Gas Safe Register
From April 1st 2009, Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the body to which all gas engineers must be registered with to legally work on any gas appliance. Gas Safe Register is run by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and is the official gas registration body.
GK Plumbing and Heating’s registration number is 193600, and can be seen on our vans, literature, business cards, and advertisements.
When we replace your current boiler, we will automatically register the installation with Gas Safe. They will issue you with a certificate so you know your installation was carried out by an engineer who is qualified to do so. Only Gas Safe registered companies can do this. If you do not receive a certificate it is highly probably that the engineer who carried out the installation is not legally qualified or registered to do so.
Please click on the Gas Safe triangle to find out more.
GK Plumbing and Heating are qualified to work on both Natural Gas and LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas). LPG is an alternative to oil if you live in area where natural mains gas is unavailable. We are happy to advise you on the best option for you.
High Efficiency Gas Boilers
Since April 1st 2005 it is a requirement of the Building Regulations that all boilers must be high efficiency condensing boilers. Condensing boilers use the heat which is normally lost through the flue and convert it in to energy on which the boiler runs. New boilers which are Sedbuk Rated ‘A’ convert over 90% of the fuel used, whereas older boilers use only 50-70%. This means the fuel used to run a condensing boiler will go much further, thus reducing your fuel bills and your carbon footprint. This is the same for all types of boiler, be it a conventional style, combination or system boiler.
Controls
When replacing your old boiler, it is also important to think about your central heating controls. You can make further savings on your fuel bill by installing a room thermostat and thermostatic valves on your radiators. Digital room thermostats are easy to use and can control your room temperature precisely. If you update your controls at the same time as installing your new condensing boiler, you can look to make savings of £250 per year off your fuel bill*.
*Source: Energy Savings Trust, June 2008. Figures in conjunction with fitting a condensing boiler with full heating controls.
What Boiler?
There are three types of gas boiler available:
- Conventional Open Vented Boiler – this type of boiler is typical of those used in many homes, especially if you are replacing an older model. This system will have a boiler, extended controls, hot water cylinder and a feed and expansion cistern. This boiler setup uses the principle of stored hot water.
- System Boiler – similar to a Conventional Open Vented boiler, but there are some very important differences; 1) the major individual components of the hot water and heating system are built in, 2) the need for a separate feed and expansion cistern is removed as the hot water is pumped through the boiler to feed the hot water cylinder and radiators.
- Combination Boilers – often referred to as ‘Combi’ boilers, this type of boiler is extremely popular in the UK, accounting for more than half of all new boiler installations. A combi boiler removes the need for a stored hot water, as the boiler alone heats all the hot water you need on demand. It is this benefit that makes it such a popular choice, as it removes the needs for separate hot water storage, thus making it extremely space saving. Another benefit is the saving made of the cost of hot water, as you are only paying for what you need and not the cost of heating stored water.
When we come out to quote to replace your boiler, we are happy to go over the best option for you; however, below is a guide to help you understand your options.
| BOILER TYPE |
WHERE SUITABLE? |
| Conventional / System / Combination |
To make a central heating and hot water system more energy efficient |
| Combination |
Small property i.e. 1 bed house, apartment or bungalow |
| Conventional / System |
Property has 2 or more bathrooms |
| Combination |
Where a loft conversion is required |
| Conventional / System |
If mains water pressure is poor |
| Combination |
Instant hot water is required |
Free Phone 0800 458 6961