A fireplace can be a great addition to any home, offering a source of heat, light and adding aesthetic appeal and value.
However, if you do opt to fit one in your home you’ll need to make sure it remains safe and runs efficiently – check out these fireplace maintenance and safety tips to find out how.
Do you know what a stopcock is? A stopcock is a valve, which controls and stops the flow of liquid or gas.
It’s the valve that stops the water coming into your property from the main water supply.
There are many makes and, over the years, their look and feel may have changed slightly but, on a whole, they all are very similar.
Normally, the stopcock will have a tap or handle on the top, which, if turned clockwise, will close the valve and, if turned anticlockwise, will open the valve.
In some modern houses, a new device, called the automatic stopcock, could be found.
This is a rectangular box on the pipe and the valve is activated by switch, remote control or automatically.
Now, we know what we are looking for, we have to begin the hunt.
About 50% of people know where the stopcock is within the home.
But that still leaves 50% of us guessing or not knowing.
The general rule of thumb is that the stopcock will be as close to the point where the water comes into the property.
Generally, this means within the kitchen or downstairs bathroom areas.
In some properties, such as terraced or very old properties, the water may come in through the front of the property and the stopcock could then be located in a utility cupboard, basement or hallway.
If the property is more modern, it will most likely to be found in the kitchen near the sink or the garage.
So, now you know what we are looking for and assuming your hunt was successful you should have the stopcock in sight.
Most will be in an easy to access area and require no tools. In some rare cases, the stopcock could be under floorboards or even out of reach behind baths or cupboards.
If this is the case, certain tools can be purchased to help reach the tap or, in the case of the key type stopcock, a key tool will be required as the stopcock will have no handle or tap.
Now, we have checked that the stopcock is in working order, many stopcocks are rarely seen let alone used and can become stiff or even jammed solid.
Remember, clockwise is closed and anticlockwise is open. Turn the tap slowly but firmly clockwise half a turn at first.
If it turns with ease, carry on. If not, clean the stopcock of grime and dirt and apply easing oil such as WD40, rock the tap open and closed until you have movement.
If it does not move it may need replacing. When you have the Mains Stopcock closed, open the cold water taps on the sinks and bath to remove the remaining water in the system.
Once the water stops flowing, you are all done. If it was a leak, it will stop or if it is home improvements you can start.
If you are unable to fix your stop valve yourself then we would recommend you find an emergency plumber.
At Blazes, we firmly believe in making sure you get the most from your central heating system.
To this end, we offer a free home heating survey to help you understand the best options for creating a warm inviting home.
You will be advised on the most cost effective and energy efficient new boilers and radiators to ensure guaranteed warmth and maximum efficiency.
Here are just a few ways we advise you:
1. Your rooms are measured to determine exactly how much heat is required for each room in order to find the correct sized radiators for your home.
Many homes have pre-installed radiators which are the wrong size. This leads to wasted heat and money.
2. To work efficiently, radiators have to be set up correctly with the heat radiating in the right directions. We take every measure to ensure they are fitted in just the right place.
3. Radiators mounted on outside walls can lose a lot of heat through the wall, especially if there is no cavity wall insulation. There are multiple solutions to counter this and we can even help you with cavity wall insulation.
4. It is very important to make sure the airflow beneath your radiators is not blocked so there should be nothing underneath it.
5. Radiator efficiency will also be affected by draughts through cracks and around windows. Checking that holes and cracks are sealed will prevent draughts.
Winter is officially upon us, and with big name energy companies raising prices once again this winter, many are looking for ways in which to ensure their home is energy efficient or even changing from gas to solid fuel heating systems.
So with this in mind here are a few tips on making sure your heating is running efficiently this season, whether you have a gas boiler or you’re a stove lover.
Firstly, a common mistake is to place a thermostat where there is a draft or heating element like a radiator, which inevitably produces a false reading! Look to place a thermostat in a living room away from radiators and on an internal wall – Always ensure a qualified heating engineer installs your system.
Most modern thermostats have a timing element and can save you a fair amount in winter months. Make sure you programme this properly dropping the temperature to a lower level whilst you’re at work and in bed, keeping the temperature maintained at a certain level will only save money if your house is very efficient.
Keep your boiler running efficiently throughout winter and make sure you’re not caught out in the cold with a breakdown or burst pipes. Certain cleaning systems and anti-freeze products on the market can help prevent these mishaps, so make it part of your annual service.
If you have rooms that are seldom used, close the doors, rooms will heat up much more efficiently when sealed off. Thermostatic valves can reduce the temperature in unused rooms for further super-efficient savings.
Replacing an old boiler is no small job, but old central heating boilers can cost a fortune to run. By upgrading to an A rated condensing boiler, which are much more efficient and reliable, you can halve your bills overnight.
If burning wood is your preference, make sure you’re prepared with quality-dried logs. If they’re damp you’re not going to be burning hot enough and most of your hard earned cash will be leaving you as steam.
Hardwoods burn longer but fetch a higher price. Softer woods have a lower price tag but won’t last you as long. Either way, it’s more important to make sure they’re seasoned properly. If you’re unsure use a moisture-measuring device and aim for less than 25%. Burning properly seasoned firewood will burn with little smoke, clean, and most importantly hot!
Remove excess ash build up, and ensure you have your flue/chimney cleaned each year, burning damp wood will also lead to creosote build-up, increasing the risk of chimney and flue fires.
There are also new products and stoves on the market aimed at lowering your wood or coal usage, helping you to stay warmer for longer and saving you money, as well as helping the environment along the way.
Lastly, make sure you:
High standard roof and wall insulation is often free from government-backed schemes so get yourself checked out.
With winter well and truly upon us once again, have you made sure your home is prepared for those bitter cold evenings?
Here at Blazes, we want to make sure you stay comfortable throughout the colder months. To that end, here are some hot tips to help keep your house nice and toasty and free from problems throughout winter.
Heating
The fastest way to lose heat is through an inefficient central heating system and poor insulation.
Consider using thick curtains, draught proofing your walls and using window shutters.
You might also consider fitting a frost thermostat for when the air temperature gets too low.
If you are planning to be away for a long time, or you are planning to start a refurbishment project, hire a specialist to drain down your central heating system.
Also, check the age of your boiler to ensure it doesn’t need replacing. If it does, Blazes can help you to get a high quality replacement with the Boiler Scrappage Scheme. This will decrease your bills dramatically.
Find out more about Blazes central heating.
Chimneys and flues
You might consider hiring a professional chimney sweep to ensure all chimneys and flues are in tiptop condition.
If you are planning on lighting your fire this winter, bring in lots of dry firewood and kindling for your log basket.
Brickwork repairs
Check your brickwork and get them repaired if there are any defects. Any cracks will lead to serious problems when they freeze as well as letting the heat out.
Gutters
Clean all gutters and downpipes and, if there are lots of trees in the area, think about installing gutter guards.
Ensure your drains aren’t blocked, so you don’t get flooded during heavy rainfall.
Roof and wall insulation
Loft and cavity insulation is so effective that most local authorities offer a free or subsidised scheme to council taxpayers.
Homeowners are advised to seek out this opportunity before contracting out privately.
Older properties do not have cavity walls will benefit from a process called External Wall Insulation (EWI). Blazes can help you with this.
EWI can save over 40% on heating bills and add value to your property.
Cellars
If you have a generator, it may have gathered a lot of dust in the cellar over spring and summer. This could cause power cuts during adverse weather conditions. It is, therefore, advisable to clean it thoroughly.
The Government is attempting to cut UK energy usage by a massive 11% by 2020.
Britain’s first national Energy Efficiency Strategy aims to address the lack of information on energy efficiency, as well as improving financial incentives and the hassle of installing them.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) argues there is a need for improvement in businesses and organisations.
The DECC is introducing a countrywide ‘retrofit programme’ to reduce risk, costs and time to install energy efficiency measures in public buildings.
It may also enhance the recently launched Green Deal to cover all types of businesses.
There is also a arge investment in ‘End Use Energy Demand Centres’, designed to research consumer behaviour.
The DECC also wants to trial new labels on energy products in order to persuade customers to become more energy efficient.
According to the DECC report, these measures will reduce Britain’s energy consumption by 11% by 2012, saving 41,000,000 tonnes in the nation’s emissions.
Richard Knight, of the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), said: “We have consistently said that energy efficiency is a key development priority for the UK and it is good to see more formulised thinking published in this area.”
Michael Eyre, of Blazes Renewables, said: “The new government proposals are very encouraging and it is up to homeowners and businesses to take advantage of the green initiatives being put in place.
“There are already financial incentives available for homeowners and businesses and these proposals will strengthen them even further.”
Visit Blazes Renewables for more information on how you can benefit from improving your property’s energy efficiency.
Being caught without central heating in cold weather is terrible thing. To avoid it, try to maintain your central heating boiler to avoid the need to repair it.
There are a number of things you can do:
1. Get your boiler serviced regularly – at least an annual service is required to ensure your boiler is working properly and not causing any problems, such as gas leaks.
2. If you can’t find the manual, check the model number and contact the manufacturer to find out what to do. You can download advice from their websites.
3. If you have a frozen pipe, you can melt the ice by warming the water and insulating the material. This fix is only temporary, however, and you will need to consult a gas safe engineer for something more permanent.
Struggling with your boiler? It might be a good time to contact your heating engineer.
About
The most popular heating method of home heating is circulating water through pipe work and radiators via a pump and then returning it to the boiler.
Three common types of boiler types are combination boilers, condensing boiler and heat only boilers.
Combi boilers are two appliances in one, a boiler and an instant water heater. Which means you don’t need a hot water cylinder since the demand when a tap is turned on.
Also known as sealed systems, condensing boilers use storage cylinder to heat water for central heating and water on tap.
Heat only central heating boilers also use a hot water storage cylinder with the addition of cold-water top up tanks.
In summer, the last thing on your mind is central heating. It’s hot outside and you don’t need to buy a new central heating system or boiler – it can wait, right? Wrong.
Summer is the ideal time to get the best deal, with cheaper central heating systems at Blazes.
Blazes already has central heating summer deals on, and the summer prices are unbeatable.
If your boiler is over ten years old, it will probably be costing you too much. Why not swap it for a Premium Dimplex central heating boiler – with an exclusive to Blazes 10-year parts and labour warranty, worth over £750.
Electricity costs roughly three times the amount of gas per kWh.
This means that with a modern, energy efficient condensing boiler, gas is by far the cheapest fuel to heat our homes at the moment.
However, there will also be an investment necessary for the installation of a boiler and, if necessary, room radiators. Unless you already have a gas supply, it may also cost to put a gas pipe in your home.
Purchase and installation is, therefore, less with electric storage heaters, which store heat overnight. They also require very little serving.
But you have much less control over electric storage heaters compared to gas central heating systems. In addition, older storage heaters lose a lot of heat in day, requiring on peak electricity to get it up to full use again.
If you already have a gas supply nearby and you can afford the initial installation costs, a gas central heating system is definitely the wisest move.
You may even be entitled to government heating and insulation subsides, where certain households can get improvements. But this is a means tested scheme, required you to meet a set of criteria.
Improving your home heating before the cold weather returns
Every summer, it is a good idea to pinpoint specific problems that may be causing you to lose the heat in your home.
Every year, perform regular maintenance checks on your central heating system each year, such as changing filters and scheduling service from a qualified technician.
Service it and consult your owner’s manual to check the typical lifespan for central heating system so that you can replace the system before it becomes inefficient.
Get a provider, such as Blazes to conduct a home energy audit to determine any inefficiency in your heating, such as air leaks.
If you want to do it yourself, there are a few areas you must check for air leaks.
First, inspect your windows and doors. Both rattling windows and noticeable daylight from a doorframe mean potential air leaks.
You can repair these leaks by blocking the flow of air using sealants.
You can check the airflow that affects energy output. Holding a burning incense stick around electrical outlet and baseboards to test for airflow that hurts energy efficiency.
The smoke will move more if there is an air leak. If you shut all your doors, windows and fireplace flues, you can get a more accurate result.
Also try to inspect for areas where junctions between two different building materials occur. If you find cracks or holes, plug these locations to seal off external air leaks.
Visit the central heating section to get a FREE home survey.
1. Firstly, decide on the type of fuel you wish to use to operate your central heating boiler.
The most common types are gas and oil. Most prefer gas because it is so convenient. You can connect the unit to the main gas supply and there is no need to top up the supply.
By comparison, wood burning central heating boilers are more difficult to maintain since the ashes must be cleaned out regularly.
Think about which fuel will be more cost effective for you and how much servicing and maintenance they will need. For example, an oil-burning boiler will cost more than a gas or wood-burning unit.
2. What sized central heating boiler do you need? A number of factors should determine this decision, including the size of your building, the number of bathrooms you need and the number of people occupants.
You can get a rough estimate of this by adding together the heat output of your radiators, adding 3kW for a hot water cylinder if used to heat water as well, and adding another 10 percent to take into account cold winters.
3. You must decide on the type of central heating boiler best suits your home – a combi-boiler, conventional boiler or a system boiler.
Conventional central heating boilers require a holding tanks and consume more energy than other boilers.
Combi-boilers supply hot water on demand and no tank or extra pipework is required. These are the most cost-effective but can take a while for the water to heat.
System central heating boilers are more consistent with temperature and flow because the central heating element is located in a storage tank. These are by far the most expensive for the initial installation.
4. Comparing the energy efficiency ratings of the boilers is your next step. Central heating boilers’ energy efficiency are measured by put an ‘AFUE’ rating on each unit (annual fuel utilisation efficiency). Cut costs by 30 per cent by installing a central heating boilers with a rating of 90 or higher.
5. You will need to decide if you want wall hung or floor standing central heating boilers. It really depends on where you wan to put them. You can take up less space with awall-hung boilers take up less space and are designed for installation in commonly used places in your house, such as a kitchen.
If you have a less frequented area, such as a cellar or garage a floor-standing boiler may be the best option. However, they are often larger and more noisy. Heat exchangers last much longer in floor-standing boilers than their wall-hung counterparts.
Central heating specialists, such as national UK company, Blazes, will help you decide on the best course of action by carrying out a home survey.
WIth a wealth of experience in central heating installations, Blazes has a huge range of boilers and systems.
Visit the central heating section for more information.
