By Admin UK Fridge Installations 0 Comments

Fridge installation tips to make your fridge more efficient

When it comes to household appliances, it simply cannot be denied that kitchen appliances and electrical items in general, are amongst some of the most crucial items in your entire home, and what’s more, in order to save yourself a great deal of time, effort, and money in the future, you need to ensure that you purchase the best quality products you can afford on your budget.

As far as vital kitchen appliances go, your fridge/freezer is arguably the most important appliance you’ll ever need, and rightfully so. A fridge/freezer is essential as it will store your foods and drinks for prolonged periods of time, keeping them safe and fresh.

This isn’t just important in terms of taste, it is also important in terms of health and safety, as there are many strains of bacteria that can thrive on foods at room temperature, which, when ingested, could potentially be fatal in some cases. As far as fridge installation goes, once your fridge is installed, in order to make it more efficient and to help keep it functioning at its highest potential, there are a number of different things we can do. Fridge installation tips

Here’s a look at a few helpful fridge installation and maintenance tips that will ensure your fridge functions to the best of its abilities.

Regularly check the seals on the doors – When it comes to fridge maintenance, one of the easiest things you can do when it comes to making sure your fridge is functioning as it should be, is to regularly examine and check the seals on the doors. If a fridge isn’t staying as cool as it should be, or if the temperature keep fluctuating on a regular basis, this could be down to the fact that the seals on the fridge won’t be airtight, which in turn, will mean that cold air is escaping, and warm air is creeping in. Again, this can be dangerous because if the internal temperature of the fridge becomes too high, bacteria can breed on the food contained inside it. Not only that, but your food will spoil and go rotten much quicker, meaning that it goes to waste, and none of us want to waste any money, now do we?

Always have it installed by a professional – Fridge installation is not to be taken lightly, and it isn’t just something that anybody can do. Most of the time, people will purchase fridges and freezers, and will attempt to save money by installing them themselves. What generally happens here is that, if they’re lucky, the fridge just looks out of place and makes the kitchen look untidy, but more often than not, incorrect fridge installation can lead to internal issues with the fridge, which again, could be a health hazard. Rather than trying to do it yourself, always leave the installation to professionals who know what they’re doing.

Make sure you set the temperature correctly – Another very common mistake that people make with fridge/freezers, is trying to set the temperature too cold, as they think that will make the food fresher. In actual fact, is the temperature is too cold, the food can spoil and may suffer freezer burn, even if it is stored in the fridge. Just for reference, your freezer temp should be at 0 F, whereas your internal fridge temperature should be set between 37 and 40 F. The best way of monitoring the temperature of your fridge, is to invest in a food probe or thermometer, and to place it inside the fridge for 10 minutes or so, until it gives an accurate reading.

Make sure it is well stocked – As if we needed an excuse to fill our fridges full of food, it turns out that, in actual fact, well stocked fridges function far more efficiently than fridges that are under-stocked. The reason for this is that fridges require what is known as “thermal mass” which actually helps the temperature to stay cool. You see, the more cool items there are in the fridge, the lower the temperature becomes, and the more stable it becomes. If the fridge is empty, cold air circulates far easier, and the fridge can, ironically, overheat and stop working efficiently. Not only that, but every time you open the door, the more cool items there are in the fridge, the more items there are that are able to absorb this warm air and get the temperature down much quicker.

Don’t open the door unnecessarily – Although you may think that leaving the fridge door open is no big deal, in reality, every second the door is open, the more warm air there is that will flood inside. It can take hours to drop just one degree, yet it can take seconds to increase by two, and as you know, warm air and fridges just do not mix. If you need to grab something, grab it quickly, and close the door again, never just leave it open as you do something else. Not only that, check to make sure the door has been closed securely.

By Admin Immersion Heater Repair UK 0 Comments

Immersion heater repairs – Finding the right company

As far as household bills go, heating your water is one of the biggest costs you will ever have to endure, which is why so many people are looking for the best possible sources of hot water in the first place. Over the last decade or so, combi boilers have become hugely popular, and were, at one point, considered the be all and end all of household water heating. Immersion heaters however, have slowly been making a comeback and nowadays, when you consider how far immersion heating technology has advanced, it’s easy to understand why.

Immersion heaters are basically large water tanks with heating elements inside of them that heat up and thereby heat up the water in the tank. They’re great as backup water supplies, and can be pre-set to heat the water during hours when energy tariffs are cheaper. Sadly, like all devices, immersion heaters are not indestructible and they will need maintaining and possibly even repairing from time to time. In order for you to get the most out of your immersion heater however, you’ll need to find the right repairman, or the right repair company, for the task at hand, and with this handy guide, you’ll be able to do just that. Here are some handy tips to help you find the right company to repair and maintain your immersion heater.London immersion heaters repair uk

Find out how experienced they are – When it comes to immersion heater repairs, as immersion heaters have been in and out of fashion for so long, finding a company/worker who has extensive experience with working with them is easier said than done. Just because a company specialises in boiler repairs, that doesn’t mean that they will necessarily have experience of working with immersion heaters. If you ask them, more often than not they’ll tell you that they’re experienced, because they’ll want your service and will want your money. Many companies sadly just try to ride their luck, and will fob the customer off with some excuse as to why they can’t repair the device, when in reality, they just generally don’t know what they’re doing. When choosing a company to work with your immersion heater, take the time to find out just how experienced they really are with immersion heaters.

Ask for recommendations – A great way of finding out whether or not a worker/company is any good or not is to basically ask for recommendations from other people. There are many specialist forums online nowadays that allow users to ask questions and receive informed answers. For example, you can ask for recommendations for companies/workers from other people who happen to have immersion heaters themselves. That way, you know the advice you’re receiving is solid, and you know that the company is indeed capable of working with immersion heaters.

Don’t just opt for the cheapest option – We all know how tight funds are these days, and we know that every penny counts, so finding great deals is an essential part of day to day life. With that being said however, there are some things that you simply can’t scrimp and scrape by on, especially where expensive pieces of household equipment are concerned. When looking for somebody to work with your immersion heater, rather than looking for the cheapest possible option, you should instead look for companies with great reputations and great reviews. If a company is cheap, you have to ask yourself why that is, and whilst they may be being competitive, they may be cheap because sadly, they just aren’t up to the job.

Get several quotes – Although you shouldn’t just focus on the cost, of course you’ll want to get the best value for money, so take the time to find companies that potentially sound like they can provide you with the services that you’re looking for, and then go ahead and get a quote. Again, repeat the same process with a different company and see if they can match or beat your previous quote. Get at least three quotes, compare them, and then use these to help you to narrow down your search for your immersion heater repairs specialist.

Do your own research – Finally, the last thing you should do when it comes to choosing an immersion heater repairs specialist is to find a company you’re interested in and to then do your own research on them. Google the name of the company and see what comes up. If they’ve been involved in any especially scandalous activities, articles from newspapers and tabloids may appear. More often than not however, you’ll find links to websites and review sites, so read these reviews, take a look at their site and potential social media pages, and see what you can find out. If you like what you see, then great, you could very well have found your immersion heater repairs specialist.

By Admin Extractor Fan Repair Services 0 Comments

Extractor fan repair and maintenance tips

Extractor fans, also known as vent fans in some parts of the world, are incredibly useful and beneficial inventions that have revolutionised home ownership and DIY as we know it. In the past, extractor fans were considered unnecessary, and they certainly weren’t all that efficient, yet nowadays, an extractor fan is one of the most beneficial inventions you could ever wish for. Extractor fans aren’t only designed to remove nasty smells from the home, they’re also designed to help filter the air and make it cleaner, so that we don’t have to breathe in harmful particles that come from cooking and preparing food, as well as other, shall we say, erm, less hygienic procedures. exhaust fan repair services uk

Typically, you’ll find extractor fans in kitchens, above hobs and cookers, as well as in bathrooms as well. As mentioned, they not only remove nasty smells and particles from the air, but they also remove steam and moisture, making them very useful for health and hygiene purposes. In bathrooms for example, when you have hot showers and baths, the steam from the hot water causes moisture and condensation which can then breed mould spores, which have actually been known to be fatal if ingested. Because of this, extractor fan repair and maintenance tips are essential, which is where we come into the mix.

Here’s a look at a few effective extractor fan repair and maintenance tips to ensure your extractor fan performs to the best of its ability.

Vacuum the vent – If you own a laptop, a computer, or a games console, you may have noticed that, at times, the device may overheat and randomly shut itself off. This is because the fan and cooling system of the device, may be clogged full of dust. If you take a vacuum clean and suck away the dust accumulations, your devices will once again work better than ever. Well, the same principle applies to extractor fans. Extractor fans suck particles out of the air, and that includes dust and other debris. What’s more, as they suck grease, in kitchens, or steam and moisture, the blades of the fan become sticky, so all of that dust and debris sticks to it. Overtime, this dust and debris can build up, slowing the fan down and potentially even breaking it. By simply taking your vacuum cleaner and vacuuming the vent to the fan however, you can remove all of these accumulations, so that the fan works better than ever.

Clean it monthly – It may seem pointless to some of you, but if you set just one day, or even just one hour, aside each month and clean your extractor fan, you avoid more serious problems in the future. Replacing an extractor fan isn’t going to be cheap, and it will be disruptive as well, and as it can be very easily avoided if you just clean and maintain your fan, it’s well worth setting aside just one day/hour every month to clean and maintain your fan.

Sweep the vents – Although using a vacuum cleaner to suck away most of the dust and debris is a great place to start, in order to really ensure your fan is as efficient as it could be, you should take a brush and use it to sweep the vents. Which brush you use will depend on which fan you’re sweeping. Obviously the extractor fan above your hob in your kitchen, is going to be much larger than the extractor fan in your bathroom, so a large brush may be required. For bathroom fan vents however, an old toothbrush should do the trick.

Clean the filters – Extractor fans in kitchens are notoriously disgusting as they get coated in grease and grime every time you cook something on the hob below them. The longer you leave this grease and grime, the thicker it becomes and the nastier the job becomes. If you leave it too long, grease can literally drip onto your food as you cook it, which nobody wants. Once every few weeks, remove the filters, and clean them. For best results, soak them in a degreaser and then in hot soapy water, before rinsing them off, or alternatively, degrease them, then place them in a dishwasher. Once the filters are removed, clean the surrounding areas and once replaced, your extractor fan will be cleaner than ever before.

Bring in the professionals – If your extractor fan stops working, or isn’t as efficient as it should be, you may need to hire professionals that specialise in extractor fan repair. Extractor fan repair experts are affordable, they know exactly what they’re doing, and they can potentially save you a great deal of time, effort, and money in the process, so don’t keep putting the job off.

By Admin UK Boiler Repair Services 0 Comments

Boiler repair and maintenance tips

As a property owner, whether you live in the property yourself or if you happen to be a landlord, the thought of your boiler breaking down probably fills you with feelings of dread and despair, and may even keep you up at night. Yes, a boiler breaking down can be potentially disastrous, as you will probably know that they’re incredibly expensive things to replace and repair. A boiler breaking down in the summer is a huge pain in the butt, but a boiler breaking down in the midst of winter is disastrous. The last thing you will want is for your boiler to break down when it’s freezing cold outside, leaving you with no heating and no hot water for several days, as well as having to shell out thousands on boiler repair or replacement. The good news however, is that by simply maintaining and looking after your boiler, you can prolong its life exponentially, which is exactly what you’ll be looking to do. Here’s a look at a few handy boiler repair and maintenance tips to prolong the life of your boiler, leaving it functioning efficiently as it should.boiler-repair-services tips

Have it serviced annually – First and foremost, the first thing you need to do to ensure your boiler functions effectively and lasts as long as it should, is to ensure that you arrange to have your boiler serviced annually by a trained professional. Professional boiler repairmen and experts will need to be certified as not anybody is qualified to be able to work with gas appliances. Gas safe engineers will give your boiler a once over, and will perform various diagnostic tests to see how efficient it is, and whether there is anything that can be done to make it more productive. If you fail to maintain your boiler, it can quickly develop minor faults, which can then lead to more serious faults, which can then lead to disastrous faults that could possibly be fatal in the event of a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regularly bleed your radiators – Another great way of ensuring your boiler remains efficient and productive is to regularly bleed the radiators in your home. If you notice that some radiators don’t heat up as quickly as they should, or even at all for that matter, it could be down to the fact that they’re full of sludge and detritus from your water pipes, which can then prevent the hot water from distributing properly. However, it could also be down to the fact that the radiators contain air, which will also prevent them from heating up properly. To rectify this issue however, you can bleed your radiators using radiator bleed keys, which will then release the air and help the water flow more efficiently. After bleeding your radiators, check the pressure of your boiler, which should now have dropped and will therefore need topping up.

Check the pressure of your boiler – Even if your boiler is working perfectly fine, you should still take the time to check the pressure of your boiler, as it will only take a few seconds, and it could serve as an indicator that perhaps something isn’t quite right. Each boiler should have a pressure level recommended by the manufacturer, and each boiler will inevitably lose pressure now and then, though not by much, providing it’s working as it should. Never EVER add more pressure to your boiler than is recommended, as doing so could result in burst water pipes, which again, will be disastrous. When topping up boiler pressure, very slowly turn the pressure valve, never try to rush it as you may add too much pressure too quickly.

Examine below the boiler – Below your boiler, the ground should be dry, if it is wet, or even slightly damp and leaking slightly, that leak will result in loss of pressure, and will mean that something is wrong. More often than not, a slight leak is down to a faulty pressure release valve, but the only way to know for certain is to pay a professional to give your boiler a once over. If you notice drips or dampness under your boiler, never ignore it, as the issue is only going to get worse.

Look at the colour of the flame of your boiler – Finally, the last thing you can do to help keep your boiler in tip-top condition and to ensure it is working as it should, is to look at the colour of the flame on the pilot light. The flame should be blue, if it is green, orange, or yellow, this could be a sign that the boiler is faulty, and ignoring it could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Never ignore a different coloured flame as anything other than blue could mean that there is a serious problem with the boiler.

By Admin UK Immersion Heater Installations 0 Comments

Immersion heater installations – Everything you need to know about immersion heaters

Nowadays, the cost of living appears to be increasing on a near daily basis, whereas incomes sadly seem to be stuck firmly where they are. Because of this, getting our household bills down and making our homes more energy efficient is absolutely essential. As far as household energy bills are concerned, heating your water is considered one of the largest costs any homeowner will face, especially if your boiler is considered old and inefficient. Lately however, there has been a huge surge in the number of immersion heater installations taking place all across the globe, due largely to the fact that immersion heaters these days are now able to provide so many benefits and advantages. Now, immersion heaters in general, are considered to be more costly than combi boilers, and whilst it is true that having an immersion heater solely, would be more costly, if used as a backup, and used sensibly, immersion heaters can actually prove incredibly useful and energy efficient.thermometer immersion heater install

What exactly is an immersion heater? – An immersion heater is a form of water heater that uses electricity to heat the water, as opposed to gas. It is designed to fit snugly inside a cylindrical hot water vessel that uses heating elements to heat the water inside of the vessel. If you think of an immersion heater as a giant electric kettle, similar to the ones found in Europe, and you basically have the premise behind an immersion heater. They are plugged into a power supply at the mains, and the great thing about them is the fact that they can be switched on and off at your leisure. Obviously you don’t need hot water 24 hours a day, so you basically just switch the device on when you want hot water, and when you’re finished, the device can be switched off.

What are the main benefits of immersion heaters? – Some of the main benefits associated with immersion heaters include:

  • Automatic shut off features – As immersion heaters are now so advanced, many of them are equipped with thermostats, which means that once the water reaches a certain pre-set temperature, it will automatically shut off, so there is no risk of you forgetting to switch it off, and there’s no need for you to constantly have to get up and down, switching it off and on again.
  • Great as a backup supply – Let’s face it, if anything ever goes wrong with our boilers, having no heating or hot water can make life pretty miserable, especially during the colder months of the year. The great thing about immersion heaters is the fact that they act as great backup hot water supplies. They aren’t connected to your boiler, so if anything goes wrong with your boiler, your immersion heater won’t be affected, so you will still be able to get hot water.
  • Keeps water hot for several hours – Another benefit of immersion heaters is the fact that they’re very well insulated nowadays, so they can keep water hot for several hours, even after the device has been switched off.
  • Can be used during cheaper hours – Many immersion heaters are equipped with timers which allow users to set them to turn on and off during hours when electricity tariffs are cheaper, meaning that they will heat the water for cheaper, and then when you wake up the next morning, you can have a hot bath or shower, having heated the water for much cheaper than it would have cost to have used them during the day.
  • Peace of mind – At the end of the day, one of main benefits associated with immersion heaters is their convenience. If you have one as a backup device for example, you don’t have to use it constantly, but it’s nice to know that, should anything happen to your combi boiler, you’ll still be able to get some hot water and heat your home etc.

 

Potential drawbacks – Now we’ll look at some of the less desirable characteristics of immersion heaters. These include:

  • Can be more expensive – If your primary source of hot water is an immersion heater, heating water using electricity is much more expensive than by using gas, so an immersion heater as your sole heat source for water can get pretty pricey, although as mentioned, you can set them to heat the water during times when energy tariffs are cheaper.
  • Doesn’t heat the water right away – The good thing about using gas combi boilers to heat your water is the fact that they heat the water up within a matter of seconds, so you can get hot water right away. With an immersion heater, once you switch the device on, it can take a couple of hours to heat the water up, so taking a hot bath or shower etc, can’t be a spur of the moment decision.