DANGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Bad Central Heating Engineers

This story started when I was called to look at a job which required replacing an electric double oven with a gas double oven. The home owner wanted a price to complete the job and I couldn’t give them a quote over the phone so I said I’d pop over. The idea was to take a quick look, give them an estimate and then  book a time to do the work if they wanted to go ahead. Fate was however about to make us all more miserable than a rainy day in Oldham. continue

Location: Chadderton, Oldham, Lancs

Date: Oct 2009

Description: Our client wanted to replace an old combi boiler which had died a long and painful death. The old boiler was located under a stairway and not a good location for ongoing maintenance. The home owners wanted it relocated further down the wall towards the kitchen. The boiler was also set at a height that would be easy to hide in a cupboard when the kitchen gets remodeled next year. continue

I have received a lot of emails over the last year from property owners who want information on what’s involved in replacing a central heating system so they know if they’re being riped off. In other words, what has to happen in what order, and by who, in order to get the job done as effectively and inexpensively as possible.

Cash can be saved by doing things in the right order and at the right time. Doing things twice or in the wrong order costs money. Actually it costs you money. The installer gets more of it! Labour is always a big deal. All like-for-like heating systems come in at roughly the same price. Labour however is where you can save some real cash by getting the work done effectively and by making sure whoever you hire is doing the job right and on time. Your time!

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DANGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Bad – Boiler Installers

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This weeks award goes to the installer of a combi boiler which although put in correctly seems to have been done in a bit of a hurry. This boiler has been in for several years and judging by the amount of corrosion had previously been leaking for some time albeit a small group of leaks. The problem only became apparent when a new cloths washer was delivered and like most companies these days was hooked up by the delivery driver. Normally this isn’t a problem as the drivers know when to stop and get help. Not this day though!

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DANGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Bad – Boiler Installers

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We’ve been working really hard this week to complete a house refurbishment so the owners can get in moved in by months end. So this weeks Cowboy Award is a group of pictures from other jobs we’ve been on in the past. At the time these pics were taken they weren’t voted the most dangerous or damaging thing we had seen that particular week.  So this weeks award is going to all of the lazy installers who, against the building regulations and the manufacturers installation manual install boiler  condensate waste pipes  in any matter they choose.

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DANGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Bad – Boiler Installers

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While picking up some electrical bits the other day my supplier, who is also a client of ours, asked me about his high energy bills. Specifically his gas bill seemed higher than usual. I suggested a Gas Safety Check also known as a CP12 to determine whether or not there was a leak in some pipe work or perhaps a badly burning boiler, fire or cooker.

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DANGER OF THE WEEK AWARD

Bad – Maintenance Workers

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I was at a clients late in the week to undertake the yearly gas fire service and install a new Carbon Monoxide detector. Her old detector was a throw away unit which was not designed for battery replacement. While on site she asked if  could explain the warning she received from British Gas when they came to do the yearly boiler service a few weeks earlier. I took a look and they had  written up the outside pipe work from the pressure relief valve was improperly terminated.

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