The Silent Killer

If you are considering a gas or an electric fire in the not to distant future, here are few things you might want to consider when making a decision. If you like the look of a fire place, but aren't sure what type will be most efficient and best-suited to your home, here's a summary of the benefits and drawbacks (including environmental implications) of gas fires/stoves and electric fires/stoves. Gas Fires and Stoves Gas fires and stoves come in a wide variety of styles and pump out plenty of heat at a relatively low cost. However, the downside is that they need regular maintenance and monitoring - and, crucially, they rely on burning fossil fuels. Pros: Low running costs - Using gas to heat your home is cheaper than using electricity, and less hassle than buying and storing logs. Give out plenty of heat - Gas Fires and stoves can provide outputs of up to 6kW, about three times as much as electric fires. Can be very efficient - Gas appliances can be up to 90% efficient (measuring the heat output from an appliance in kW against the gas input in kW. The exact figure varies from one model to another, though, so check the stated efficiency rating. You don't necessarily need a chimney - You can now buy 'balanced flue' fires, which are vented through an external wall, or even flueless models. Aesthetics - Gas fires tend to look more authentic than most electric fires, when comparing similarly priced models. Cons: Environment impact - They burn fossil fuels, and therefore contributes to global warming and climate change. Moreover, burning gas releases nitrogen dioxide, a form of air pollution which can be dangerous for people with asthma and COPD. Professional installation costs - Your fire must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer. You'll also have to get it serviced annually by an engineer to make sure it's safe to use. Carbon monoxide - It's imperative to have a carbon monoxide fitted when having a gas fire/stove. Maintenance - The chimneys will need to be cleaned once or twice a year unless it is a flueless appliance. Limited flexibility - Most styles of gas fire will need to be placed within a chimney breast or against an outside wall so they can be vented. Electric Fires and Stoves If you are looking for flexibility and minimal maintenance, consider an electric fire or stove. Running costs can be high, and electric fires and stoves don't generate enormous amounts of heat. Pros: Cost - Electric fires and stoves start at less than £100 (for basic models) whereas you might pay £200 for a gas stove. Flexibility - Electric fires can be placed anywhere that there is a plug point. They can be used in a fireplace, or set in a chimney breast. Sometimes you might not even have to pay for a professionally installation! Low Maintenance - Electric fires don't produce ash, and don't require a chimney that needs cleaning regularly. Very Efficient - Electric fires are 100% efficient as 100% of the electrical energy is converted into heat. Also heat that is generated goes into the room rather than losing some though the chimney/flue. Convenient - Some models can operated by remote control, which can be handy for people with limited mobility. Cons: Higher running costs - The biggest drawback of an electric appliance is the running costs, as electricity is a much more expensive fuel than gas. Lower heat outputs - Most electric fires are limited to 2kW or less, which is significantly lower than the range available from gas appliances. Less realistic looking - You won't get a realistic flame effect from an electric fire unless you are willing to spend more money for a high end model. If you would like a quote for a gas or electric fire install, please get in contact with us on 01691 680888 or office@dabunninggas.co.uk Source - www.which.co.uk Written by Hannah Healey

DA Bunning Gas LTD is helping you stay Gas Safe this Gas Safety Week 2024 In support of Gas Safety Week (9th-15th September 2024), local Gas Safe registered engineers, DA Bunning Gas LTD in Whittington, in partnership with The Mulberry Inn, Glyn Ceiriog are asking the local community to get on board and take part in their online Gas Safety Quiz. It’s a short, fun quiz, with questions around gas safety to inform the public of gas safety issues, and to remind everyone of the importance of staying gas safe as we look towards the forthcoming heating season. Anyone who completes the quiz, with 100% correct answers, will be in with a chance of winning a £50 Voucher to use at The Mulberry Inn. The link to the online quiz can be found by clicking here . This year for Gas Safety Week, the theme is ‘Checking—Every Check Counts’, emphasising the importance of, amongst other things, regular gas safety checks. The theme highlights the significance of checking all gas appliances and encouraging people to prioritise gas safety in their homes. By showing how important every check is, Gas Safety Week aims to raise awareness and promote measures to ensure the safety and well-being of households. Gas appliances that have not been properly maintained can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see, smell or taste it. Therefore, it is important to have your gas appliances checked by an engineer who is listed on the Gas Safe Register. Dale Bunning, Director of DA Bunning Gas LTD, said: “It is our job to make sure that people’s gas appliances are operating safely and efficiently. In some instances, people do not know the signs and symptoms of faulty gas appliances and carbon monoxide poisoning. Because of this, we are supporting Gas Safety Week to remind the public of the seriousness of unsafe gas appliances, the important of checking i.e. getting appliances serviced every 12 months, and how they can keep themselves and their families safe.” Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive Officer for Gas Safe Register, said: “This is the fourteenth Gas Safety Week and the theme for 2024 is Checking – Every Check Counts. The week will encourage checking, in many guises, and shine a light on the importance gas safety in keeping ourselves and our community safe. Throughout Gas Safety Week, our partners, stakeholders and Gas Safe Register will share information to help everyone be gas safe, so I am very pleased to have the support of DA Bunning Gas LTD to help share those messages, such as check the Gas Safe Register to ensure your engineer is registered and qualified.” By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. No matter how big or small every check counts. Here is a guide to some simple checks that you can do at home:  Check that you’ve had an annual gas safety check. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants, make sure your landlord arranges this.  Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer and ensure they’re qualified for the work that needs doing via the Gas Safe Register website and the engineer’s ID card.  Check for warning signs that could indicate your gas 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, too much condensation in the room, or error messages on the appliance’s control panel.  Check that vents or flues are not blocked. Vents and flues are there to ensure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.  Check your knowledge. Remember the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and loss of consciousness.  Check your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Regular testing ensures that alarms are operational and capable of alerting you to the presence of deadly CO. Also, check they are marked to standards EN50291 and still in date (if applicable).  Check before doing DIY. Before drilling or hammering, check that there is no risk of hitting a gas pipe. Never DIY on a gas appliance; if you suspect there is something wrong with your appliance or it is not working correctly, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can find one at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500. Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.

No matter the heating source, unless it is managed and controlled well, we as the consumer will be unable to optimise our energy efficiency. Gareth Ash, Marketing Communications Manager at Danfoss looks at how we can save energy and cut bills by focusing on heating controls. In a time of continued economic uncertainty, replacing complete central heating systems can be daunting, and not necessarily the answer to saving energy and reducing bills. The installation of heating controls can have a significant impact on cutting costs and helping us to to our bit for the environment. Controlling a heating systems operation time and desired temperature by using an electronic room control is the easiest way for householders to balance comfort and energy use. By ensuring that the heating system isn't running when no-one is in and by choosing their optimum temperature, end users can optimise their energy consumption and cut their bills - it's as simple as that! Adding heating zones into the mix, which is possible with modern controls, will enable homeowners to further control their energy use, without compromising on comfort levels. Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), system balancing and mixing system compatibility are also other elements that can have an impact of efficiency. One of the heating controls we will be using more of is the EPH CP4D. EPH have responded to user preferences to create an intuitive handwheel control. CP4D allows quick and smooth temperature adjustment. With a large clear display, this modern thermostat retains the trusted features of the original CP4 including OpenTherm modulation, wireless communication and wide compatibility. Source: Installer Online: www.installeronline.co.uk

Many homes are unable to access a main gas supply which leaves homeowners which a decision of what heating system they would like to implement in their home. Both LPG and Oil boilers seem to be the main options in contention, both of which are effective heating systems that can perform as efficiently as natural gas. LPG and Oil are both liquid fossil fuels that can be stored in a tank at the homeowners property. Tanks are usually delivered and filled by a local supplier. The boiler will then burn the fuel to provide heating and hot water. LPG is a colourless hydrocarbon gas which has been pressured into a liquid form. it can be extracted from natural gas streams or petroleum, however is usually collected as a byproduct of the crude oil refinery process. There are two types of LPG: Butane - usually used for indoor heating systems as it has a higher boiling point. Propane Heating Oil is a form of kerosene produced through the heating of crude Oil. So what are the Pros and Cons of each heating fuel...

Exciting times ahead for DA Bunning Gas, as Dale decides to take over customer base from AA Gas Services

BAXI explains Heat Pumps have been around for many years and to put it most simply they transfer heat from one location to another. They can be very efficient and use electricity to generate heat. With the reduction in the carbon intensity of electricity, heat pumps will play a large role in reducing the UK's carbon footprint. What is an Air Source Heat Pump? Air Source Heat Pumps are generally 300-400% efficient. The efficiency of a heat pump is commonly termed as Coefficient of Performance (COP). This means that for every 1kW of electrical energy input, they provide between 3kW and 4kW of heat energy output. SCOP is the Seasonal Co-efficiency of Performance. This is an annual efficiency value that takes into consideration year round ambient conditions and load on the Heat Pump. Like all renewables, the system must be designed and installed to maximise the efficiency of the technology. With Heat Pumps, this means, accurate heat losses to correctly size the Heat Pump and lower flow temperatures to maximise COPs. Heat Pumps are designed to operate continuously adapting to the heating demands as they happen. BAXI have invested in extensive simulation software to ensure the system design, Heat Pump size and expected performance are validated and benchmarked. Heat Pumps are generally more suited to modern heating designs, however not exclusively. They are a perfect match for new build properties that have modern building standards of insulation and air permeability. For retrofitting into existing buildings careful consideration must be given to the heat loss through poor insulation and air infiltration first. In hard to heat properties, Heat Pumps can also be used with boilers to form a hybrid solution, providing a flexible heating source, to maximise performance and reduce running costs. How an Air Source Heat Pump Works The fan draws ambient air from outside into the evaporator. Liquid refrigerant absorbs the air's heat and evaporates into vapour, even at low temperatures. The vapour enters the compressor, where the pressure and temperature are increased. The heated refrigerant passes through the condenser, transferring heat into the home's heating and hot water system. The refrigerant flow is then controlled by the expansion valve to continue heat pump operation. Heat Pump technology works in a very different way to boiler-based heating systems, which means that when thinking about retro-fitting a Heat Pump into a property, it would not be a like for like replacement.

GasEngineer spoke with Richard Braid - Managing Director of Cistermiser, regarding the detrimental effect limescale can have on the efficiency of our boiler and what we can do to reduce build-up. Heating engineers will be all too familiar with how frequently and aggressively limescale can form in heating and hot water systems in hard water areas, and the problems it can cause. Around 60% of UK homes are in hard water areas and one the worst is the Midlands. If preventative measures are not taken, rock-like limescale deposits can adhere to surfaces - including the inside of heating system pipework and components such as heat exchangers - and it's a stubborn one to try and remove! Overtime the build-up will significantly reduce performance, efficiency and longevity of heating appliances. The impact can't be ignored: just a 1.6mm coating of limescale on the boiler's heating element can cause a 12 percent loss in heating efficiency. Component damage and faults are also likely, and complete boiler failure is even possible. It is now standard practice to include limescale prevention measures in new boiler installations in homes supplied with hard water, and there are several ways to inhibit limescale. At entry level there are electrolytic and magnetic methods, which are compact and don't require an electrical supply. Some models may have a relatively limited lifespan, which is something to bear in mind. Alternative options include the installation of a water softener or phosphate dosing. Phosphate is a natural nutrient that does not alter the hardness or softness of the water; instead, minerals in the water are kept in suspension, preventing them from forming limescale deposits. The phosphate also creates a thin, non-residual protective coating on metal surfaces. The food-grade phosphate compound used is tasteless, odourless and safe for consumption. It is consistently introduced in microscopic quantities through a dispensing device installed directly on to the cold water supply. Devices operate without electricity and do not require drainage. Food for thought when trying to keep limescale to a minimum!

Merry Christmas from everyone at DA Bunning Gas! Another very busy year for us all here at DA Bunning Gas, and we have some really exciting things planned for the New Year which we cant wait to share with you all. We would like to thank you all for your continued support and custom over the last 12 months. CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS: Friday 22nd December - Closing at midday Monday 25th December - Monday 1st January - Office closed. Please note we will be working limited hours during this period for emergencies ONLY (Emergency Number: 07957 630550). Any other queries will be dealt with on our return. Tuesday 2nd January - Normal Hours. Wishing you all the very best for 2024, and hopefully see you soon. Team DA Bunning Gas

Baxi is proud to have been manufacturing in the UK since 1866. In the UK and Ireland, Baxi has a portfolio of some of the best known and most respected brands in the heating industry. From our award-winning customer support to our industry-leading hands-on training, we are fully committed to making life with Baxi as easy as possible. BAXI have shared with us some of their top tips for ensuring your boiler is ready for the colder winter months. As the nights draw in and the days get cooler, your boiler’s workload increases significantly. However, you may not have had your heating on for months. Ageing pipes, lower boiler pressure, grime building up inside your central heating system – there’s plenty that can happen over time that can reduce the effectiveness or even damage your boiler. Let’s run through all the things you need to do before the cold winter hits, whether it’s to bleed your radiators or check boiler pressure: Ensure you get an annual boiler service Make sure your boiler pressure is within effective range Bleed your radiators Test your heating before winter sets in Insulate your pipes We’ll delve deeper into each of these tips to make sure your boiler is ready for winter below. 1.) Maintain your boiler with an annual boiler service A lot of people skip their annual boiler service, but it’s so important! A healthy boiler makes for a healthy home, and servicing it will extend the life of your boiler for perhaps years. You’ll save money in the long run, and avoid the headache of boiler breakdowns and problems. Think of an annual boiler service like servicing your car: any problems will be noticed by a professional long before you break down in the middle of nowhere. A heating engineer will thoroughly inspect and test key components of your boiler to ensure it is working safely, efficiently and reliably. 2.) Check your boiler pressure This will be done during your annual boiler service, but on the off-chance you skipped that, check your boiler pressure before switching your central heating on for the winter. We have an in-depth guide for checking boiler pressure, which you should definitely read thoroughly, but in short: make sure your pressure gauge is between 1 – 1.5 bar, otherwise your boiler will start to show error codes, or stop working entirely. If your boiler pressure is too low, top up the pressure until it reaches at least 1 bar. If it’s too high, you should bleed your radiators to relieve pressure. 3.) Bleed your radiators No matter how perfectly sealed your central heating system is, over time air will get inside and start making a nuisance of itself. This might result in cold areas of your radiator (usually the top). If you have, then it is time to bleed your radiator. Bleeding your radiators is easy – all you need is a radiator key (easily available online or from your local DIY store) and an old towel or rag. We explain how to bleed your radiators in our article here. 4.) Test your central heating before it gets too cold One of the best tips to make sure your boiler is ready for winter is to test it before the weather gets too cold. So, around October or early November, just as it’s starting to chill, you should test your heating. Better to do that than wait until the weather is too cold to find out your heating’s kaput. While it’s still mild outside, test your central heating. Run it for a few hours; make sure the radiators warm thoroughly, and there are no cold spots. Check for tell-tale signs of something amiss: are there clanking or gurgling sounds coming from your boiler? If so, there may be an internal problem with your boiler: an annual boiler service will find what’s wrong. You should also check the control elements of your boiler, providing it has them. Here’s some common controls you should make sure are correct: 5.) Insulate your pipes A cold snap can wreak havoc on your pipes, especially if they’re old. The best way to make sure ‘how do I get my boiler ready for winter?’ is to look after the pipes that connect to your boiler. You need to insulate your pipes to protect them from the freezing cold. Especially the pipes outside your home. These are exposed to the elements, and are prone to freezing. One of the best tips to make sure your boiler is ready for winter is to take steps to stop your pipes from freezing. If you have a condensing boiler (a boiler that captures hot gasses and uses them to create more heat), the wastewater vapour from the condensing process flows out of your home slowly (about 2 litres an hour). This slow trickle makes them prone to freezing in sub-zero temperatures. Insulating exposed pipes with lagging will go a long way to stop this from happening. A frozen condensate pipe can damage a boiler and even break it, so insulating it from the cold weather would be a very savvy decision. For those with fairly modern boilers, you may have a particular problem if temperatures are forecast to get really low, so please check those condensate pipes. This is an extremely common fault, too common in fact, particularly when it gets very cold. You may be even more susceptible to this if your boiler has been fitted with an incorrectly sized waste condensate pipe (this is a pet hate of ours as so often other fitters will for whatever reason fit condensates with smaller pipes that is recommended), as smaller pipes are more likely to freeze up. To avoid this happening to you, keep your pipes well insulated and if they do freeze, defrost them safely by doing the following: -Locate your condensate pipe. This will be a white pipe that comes out of the wall behind your boiler and should run directly into an outside drain. -Boil a kettle and leave it to cool for 10-15 minutes so that it's warm rather than boiling. -Starting from the top and working your way down, pour the water over the pipe until the ice within has melted. -Reset your boiler and it should work as normal. -Alternatively you could apply a hot water bottle, microwaveable heating pack or warm cloth to the frozen part of the pipe instead. If you're not sure if your problem is the frozen condensate, some newer boilers have specific error codes for this problem, as demonstrated below: ATAG - 133 Baxi - E133 or E28 Glow-worm - F28 or F29 Ideal - LF, L2 or F2 Main - E133 Potterton - E133 Valliant - F28 or F29 Viessmann - F4EE Worcester Bosch - EA229 or D5 Please be advised that this is not an exhaustive list, so if your boiler is not listed here, or if it is showing a different error code, this does not always mean that you can definitely discount the condensate. If your boiler has been working well and the breakdown coincides with a period of below freezing temperatures, it is highly likely that the condensate is still the problem and can often be recognised by a gurgling noise coming from your heating system.