An immersion heater is an electric heating element fitted inside a hot water cylinder. When switched on, electricity passes through the element, the element heats up, and that heat transfers directly into the stored water around it. It is a simple technology, but how you use it makes a big difference to cost. An immersion Read more »
Saving money on energy bills is easiest when you stop treating every tip as equal. Turning down a thermostat, fixing heating controls and blocking draughts can help quickly, while insulation, glazing, solar panels or heat pumps need more planning and budget. The aim is to reduce wasted energy without making the home cold, damp or Read more »
If you’re considering a heat pump, there are now two different grant tiers available depending on how your home is currently heated. Most homeowners in England and Wales can access £7,500 through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. If you’re off the gas grid and currently using heating oil or LPG, the grant was increased to £9,000 Read more »
Replacing a gas boiler is not as simple as choosing the greenest-sounding appliance. A heat pump, electric boiler, biomass boiler, infrared panel or hybrid system can all make sense in the right setting, but each one has limits. The right answer depends on the building, the heat loss, the hot-water demand, the radiators, the available Read more »
Have difficulties with the central heating and can’t figure out what’s wrong? Sludge in the radiator might be the explanation. It can create a slew of problems that considerably impair the functioning of radiators. The worst part? It isn’t always evident that sludge is the culprit. A boiler build-up can arise for various reasons; it’s Read more »
Removing a radiator can be a manageable DIY job if you are dealing with a straightforward radiator on a conventional wet central heating system. It can also go wrong quickly if valves seize, water is dirty, pipework moves or the system is pressurised in a way you do not understand. This guide explains how to Read more »
Radiator valves look small, but they have a big effect on comfort, control and heating efficiency. The valve on one side controls how much hot water enters the radiator, while the lockshield on the other side helps balance flow through the system. Choosing the right valve means understanding TRVs, manual valves, lockshields, smart valves, angled Read more »
Electric heater sizing is usually expressed in watts or kilowatts. As a rough starting point, many average UK rooms need around 100 watts per square metre, but that figure changes quickly with insulation, ceiling height, glazing, draughts and how warm you want the room to feel. The goal is not to buy the biggest heater. Read more »
Electric heaters become necessary with the temperature going down and cold taking over. While you might think investing in electric heaters could be costly, we are here to surprise you! Many electric heaters are cheap with low energy usage. An energy-efficient heater is both a bliss for the environment and your pockets. Electric heaters or Read more »
Horizontal and vertical radiators can both heat a room properly if they are sized correctly. The real decision is not whether one shape is automatically better than the other. It is whether the radiator delivers the required BTU or watt output, fits the available wall space, works with your pipework, and leaves the room usable. Read more »
