We rely on gas appliances more than ever in the winter; we need our gas ovens and hobs if we are going to enjoy warm and hearty meals, and boilers are essential for hot water and central heating.
But the increased demands gas appliances face during the winter means they are particularly susceptible to breakdowns and malfunctions. Although a boiler breakdown in summer can be annoying and frustrating, in winter it can be a crisis and make a home almost uninhabitable.
These top tips should ensure that your gas appliances function perfectly when you need them the most.
Check your gas appliances
Simply test your appliances for a few minutes to check that they are all in working order. We recommend that you run these tests in the autumn, when the weather is still quite mild. Don’t just check your boiler – check gas fires and ovens, and examine every radiator in your home to find out if you need to bleed or clean them.
Arrange gas appliance services
Every gas appliance in your home should be checked once a year. Gas appliance services will ensure that they work properly and are as efficient as they can be, and that they are not likely to break down in the immediate future.
Only use Gas Safe engineers
Anyone who works on gas appliances is legally required to be on the Gas Safe Register. We at 247 Home Rescue take this very seriously, and ensure that all of our engineers are appropriately insured and have the necessary Gas Safe competencies.
If you do not have a 247 Home Rescue membership, then you can find Gas Safe engineers by visiting the Gas Safe Register’s website or calling them on 0800 408 5500.
All Gas Safe engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card. Look at the front of the card for:
- The start date
- The expiry date
- The engineer’s photograph
- The security hologram
- The engineer’s business details
Check the back of the card for:
- The engineer’s competencies to ensure that they can work on your particular gas appliance
- The engineer’s qualifications
Watch out for faulty appliances
Badly-installed and poorly-maintained gas appliances can be incredibly dangerous, as they can emit deadly carbon monoxide, explode or set on fire. If an unregistered engineer has installed, maintained or serviced your appliances, they may have been left in a hazardous or even lethal condition. If you are not satisfied that your gas appliances are safe, then get a registered engineer you trust to take a look at them, or replace them if required.
Keep your gas appliances safe 24/7 with 247 Home Rescue!
247 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any injuries or damages you sustain following the advice on this website. If in doubt, seek professional assistance.
