A first time homeowner's guide to heating
14 September 2022
We know that the fun part about purchasing a new home isn’t always the heating and energy efficiency. However, ensuring that your home's energy efficiency is effectively maintained can save you energy and money.
Here, we give first time buyers some advice about the central heating system in your new home.
What to consider before the initial purchase
Consider the type of house that you are investing in. The larger the house, the more costly a new central heating system will be. Newly built houses tend to be incredibly more energy efficient and can save the extra costs of insulation etc.
Consider purchasing a south-facing home, which will utilise the natural light and heat from the sun, keeping your house warmer for free.
Before you decide to purchase, request the current owner to book a Gas Safe engineer to perform a service on the boiler so that you are aware of any wear and tear or damage to the system. All of our engineers are Gas Safe registered and MCS certified, so whatever the heating system the property has, we can perform a service. Contact us here today to book your renewable or boiler service.
Make sure that the boiler is A-rated and is the correct type for your home. It will also be fundamental to ensure that the radiators are the correct BTU.
Things to do to help your new home's efficiency
Make sure that there is no way that heat can easily leave your home. Ensure that your pipes and any cracks are sealed, as well as checking key holes and possible gaps between floorboards or skirting boards.
Windows and doors can also be a crucial guard for your heat. With double glazing, you will find that your home retains much more heat and saves you money.
Insulation is key to maintaining the heat of your home long term. Both your loft and the pipes within your walls can benefit from proper insulation as a house can lose a third of its heating through walls, and 25% through an uninsulated roof.
Keeping your curtains open may possibly allow the natural entry of heat into your home. If you are concerned about how this will affect your home in the summer, plant a tree that provides shade in front of your windows. This will cool down your house on a hot day and will lose leaves in the winter to allow the sunshine to radiate through.
Hot water cylinders and pipes can benefit from insulation jackets and pipe sleeving, which are fairly inexpensive and easily accessible.
Possible investments
There are several things that you may want to consider investing in to ensure that your central heating system is working to its full potential.
Is the boiler of the property older than 8 years? Some boilers manage to provide central heating for up to 15 years, however yours may need to be serviced or replaced entirely.
If your boiler is showing signs of needing repair, such as taking a long time to heat your home, making loud noises or requiring constant radiator bleeding, it may be time to replace your system.
Investing in TRVS, or smart TRVs, allow you to control your home's heating room-by-room. By doing this, you can save up to £150 a year*.
Smart thermostats will also allow you to save money by scheduling when you need heat on and off, to prevent unnecessary waste. Smart learning thermostats can memorise your daily patterns and adapt to when you need your heating higher or lower throughout the day.
As a matter of safety, install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to ensure that you do not inhale any carbon monoxide that could leak from your system. Having an annual boiler service can ensure that no hazardous gases are leaking, however a fairly inexpensive detector can put your mind at ease throughout the year.
Lastly, perhaps consider more modern methods of heating, including solar panels or underfloor heating. Each have their benefits, can save money and help to decrease your carbon footprint. Read about our renewable solutions here.
When thinking long term, make sure you have a plan. By investing in a service or cover plan for your boiler, you can save yourself the cost of an unexpected breakdown or emergency repair. Read about our boiler cover and service plans here.
So, if you're about to purchase your new home, this blog will help you what to consider about the central heating system.
Here at Swale Heating, we offer a range of services, from new boiler installations to service and cover plans. We also specialise in renewable solutions. Visit our website today to find out more information. Rely on us to keep you warm.
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