What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide, also referred to as CO, is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil gas and coal.
Dangerous levels of CO can accumulate when the fuel is not burning properly as a result of poor ventilation, blocked chimney or flue or damaged appliances.
Because it has no smell, taste or colour it is sometimes called the silent killer.
Prevention is always better than cure: by having your gas boiler and gas appliances correctly installed in good ventilated areas, properly repaired and serviced annually by Registered Gas Installers (RGI) the risks of been exposed to CO poisoning are reduced.
Stop using appliances immediately if you suspect they might be faulty.
Additional information on Carbon Monoxide can be found at the carbonmonoxide.ie web site
I smell Gas, what do I do next?
How do I apply for a grant?
If you want to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, the great news is you may be entitled to a grant.
TP Gas Services is an SEAI registered installer (registration number: 10144) for the SEAI Better Energy Homes Scheme. Here’s how it works
Better Energy Homes Scheme
The Irish Government, through SEAI, wishes to encourage people to improve the energy performance of their homes by incentivising the cost of installing various upgrade measures. That’s where the Better Energy Scheme comes in! The scheme aims to give assistance to homeowners reduce their energy use, heating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme not only results in a warmer, more energy efficient home, it can also save you money on heating bills in the long run, as well as improving the comfort levels within their home.
How can you benefit?
Get grant approval through SEAI and T.P. Gas Services will help you upgrade your home heating, making it warmer and more energy efficient. We can do this by installing
High Efficiency Oil / Gas Boiler with Controls Upgrade
Heating controls upgrade only or
Carbon Credits
Upgrade your heating system to enjoy a warmer, more energy efficient home.
The benefits:
Reduce your energy usage – Reduce your energy usage by up to 20% with easy to use heating controls and save money on your home heating bills
Heat when you need it – you will receive a 7 day timer to help you plan your usage
Zoned for more efficiency – Heat your hot water without having to turn on your home heating. You can also split upstairs and downstairs into heating zones for further efficiency.
How Can I Apply?
To qualify for a grant your home must have been built and occupied before 2006. Homes built from 2006 onwards should have been constructed to the 2003 Building Regulations and should not need significant upgrades. This is defined as the date your electricity meter was installed.
Click here to find out how you can apply for a Better Energy scheme grant from SEAI.
Don’t forget to choose TP Gas Services as your SEAI Registered Contractor! (Our registration number: 10144)
How often do I need my boiler serviced?
How Often Should a Gas Boiler be Serviced
Gas Boiler Maintenance
To ensure a long life for your gas boiler and natural gas appliances, it is important to have them serviced regularly. Appliance manufacturers recommend that all appliances should be serviced annually. An annual gas boiler service / safety check ensures that your boiler is functioning properly.
Regular servicing of your boiler is important as it ensures that the boiler is working to the specifications designed by the boiler manufacturer. This will help prolong the life of the boiler as well as reduce the risk of faults and expensive repairs down the line.
All Visual Checks and Tests Applied are in accordance with Irish Standards 813:2002 as laid down by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for Domestic Gas Installations.
Reasons to have your Gas Boiler Serviced Annually:
Save money on repairs.
Full-blown boiler problems can often develop from minor faults. An annual service will increase the chance that these are picked up on and fixed before they become a problem, saving you money and future gas boiler repairs.
Reduce your heating costs.
The engineer who undertakes your annual boiler service will make sure that it is running as efficiently as possible. This will go a long way towards making sure that you minimize your heating bills.
Carbon monoxide can kill.
Boilers that aren’t properly installed, maintained or ventilated can produce carbon monoxide. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, nausea, breathlessness and stomach pains. Signs are hard to spot and can be confused with tiredness or a cold. Unfortunately, this silent killer can’t be seen or smelt, so it really is important to make sure your boiler is serviced at least once a year.
If you’re a landlord, it’s the law.
Landlords have a responsibility under Statutory Instrument SI.534 of 2008 Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008 to ensure that the gas installation in the house or apartment shall be maintained in good repair and safe working order. The Technical Guidance Document in relation to this Regulation states that a current Declaration of Conformance certificate for an IS.813 Annex E inspection issued by a Registered Gas Installer for the gas installation in the house or apartment will prove compliance with the regulations.
Can heat pumps be turned off?
It is not advisable to turn off your heat pump. The thermostats in the house regulate the temperature, so there is no need to turn it off. When a room or zone reaches the desired temperature, the heat pump will go into standby mode. If you find the house too warm, you can simply lower the thermostat for that specific room or zone.
How can I book a gas boiler service?
Servicing your gas boiler annually will help to ensure its long life and improve its efficiency. You can book your annual boiler service online through our book a service/repair option at the top of the screen or by calling the office at 061-455575.
