Central Heating Tips, Hints & FAQ's



Central Heating Tips:

Premier Gas UK Ltd professional plumbers and engineers recommend some of the following tips to help prevent boiler breakdowns.

For energy efficiency:

  1. Ensure your boiler is serviced annually.
  2. Ensure all pipes are insulated correctly.
  3. Is the timer set correctly?
  4. Fit thermostatic radiator values in all rooms to allow you to control temperatures – don’t heat up rooms unnecessarily.
  5. Check for drafts around your windows / doors and letterboxes and insulate if necessary.
  6. Insulate your loft – most heat escapes through your roof.
  7. Older boilers can be inefficient – modern combination or condensing boilers are much more energy efficient.

Energy Saving Tips

Why should you save energy?

Saving energy in your home can save you money. If you use less energy in your home, your gas and electricity bills will be cheaper

Saving energy is also important for the environment. When the power stations that supply us with our energy burn fossil fuels, they pump out gases which make the earth heat up like a ‘greenhouse’. This is often called global warming. This is causing a lot of problems for the environment.

There are lots of things you can do to save energy in your home. A few of these will cost a little bit more now, but will save you lots more money in the future.

1. Use low energy light bulbs

1 low energy light bulb can save you up to £10 a year on your electricity bill. And because they last longer you will not have to change them very often.

Use these bulbs where you switch lights on most often or for the longest amount of time. These bulbs do not work with sensors, dimmers or timers.

2. Have a shower not a bath

Having 1 bath uses the same amount of water as 5 showers! So having a shower instead of a bath will save lots of water.

3. Turn down your central heating

It is important to keep warm in the winter, but if it is too warm in your home, turn down the thermostat and save money.

Turning your heating down by just 1°C (centigrade) could cut 10% off your heating bill. This means that if your gas bill is normally £100 this could save you £10.

Place an insulating jacket over your hot water tank. This can save up to £15 a year.

4. Turn off lights and things that use electricity

Turn off things like your lights, TV, Stereo and computer when you have finished using them. Do not leave them on ‘Stand-by’ – this wastes energy.

5. Close the curtains

Close your curtains when it gets dark. This will stop heat getting out through your windows.

6. Save energy when you wash your clothes

Use your washing machine when you have a full load.

Only use your tumble dryer when you really have to. Dry your clothes on an airer or hang outside to dry. This won’t cost you anything!

7. Turn off taps

Try not to leave taps dripping – this will waste lots of water.

8. Only boil the water you need in your kettle

Only boil the amount of water you need. Do not fill the kettle up to the top every time – this wastes energy.

9. Close the fridge door

Try to not leave the fridge door open for longer that you need to. This will stop the cold air getting out.

10. Use lids on your saucepans

Use lids on your saucepans – foods and liquids heat up more quickly if you use a lid.

Choose a saucepan that is the right size for what you are cooking. And use a cooker ring that is just the right size for the saucepan too.

Tips for Gas Safety in the Home

Premier Gas UK Ltd would always suggest using a CORGI Registered engineer for any type of gas installation or repair.

What you should do if you suspect a gas leak:

  • Open doors and windows
  • Make sure that the gas supply to an appliance has not been left on or that the pilot light has not gone out
  • Turn the supply off at the meter
  • Do not use matches or naked flames
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not turn any electrical switches on or off – including light switches and doorbells
  • Report the gas leak
  • Call Premier Gas UK’s 24/7 Emergency FREEPHONE – 0800 032 7682