The Silent Killer

Merry Christmas from everyone at DA Bunning Gas! Another very busy year for us all here at DA Bunning Gas. In April we had Kasys join us for 7 months to gain some hands on work experience within the gas industry. We also said goodbye to Samantha who has moved on to pastures new, and welcomed Vicky Fleet to the admin team. Dale completed his air source heat pump training in May, adding another string to his bow. So as you can see we have crammed a lot in over the last 12 months! We would like to thank you all for your continued support and custom over the last 12 months, we appreciate your loyalty. Don't forget about our free gas boiler service giveaway - all of the details can be found on our Facebook page @dabunninggasltd Below are our opening hours over the festive season: Monday 23rd December - Closing at midday Tuesday 24th December - Wednesday 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. Thursday 2nd January - Friday 3rd January - Normal Hours. Wishing you all the very best for 2025, and hopefully see you soon. Team DA Bunning Gas xx

With more low temperature heating systems such as heat pumps being installed, heating engineers and installers have an increasingly important role to play ensuring customer radiators are fit for purpose. To meet its climate charge targets, the Government's plan is to install 600'000 heat pumps in the UK. This shift in the way our homes are heated means customers need to prevent heat loss from their homes by fitting energy saving measures, such as loft insulation, double glazing or cavity wall insulation before installing a heat pump. This means that their radiators, even while still on a gas boiler heating system, can be run at a lower temperature and are more energy and cost efficient. Radiators are quicker, less disruptive and a lot more cost effective to install that underfloor heating, especially when retrofitting in existing homes. Radiators can respond quickly to changes in temperature and are easy to control, especially when paired with a programmable thermostat, This makes them a good choice for heating individual rooms on demand or for turning right down or off in some rooms that are often unoccupied. Correctly sized radiators can ensure heating systems are energy efficient when operated at lower temperatures. Radiators can be a good option for older properties as they can help reduce cold spots and drafts. It's clear that the heating industry is undergoing massive changes, however radiators do and still will have a massive role to play, Source: https://www.installeronline.co.uk/

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...

Heating our homes and workplaces with low carbon heat is a massive priority for the UK Government in their mission to try and combat climate change. In 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass laws to reduce its green house gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Meeting this target will require virtually all heat in buildings to be decarbonised, and there is the potential for hydrogen to play a role in this process. 'Hello Hydrogen', a group of the UK’s biggest gas networks, boiler manufacturers and energy suppliers have come together to advise on the hydrogen journey, and they go into depth on their website about what Hydrogen is and how it can be utilised in the future. So why Hydrogen? Hydrogen is set to play a vital role in the way we heat our homes in the future, eventually replacing the natural gas we currently use as we look for long-term environmentally-friendly ways to save the planet and keep bills down. The problem is – not enough people know about the benefits hydrogen can bring or the work already taking place to start the change. Hydrogen can be produced in the UK and supplied through the same gas pipes already in our streets and going into our homes. Hydrogen boilers and cookers that work just as natural gas ones do today, have already been developed. The first hydrogen homes and villages are being trialed to find out how easy it will be to replace your current boiler and appliances to hydrogen-ready ones. This switch will help create tens of thousands of jobs in the UK, reduce greenhouse gases and end our reliance on fossil fuels from overseas.

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.