Gas safety week is this week (17th – 23rd September), is the eigth annual gas safety week. WPJ Heating is proud to say that we are strong supporters. The Gas Safe Register coordinates the week every year. The official list is of gas engineers who can legally work on gas installations and appliances. Companies across the UK will raise awareness of the dangers associated with ill – maintained gas appliances.

So, WPJ Heating is gas safe registered and we take care of our customers’ homes – it’s our top priority. We believe that it doesn’t end when we deliver a good service, get paid and leave.

Why Gas Safety is important

Poorly installed or badly serviced gas appliances – (gas boilers, heaters, cookers, fireplaces, underfloor heating) can cause gas leaks, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning affects thousands of people across the UK. It’s a gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It is especially dangerous because it can kill with no warning. Ensure that you service your gas appliances properly and you’ll be taking care of your home.

Gas Safety Guide

Next, follow this simple guide to make sure that your home is gas safe:

Your Landlord

The law states that your landlord has to ensure that gas appliances supplied to you are in good condition. They must arrange regular gas safety checks every year and show you that they have been completed. Landlords will typically also provide a gas safety certificate to show you that your boiler and other gas appliances are safe.

Your Engineer

Check that your engineer is gas safe registered. You can check that an engineer is gas safe registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or calling 0800 408 5500. Make sure to check your engineer’s id card and that they are qualified to work on the specific appliance you’ve called them out for. A company may be gas safe registered but it doesn’t mean that all their engineers are qualified to work on any gas appliance. For example, an engineer might have sat exams to be able to work on a boiler, but not a gas cooker. Also check the back of their id card to make sure.

Your Appliances

Next, if you notice anything odd about any of your gas appliances, call a gas engineer immediately. For example – weak, yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks around your appliance or too much condensation in the room. If you notice any of these signs, call your gas engineer or arrange a boiler service because they may be a sign. Importantly, don’t attempt to adjust or fix gas appliances yourself.

Carbon Monoxide

Third, make sure you have a working, audible carbon monoxide alarm and locate it near any fuel burning appliances. It might be necessary to have more than one carbon monoxide alarm depending on the size of your property. (For example, if your boiler is located in the loft and you have a gas cooker in your kitchen, you’ll need to have an alarm near your gas cooker and another one near your boiler).

Finally, the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapsing and loss of consciousness. Above all, exit the property immediately and call emergency services if you or a family member experience any of these symptoms,.

Gas Safety Emergency

In conclusion, call the national gas emergency helpline 0800 111 999, if you ever smell gas

Congratulations to our apprentices Connor and Nick who recently graduated from our apprenticeship scheme and are now certified gas engineers.

Connor and Nick joined WPJ as apprentices in 2013 and have been working hard towards their qualifications since then. A full apprenticeship to become a gas engineer takes four years to complete. The scheme covers basic plumbing in the first two years, electrics, heating, hot & cold water in the third year and in the final fourth year, apprentices learn how to work with gas.

The guys joined us after finishing their secondary school at age 16 and four years later, are now full-fledged gas engineers as well as full time employees at WPJ Heating.

We are very proud of them and happy with their hard and thorough work. We wish them all the best!

Types of gas boiler

Today, we’ll cover the 3 different gas boiler options you have if your home is connected to the national grid’s gas supply. By the end, you’ll have a better picture of what gas boiler installation suits your property.

A gas boiler can be separated into 3 main types. These suit different-sized properties and differing heating and hot water requirements. Let’s jump in:

Combination boilers / Combi boilers

Combination boilers are perhaps the most common type of gas boiler in London. These are just “one solitary white box” on the wall. Combi boilers heat up hot water for your taps and showers on demand (i.e. the burner kicks in whenever a hot tap is opened) and they also produce the hot water that circulates around your radiators. Because they don’t take up much space and are perfectly suited to smaller properties and flats, they are often the right choice for London homes.

Combi Boiler Strengths

– Well suited to smaller homes (no need for a tank)

– Hot water on demand (no need to switch on the boiler then wait)

– Energy efficient (It doesn’t heat water and then store it, so less energy waste)

Combi Boiler Weaknesses
– Not suited for multiple outlets
(e.g if your kitchen and bathroom tap are being used at the same time, you’ll find a decrease in your hot water tap pressure)

System Boilers
System boilers can look the same as a combination boiler but must be paired up with a separate hot water cylinder (often in an airing cupboard). This type of set-up takes up more space and may be better suited to multiple bathroom properties or busy family households where there is a larger demand for hot water with baths, showers, washing machines etc. System boilers will also have more independent controls – zone valves to separate different radiator and hot water cylinder circuits, programmers to set timings for these circuits and thermostats to control desired temperatures.

System Boiler Strengths
– Suited to homes of any size

– No need for a tank in the loft

– Multiple taps can be used at the same time

System Boiler Weaknesses
– Hot water isn’t instant

– The cylinder can take up valuable storage space

Conventional boilers
Conventional boilers (or sometimes called heat only boilers) also need to be paired up with a hot water cylinder. In addition to the extra zone valves, thermostat and programmer, they also require a circulating pump and sometimes an expansion vessel depending on the circumstances. Regular boilers are often best suited to larger properties also and may be paired up to generate larger heat loads.

Conventional Boiler Strengths
– Suitable for very large properties

– Can run multiple taps comfortably

Conventional Boiler Weaknesses
– Hot water isn’t instant

– You’ll need room for a cylinder and a tank

Other Boiler Types

Condensing boilers are more energy efficient and have been made mandatory by the Government since 2005, barring exceptional circumstances. All boilers are condensing regardless of the categories listed above.

Before you install your boiler

WPJ Heating have spent 15 years fitting these boiler types into properties of all shapes and sizes. Remember to speak to your engineer about your choices before committing to a boiler installation for your home.

Boiler Prices

Boiler manufacturers vary, so boiler prices will change depending on type, size, performance, quality and guarantee. Ask for 2-3 quotes from different boiler installation companies in your area as the prices can differ dramatically. Boiler prices should range from £800 – £2000. It is a long term investment so it’s important to do your research and explore which boiler is right for your home and your household needs before you make your purchase.

Being in the business 11 years, we’ve found Worcester Bosch and Valiant to be top quality brands, and we choose to work with them because their products are top grade and both companies have demonstrated a commitment to customer service and care over the years. A new Worcester Bosch or Vaillant boiler ranges from £1800- £3000 including installation.

Save on New Boiler Prices

According to the energy saving trust – a modern, condensing boiler can save you up to £350 your yearly gas bill. Investing in better quality now will pay off later as you start to see your energy bills decrease.

The table below shows approximate numbers.

Boilers that come with a guarantee longer than 7 years are always better because you can rest easy that you won’t be put out in the winter months by a surprise boiler breakdown.

Different installers give different guarantees on the same boiler

Note that it’s not just the brand or type of boiler that determines the length of your guarantee. It also depends on the service your installer is offering.

Leading manufacturers like Worcester Bosch and Valliant often vet installers with different grades, those grades, in turn, affect how long your installation company can guarantee your boiler for. For example, top level Diamond members of the WAI(Worcester Accredited Installers) scheme can give the longest guarantee on their boilers, 8-10 years depending on the type of boiler. A diamond rated company like WPJ Heating are trusted by Worcester Bosch to do an exceptional job with their products.

All these different factors will influence the final price of your boiler. It would depend on your needs and circumstances, but our recommendation is that you always choose quality over price, because it will cost you less in the long run. If you have any questions regarding your boiler, our customer service agents are here to help.

Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey. It’s a legal requirement for all gas engineers to be on this register in order to work on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances.

Our boilers are the source of all our hot water and heating in our home. Yet most people don’t think about them until there is an issue. That is why we put together this list of 4 reasons to have your boiler serviced annually.

1: Minor repairs can become major repairs
Major issues with your boilers often develop over time. So having annual boiler service can possibly catch this issues when they are minor and und up saving you money.

2: Save £ on heating costs
When your boiler is serviced, the Gas Safe Registered Engineer that does the service will make sure it is running at its highest efficiency thus making sure you are not wasting any money by heating your home and water.

3: Carbon monoxide is a killer
This is not a scare tactic, having a faulty boiler can cause you to be exposed to carbon monoxide that can kill you. The safety and health of your family is the most important concern when a Gas Safe Registered Engineer comes to your home.

4: It’s the law
If you’re a landlord, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that each of your properties has a current Gas Safety Certificate. Only Gas Safe Register approved engineers are qualified to perform this gas safety check and issue a CP12 Inspection Certificate to prove it.

When having your boiler serviced always check to make sure the company is on the Gas Safe Register and ask the engineer when they arrive to see proof of this. If you are in Fulham and your boiler is due its annual service call 020 7350 2511 or click here to schedule one of our engineers to come out to your home.

We all use them, but have you ever wondered what are the most expensive loos in the world? Here are 5 of the world’s most expensive loos.

Coming in at number 5 is TOTO Neorest 600 is a washlet toilet manufactured by the Japanese company TOTO. It is considered one of the most advanced toilets and is currently sold for more than £3,500. The Neorest 600 offers several features, including bidet with three adjustable cleaning modes, electric seat heating with adjustable temperature, automatically opening and closing of the lids, automatic flush, built in air purifier and deodorizer, tankless water-saving feature and energy-saving features.

At number 4 we have an INAX high-tech toilet that is ready for you. Literally. Its lid rises and its seat heats as you walk toward the toilet. As the lid opens, music plays from a sound card, and the deodorizer is turned on. After all this, there couldn’t possibly be more. Well, there is. When you’re done with your business and you walk away, the toilet flushes on its own. The INAX’s human-ready loos price can be as high as £6,100.

Number 3 Julien Bench Toilet designed by Troy Adams, in 2007. It will change the way you look at toilets. Actually, it’ll change the way you don’t look at toilets. Those of you who’d prefer to keep your toilet tucked away, this is the toilet for you. The Bench Toilet’s sliding panel allows for the toilet to be concealed when not in use, and when the bench isn’t acting as a toilet, it’s acting as a powder room bench. This toilet serves as the perfect way to conceal your throne. This dual-serving toilet can be purchased for £8,151.

Number 2 (no pun intended) is Isis (Swarovski) Toilet. What screams luxury more than Swarovski crystals? Jemal Wright designed this crystal-studded toilet known as the Isis for those who demand a lifestyle of luxury in the most extreme degree — even in the bathroom. It comes in various sizes, shapes and colored stones. Want one of these, you’ll need to pull out the big bucks; the Isis costs a whopping $75,000.

Now for number 1, we could have mentioned the gold Hang Fung toilet, but we choose to highlight the loo Tim Peake is currently using. Coming in at staggering £13,505,684.88 is the loo on the International space station. It was built by Russia in 2008 and was made specifically for the International Space Station. The toilet features straps so that you won’t float away. It also has fans to suck away the waste into a septic tank. The waste is then filtered and meticulously converted and purified into drinking water.

If you are in Chelsea and are looking for new loo that won’t cost you as much as a car, call 020 7350 2511 or click here.

¹ 7 Most Expensive Toilets in the World Accessed online 8 April 2016 http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/7-most-expensive-toilets-in-the-world-359857/
² The World’s 9 Most Luxurious Toilets Accessed online 8 April 2016 http://www.aspiremetro.com/design/the-worlds-9-most-luxurious-toilets/

A loss of water pressure is a good indicator of some common issues that arise with boilers. Low pressure is relatively easy to diagnose, as most boilers have a built-in pressure gauge. Sometimes, it is a simple fix to fix a boiler with low pressure.

Understanding water pressure

Constant water pressure is essential to the efficient functioning of your boiler system. Pressure in most modern combination boilers is maintained by cold water flowing from the water mains supply through a mechanism known as the ‘filling loop’

What causes a drop in pressure?

A number of things can cause pressure to drop. It may be that there is a leak somewhere in your boiler system. Or, if you bled your radiators recently, it may be that pressure was lost then. However, you may not be able to tell that you have a problem until you check the pressure gauge. A water leak, for instance, may be tiny and go unnoticed at first, only to develop into a larger problem down the line.

Checking your pressure gauge

Check the water pressure gauge or indicator, which is typically on the front of your boiler. For most boilers, this should be set around the 1 bar. (The position that was set when the boiler was first installed is sometimes shown by a red indicator needle.) If you have noticed repeated drops in your boiler pressure, make sure you check the gauge regularly. A drop in pressure is a good indication that there is a problem with your boiler.

How to tackle lost pressure

Each boiler will come with specific instructions about its pressure system. Check your user manual to see if you can re-pressurise your boiler yourself.

If you are in Chelsea and are having issues with your boiler call 020 7350 2511 or click hear.

¹ When your boiler has no pressure Accessed online 6 April 2016 https://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/boilers-and-central-heating/tips-and-advice/boiler-has-no-pressure.html

Have you got what it takes to rise to the top? That’s what National Apprenticeship Week 2016 is asking, as the annual event returns for its 9th year from 14th to 18th March 2016. Co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, the week celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

With businesses reporting an average increase in productivity of £214 per week when they hire apprentices and the fact that from April 2016 employers will no longer have to pay employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices aged under 25, taking on an apprentice is not just about expanding your workforce and capacity, it makes sound financial sense too.

Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) commented, “The new Trailblazer Apprenticeships have moved on greatly since the last National Apprenticeship Week, with over 1,000 businesses nationwide involved in designing the new apprenticeship standards across a range of industries. The future of plumbing and heating apprentices coming through the new system looks bright, as they will be far better equipped to enter an industry where the pace of technological change is fast and a wide range of professional and personal skills are required.”

You can find out more about apprenticeships at: http://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

¹ National Apprenticeship Week 2016 Accessed online 14 March 2016 http://www.installeronline.co.uk/event/national-apprenticeship-week-2016/