There are many things to think about when it becomes time to upgrade your heating system or to install a new boiler.  With over 37 years of experience behind him, Paul Smith, the proprietor of Gas Technical Services, prides himself with always trying to give the best advice possible.  After all, it is not a job you want to do again in a hurry, and you want the new boiler to give you many excellent trouble free years.  We want the same, and our reasons are simple.

• We give two years guarantee on every boiler installation.
• At the end of the two years you can join our maintenance scheme, so if we do wrong by you, we are going to end up paying for it.

Nowadays it is not possible to simply change the boiler.  Important regulations came into place on 1st April 2005, which have changed the way in which we have to operate.

Building Regulations (Part L)

Regulations have been brought in by the Government and were last updated on April 1st 2005.  The Law governs the installation of new and replacement Central Heating Systems in not only new, but existing properties too.  Therefore, just changing the boiler alone without any thought for the existing system is no longer acceptable, and clearly defined procedures have now been laid down by the Government.

They have been introduced to reduce energy consumption and to assist in the reduction of greenhouse gases being produced throughout the U.K and Europe.

Best Practice

Home energy use is responsible for 28% of UK carbon emissions which contribute to climate change.  By following Best Practice standards, new build and refurbished housing will be more energy efficient and will reduce these emissions, saving energy, money and the environment.

Certificate of Competence

All local gas installers are now required to sit an examination to prove their level of competence regarding Energy Efficiency.

This certificate is a way of showing the customer that the engineer quoting and advising on any heating installation or upgrade is qualified to do so.  Being CORGI registered is no longer enough.

Boiler Efficiency

The efficiency of the boiler is the main factor in the overall efficiency of a domestic central heating system.  This is why minimum standards of efficiency are required by law for most boiler types—as set out in the Boiler Efficiency Directive and equivalent UK legislation.  The efficiency of the overall system in turn has a major impact on running costs and the associated CO2 emissions.

When older boilers are replaced, the advances in boiler technology mean that substantial efficiency improvements can be expected from newer equipment.  Manufacturers now design for maximum efficiency consistent with durability.

Heating systems without radiators

When you are selecting the type of heating you want, environmental impact is becoming a far greater concern.  Many customers are now moving away from traditional heating systems with radiators and under floor heating and are looking at other options.  One such option which is growing fast in popularity is the Unicosystem.  This system was originally developed in the United States back in 1969 but has been improved vastly over the years.  In Pembrokeshire, we have now personally installed 17 of these systems into houses, barn conversions, offices and shops.  To know more about the Unicosystem, click on the link below.

Plumbers from Hell

We have all seen the television programmes, but unfortunately it is a very real problem in Pembrokeshire too.  Either plumbers who should not be trading or people doing DIY plumbing who should just stay away from it!

Because we have a 24 emergency service, we tend to see the sharp end more times than we would care too, and sometimes it is heart wrenching to see people close to despair with huge plumbing or heating problems they have inherited due to someone else’s shortcuts to save money.

The picture above is a job we came across in Milford Haven.  An elderly couple had received a grant for a disabled extension to their home.  A local builder employed a local plumber to install the hot and cold water extensions to the new downstairs shower room.

Note the damp stains on the back of the new carpet and the bulging of the newly plastered wall above the skirting board.  The plaster was in this condition all round the room.  We were called in to investigate after the builder refused to accept any liability to the distressed couple. 

As you can see, plastic push fit pipe work had been used and buried in the concrete floor.  Definitely against manufacturers instructions and against regulations.

All the joints had started leaking and the only option was to dig up the concrete floor and replace all of the pipe work with wrapped copper, which is how it should have been done in the first place.

So who ended up with all of the heart ache and the huge bill to rectify the work?  Well, unfortunately the innocent pensioners of course.

Its not just Plumbing either

It even happens on gas installations.  Every day we have cause to disconnect a dangerous or incorrectly fitted gas appliance in Pembrokeshire.

Not only can an installer get prosecuted for installing something he is not qualified to install, but the customer can get prosecuted for knowingly employing him.  So it is always best to ask for proof that the company is qualified to be carrying out the work.  You can ask the company direct or you can ask Corgi by ringing them or going on line on the web to check an installers suitability.

The picture above shows a boiler flue terminating above a corrugated asbestos roof.  The flue should have been extended above the eaves and should have terminated no closer that 1.5 metres from any obstruction.  Not only had it been melting the new plastic fascia's but it's termination location was so bad that it was causing carbon monoxide to spill back into the property.

We are happy to carry out a free site survey and to provide a free written quotation on any full heating system or system upgrade, with no obligation.  To arrange a visit, call in to our offices or give us a ring between Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Gwen or Ali will be more than happy to arrange a convenient appointment.  Alternatively you can use the "contact us" option on this web site.