Is your home ready for winter?

With the winter months looming, making sure your plumbing and heating is in good shape can save you £100’s AND help you avoid the hassle of burst or frozen pipes and central heating problems.

There are certain things you can do yourself, like making sure any exposed pipes are properly lagged and checking that your heating and hot water switch on when they’re supposed to.

 

However, for some of the other items that need to be checked, it pays to call the specialists in, especially for things like your boiler and plumbing.

 

So you might like to know that Sutton and East Surrey Water Services offers a thorough pre-winter healthcheck service.

 

For just £49.00, our guys will give your home a rigorous examination, including:

• Checking that any tanks in your attic and pipes in your garage or other outbuildings are properly lagged
• Checking that your taps, valves and overflows are in good working order
• Ensuring that your internal stopcock is fully functional
• Visually inspecting your central heating system pipework and radiators and giving helpful advice on your boiler
• Inspecting your electrics, including sockets, switches, light fittings and fuse boxes
• Giving helpful pointers on waterproof insulation for any exposed pipes and taps

In addition to the above assessment, you will also receive 365 day emergency plumbing and drainage cover – FREE of charge for the first year*.

If it’s been a while since you last checked any of these, then today could be a good day to pick up the phone and call 020 3355 9735 to book your winter healthcheck – before the weather starts to get really cold.

*Terms and conditions apply. The free 365 Assured Primary scheme (worth £69) offer is available to new policy customers only. Please note our phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.00pm.

Ten Top Tips for designing your perfect bathroom

Achieving the perfect bathroom isn’t always straightforward. In particular it can be difficult to get the look you desire in the space available.

Here are some handy tips to consider when choosing products and planning the best layout:

1.     Think practically as well as aesthetically when designing your bathroom. Consider the space available, who needs to use the room and the storage requirements

2.     There’s nothing worse than a cold bathroom, so choose practical heating methods. It is usually necessary to have both a radiator and a heated towel rail, as towel rails supply less heat to the surrounding area. Using underfloor heating can make cold surfaces warm and are great for bare feet, but won’t heat the room itself

3.     Check the water pressure – many taps and showers require higher pressure than a gravity feed system can deliver so it may restrict your choice of products

4.     Find out how much water storage you have. Additional bathrooms or pumps may mean you need to increase the capacity of your hot and cold water tanks

5.     If you have a small bathroom and require storage, use fitted furniture to maximise available space
6.     A tiled bathroom is the most practical in terms of hygiene and maintenance. Choose larger tiles to reduce the amount of grouting and minimise unsightly limescale stains. When choosing your tiles, a neutral colour scheme is advisable if you plan to sell

7.     Install an extractor fan to improve ventilation and reduce the risk of mildew

8.     If using downlights, bear in mind that the beam of light is narrow and you may need more units than you would expect

9.     Take advantage of the supplier’s experience for some free planning advice and suggestions. Measure your bathroom to help with the selection of suitable products

10.  Make sure you use qualified, professional bathroom fitters – like Sutton and East Surrey Water Services, for a beautiful finish. They have a team of planning, project management and installation specialists with the expertise to help you create your perfect bathroom. All staff are fully qualified and there’s a one-year peace of mind guarantee on all work, so you not only get a space you can relax in but also the peace of mind of a job done well!

Now's the time to get ready for Winter

With the summer months now drawing to a close, it's time to turn your attention to getting your boiler and heating system ready for the cold long winter months ahead.

Many of us take our boilers for granted. We expect them to last a long time, and in most cases they do without a problem. But it's no good finding out your boiler needs servicing once winter has set in, so it makes sense to get someone to service your boiler now and ensure your heating system is healthy.

Think about it. If the recent winters are any indication of what's to come, then a boiler or heating breakdown is the last thing you'll want when the cold sets in. While you may not want to stretch to annual cover, an annual service is the least you can do. Most manufacturers recommend a service at least once a year, but this increases as the boiler gets older, or if it has an open flue.

Plus if you're already looking for a new boiler for the winter months ahead, and you get a new boiler installed by a Sutton and East Surrey Water Services (SESWS) Gas Safe Registered engineer, you could cut your energy bills by up to 40% according to the Energy Saving Trust. 

So what are you waiting for? Check your boiler and heating system today to see if you're properly prepared for the months ahead.

And here's what to do if you find out that your boiler or heating system has stopped working in the time since you last used them.

Don’t let solar savings pass you by

Pssst. Have you heard? There’s now a simple way to cut your energy bills AND earn yourself a handy tax-free annual income. And what’s more, you can even do your bit to help save the planet too!

All you have to do is switch to solar. Simple to install, Solar PV (photovoltaic) and Solar Thermal panels offer a great solution to meeting the ever increasing cost of electricity.

Solar PV panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity, which can help you to reduce the amount of power you consume from the National Grid. (See how Solar PV works)

Solar Thermal panels use heat from the sun to heat up water which is then stored in your hot water cylinder to provide a ready supply of hot water for your home. (See how Solar Thermal works)

As a qualifying technology within the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, Solar PV can help you not only to save money on your energy bills, but also to generate some extra cash too! Basically, you will be paid for the electricity you export to the National Grid for a period of 20 years. With fuel bills and the overall cost of living continuing to rise, that’s an offer that’s almost too good to pass by! (See how much you could save)

To qualify for the scheme, your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate, with efficiency rated at Band D or higher. But don’t worry. If your home’s energy efficiency is in the lower bands (E, F or G), or if you do not have a Certificate, then help is at hand on the Energy Saving Trust’s web site.

There’s added good news too. Thanks to a new scheme that is currently being developed by Government, you could also qualify for a financial contribution towards the cost of installing Solar Thermal panels in your home. Part of a £7m scheme, the Renewable Heat Premium Payment is a one-off grant available to householders in England, Scotland and Wales to help pay towards the cost of installing renewable heating technologies. The grant applies to any installation that has been commissioned since 21st July 2011.

Ever the helpful chap, I’ve done some digging around to help you find out more about the scheme, including whether you’re eligible for a grant and how to apply. 

Constant sunshine not essential
As you’ve been reading this, you’ve probably been wondering whether it’s actually sunny enough in this country for the technology to work. Don’t worry. When properly located and installed, both Solar PV and Solar Thermal have been proven to work even when it’s overcast, making  them ideal for the UK’s unpredictable climate.

Find out more
To help you cast more light on the ins and outs of solar technology for your home, why not visit the dedicated solar panel pages on Sutton and East Surrey Water Services’ web site. The site has everything you need to help you find out what’s available, plus a great Q&A section which answers some of the main questions surrounding solar technology.

Technology is great, but peace of mind is better

It’s always nice to see technology being put to exciting new uses, so it’s hats off (or, in my case, caps off) to British Gas for its new remote heating control package. Consisting of a wireless hub, receiver, thermostat and a smartphone app, the package enables users to remotely control their heating from wherever they are.

This all sounds great. However, the package comes in at around £229 or £199 if you’re an existing British Gas customer. If it’s installed as a part of a new central heating installation, the price is further reduced to £149.

With many households strapped for cash at the moment, it makes me wonder how many people are in a position right now to use the technology. Also, while I’m always up for a shiny new gadget, there are many people who are not comfortable with technology and either don’t have a smartphone, or if they do have one, don’t know how to use it.

Furthermore, it may be well and good to be able to remotely control your heating, but is it really something that people are going to keep using once the novelty value has worn off? After all, a properly programmed central heating system will do the job just as well.

Thankfully, there is another way to get the most out of your central heating that can be much more affordable. At just £52.82 for the first month and £18.02 for the next nine months, Sutton and East Surrey Water Services’ 365 Assured Classic Heating policy gives you complete peace of mind that your boiler and central heating will be operating at peak performance all year round.

As well as covering all aspects of your hot water and central heating system, including your heating controls, the policy also gives you access to our own fully qualified Gas Safe Registered engineers. Our guys will carry out an annual boiler service and system safety check and can also quickly be with you in the event of any emergencies.

With their help, you can be sure that your heating will always be available whenever you need it, whether you’re at home in the warm or about to return from a long day at work or from the shops. With that sort of help, who needs remote control? 

Protect your home and your loved ones

Don't let your boiler let you down

Keep your boiler running efficiently

As a homeowner, it is vital that you have a regular boiler service at least once a year.  Faulty gas appliances in the home can result in carbon monoxide leakage, with potentially deadly consequences. An annual service by a Gas Safe Register engineer will not only keep your boiler running efficiently, helping to reduce your bills, but it could also save your life.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can be given off by appliances that burn fossil fuels such as gas, coal, wood or oil, if they’re not working properly. Poor combustion, a blocked flue, or insufficient ventilation, can cause flue spillage. Ensuring your boiler is properly serviced is vital; one of the biggest problems facing CO detection is that carbon monoxide gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless.

If left undetected, the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body are deadly. The gas prevents blood from transporting oxygen to the cells and organs, which can result in brain damage, paralysis or death. Government statistics indicate that around 20 people die each year, while the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported in 2008/9 that over 180 incidents were reported due to carbon monoxide gas leaking from appliances in the home.

Unfortunately, early symptoms of carbon monoxide are rarely obvious, making them hard to detect. A regular boiler service is one way to safeguard yourself and your family against this danger. Servicing also greatly reduces the risk of a breakdown and helps extend the life of a boiler. It could cost far more to fix your boiler in an emergency than the price of a regular service. Whether you go for an annual service of your boiler or a boiler breakdown contract, by preparing ahead for the winter, you can ensure your home remains safe and your appliances run efficiently without risk to your friends and family.

The future of boiler servicing

In rented properties, legislation in the UK is very detailed when it comes to the requirements of safety checks. Annual boiler and gas safety inspections are required, undertaken by a certified Gas Safe Register engineer. However, in private residential properties, there is no law that requires these important checks. It is a personal responsibility that many homeowners overlook with potentially dangerous results.

Over the past 15 years, 58% of all deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have happened in owner occupied homes. Mandatory annual boiler servicing could help prevent the associated health risks and helps ensure that every boiler is performing efficiently to avoid such dangers. Gas safety certificates should also be mandatory for every home, making homeowners aware of the installation date of each appliance so safety standards are easier to follow.

A regular, annual gas boiler service is not only essential to ensure that any issues developing are discovered and dealt with quickly and efficiently at less inconvenience to yourself, it is also essential for safety, energy efficiency, and ensuring you get the most out of the life of your boiler. In addition to an annual boiler service, we strongly advise the installation of a carbon monoxide detector, helping to alert any occupants to a possible carbon monoxide leak. These devices are designed to measure CO levels over time and sound an alarm before dangerous levels accumulate. This ensures people have adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate.

If you can, aim to book your boiler service in the summer months, as servicing companies are less likely to be busy with breakdown call-outs. The engineer will check the condition of the boiler, test for leaks, and ensure the gas pressure levels are normal and that all of the boiler’s valves and pumps are working efficiently. For most boilers, it is important to have flue gases analysed and the burner adjusted to check the boiler is working correctly. The engineer will also check that there is adequate ventilation and that the flue is clear to prevent any problems from occurring.

Whether it’s an annual service or a boiler cover contract you adopt (make sure your contract includes an annual service) it is your responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances in your home do not put your life or your families at risk.

For more information, call us today on 020 8722 7220 or visit our website www.h2oservices.com. 

.
 

The true cost of a potential boiler breakdown

Are you protected?

Protect your wallet and your home

Without boiler breakdown cover, a lack of heating or hot water won’t be your only worries. Boiler breakdowns can be a huge inconvenience and expense.

Take a look at just some of the things that can go wrong and how you can ensure you’re protected.

• Call-out charges: Most companies will charge a call-out free for non-policy holders. This will differ for each supplier. Average charge: £75.00
• Labour charges: Charged by the hour. Based on an average job taking two hours. Average charge: £150.00

Average part prices:

• New boiler: To supply and install. Average price: £2,000.00
• Heat exchanger: A heat exchanger is a device built for efficient heat transfer from one medium to another. Average price: £350.00
• Printed circuit board: Modern boilers are controlled by electronics and the PCB is the brain of the boiler controlling all of its activities. When the PCB fails the boiler stops. This can be a major cause of problems as pipework leaks can often put water on the PCB leading to failure. Average price: £175.00
• Water pump: The central heating water pump circulates the water through the central heating system. The boiler may still produce hot water but the failure of the pump means that this water will not circulate and heat up the radiators. Average price: £100.00
• Flue fan: The flue fan expels exhaust gases through the flue. This is essential for your safety and ensures that waste gases do not build up within the boiler area. If this fails, the boiler’s control mechanisms will prevent it from operating. Average price: £150.00
• Gas burner: Your central heating boiler mixes gas and air at a regulated mixture to burn and heat the water in the most efficient manner. Average price: £150.00
• Expansion vessel:  The expansion vessel controls the pressure within the heating system. Heated water expands and would significantly increase the boiler internal pressure. The expansion vessel provides an outlet for this pressure and is an important part of modern boiler systems. Average price: £75.00
• Thermostat: The boiler’s internal thermostat is a secondary protection device monitoring the boiler internal temperature. If the external control thermostat fails this internal thermostat ensures the safe and effective operation of the boiler. Average price: £75.00
• Gas valve: The gas valve regulates the flow of gas to the burner. Average price: £150.00

As you can see from the charges above, depending on the problem you could be looking at over £1,500 in repairs and replacement parts.

Protecting your wallet and your home
In order to protect your home and your wallet from the damage of a broken boiler, it’s wise to invest in boiler breakdown cover. Sutton and East Surrey Water Services’ 365 Assured Classic Policy for central heating, for example, offers you the protection against such household emergencies from just 59p a day, including:

• Annual service of boiler and systems safety check
• Radiators and pipework repairs
• Replace irreparable standard pattern radiators and towel rails
• Standard domestic hot water cylinder
• Feed and expansion tank
• £500 contribution towards a new boiler, when required
• Same day call-out for heating emergencies if reported before 9pm
• Unlimited number of call-outs.

Plus with any of SESWS’s 365 Assured policies, you can benefit from a guaranteed response time, 24-hour free phone emergency helpline and all work is fully guaranteed. For more information, please visit http://www.h2oservices.com/ or call 020 8722 7004.