1. SMELLS & BAD ODOURS
A healthy boiler shouldn’t emit any strange smells, so if you notice any unusual odours coming from your boiler contact a Gas Safe engineer as soon as possible, to check that it’s safe.
This is especially important if you notice a sulphurous/eggy smell which is stronger when your boiler is in use, as this could indicate you have an escape of gas or fumes. If this happens, turn your boiler off immediately, open any windows and evacuate your home to a safe location. Then you should call
EMERGENCY GAS SERVICES: 0800 111 999
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Carbon Monoxide – silent, odourless & invisible
Carbon Monoxide is a by-product of an unsafe functioning gas appliance (including boilers, gas cookers, heaters, wood gas & coal fires etc)
It’s vital to remember that carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless and invisible, so a leak can easily go undetected. To stay safe, you should install a carbon monoxide or CO detector which will sound an alarm if CO is present. Hard wired or battery options are available; a worthwhile investment to keep you and your family safe.
2. STRANGE NOISES
Your boiler should run pretty quietly, so if you notice it’s become noisier than usual, or it’s making strange new sounds such as banging, hissing, clanking or knocking this could suggest there’s an internal problem which needs to be investigated by a GasSafe engineer. Don’t ignore the noises, as this could lead to more costly repairs or even a total breakdown.
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3. FREQUENT REPAIRS
If your boiler needs to be repaired on a regular basis, you may find that it’s more cost effective to replace it. Frequent repairs indicate the boiler’s components are deteriorating and the boiler is nearing the end of its useful life.
Parts for older boilers can be harder to source, more costly to replace and in some cases parts become obsolete. So it could be time to consider a new boiler, before it stops working completely leaving you without hot water and heating.
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4. UNEVEN HEAT & FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURES
As your boiler ages, it becomes less and less energy efficient, so it uses more energy to produce the same output of heat and therefore costs you more money. Annual servicing is really important as it will help to prolong it’s lifespan and will keep your boiler running as efficiently as possible for as long as possible.
If you’re experiencing inconsistent heating in your home, or fluctuating water temperatures, it could be an indication that your boiler has an internal problem.
Check out our monthly Service Plans to spread the cost of your annual service. Plans start from as little as £8 per month.
5. LEAKING BOILERS
Your boiler should never leak water. If you notice water is leaking, you should switch off the boiler and call a GasSafe engineer as soon as possible. It’s a sure sign that an internal component needs to be replaced, such as the heat exchanger or less serious a seal or valve needs to be replaced.
If any of these 5 symptoms sound familiar, call SGS to arrange for one of our Gas Safe engineers to service and inspect your boiler. Or if you know your boiler is 10-15 years old, contact us for your free, no obligation quote to replace it with a new energy efficient model.