Rotherham boiler repair

A Short Guide to LPG

/in /by

Liquefied petroleum gas, commonly referred to as LPG, is the main fuel used for cooking equipment and heating appliances found in every home. In order to avoid accidents, we have come up with a short guide to help you prevent or detect LPG leaks and minimise the possible damage. Keep on reading to stay informed and be safe!

About LPG

When handled correctly, LPG poses no threat to your health or the environment and is safe to use. As any flammable substance, it ignites easily and should be used respecting strict regulation. Because LPG is typically odourless, it has a powerful odourant added so that it can be easily detected.

What to Do If You Smell Gas

First, open all doors and windows to make sure you have enough oxygen in the room. Turn off all appliances and do not switch on or off any lights or electrical equipment. If the incident happens during night time, do not light any matches or lighter. Leave the room or the house entirely and call the fire brigade.

Do Not Skip Regular Maintenance

One of the most common causes of accidents is equipment or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. Read the instructions for all equipment, have it serviced as required, and only reach out to Safe Gas Registered engineers.

Regular maintenance is important because it helps you prevent fuel waste and detect cracks or other possible issues before they can pose a threat to your home. On the other hand, regular check-ups can lead to the optimisation of fuel usage, which translates to lower energy costs.

How to Detect Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of malfunctioning appliances. It is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas, which makes it hard to detect. Nausea, headaches and dizziness are the most common indicators there is a carbon monoxide emission in the room. Because indoor emissions of carbon monoxide can quickly rise to a lethal level, it is important that you turn off any gas appliance you are using, leave the room and call the fire brigade.

In order to prevent such accidents, you can install a CO detector near any major gas appliance.

How Can You Prevent Accidents

  • Make sure you turn off the gas cooker after you have finished using it
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector
  • Do not allow anyone that is not Gas Safe Registered to install, repair or alter the equipment

If you want to run a regular check for your gas appliances or equipment, contact us at 0800 061 4102 or fill in our contact form. With an experience of over 20 years in heating and plumbing, we’d be glad to help you, as well.

6 Ways to Make Your Office More Energy Efficient

/in /by

Energy consumption in office buildings is a hot topic and there are many ways in which you can make it more efficient. We have come up with 6 recommendations that can reduce your energy bill and contribute to a greener environment.

1. Optimise the consumption after hours

One of the best ways to reduce energy consumption in the office is to turn off all the lights and electronics when the day is done. This includes laptops, AC units, fax machines, scanners and other appliances that do not need to be permanently plugged in. Moreover, you can even plug them out to prevent drawing standby power.

2. Replace old electronics

Usually, older appliances consume more energy than the new ones. For example, an AC unit that has been installed earlier than 5 years ago will require considerably more energy to cool the air than a new unit. This happens because the regulations that apply to new electronics have become more strict regarding their energy consumption and effects on the environment.

3. Choose smart switches and smart extension cords

Smart switches allow you to control the lights in a room or building, no matter your location. The switches are available on your smartphone so that you can turn off the lights in the office even if you have already left the building.

On the other hand, smart extension cords are a great solution when it comes to devices that are turned off but still plugged in. These devices still draw power, which can increase your monthly bill by up to 10%. A smart extension lead discontinues the power to gadgets that are in standby mode so that no energy is wasted.

4. Open the shades during daytime

This recommendation may sound simple, but ensuring enough natural light in the office can cut the costs on the energy bill significantly. Moreover, according to The World Green Building Council, employees who are exposed to natural light instead of indoor light are 15% more productive.

5. Use the power-saving mode feature on your devices

Devices that are being used at all times, such as laptops or smartphones, require energy constantly. Therefore, any improvement can be noticeable on the energy bill and, later on, on the environment. By enabling power-saving mode on your devices, you enhance their battery life, so they will need to be charged less often.

6. Check for malfunctioning appliances

Another way to avoid energy waste at your office is regular maintenance for all appliances. A broken AC unit, for example, will use more energy and still won’t work as expected. To prevent this from happening, make sure all the devices and systems are working properly.

Turn Your Office Greener

If you’re thinking about how to turn your office more energy efficient, these 6 recommendations are a great start. Start a “green challenge” to make your co-workers or employees tag along in your efforts of making the office more energy efficient.

In case you need help with replacing old equipment or installing a more sustainable alternative, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. In the last 20 years, we have proudly served domestic and commercial plumbing and heating clients in South Yorkshire and we’re happy to help you, too.