Working from home heating tips

By JR | Blog

With the winter months ahead, rising energy costs and many of us starting to work from home again, you might be worried your heating bills will go up. But there are ways to maximise your heating, keep warm and keep energy costs down. Read on for our top tips.

 

1. Keep your heating at a steady temperature

Adjust your thermostat down by one or two degrees to keep the temperature regulated. This is more efficient for keeping you warm and could reduced your energy bills by around £80 a year.

If you are out at any point, use the thermostat and timer to heat your home when it’s needed. Don’t keep it constantly very low, as this is not actually very efficient.

 

2. Add thermostats to every radiator

With a thermostatic radiator valve on each radiator, you can personalise the temperature in every room. Keep the thermostats turned up in rooms you use more frequently but turn them down in rooms you don’t.

The thermostats adjust the flow of water to your radiators, according to the temperature in the room. So, they ensure you’re not using more water or heat than needed.

 

3. Close internal doors

Keep heat in the rooms you want to stay warm by shutting the door. Similarly, close doors in rooms you don’t want to heat, to stop cooler air mixing and cooling the overall temperature down.

 

4. Use curtains and blinds

If you have curtains or blinds, use them. Curtains are especially helpful for keeping the heat in (or out in the summer!). As it’s getting darker much earlier, draw the curtains as soon as light starts to fade, to keep the room warm and prevent drafts.

 

5. Bleed your radiators

If you bleed your radiators regularly, it will help prevent cold spots developing. Your boiler will need to work harder if trapped air or sludge gets in the radiators, producing the cold spots. This makes your energy bills more expensive as well as not heating your room!

Regular radiator bleeding helps to keep your heating system clear, preventing damage as well as reducing your energy bills.

 

6. Keep vents and radiators clear

Don’t block your radiators or heating vents with furniture or laundry. The heat will go to them instead of your room! Move furniture away from radiators to allow the warm air to circulate and dry your wet laundry elsewhere.

If you don’t have a tumble dryer, a heated airer is efficient and inexpensive to run. This also prevents damp and mould building up, which can cause you other problems in your home.

 

7. Claim working-from-home tax relief

If you’re having to work from home because of Covid-19 or other reasons, you may be able to get £6 a week tax relief, which can help towards your energy bills. See the Government’s website for info on eligibility and how to claim.

 

8. Keep your boiler maintained

Of course, keeping your boiler in tip-top condition is the best way to make sure you have energy efficient heating for your home when you need it. Be sure to contact us to get your annual heating service booked in.

Why not consider one of our heating service plans? Our service plans will help you maintain your heating system and spread the cost of your annual service and any repairs.

We offer three levels of cover to suit your needs:

Basic Plan – ideal if your boiler is still under warranty

Standard Plan – covers for your annual service and labour costs

Advanced Plan – includes your annual service, labour and parts.

We can also assist you in specific add-ons for your household electrics and gas fires, as well as landlord options.

See our Service Plans page to find out more.

At Stevenson Heating, we are Gas Safe Registered heating installers. Contact us on info@stevensonheating.co.uk or request a callback to find out more or get a quote for improving your heating in your home.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2021

By JR | Blog

This week (22-28 November 2021) is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, an annual campaign run by United Against CO to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause harmful health conditions and even kill – it’s often known as the silent killer!

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms

Do you know how to recognise the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Dizziness, tiredness or confusion
Stomach pain, nausea or sickness
Difficulty breathing
Headaches
Collapsing or unconsciousness

Of course, these can also be symptoms of other illnesses, so make sure you get them checked out. If other household members experience the same or your symptoms ease outside, it could be because of carbon monoxide.

 

Use COMA to help you remember!

This year’s United Against CO carbon monoxide awareness campaign introduces four questions you can ask. So, use them to help decide whether symptoms you’re experiencing are from carbon monoxide poisoning:

Co-habitees – is anyone else in your home experiencing symptoms (including pets)?

Outdoors – do your symptoms improve when you’re outside?

Maintenance – are your cooking and heating appliances regularly maintained?

Alarm – do you have a carbon monoxide alarm?

Remember them using the acronym COMA!

This short video from the week’s launch gives you some useful advice:

And why not take this short quiz from the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) to test your carbon monoxide awareness!

 

Prevention is best

Of course, the easiest way to ensure you don’t have a problem is to prevent it happening! Firstly, make sure you have an annual boiler and gas appliance service. And secondly, get a carbon monoxide alarm to protect your household.

If you have a gas fire as well, we can service both at the same time for you. And, this will save you money! We can also supply and fit audible carbon monoxide alarms (that make a noise if they detect a leak). They’re not expensive and last 10 years, so it makes sense to have one.

Get in touch or request a call back to book your boiler and gas appliance service or to buy a carbon monoxide alarm.

Gas Safety Week 2021

By JR | Blog

Gas Safety Week: Community Safety

It’s Gas Safety Week 2021 this week (13-19 September), which we are once again supporting.

Spreading awareness of gas safety

Gas Safety Week 2021 raises awareness of gas safety and why it’s important to take care of your gas appliances. Now in it’s 11th year, the week is organised by the Gas Safe Register. This is the official list of gas engineers legally allowed to work on gas.  

Unsurprisingly, poorly maintained or badly fitted gas appliances are dangerous. They can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. As you may know, CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning. You cannot see it, taste it or smell it.  

This year’s Gas Safety Week addresses a whole range of gas safety issues: from how to stay gas safe, to using a qualified, registered engineer and much more. It’s main aim is to ensure the community doesn’t suffer from the effects of illegal gas work through lack of awareness.

 

Our gas safety week tips to keep you and your family safe

Check your gas appliances annually. Use a Gas Safe engineer to check and service your gas appliances once a year. If you rent, make sure your landlord arranges this.

Ensure  your engineer is on the Gas Safe Register. All our engineers at Stevenson Heating are on the Gas Safe Register.

Look out for your friends and relatives – especially if they can’t arrange their own gas safety check or may be unaware of what they need to do. Help your loved ones to have their appliances checked and serviced regularly.

Check for warning signs that could indicate your appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include: lazy yellow / orange flames instead of crisp blue ones; black marks on or around your appliance; a pilot light that keeps going out; and too much condensation in the room.

Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. They need to have the EN50291 mark and display the British Standards’ Kitemark.

 

Service Care Plans

To keep your gas heating system in tip top condition, including an annual service, why not sign up to one of our Service Care Plans? They help you spread the cost and keep things working properly.

Finally, we’ll be sharing some tips and advice on how to stay gas safe on our social media throughout Gas Safety Week. So, please be sure to follow us to get the updates:

Facebook – Stevenson Heating Ltd

Twitter – @StevensonHtg

Instagram – @Stevensonheating

And, for gas safety advice or to book an engineer to check your gas appliances, call us on 020 8462 8822, email us on info@stevensonheating.co.uk or request a call back.

Gas Safety Week 2020

By JR | Blog

Gas Safety Week: Fighting for a Gas Safe Nation

It’s Gas Safety Week 2020 this week (14-20 September), which we are once again supporting.

 

Helping the public stay gas safe

Gas Safety Week raises awareness of gas safety and why it’s important to take care of your gas appliances. It’s organised by the Gas Safe Register, which is the official list of gas engineers legally allowed to work on gas.  

Did you know, badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning? CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning. You cannot see it, taste it or smell it.  

 

Gas safety week tips to keep you and your family safe

✔️ Check your gas appliances every year. Be sure a Gas Safe engineer checks and services your gas appliances once a year. Tenants – make sure your landlord arranges this.

✔️ Look out for friends and relatives – especially if they can’t arrange their own gas safety check or may be unaware of what they need to do. Help your loved ones to have their appliances checked and serviced regularly.

✔️ Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. All our engineers at Stevenson Heating are on the Gas Safe Register.

✔️ Check your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work you need doing – e.g. natural gas, domestic boiler, gas fire. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and on the Gas Safe Register website.

✔️ Check for warning signs that could indicate your (or others’) appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include: lazy yellow / orange flames instead of crisp blue ones; black marks on or around the appliance; a pilot light that keeps going out; and too much condensation in the room.

✔️ Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

✔️ Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. They need to have the EN50291 mark and display the British Standards’ Kitemark.

We’ll be sharing some tips and advice on how to stay safe on our social media throughout the week. Please follow us to get the updates:

Facebook – Stevenson Heating Ltd

Twitter – @StevensonHtg

Instagram – @Stevensonheating

For gas safety advice or to book an engineer to check your gas appliances, call us on 020 8462 8822, email us on info@stevensonheating.co.uk or request a call back.

Gas fire service includes free carbon monoxide alarm

By JR | Blog

Gas fires are a carbon monoxide danger

If you have a gas fire, when did you last have it serviced?

Did you know that gas fires are a common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning? People aren’t always aware that they need to get them checked regularly, so they can often go quite some time without being serviced. This, of course can lead to problems, things going wrong and, unfortunately, a higher risk of carbon monoxide leaking.

As you may know, carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, yet deadly. It’s not called the silent killer for nothing! Read our previous blog about the dangers.

 

Annual service

We recommend that you have your gas fire serviced annually. This will keep it working perfectly and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to you and your family.

It’s a great idea to get your fire serviced at the same time as having your annual boiler service, saving you time and multiple appointments. We can do both for you, so give us a call on 020 8462 8822 or request a call back to arrange your appointment.

 

Free carbon monoxide alarm with gas fire services

We also recommend that you have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room where you have a gas appliance – usually where your boiler is and in each room you have a gas fire or other gas appliance.

An audible alarm will wake you up if there’s a problem while you’re asleep. They’re easy to fit – simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. But, of course we can fit one for you too.

And, because we think it’s so important to look after your gas fires as well as your boiler, we’re offering anyone with a gas fire a FREE audible carbon monoxide alarm when you have a gas fire service with us.

So don’t delay, get your gas fire checked out now and receive your free carbon monoxide alarm. Contact us to arrange an appointment on 020 8462 8822, request a callback or email info@stevensonheating.co.uk.

Gas Safety Week 2019

By JR | Blog

Next week is Gas Safety Week (16th-22nd September), which aims to raise awareness of poorly maintained gas appliances and the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

We’ll be sharing some tips and advice on how to stay safe on our social media throughout the week. Please follow us to get the updates:

Facebook – Stevenson Heating Ltd

Twitter – @StevensonHtg

Instagram – @Stevensonheating

 

Special Gas Safety Week offer on carbon monoxide alarms

We’ve also got a special offer on Sleep Safe carbon monoxide alarms during Gas Safety Week.

Get an alarm from us for just £14.99 inc VAT until 22nd September*. Pop into our shop or contact us.

 

Why do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?

Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless yet deadly – it’s known as the silent killer.

We recommend you have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in each room with a gas appliance. Make sure it’s one that will wake you up if you’re asleep, like the Sleep Safe alarm.

They’re easy to fit – simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. But if you’d like us to fit it for you*, contact us to arrange an appointment on 020 8462 8822 or email info@stevensonheating.co.uk.

*Usual price is £21.97. Offer valid during Gas Safety Week 16-22 Sept 2019. Price is for the alarm only. If you would like us to fit it, there is an additional fee.

Spring Heating Tips

By JR | Blog

Spring is well on its way. That means lighter nights, blossom on the trees and warmer temperatures. But what does this mean for your heating? Before you turn it off, read our tips on how to look after it during warmer months.

 

1. Don’t turn your heating off completely in spring

While you may be tempted to turn your heating off completely in spring, some valves may stick if they’re not used. And you won’t know there’s a problem until you switch it back on when you really need it later in the year.

Be sure to run your heating at least once a week during the warmer months. Just a few minutes will do, first thing in the morning.

 

2. Keep radiator values open

During warmer months, while your heating is off, keep all your radiator valves open and turn up the thermostats (if you have them on your radiators) to maximum. This will stop them sticking when you are using your heating fully in the autumn and winter.

 

3. Have your heating serviced in summer

An annual service is the best way to ensure your heating system remains in tip-top condition. But don’t be tempted to wait until the start of the winter before having yours serviced.

A service in June or July is the ideal time to rectify any problems that have occurred during warmer months and means your heating will be working properly when you really need it.

 

4. Turn down your hot water to save energy

Did you know you can turn down the temperature your hot water is heated to? You might want a piping hot shower or bath in the winter, but during spring and summer, turning your hot water down a degree or two will help cut your fuel bills. And because it’s warmer, you won’t really notice the difference in your bath or shower.

Simply adjust your boiler controls to alter the temperature. The water temperature will normally be set at 65 degrees but you can turn it down to 60 degrees in warmer months.

 

5. Protect your family with a carbon monoxide alarm

Carbon monoxide is the silent killer. You can’t see it or smell it. We recommend you have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in each room where you have a gas appliance.

We can fit them for you easily and relatively cheaply – the best way to protect your family!

Why not take advantage of our boiler and radiator offers this spring?

For help with your heating installations, repairs or servicing, contact us on 020 8462 8822 or request a call back.

Our Tips to Keep Your Home Warm this Winter

By JR | Blog

As temperatures start to creep downwards, many people will reach for the thermostat this Christmas in a bid to stay warm and ward off the risk of frozen pipes. But there are plenty of other ways to ensure your home stays snug and safe over the festive period. Here we share our top tips to help you stay warm, prevent plumbing problems and save on your heating bills this winter.

 

Keep it Closed

Drawing your curtains in the evenings is one of the easiest ways to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Check there are no gaps in the curtains to ensure they are as effective as possible. Keeping internal doors closed and windows shut will also help to keep the heat in each room.

 

Clear the Radiators

Blocking the radiators with furniture and laundry means the heat goes into drying your clothes or the back of the sofa instead of warming your home. Make sure all radiators are free from items that could absorb heat that is meant for you. Also check that your radiators are heating to the top. If not, grab a radiator key and bleed each radiator to release air that has built up inside.

 

Insulate, Insulate

If you insulate your home correctly, rooms will warm up more quickly and stay warmer for longer.  Everybody stays warm and you save on the heating bills. Insulating your loft is the number one place to start, as you lose around 25% of heat through your roof. If you have a hot water tank, insulating it will keep the water warm for longer.

 

Timing’s Everything

Using timers and thermostats mean that you only heat the home when you need to. Many people believe that leaving the heating on a constant low temperature is more energy efficient. This is not so, as it means your house is being heated when no-one’s home and is not warm enough when they are.

 

Protect your Pipes

Keeping your home warm is the best way to prevent frozen and burst pipes. Fix dripping taps as they can be first to freeze when the temperature falls. And, just in case the worst does happen, make sure you know where to turn off the water supply. The internal stopcock is usually located under the kitchen sink, but is sometimes found elsewhere, such as in the hallway.

 

Going Away

Going away for a few days can mean your home is at much greater risk of frozen or burst pipes if the temperature dips. Follow our tip above to ensure your pipes are protected. While you’re away, you can leave the heating on a low setting or set the timer. If you’re away for a longer period, it may be a good idea to shut off and drain the water system. Your pipes can’t freeze if there’s no water in them!

 

Think Safety

Have the boiler and central heating system serviced at least once a year by a qualified and registered Gas Safe engineer, such as our engineers. Look out for black marks or stains on or around your appliances. This can be a sign something isn’t working properly. Always investigate if you spot a yellow flame in your boiler instead of the usual blue one. Fitting an audible carbon monoxide alarm will give you extra reassurance that everyone is sleeping safe and soundly at night.

If you would like help to ensure your heating system is working properly, our team of heating and plumbing engineers are available throughout the Christmas period. Call 020 8462 8822 to arrange a call out.

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

By PaulS | Blog

Carbon Monoxide has been in the news recently as “the silent killer” but what exactly is it and what can you do for you and your family?

 

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced when burning fossil fuels such as gas, oil, wood and coal.

Normally most of the CO is burnt off but if the fuel does not burn properly excess CO is produced.

CO has no smell or taste and cannot be seen but it is poisonous. When it enters the body (through breathing it in), it prevents your blood from getting oxygen to your cells tissues and organs.

 

Harm to Health

Even if you are exposed to low levels of CO that do not kill, it can still cause serious harm to health, when breathed in over a long period of time.

Long-term effects of exposure to carbon monoxide include paralysis and brain damage. Even short-term inhalation can cause:

 

• headaches
• dizziness
• nausea
• breathlessness
• collapse
• loss of consciousness

 

Carbon monoxide symptoms are very similar to flu, food poisoning, viral infections and simply tiredness, which is why it is common for many people to mistake CO poisoning for something else.

 

How can I protect myself and my family?

Gas Safe and the Health and Safety Executive both advise 2 steps you should take to reduce the risk of CO poisoning:

1 . Making sure that your fossil fuel burning appliances (and flues) are regularly checked by competent engineers.

These include:

– Your heating boiler, no matter whether it burns gas, oil, wood or coal

– Any stoves or additional fires or heating appliances that burn fossil fuels

– That your chimney is clear and regularly swept.

2 . And secondly that you have a CO alarm fitted near the appliance and/or flue.

In Northern Ireland fitting a CO alarm is mandatory. In England and Wales, the 2010 Building Regulations Part J states carbon monoxide alarms need only be fitted in the same room as new or replacement solid-fuel heating appliances.

 

What is a CO Alarm?

A CO alarm is similar to a smoke alarm except that it alerts you to the presence of carbon monoxide (a smoke alarm will alert you to smoke and NOT carbon monoxide).

They are small battery operated units, normally with a guarantee of 5 years, which are mounted or sit near a gas appliance.

Unlike the cheaper “black spot” cards, they sound an alarm when they detect carbon monoxide and only need to be periodically checked to make sure the battery is still operating, just like a smoke alarm.

However, a carbon monoxide alarm is no substitute for correct installation and servicing of your gas appliances. So always make sure you get your gas appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer every year.

 

What alarm should I fit?

Gas Safe Register recommends the use of audible carbon monoxide alarms. It should be marked to EN 50291 and also have the British Standards’ Kitemark or another European approval organisation’s mark on it.

We supply and fit the leading brands such as Honeywell or Fire Angel which are both rated at and above the relevant standards.

 

Where should the CO alarm be fitted?

The recommendation is to fit an alarm in each room with a gas appliance.

Always follow the alarm manufacturer’s instructions on siting, testing and replacing the alarm.

It is important to choose an alarm that will wake you up if you’re asleep, or you may not be aware of early CO symptoms until it is too late.

 

Is there anything I can do now to check for potential problems?

There are signs that you can look out for which indicate incomplete combustion is occurring and may result in the production of CO:

• yellow or orange rather than blue flames (except fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame)
• soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
• pilot lights that frequently blow out
• increased condensation inside windows.

 

Other signs that could point to carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Your symptoms only occur when you are at home
• Your symptoms disappear or get better when you leave home and come back when you return
• Others in your household are experiencing symptoms (including your pets) and they appear at a similar time.

 

What should I do if I experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house.

See your doctor immediately or go to hospital – let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They can do a blood or breath test to check.

If you think there is an immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999.

Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect your gas appliances and flues to see if there is a dangerous problem.

 

Don’t assume your gas appliances are safe

Remember, get them checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and have a carbon monoxide alarm installed.

If you would like one of our Gas Safe registered engineers to check your boiler or you would like a carbon monoxide alarm fitted, please contact us on 020 8462 8822 or click here to request a callback.