Safety
Hewro
7 things to do before leaving for your holiday ...

1.Do not switch off your boiler.
There is an internal clock inside your boiler system which comes on every day to run a cycle.
It does this so the ‘running’ parts and pump keep moving and the system doesn’t seize up.

2. Check your radiators are not leaking and have no green residue around the connections.
You do not want to come back to at best a west spot to worst a massive leak, pipes age and leak which is why they need maintenance.

3. Set your room thermostat to away mode or manually to 10° – 12°
Yes, even if it’s summer time, or it’s just hot when you leave, set your thermostat or floor heating to a low temperature to keep pipes warm and to stop damp from forming.

4. Keep your house ventilated.
Security when you are away is important which is why your windows and doors should be locked but make sure the air vents and air grills are open to let fresh air go around your house, other wise you will come back to stale not nice smelling house.

5. Run a final cycle through your washing machine and dishwasher
Once everything is dry and put away, wash out the soap drawers, leave the doors fully open and unplug the appliances at the mains.

6. Turn your water off
If you know where your stopcock is, it’s wise to turn the water off at the mains. This will vastly limit the threat of flooding. If you’re not sure where it is, just ensure that your taps are securely turned off.

7. Take a portable carbon monoxide and smoke detector with you on your holiday.
You and your family safety is the most important thing, there has been many horror stories in other place with not the safety track and regulation of the UK. Place them in areas where you are sleeping.

7 things to do before leaving for your holiday for your Plumbing!
Hewro
Do you have a garden, does your garden have a ...

We have been through a lot as a country and now it is the 1st of June 2020 the SUMMER is here!

The sun is shining, it has been most of the month and the view from our offices show life is starting to get back to a ‘new’ normal.

As the lock down is starting to ease people are starting to plan garden meet ups with their families and loved ones.

Horsham and West Sussex are well known for the clean air, cultural landscape and beautiful green space at the back of our homes. There has never been a better time to get cleaning, sorting and ready for those BBQ’s we have so far missed out on.

With the lockdown restrictions lifted ever so slightly, you can get yourself down to garden centres which have now opened ,and stock up on some flowers, seedlings hanging baskets and prepare those back gardens for the season ahead!

The stresses of lockdown mean many people are rediscovering the appeal of gardening, which hugely promotes physical and mental health, but how are you watering your flowers? How are you jet washing the garden or filling the kids blow up pool? washing your car? Is it a tap running though the kitchen window or back door? through your living room? Do you want to avoid the hassle and proposed risks of a hose running through your home every time you need to use it, and the risk of damaging plumbing fittings or a leakage in your home? Abbey Boilers have a great but simple solution for you, and that is to get yourself an outdoor garden tap, right in a place that’s convenient for you and your family.

Access to an outdoor tap can make life so much easier. It is a straightforward installation that takes no more than a few hours, and is a cost effective solution. We will assess and advise you about the best type of tap to install. If you are buying the tap yourself always ensure it measures up to British standards. Regulations stipulate outdoor taps must have a one way valve installed so water can only flow in one direction - out from the mains. Water, particularly in a garden can get contaminated with dirt, mud or grit, and the check valve ensures that any contaminants do not enter the main water supply.

It’s also possible to have a hot tap outside too - particularly useful for those of you with young children and to fill those paddling pools, as we know the British summer cannot be guaranteed to warm those pools! A hot tap could even be useful for washing your car, and the simple installation of a Y fitting means you can use the hot and cold taps like a mixer tap.

In addition we always ensure to complete installations with minimal pipework running along outside walls, and any pipes required will always be insulated to protect the pipes in all weather. If you want a problem free installation, a free no obligations quote, or even just advice, please contact us!

The summer is here -let’s all get out, get some fresh air and make the most of it as we have had a very ‘unusual’ spring!!

Do you have a garden, does your garden have a tap ?
Hewro
Safety of our customers and and staff will ...

Safety at Abbey Boilers will always be our first priority . Throughout the pandemic we as an organisation have taken swift and immediate action to keep our customers and staff as safe as possible.

The changes that have been implemented were significant to our business at the start of the pandemic, both in terms of our operations and how our engineers operate in the field. We have been maintaining social distancing in our offices with reduced staff and levels of strict hygiene have been adhered to by our engineers on the roads who have been issued with correct and sufficient PPE.

We will continue this while we carry on emergency work for customers across the South East and West Sussex, including priority jobs for key worker staff.

We are slowly starting to see signs of companies planning gradual return to work, and slow introduction of employees back into the workplace. A gradual return will help maintain social distancing in early days and give companies enough time to require employees to fill out health assessments and get tested if necessary. Rest assured meticulous planning is in place and steps are being taken to ensure safety of both customers and employees.

Some of the big housebuilding companies like Taylor Wimpey will be starting to build again shortly and car firms such as Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover are preparing to resume production in their factories.

These are all positive signs for the economy and our amazing country. This does not mean battle against COVID-19, which is by no means close to ending yet.

The way we live and work will be quite different from what we are used to for many months to come or even longer. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty said during one of the recent government daily press conferences that social distancing will need to be in place for ‘some considerable time’.

If that is the case, the country and its business community have to be able to adapt. The health of the nation is, undoubtedly, the first priority, but having an active economy filled with businesses that create employment, follows a close second.

We know the lockdown as it is now cannot continue for the long term and there are reports that the pandemic has reached its peak and has levelled off, but the same time, we can’t risk ruining the hard work we have all put in to stop the virus spreading further with a second spike.

Therefore, we have to adapt and evolve, which is something entrepreneurial businesses in the UK have been doing for generations as we have at Abbey Boilers when we started fixing our first boiler all those years ago.

As a business that provides an essential service from workers that cannot work from home, we changed quickly. Times like this spur innovation and we implemented new ways of working that would keep our people safe, but also our customers as the majority of the time the only way we can carry out our work is to enter their homes.

We will continue to apply these processes for the foreseeable future as we return to providing more than emergency call out jobs.

We too will be looking forward to get back to normal working conditions in people’s homes and business premises as before.

But until then we have to together as a country beat this, only together can this be achieved.

Stay Safe!

Abbey Boilers

Safety of our customers and and staff will always be our number 1 priority at Abbey Boilers
Hewro
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update by Abbey Boilers

With Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacting us all, it’s more important than ever to support each other - together, we can get through this.

These are difficult, fast moving and concerning times for everyone.

At Abbey Boilers we have been serving our community for almost 20 years, and we will continue to serve the needs of our customers in West Sussex, Surrey, South West London, Brighton and Hove whilst doing our best to prioritise emergencies and put our most vulnerable customers first.

At some point life will start to return to normal but during these unprecedented times we will do our best to help our customers with their essential work. Gas safety is very important and now is the time to make sure your boiler is fully safe and tested. The government has declared our service as key workers, we therefore will remain open during this time of social distancing, following all advice and recommendations to ensure the absolute safety of both our staff and customers.

We place the safety of our employees and our customers above all else which is why we will implement a social distancing when carrying out works in your property.

If you’re experiencing problems with your plumbing or heating, or even if you simply require an annual gas safety check, you can rest assured Abbey Boilers will provide a professional, reliable safe service.

We continue to review all our practices and guidelines as government information changes, but don’t worry, should anything change we will let you know.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update by Abbey Boilers
Hewro
Abbey Boilers Heating Systems For Rural Areas

At Abbey Boilers, we serve Horsham and the surrounding areas of Surrey and West Sussex. As such, a lot of the land we cover can be considered quite rural. The beautiful countryside of West Sussex has a considerable number of farms, country houses, and villages. Sometimes a traditional boiler heating system just isn’t practical or EVEN possible. And so, our service engineers at Abbey Boilers are skilled and certified in the installation and maintenance of LPG boiler systems.

Abbey Boilers Heating Systems For Rural Areas

Gas

Gas safe and Covid-19

Gas safe and Covid-19

Gas Safe have released their latest guidance on Covid-19. For my information please go to their website.

Can gas engineers still work?
Given the restrictions that have been put in place in order to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it is essential that any registered businesses undertaking work still follow the guidelines in terms of:

  • Keeping a minimum of 2m apart from other people (who are not from your household)

  • Washing hands frequently

  • Wiping down all surfaces

  • Maintaining their Gas Safe registration

Full guidance on precautions to take to avoid transferring or contracting the virus can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

And: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

This is based on current guidance from the UK Government, at 24th March 2020, and is subject to change as the pandemic situation progresses.

We also note that registered businesses should conduct their own assessment of the risks before entering any property, as with any other risk.

Can I still carry out a landlord gas safety check?
Landlords still have a legal duty to repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in a safe condition, to ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue, and to keep a record of each safety check. The latest restrictions on leaving the home currently allow registered gas engineers to undertake essential work, whilst taking the appropriate precautions advised to avoid spreading or contracting the virus in a new setting.

In the event you are unable to gain access to the property, e.g. persistent refusal of access due to vulnerable tenants self-isolating, the landlord will be expected to be able to demonstrate that they took reasonable steps to comply with the law, and that they are seeking to arrange the safety check as soon as all parties are able. This will need to include records of communication with the tenant, and details of any attempts where the engineer tried to gain access.

What happens if my ACS is due to expire?
Whilst engineers are expected to take all reasonable measures to maintain their ACS qualifications, including planning ahead where possible, we appreciate that the current situation means this is not feasible. Maintaining gas safety competence is essential for registered gas engineers.

If engineers take all reasonable steps to update their expired ACS certification as soon as possible after the restrictions are lifted, and continue to work safely, HSE will permit registered gas engineers to remain on the Register for an additional period during the peak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures. Engineers may be required to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to renew their qualifications. Engineers MUST maintain their Gas Safe registration during any extension of their ACS qualification period if they are carrying out gas work. This is a temporary measure and does not remove the standing requirement for registered gas engineers to maintain their ACS certification and renew certification every 5 years.

Gas Safe Register Inspections
We understand that there is some confusion amongst registered engineers following our recent update. We apologise for this and want to clarify the latest situation:

During this initial period of restriction, Gas Safe Register anticipates we will only conduct inspections undertaken by GSR Inspectors into high risk scenarios, and that these will be determined on a case-by-case basis with the HSE. All other inspections will be held and prioritised to be scheduled once the restrictions are lifted.

We have suspended all of our routine Inspection Events for the time being, and are looking at suitable alternatives to attending an event in person. This work will continue, and we will communicate details of these as soon as they have been decided.

Gas Safe Register's service
We are currently operating a limited service as we have closed our main office as of today until further notice, to support efforts to reduce the spread of the virus. We appreciate your patience and would like to remind you that we will not tolerate any abuse of our staff at any time; and ask that you treat everyone with respect as we work through this emerging situation.

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Big Energy Saving Week: Households given fuel bill saving advice

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Big Energy Saving Week: Households given fuel bill saving advice

Households across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to take steps to reduce their energy usage and save money on their fuel bills as part of a nationwide campaign.

Big Energy Saving Week (21st - 27th January), organised each year by Citizens Advice, aims to raise awareness of the simple steps we can all take to lower our energy bills through being more energy efficient.

OFTEC, which represents the oil heating industry, and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS), the trade association for oil distributers, are official partners of Big Energy Saving Week and are encouraging oil households in the UK to think about their current energy consumption as well as offering money saving advice. 

Despite recent small increases in price, oil heated households in the UK continue to enjoy the cheapest fuel bills of all the main off-grid heating systems and are paying on average nearly £500 less than homes using LPG and over £800 less than those with electric storage heaters.

However, in the cold winter months, there are still ways households can reduce their spending costs even further, without having to turn down the heating.

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Myths about your central heating

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Myths about your central heating

Did you know you could save yourself £250 a year just by switching off your lights and heating when they’re not in use? Oftec have released a list of mysthbusting facts to help you save money this winter.

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Survey Reveals scary statistics on carbon monoxide poisoning

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Carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 50 people and hospitalises more 40,000 each year, so as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, Oftec are promoting the installation of Co alarms in people’s homes.

CO is produced when carbon fuels don't burn properly and any type of heating system where combustion takes place can potentially give off the odourless, colourless gas. CO poisoning can result in severe long-term health problems, or even death, with younger and older people most at risk. Key symptoms to watch out for are tiredness, dizziness and headaches.

In support of the campaign, Abbey Boilers is promoting the simple ABC safety checklist which advises households of the key steps they should take to reduce the risk:

7 reasons you should get an Aga.

7 reasons you should get an Aga.

An aga has been an iconic centrepiece in the British kitchen since their invention in 1922. An Aga is a cast iron cooker. Each Aga is built to order but there are staple elements in any Aga. These include the simmering oven, roasting oven and at least one hot plate. 

You can buy Electric, Gas and oil Agas, but Agas don't come cheap so is it worth it?

1. Food Just tastes better.

2. Warmth

3. Design

4. It is multiple appliances in one 

5. Made in the UK.

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Oftec Encourages Youths to Start a Career in the Heating Industry.

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Recent studies show there has been a 27% decrease in the number of new apprenticeships started between August and October 2017 in comparison to the same period last year. Only 0.2% were in the heating industry. 

This drop in apprenticeships is in spite of the new government scheme to promote on the job training and a large number of jobs available in the sector for qualified engineers due to the lack of skilled technicians. 

With the rising costs of University and the increasing cost of living, apprenticeships are ever becoming a more viable option for further education and an easier transition into future employment. People are becoming aware of the benefits of hands-on training and experience in their chosen field. 

This year, as part of National Apprenticeship Week, local training centres were highlighting the opportunities an apprenticeship and then a consequent career in the heating industry can bring. The initiative aimed to help young people start various careers through apprenticeships. 

Installing, servicing, and repairing boilers, oil tanks, Agas and much more in the Horsham, Crawley, West Sussex, Surrey, South West London, and Brighton and Hove areas.

Registered in England & Wales No. 7559426
Gas Safe No 529002
Vat No. 111 6410 69