchett

How dangerous can a burst pipe be?

As the temperatures are quickly dropping, we thought it would be a good idea to remind you of the dangers of burst pipes. Cold winters can see a dramatic increase in water claims- due to frozen pipes bursting.

Potential damage of burst pipes

Burst pipes can release huge amounts of water. And water can cause significant damage. It can cause household items to break, stain furniture and ruin possessions– this can be particularly upsetting if it destroys sentimental belongings, like photos.

A burst pipe is also very inconvenient. The time, money, and emotional burden involved in repairs and replacements can become overwhelming. Sometimes the damage water causes can be so extensive that it even requires you to seek temporary accommodation elsewhere- whilst repairs are happening. And finally, water leaking is associated with mould growth, and risks to your health.

Therefore it’s really important to seek help, as soon as a pipe has burst- contact an emergency plumber immediately! We also recommend you keep reading, and take note of the following advice. It should help prevent and minimise the risks of burst pipes, and its potential damage.

Preventing and minimising the risks:

Insulate your pipes– this will help prevent them from freezing in the colder conditions. Frozen pipes are vulnerable to bursting. If you find a frozen pipe you must be cautious with handling it. If it is at ground level and easily accessible you may want to try thawing it. For guidance with this please click here. However, if in doubt we encourage you to contact a professional.

Know where your main stopcock is– where the water enters the property. In the event of an emergency it is important to know where and how to stop your flow of water. Occasionally test the stopcock to ensure it is working properly. If you ever find it is not, seek a plumber for assistance.

Report and deal with issues as soon as they’re noticed. The longer you leave problems, the worse they become. This will end up requiring more work and cause greater stress and expense.

In the event of a burst pipe

Even with all the preventive measures, sometimes pipes can still burst. Burst pipes can cause serious damage to structure of your home and the electrical wiring. So if you experience this, we strongly advise you to take the following steps.

Turn the water supply off– turn off the main stop tap. This is normally located under the kitchen sink, or where the service pipe enters the home. Drain your system by turning on all your cold taps. If water has been leaking for a while, and the ceilings are bulging you must be careful. It may be dangerous to enter that room. If you think it is safe, carefully make a hole to release the water. Place buckets underneath the catch the escaping water. But, never touch the ceiling if you doubt its stability- contact a professional.

Turn your water heating systems and electrics off. The central heating and electrics should be off and electrical appliances should be moved away from any water. Remember electricity and water mixing can be extremely dangerous!

Call a professional Asap to help fix the pipe and repair any damage.

Do you need commercial gas near Rotherham?

If you need a boiler help (or any heating or plumbing assistance) in or around Rotherham, please contact us. We promise to always offer an affordable, and professional service.