Combination boilers, LPG and oil boilers – What’s the difference and which should I choose?

by | Jan 9, 2020 | Blog

Combination boilers, LPG and oil boilers – What’s the difference and which should I choose?

When looking into installing a boiler for your home it can get confusing – there are a few to choose from and it’s hard to know which best suits your property.

We have created this blog to help you understand the main differences, the pros and cons and suitability of each boiler option. Hopefully this will make the decision-making-process a little easier for you!

 

So, what are your options?

Mains Gas Boiler

  •  A mains gas boiler is a standard boiler which is connected to the main grid which supplies natural gas.
  • These boilers are usually only available in towns and cities as they are able to be connected to ‘the grid’.

Combination Boiler

A combination boiler simply means the boiler installed can provide central heating and hot water from the same unit so there is no need for a separate water cylinder to be installed, saving space in your home.

Combination boilers are available in mains gas, LPG and oil boilers.

LPG & Oil Boilers

Natural gas is one of the most affordable and environmentally friendly ways to heat your home. However, if your home is in a more rural or remote area it is harder to be connected to the main grid that supplies it.

That’s where LPG and oil boilers come in!

What is LPG?

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the fuel used to run an LPG boiler as an alternative to natural gas.

LPG Vs Oil Boilers

LPG and oil are efficient fuel sources for your central heating system, here are the differences between the two:

LPG Boilers

  • LPG is a cleaner alternative to oil in terms of maintenance and servicing tanks, this gas produces less by-products such as soot.
  • Registered gas engineers are easier to find due to the popularity of gas in the UK.
  • These boilers are cheaper to install compared to oil boilers as they are almost identical to a mains gas boiler.
  • LPG is delivered in cans to your property.
  • LPG is a friendly fossil fuel creating low carbon emissions.
  • LPG can supply fuel to your hob/oven whereas oil will only fuel the boiler itself.

Oil Boilers

  • An oil boiler is a financially viable way of heating your home, it is a particularly good option for small properties such as cottages.
  • Oil is delivered in tanks to your property, you will need a storage tank for surplus oil. The size of this tank depends on the size of your property.
  • Your oil boiler can be installed internally or externally, whatever suits you best.
  • At Chaps we have OFTEC qualified engineers so you won’t have to worry about the lack of oil engineers out there.

To conclude, there are many options you can go for, weigh up the pros and cons and this will help you with your decision.

For more information regarding boiler installations and annual boiler services give Chaps a call on 01491 571 743 or contact us here.

A-Z of our plumbing services

by | Jan 6, 2020 | Infosheet

A-Z of our plumbing services

A-Z of our plumbing services

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We have created a simple A-Z guide of the services we offer to our customers across Henley, Marlow, Beaconsfield and the surrounding areas. Take a look and if there is a service/s you are in need of let us know and we can provide a quote and book you in an appointment with one of our engineers.

Call us on: 01491 571 743
Email us on: sales@henleychaps.co.uk

Don’t send your boiler into early retirement!

by | Jan 2, 2020 | Blog

Don’t send your boiler into early retirement!

A reliable and hard-working boiler is an essential element of your home, some would say it is the heart of the house. It is the tool that ensures the circulation of your house is fully-functioning, that your water is hot and your radiators are warming you up on a chilly day.

Like with anything that is this hard-working and essential, it needs TLC and lots of attention. And let’s be honest, as much as our boilers are important, we would much prefer to spend our money on more exciting things, like holidays and new furniture.

Therefore, we have created this blog article to help you maintain your boiler and keep it running for as long as it is safely possible.

So, how can you ensure your boiler lives a long life?

  1. Put your annual boiler service in your calendar

All boilers must be serviced on an annual basis – an engineer will come out to your home and ensure your boiler is running smoothly. It is vital these services are carried out as it ensures your boiler is safe, annual services prolong your boilers life as it is checked regularly and ultimately saves you money over-time because it decreases the chances of serious issues developing.

You wouldn’t miss your car’s annual service/MOT so why is it any different for your boiler?

  1. Fire up your heating regularly

Even during warmer months, it is important to turn on your heating for short periods of time on a regular basis. This is just to check it is all working and ticking along nicely. By switching on your heating once a month the system is kept moving, water is circulated and the thermostatic radiator valves don’t seize up. If your heating is turned off for long periods of time air can collect potentially causing air locks and when it gets to the first cold day of winter your boiler has to work really hard to start up again.

  1. Check your radiators regularly

Radiators often need to be bled or flushed to ensure they are working properly. Here is a really simple & useful video explaining how to bleed a radiator – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IP54Kbgnv0.

How do you know if a radiator needs bleeding?

Simply feel the radiator from the bottom to the top, if the bottom is hot but the top of the radiator is cold, this means there is air in the radiator that needs to be bled out.

Think opposites for a power flush! If your radiator is hot at the top but cold at the bottom this means there could be sludge build up, meaning it will need a power flush.

  1. Under pressure!!

Over time your boiler may lose pressure (particularly after the radiators have been bled), a decrease in pressure will stop your boiler from working. Readjusting the pressure is a really simple task, take a look in your instruction manual and there will be clear instructions in there for you. That brings us onto our next point…

  1. Don’t lose your instruction manual!

When your boiler is installed keep your paper work and instruction manual together so that you know where it is if you ever need it. Also, the contact details of your boiler company so that they are at hand if you ever need assistance.

  1. Know the symptoms of a poorly boiler

Whenever you get a moment simply take a look at the exterior of your boiler, are there any leaks, cracks or any sooty/dark marks on it? Is it making loud, clunking noises?

If so, it’s time to call out your boiler engineer. It’s best to catch the symptoms quickly to prevent a full breakdown.

  1. Blue is the magic colour

Make sure the flame in your boiler is glowing blue – on older boilers you may be able to see this flame so if it is a yellowy/smoky colour it is important to call out your gas safety engineer straight away.

By following these steps, you will prolong the life of your boiler, saving you money over the years and keeping your home lovely and warm.

Chaps

We have a team of reliable, gas safe and OFTEC qualified engineers for all your boiler needs! Contact us to book in your installation, annual service or if you need an engineer imminently for boiler repairs.

How does my boiler work?

by | Dec 30, 2019 | Case Studies, Infosheet

How does my boiler work?

How does my boiler work?

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We have created a really simple little info-graphic so that you can see how your boiler works. A boiler is essential to your home and is the reason you and your family enjoy hot water and a warm home on colder days.

To find out more information regarding gas, LPG and/or oil boiler installations, servicing and repairs go to our dedicated boiler page.

Don’t settle for second best!

by | Dec 21, 2019 | Blog

Don’t settle for second best!

Throughout our many years in the central heating and plumbing industry we have learnt from our customers that trust is everything. At Chaps we aim to ensure our customers receive a fantastic service and are 100% happy with the work carried out.

 

Why is it important to trust the companies you choose?

1. Your home is your haven When hiring a plumber, boiler engineer, bathroom fitter or central heating installer you are allowing this company to enter into your home; you’re allowing someone to enter into your life bubble. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the people working for you are trustworthy and respectful.

2. You’re a paying customer There’s no worse feeling than handing over a sum of money for a service or product that you’re not happy with. Investing in a new boiler, fitting a bathroom and looking after your central heating system are all essential elements to ensuring your home is perfect. However, these necessities can be expensive. You hear all these sayings: ‘buy cheap, buy twice’, ‘you get what you pay for’… when looking into plumbing companies you need to make the decision as to what you value most. A top-quality product? A top quality service? Both? A lot of the time it is better to pay that little bit extra to ensure you get the service you require.

3. It’s a long-term investment/relationship A boiler installation, brand new bathroom and your central heating system are long term investments. A boiler for example needs to be serviced annually and will last you a long time, if it’s cared for properly. Therefore, building a strong relationship with your central heating and plumbing company is essential to a stress-free future.

4. Life is stressful enough without added disappointment Have you ever experienced a really poor service? It gives you that horrible disappointed feeling, you feel cheated and hurt. Life is stressful enough as it is, we are all balancing work and family life, and it often feels like you’re spinning too many plates! Therefore, choosing a trustworthy company to carry out a service takes away that extra worry and disappointment.

5. Why settle for second best? Like we’ve said already, life is already stressful, so why compromise when choosing a company and service? Have a shop around, look at reviews and compare, this way you can make an informed decision on the companies you choose to work with.

A little bit about Chaps

Chaps is a central heating and plumbing company based in Henley-on-Thames, we have a team of engineers and dedicated office staff. We pride ourselves on the top-quality service we provide to our customers – not only are our engineers experts in their field but respect all our customers and their properties. Our surveyors are available for free quotes and the office books in appointments for our customers. Nick McLeod is the founder of Chaps; he is an integral part of the engineering and office teams and is a frequent tea-maker! So, when it does come to investing a new boiler, bathroom or central heating system, trust Chaps.

What our customers think of Chaps

“We have used Chaps for over 20 years. Their service has been consistently excellent.” Checkatrade, October 2019   “Well communicated by office. Plumber smart and polite, explained everything. Sorted heating out, used Chaps before, will use again.” Checkatrade, October 2019   “Very thorough – explained everything that had been done and anything that might need attention in the future.” Checkatrade, August 2019

See more of our Checkatrade reviews here.