Our Hertfordshire weather has brought nothing but confusion over the past few months. Heavy snowfall mixed with brilliant sunny days and temperatures that have brought us out in shorts one minute and reaching for our winter jumpers the next. Most home heating systems switched off their radiators assuming that summer was on its way, only to turn them back on again as the temperature has once again dropped.
Having a reliable and dependable boiler to provide hot water and heat is a daily essential, especially in these conditions when we’re turning out radiators off and on at will. However, like with your car getting checked over for its yearly MOT to ensure it’s roadworthy, your boiler needs to be regularly checked and tested to make sure all components are working correctly. Safety isn’t the only concern, getting your boiler is serviced regularly will help keep down the cost of your energy bills and ensure maximum central heating efficiency.
What will your boiler engineer be looking for?
Regular checks of your boiler can detect whether something is wrong or stop any existing issues from getting worse. If your boiler is incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or not regularly serviced, it can produce carbon monoxide gas. This dangerous substance is very harmful and has led to fatalities. The Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society reports that between 1 Sept 1995 – 31 August 2016 there were a total of 715 fatalities caused by Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
How will I know if my boiler is emitting dangerous Carbon Monoxide gas?
Quite simply, you won’t. This harmful gas has no taste, smell or colour, for those reasons it’s recommended that you have an audible carbon monoxide alarm fitted in your home. The usual symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapsing and a loss of consciousness. Detection can be even more difficult as many of these signs are confused with the most common of illnesses like flu, food poisoning and viral infections. Having your gas boiler regularly serviced will ensure your safety is not compromised. Along with assurances over breakdowns, servicing provides invaluable peace of mind for health-related issues.
If you’re unsure when you last had your boiler serviced, call us today so we can help you make your home a safe place.