Your boiler works hard behind the scenes to keep your home warm and your water hot, but like any appliance, it won’t last forever. A typical boiler lifespan is around 10-15 years, depending on how well it’s maintained. Knowing when it’s time to replace your boiler can save you from unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and inefficient energy bills.

We know that replacing a boiler is a big household expense, and not a decision anyone takes lightly. That’s why we’re here to help you understand your options and make the process as smooth as possible.

Here are five key signs your boiler may be ready for an upgrade:

1. Frequent Breakdowns

If you find yourself calling out an engineer more than once or twice a year, it’s a clear signal that your boiler may be nearing the end of its life. Replacing parts repeatedly can quickly add up, in many cases, a new, reliable boiler will be more cost-effective in the long run.

2. Rising Energy Bills

Older boilers lose efficiency over time, meaning they need to burn more fuel to produce the same amount of heat. If your energy bills are climbing and you haven’t changed your usage habits, your boiler could be the culprit. Modern A-rated boilers are far more efficient and can significantly reduce your heating costs.

3. Uneven Heating Around Your Home

Are some rooms too cold while others are too hot? Or does it take longer than it used to for your home to warm up? Inconsistent heating is often a sign your boiler is struggling to circulate water properly, and it might be more than a simple repair can fix.

4. Unusual Noises

While no boiler is completely silent, banging, clunking, or whistling sounds (sometimes called “kettling”) are usually a sign of internal issues like limescale buildup or failing components. If the noises persist even after servicing, it could be time for a replacement.

5. Visible Leaks or Corrosion

Water leaks, rust, or other visible signs of damage should never be ignored. Leaks can cause serious damage to your property and indicate that the internal parts of your boiler are deteriorating.

Considering Your Options: Boilers & Beyond

At Gregor Heating, we understand that a new boiler is a major investment. Our team can guide you through the process, help you choose the right model for your home, and even discuss financing options to spread the cost. In some cases, there are grants that can help make your home more energy efficient, which could include replacing boilers or introducing renewable heating solutions.

But upgrading your heating system isn’t just about swapping old for new, it’s also a great opportunity to think about the future. More and more households are switching to air source heat pumps, a highly efficient, low-carbon alternative to gas boilers.

Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air outside (even on cold days!) and using it to warm your home. They can:

• Cut your carbon footprint by reducing reliance on fossil fuels
• Lower your running costs over time, especially if paired with solar panels
• Future-proof your home against upcoming energy efficiency standards

Our experienced team can assess your property, explain how heat pumps work, and help you decide whether a heat pump, a modern gas boiler, or a hybrid system is the right choice for you.

Get in touch today to arrange a free consultation with Gregor Heating, whether you want a straightforward boiler replacement or are ready to take the next step towards greener, more efficient home heating.

The post 5 Signs Your Boiler May Need Replacing appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

Purchasing a new boiler, heat pump, solar thermal system, or solar panels with battery storage is one way of doing this. A new product offers cutting edge technology and greater efficiently, and is a big investment, one you would have spent a while considering.

It’s a big step towards a more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective home. And with your new product running so smoothly from the outset, it can be tempting to let things run untouched for a few years. Afterall, you don’t want another expense!

We look at this differently, we recommend servicing from the outset – stay with us! Here’s why.

Protect Your Investment

Heating and renewable energy systems are complex, and, like any high-performance equipment, they need regular attention to keep performing at their best. Servicing helps to:

• Maintain efficiency – keeping your system in top condition saves energy and lowers running costs.
• Prevent breakdowns – spotting small issues early helps avoid unexpected (and expensive) failures later.
• Prolong system life – regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your equipment.
• Ensure safety – safety checks are vital, particularly for gas appliances, to guard against risks like carbon monoxide.
• Keep warranties valid – most manufacturers require annual servicing to maintain the warranty.

How Often Should You Service Your System?

Here’s our recommended schedule:

• Boilers – Annually. It’s essential for safety, efficiency, and warranty compliance, especially before winter.
• Heat Pumps – Every year. Ensures your system runs efficiently in all seasons.
• Solar Thermal Systems – Checked every year to maintain efficiency and prevent costly damage, with a fluid top-up/replacement every three to five years.
• Solar PV & Battery Storage – A health check every 1–2 years keeps performance and safety on track.

Why Gregor?

We’ve been a trusted name across Bristol, Bath, and the Southwest for over 35 years. With Gregor Heating and Renewables, you’re not just getting a service, you’re getting the backing of a team that genuinely cares about keeping your home warm, efficient, and running smoothly.

Here’s why customers choose us year after year:

We’re a Which? Trusted Trader

This means we’ve passed a rigorous assessment and adhere to the high standards set by one of the UK’s most respected consumer organisations. We were also recently awarded Which? Trusted Trader of the month for July 2025. It’s your reassurance that we’re committed to honest, high-quality service every time.

MCS Approved Installer

We’re certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which means our work on renewable technologies (like heat pumps and solar systems) meets government-backed industry standards.

Local expertise

Our team of engineers are experienced, friendly, and responsive, backed by decades of local trust.

Servicing for all systems

From gas boilers to advanced renewable technologies, we’ve got the skills to service it all. We can service and maintain your Air Source Heat Pump, Ground Source Heat Pump and Solar Thermal Systems. The team can service all leading makes and models including Daikin, Mitsubishi and Vaillant.

Ask About Heat:Plan – Simple, Reliable Boiler Care

For boiler owners, we offer Heat:Plan, a convenient monthly plan that covers your annual boiler servicing and gives you peace of mind all year round. With Heat:Plan, you get:

• Your annual service included
• Priority breakdown response
• General Plumbing Jobs
• Access to our local, responsive team
• Fixed monthly payments – so there are no surprises

It’s the hassle-free way to keep your boiler running efficiently and reliably.

Our advice is to always be prepared! Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Protect your investment, your comfort, and your peace of mind, and your wallet with regular servicing from Gregor Heating and Renewables.

Contact us today to book your service or find out more about Heat:Plan and our renewable system support.

The post Why Servicing Your Heating & Renewable Systems Matters – And Why Gregor Should Be Your First Call appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

“Things just aren’t made to last anymore.”

This seems to be a common statement when it comes to household appliances, including boilers. Whilst that can be true with some appliances – we find when it comes to the life of your boiler and heating system- there are things you can do to be proactive and ensure longevity.

Buying and installing a new boiler or heating system comes with a significant spend so it makes sense that you would want to ensure its efficiency for many years.

We find a lot of people only get in touch when the damage is done, and things go wrong. Yet there is a lot you can do, right from the start, to ensure your boiler keeps working efficiently. One of them is a yearly service, the other is having a regular turbidity test.

What is Turbidity Testing?

We don’t often think about the quality of our water in relation to our appliances, yet the quality of the water circulating within your system can make a huge difference to its functioning.

Here in the UK, where heating systems are an essential part of comfortable living, understanding the importance of turbidity testing is key for homeowners seeking to protect their investments.

Turbidity testing involves measuring the clarity of water by assessing the suspended particles present in the system. In the context of heating systems, this test reveals the level of impurities such as rust and magnetite sediment that can accumulate in the water over time. These impurities, if left unchecked, can wreak havoc on heating systems, leading to inefficiency, breakdowns, and costly repairs.

The Perils of Poor Water Quality

Imagine your heating system as a circulatory system, with water acting as its lifeblood. Just as impurities in our bloodstream can harm our health, contaminants in heating water can severely affect its performance.

Here’s how:

1. Reduced Efficiency: When the water in your system is full of impurities, it becomes less effective at transferring heat. This means your boiler needs to work harder to achieve the desired temperature, resulting in increased energy consumption and higher bills.
2. Corrosion: Rust and magnetite in the water can corrode the internal components of your heating system, leading to leaks, blockages, and ultimately, system failure. Corrosion weakens pipes, valves, and radiators, shortening their lifespan and causing costly replacements.
3. Clogging: Sediment build-up in pipes and radiators restricts water flow, causing uneven heating throughout your home. Cold spots, noisy pipes, and inefficient heating are common symptoms of clogged systems, which can be both disruptive and expensive to rectify.
4. Boiler Damage: Perhaps most concerning of all is the potential damage to your boiler itself. Sediment accumulation in the boiler’s heat exchanger can impede heat transfer, causing overheating, pressure issues, and ultimately, boiler breakdown. Replacing a boiler is a significant expense that can be avoided with proper maintenance, including regular turbidity testing.

The Benefits of Turbidity Testing

So, why is turbidity testing essential for homeowners? Here are a few reasons:

1. Preventative Maintenance: By identifying and addressing water quality issues early on, you can prevent costly repairs and extend the lifespan of your heating systems.
2. Improved Efficiency: Clean water ensures optimal heat transfer, leading to increased energy efficiency and lower heating bills.
3. Peace of Mind: Regular turbidity testing provides reassurance that your heating system is operating at peak performance, keeping your home warm and comfortable throughout the year.
4. Long-Term Savings: Investing in turbidity testing is a small price to pay compared to the potential costs of repairing or replacing a damaged heating system. It’s a proactive measure that can save you money in the long run.

As you can see, having a regular turbidity test alongside a yearly service is a small price to pay for peace of mind and ensure your heating system is working effectively and efficiently throughout the year.

By understanding the importance of water quality and taking proactive steps to maintain it, you can safeguard your investment, enhance system performance, and enjoy uninterrupted comfort for years to come.

Don’t wait for things to go wrong – get in touch to schedule a turbidity test for your heating system today.

The post The Importance of Turbidity Testing for Home Heating Systems appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

The winter and especially these cold snaps can be challenging at the best of times, especially so now when we are all trying save money on our heating costs.

There is some good news though, our directly employed, DBS checked engineers are always sharing tips with homeowners, on things they can do to help maximise the heat in their home and have their boiler running as efficiently as possible. So, to help you, we have pulled them all together into this article.

Let’s start with Boiler maintenance.

We know, it’s tempting to cut costs, yet having a maintenance plan does not have to be costly! And having your boiler serviced regularly and running efficiently will save you money in the long run.

We find most homeowners don’t consider having their boiler looked at until something goes wrong. Yet, it’s essential to have a yearly service to ensure the proper functioning and maximum efficiency of it during the winter months as well as maintaining guarantees and warranties. A well-maintained boiler will not only provide you with a warm and comfortable home, it will also save energy and money in the long run.

Here are our experts’ top tips for maintaining your boiler.

1. Schedule a yearly boiler service: Our Heat:Plan Only Service, means you can get your boiler serviced every year to ensure it’s safe and running efficiently. This package is £6.99 per month; however, we do offer other packages which include cover for callouts and repairs.
2. Check the pressure gauge regularly: You can do this yourself. You need to ensure that it is at the proper level. The ideal pressure on your boiler is between 1 and 1.5 bar when the system is cold. If the pressure keeps dropping, this could mean there is a leak, which should be repaired as soon as possible. When you have your heating switched on, the pressure on your boiler will rise to around 2 bar. If you find it rises higher than 2.5 bar, then an engineer visit is required as soon as possible as you have an expansion issue.
3. Bleed the radiators: If your radiators are not heating up evenly, this could be a sign of air in your radiators. To fix this, you can bleed the radiators by releasing the trapped air through the bleed valve. If you’re unsure how to bleed radiators or top-up pressure, then always seek professional guidance before attempting. No air in your radiators and correct pressure will ensure your system heats up efficiently and produces the correct heat output and flow rate throughout the system.
4. Insulate: Insulate pipes and the boiler itself to reduce heat loss and save energy. This will also help to keep the boiler running efficiently by reducing the amount of energy required to heat your home.

Check the water quality of your boiler.

Another often overlooked task is checking your boilers water quality, which needs to be done by a professional engineer.

Hard water can cause mineral build up in hot water cylinders and hot water heat exchangers in combi boilers. Adding an in-line water softener will help reduce this.

Sludge created by the breakdown of metal from radiators can build-up in your boilers heat exchanger, reducing the boilers efficiency and potentially causing damage. Adding a central heating system inhibitor will help reduce this but it is important to have the system flushed regularly to remove any build-up.

Flushing the system can also help to remove any sludge or debris that may have accumulated in the boiler over time. During your service, our engineers can take a water sample, test it, and advise you on the next steps.  If need be, we can come and flush the system, ensuring that it is done properly and safely.

Can a power flush damage my old system?

The short answer is no. We would say, if your system is old, this is a must to keep it functioning efficiently.

It is also important to keep an eye on the quality of water that is going into the system, as poor water quality can lead to corrosion and damage to the internal components of the boiler. A professional engineer can check the water quality and recommend any necessary treatment to ensure that the water is safe for use in the boiler.

More Energy Saving Tips from our Service Manager, Marcus.

So that’s the boiler sorted – what about some tips on keeping your home warm? Marcus, our service manager shared these tips on our socials.

1. Trap any heat that’s produced by keeping windows and doors closed, and draught-proof any unwanted gaps. The most effective methods are brush strips on doors and letter boxes but alternately you can use a traditional pillow type draught excluder at the bottom of your doors and something smaller for your letter box; even blocking up large key holes will make a difference.
2. The harder a boiler or heat pump has to work, the more energy it will consume. Lowering your systems flow temperature is the most efficient way to operate a system. Radiators will feel slightly cooler, but majority of homes will heat effectively with a lower flow temperature. Try lowering the flow temperature on your boiler to 60 degrees. This can be adjusted on the dial with a radiator symbol on the front of your boiler. A heat pump system is designed to provide heat at a lower temperature and to run over a longer time period, so it’s important it’s set to operate this way. The user instructions should help how to check this but always seek professional guidance if you’re unsure.
3. Adjust your room thermostat 1 or 2 degrees lower than you normally do and lower the thermostatic valves on your radiators. There’s no need to heat rooms you hardly use so turn these radiators off. These small adjustments should make no difference to how warm you feel but will make big savings on your energy bills.
4. Move any large furniture like wardrobes or sofas away from where your radiators are fitted. Where this isn’t applicable, move furniture at least 3-4 inches away from the radiator. This will allow the heat to circulate adequately around the room which you’ll now find warmer and will also heat up a lot quicker.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your boiler is running efficiently and effectively, and your home is warm and comfortable throughout the winter.

We would recommend you chose one of our Heat:Plan packages. They start at only £6.99 a month, and you can have total peace of mind, safe in the knowledge we are only a quick phone call away should something go wrong.  You can find out more about the different packages here.

The post How to maximise the heat in your home and have your boiler running as efficiently as possible this winter. appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

We have a whole team dedicated to working across the process from start to completion to help manage and keep our customer promise of “We’re not happy until you’re happy” all the way through.

We thought it was about time to meet some of the customer care administration team, of which there are four who keep the day to day running and we also took the opportunity to see what they’d recommend for people visiting Bristol for the first time.

Since Wendy Taylor-Suffell started her new role as the Customer Care Administration Manager she’s had rather a lot on her personal plate. Tragically, Wendy lost her husband earlier this year, following his brave fight with prostate cancer.

However, she says work has been a bit of a lifeline and she is touched by how everyone has been so supportive from management to the team members. “Whether it’s a hug or a laugh to help in those tough moments, I am touched by it all,” she says.

It was the friendly, family atmosphere that first struck Wendy when she joined Gregor. Having relocated to the area only a few years ago with another job, she and her husband were busy enjoying life before Covid hit and then she was made redundant. Luckily she found the job at Gregor quickly.

“I was in the heating industry for 10 years before my previous job so I was excited to get back into it. I saw this job as an opportunity for a new start and to do something fresh and put my stamp on it.”

And it looks like she’s done just that, bringing in new team members who all say she is “the glue of the team.”

Originally from Grimsby and then Mansfield in Nottinghamshire before she moved down to the South West, she left her son, his partner and 2 gorgeous grandchildren in Nottinghamshire but makes frequent visits back to see them.

Walking is Wendy’s way of managing her mental health and Stu is her inspiration to keep going.

She started walking to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer and has carried on in a bid to raise both money but also awareness of this horrible disease.

This year she has already completed a 10K walk with 72 year old mum in Leeds, the Midnight walk for Dorothy House hospice, where Stu passed away, and another 10K for Cancer Research round the centre of Bristol that she completed with colleague, Anne.

She explains; “The walking is my thought and processing time and mental health time. I go for a walk every day without fail. It takes me away from the day to day because it gets me out and away from things.  Next March I will complete my third March the Month, a campaign to walk 11,000 steps a day.

“If I can raise money and awareness to keep specialist nurses on end of the phone for someone who may need it, I will do it. Having felt helpless and hopeless I know what it feels like and all these people are amazing and play such an important role in people’s lives.”

“One man dies from Prostate Cancer every 45 minutes. So, let’s face it, working with a bunch of engineers I have a captive audience, hopefully I can get through to one of them and if that helps to save another life then I’ve done my best.”

As for what to do as a first timer to the area. She says; “I would encourage anyone to explore Bath or Wells. Both are amazing cities. I love them as they are beautiful, calming and soothing and there so much to see and do.” 

Next up is local girl, Anne Pike. Anne is one of main contacts for the engineers out on site, her role is to make sure that communication between the builder and the engineer is clear. She looks after three customer care engineers and remedials carried out by on-site engineers across some of the major build sites.

Her background is in construction so she’s used to fast paced days and definitely doesn’t like being sat there twiddling her thumbs.

She has completed two charity walks with colleagues over the last six months and she plans to complete the March the Month 2023 in aid of Prostate Cancer UK

She is a massive Bristol City fan (shh!) and season ticket holder. “It can be a bit frustrating supporting them but would recommend a day at the football or even the Rugby no matter what team you support”.  She barely misses a game and the only time she gives herself a pass is when the family take their caravan off for a weekend or break,  last seen in West Bay.

“I maybe be biased but Bristol is a fab city.  Aside from seeing a game at Ashton Gate, you should also make a visit to the tourist attractions of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Observatory, and the bus tour is probably best way to see it.”  

Anne lives with her husband and their two children in a  small village between Bristol & Bath and they all really enjoy visiting the beautiful countryside that this area has to offer.

Pictured from left to right: Wendy, Darby, Anne and Sam.

Family-focussed Samantha Cherry is new to Bristol and Gregor, having bravely taken on a new city and new job in one go. Originally from Birmingham, she re-located recently to live with her partner. Having also spent the last 2 years working from home, going back into an office environment was a bit of a shift she says, but she realises just how much she missed the banter and chit chat with colleagues.

Her job as customer care administrator involves dealing with the defects and any emergencies that need engineers to attend to with sites all over the southwest. It’s a very busy role she says but working closely as part of a team is the way to make it easier, “I really like the fact that you are never on your own there is always someone on hand to help out”, she says.

Sam also got lucky with her job being on the doorstep which allows her to visit the gym regularly.

As for recommendations for what to see and do in Bristol. “There are lots of lovely walks (usually with a pub or two involved), it’s definitely a great place to walk around.  I am yet to visit Cheddar Gorge, which I have heard is a great place to go to”.

Darby Congerton is 25 and originally from London and she moved to Bristol recently with her little one.  Her role as part of the customer care administration team is to manage the inbox. This means that she is reading and responding to over 50 emails a day from the clients and making sure all the jobs get given to the right people.

She says that Gregor is a great place to work, she’s part of a lovely team and even more so as she lives around the corner and can nip home for lunch. In her spare time, Darby is a bit of a fitness fanatic, a trained PT instructor and is doing her best to keep the team on their toes.

This includes leading the way in the recent addition to the games room, the ping pong table. Admittedly this brings out her competitive side. “But,” she says, “it’s a great way to spend a bit of time at lunchtime doing something different and also a good way of getting people together.”

She thinks Bristol is a great place to live “like a nice, small London”. And for someone visiting Bristol for the first time she would recommend the street art scene by day and a good rave in Motion by night. 

The post #MeetTheTeam customer care, new build division appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

As an Accredited Installer of all the major boiler brands, we will work with you to find the right heating solution for you and your home.

There are lots to choose from and we often get asked what the best options are.

The answer to that question is, there is never one option to suit all, we wish it was that simple!

Our recommendations for Best Value, Best Quality and Best Budget are based on our experience and should provide a sound starting point for anyone looking for a new boiler.

Which brand should I choose?

We’ve been installing boilers for over 35 years and work with all the leading brands including, Worcester, Vaillant, Ideal and Baxi.  We find our customers often know what make and model they want but if not, we are here to help.

Do I need a combination, system or regular boiler?

More and more people are choosing combination, or combi, boilers because they produce both heating and hot water on demand, without the need for a cylinder, meaning it’s a great solution for properties with limited space and hot water use, thanks to their compact, single unit form.

System boilers use a cylinder to store hot water, but the majority of heating still takes place in the boiler itself. This would be an ideal choice for homes with multiple bathrooms where hot water is in high demand

Regular boilers (sometimes known as traditional, conventional or heat only boilers) are ideally suited to homes that already have a traditional heating and hot water system which is linked to a separate hot water cylinder.

These boilers also need a cold water storage tank in the loft to feed the hot water cylinder as well as a tank that maintains the water level of the central heating system. A regular boiler may be the best option for replacing an existing boiler if the property has an older radiator system, as it might not be able to cope with the higher water pressure that is delivered by system or combi boilers. Read our guide for more information

Making a smart choice

Any new boiler installation should be made with smart heating controllers and smart thermostats. In fact, we now fit them as standard. These allow you to monitor your heating use, control it from your phone or tablet when you’re home or away and improve overall efficiency. What’s not to like? Again we offer a range of options to best suit your needs.

Best Value Boiler

Worcester Greenstar 4000

The latest in boiler technology, the Worcester Greenstar 4000 is perfect for small to medium sized homes with one bathroom, it features a modern new design, an easy to use full colour text display and it’s quiet too. The Greenstar 4000 has a wide power range to meet all of your heating and hot water needs, whilst doing so efficiently.

Vaillant ecoFIT Pure

This is a great choice is space is a premium in your home. It’s designed to be flexible, with a rear flue option available to give you more choice where you put it. It’s smart, too. When you don’t need as much heat, it will reduce itself to just 20% of its maximum output – meaning greater energy efficiency and lower bills for you.

Best Quality Boiler

Worcester Greenstar 8000

This is top of the range and comes with a 12 year warranty. Two options to choose from the 8000 Style or 8000 Life, each with the unique benefits. Wall hung, stylish, modern design the Greenstar 8000 is the perfect choice for heating larger homes.

Vaillant ecoTEC Plus

This is Vaillant’s flagship boiler. It’s so smart that when it knows you don’t need as much heating power, it can drop to using 16% of its maximum power saving on fuel and money. And benefits from a Quiet Mark accreditation meaning it’s really quiet. If you want efficiency, easy to use, reliable and quiet, this one could be for you.

Available as a combination and regular boiler too.

Best Budget Boiler

Ideal Logic Range

This is a great choice if you’re after a reliable boiler with a 10 year warranty but don’t have a big budget. The Logic Max includes an additional system filter to enhance the longevity. Our team like them easy to install and compact.

Glow-Worm Energy Boilers

Glow-Worm’s product range is clearly defined to meet the needs of a wide range of UK homes. Offering a basic but quality range to suit tighter budgets.

About the brands

Why Worcester?

Worcester’s entire gas boiler range come with a 12 year warranty. They are also able to run on a 20% hydrogen blend – so you can be confident it will run on gas for its lifetime.

Why Vaillant?

German technology, UK made, the brand has been around for over 100 years and prides itself of its innovative, future proof technologies. Always a safe choice.

Why Ideal?

Ideal has been around for over 100 years and prides itself on providing best quality heating to its customers.

Why Glow-worm?

Glow-worm were one of the first manufacturers of combination boiler technologies in the 1990s so know their stuff. Great prices and reliable boilers that do a great job. It’s owned by Vaillant but maintains its well-known British brand identity.

Gregor Heating is an accredited installer of Worcester and Vaillant brands.

The post Looking for a new boiler and not sure where to start? appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

With a major increase in the energy price cap on the horizon from in October and a further increase expected in January, the average energy bill is set to go up to beyond £4,000.  

It’s no surprise therefore that everyone is genuinely concerned about the effect this will have on their household budgets and many are looking to make cuts and savings in preparation for what is looking to be tough times ahead.

There are lots of things you can do to help cut down on energy consumption. And it’s worth visiting the Energy Savings Trust website for helpful hints on this front.

However, if your boiler is 10+ years old, it is absolutely worth considering having it replaced.

Here’s why.

We spoke to someone the other day, let’s call him Mr. B, who is running a boiler which we estimated to be over 20 years old.

He lives in a four bedroom detached house with little insulation, has his boiler serviced every year and it’s served him and his family really well.

Until now.

For the first time he has realised just how high his gas consumption is.

On his recent gas bill, the energy company informed him that they estimate his gas usage to be a massive 36,000kWh per year

He was paying 4p per kWh, this rose to 7p in March and he is now expecting to have to pay 9p from October.  

36,000 kWh at 9p per kWh equates to an annual bill of £3,240 compared to an annual bill of £1,440 at the 4p per kWh he was previously paying

And that’s just his gas bill.

So what can he do?

In our experience, the average gas use for a 3-4 bedroom house is 12-15,000kWh per year, so Mr B’s running at MORE THAN TWICE THE AVERAGE USE for a household this size.

His old boiler is almost certainly contributing to this as, even though it is properly serviced, it is likely to be running at only 60% efficiency.

By comparison a new A-rated boiler with smart heating controls runs at 90-95% efficiency,

So if you have a boiler that is clocking up the years, and you are spending more and more time at home – either you’re retired or working from home more now – one of the things that should seriously be considered is a boiler replacement.

Going back to Mr. B, let’s do a quick calculation to show how cutting his gas consumption would help make serious savings.

If we assume that Mr. B is currently using 20,000 kWh more per year than the average household (36,000 units vs 16,000 units), at 7p per unit he is spending an extra £1,440 more year.

Assuming the increase in the price cap in October means a 50% increase, and estimated rise to around 9p per unit this could go up be £1,800 a year.

This is an extreme example, but with the installation of a new more energy efficient A-rated boiler costing between £3-4000K, you can see how he might make significant savings straight away.

The Energy Savings Trust also recommends that before you replace your boiler, it might be worth considering making one or more adjustments to your central heating system. And if you don’t already, consider investing in insulation for your home. Here’s a great example of how insulating your home can help save the pounds.

When you buy a new boiler you will find that there’s a wide range of heating controls available to help your heating system work more efficiently and reduce your energy bills. These give you greater control of your home environment and help you to heat your home as efficiently as possible.

So, if you feel inspired to take the next step, please give our friendly team a call.

We offer a free survey to assess which boiler and options are best suited to your home.

And if you buy a new boiler with Gregor Heating before the end of September 2022, you can make more savings with £200 off the cost. Find out more here.

If you want to chat to someone give us a call on 0117 925 2400 – option 1 or email installations@gregorheating.co.uk

The post Buy a new boiler and start saving now… appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

We are really pleased to have Chris on board, who colleagues describe as bringing a ‘breath of fresh air’ to the business.

The first thing you notice about him is that he has definitely got plenty of energy. Of course, the fact that he’s a mad football fan could account for this.

An avid Spurs fan he’s followed them loyally through the highs and lows. However, on further exploration we discover he basically loves any game or sport that involves a ball, and by all accounts is pretty good with whatever you throw at him, regularly playing for his local tennis club and often partaking in other sports too.

As well as being half Spanish, he’s also had a number of claims to fame. Cue, lots of name dropping. Playing football at both Wembley and Highbury stadiums. Playing cricket against and bowling out Justin Langer. Watching Andy Murray win his second Wimbledon.

So what does the sports obsessed, family focussed and generally enjoying all that life has to offer Chris, love most about his job?

He’s a self confessed ‘people person’ and says that “spending time with people and helping them get the right solution is what gives me job satisfaction every day”.

“You just learn so much from talking to people. From all walks of life, I literally learn something new every day and then go home to bore my wife with it”

“This is a great time to join Gregor. Being a part of a family business that puts its customers first is definitely what attracted me to join.

“It’s also a very exciting time in the industry right now. The next generation of heating technology means we have so many more options now available to heat people’s homes.

“Although it’s easy to get lost in all the chatter around the need to save the planet, it’s a very real issue affecting us all and I see my job as helping to meet people’s needs to heat their homes and also do our bit to help to make the world an even better place.”

There we have it. If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet Chris, there’s a few conversation starters for you. Better get the kettle on!

The post #MeetTheTeam – your friendly boiler engineer, Chris Cox appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

The £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), announced by the Government last year as part of its Heat & Buildings Strategy, will open on 23 May 2022.

The BUS follows the Domestic Renewable Heating Incentive (DRHI), which closed at midnight on 31 March 2022 and will allow people to apply for a one-off grant payment of:

• £7,500 towards the cost of an air-source heat pump (ASHP) or biomass installation

or

• £7,500 towards the cost of a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) installation.

Homes and small non-domestic buildings on and off the gas grid, including owner-occupiers, private landlords and custom-builds, are eligible for the BUS. New buildings and social housing will not be eligible for support.

All applicants must have a valid EPC and if the EPC states that cavity wall or roof insulation is recommended, this work must be done, and a new EPC issued before applying for the BUS Scheme. They will also need to use a MCS registered installer to undertake the work.

If you have started an installation project from 1^st April this year you will be eligible to apply for a BUS grant once it has launched.

The Spring Statement also welcomed VAT relief on Energy Saving Measures which includes  solar panel and heat pumps installations. From 1^st April 2022, these will be zero rate VAT for a period of 5 years. By way of example of the incentives this can have, the Chancellor said; “A family having a solar panel installed will see tax savings worth over £1,000 and savings on their energy bill of over £300 per year.“

Steve Gregor commented:

“These are welcome moves by the Government to keep providing grant funding and VAT relief for homeowners that are looking for more carbon friendly ways to heat their homes.

 “As an MCS registered installer, Gregor Heating has been installing renewable technologies for over ten years and we are delighted to be able to assist customers looking for a reliable expert to help with their home heating needs.”

If you are interested in looking at renewable technologies to heat your home then check out our dedicated website for success stories of renewable technologies.

The post What does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme mean for you? appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

Well, as boiler experts we’ve laid out answers to some of the most common questions we’re getting from customers and also want to set some healthy expectations on the financial implications involved with the switch over.

Will I have to have a hydrogen boiler?

The government has laid out a Hydrogen strategy and 10 Point Plan that makes a move to boost hydrogen production with plans for a hydrogen village, town and eventually city to aid transition to hydrogen in the UK. So in short, yes, but not for a good few years yet.

Why do we need to make the change and why Hydrogen?

When natural gas is burned it produces carbon dioxide which makes heating our homes one of the biggest contributors to climate change in the UK. Hydrogen is different in that the only by-product of burning hydrogen gas is water. There are also ways of making hydrogen gas that are very carbon efficient which makes it very promising as a low-carbon fuel. The government sees it as an essential way of reaching our goal of being net zero as a country by 2050.

Hydrogen boilers – what is the difference?

A hydrogen boiler is very similar to a natural gas boiler, the way it is constructed, and its functions work in much the same way.  Some components on the inside are slightly difference, for example the flame detector. 

Manufacturers are working on developing hydrogen boilers for a similar cost to gas boilers today. Did you know that most of the gas boilers we install today are already 20% hydrogen compatible? This  means they will take about one hour to convert from natural gas to hydrogen by changing a couple of components on the inside, which can be easily done by one of our engineers when the time is right.

When will the switch to Hydrogen happen?

Although the announcement has been made that it will happen there is no clear date for the switch although we expect to see the start of the switch over begin in 2026.

There are some parts of the UK that are trialing it already. It is still very much in a test stage.  But the introduction of the 20% hydrogen blend is happening now and means that most people will have updated to a hydrogen-ready boiler by the time the changeover happens, so adapting to the new type of gas should be fairly straightforward.

It’s important to note that the government’s plan to decarbonise the heating of UK homes is not just going to feature Hydrogen Boilers.  Heat pumps and other technologies are also part of its strategy in reaching their net zero goal and keeping everyone warm and cosy at home. You can read more about Heat Pumps here.

Will this be an expensive switch?

Good news! Manufacturers are confident that Hydrogen boilers won’t cost any more than their current boilers. As they work in a very similar way, there shouldn’t be any extra costs when it comes to installation and maintenance either.

When will Gas Boilers be banned?

There has been a lot in the press in recent months about gas boilers being banned from 2025, but that’s only targeted at new-build properties, and won’t affect existing homes and boilers.

Your current boiler or a new one you are installing this year, is forecast to use natural gas for all its working lifetime. It is only when you come to replace it again that you will be looking at Hydrogen Boilers or Heat Pumps.

We hope you have found this information helpful. Also this useful video (1minute watch) on the Worcester Bosch website is worth watching.

Photo credit Worcester Bosch.

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