 Too many homeowners only call a plumber in the case of a plumbing emergency. This is not good because home owners should be calling a plumber before an emergency takes place. Regular plumbing maintenance and inspections can drastically reduce the chances of another plumbing disaster or repair.
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 In these more difficult economic times, it is good to look for ways to reduce your bills especially as it will also have a beneficial impact on the environment. Happily, there are a variety of things which you can do to cut down the costs when heating your home. The simplest and most immediate method to lowering your home heating bills is to lower the room thermostat by 1 degree. Even though it appears like much too modest a change to produce a direct impact, in fact it can lower your home heating bills by as much as 10%. Studies have shown over the years that the average temperature in our homes has increased significantly over the last 30 to 40 years. We have become very used to higher temperatures. Draught proofing and insulation make a massive difference to how warm your property will feel. Up to 50% of warmth is wasted because of poor insulation and draft proofing so it’s well worth evaluating the rooms in your property to see the spot that the drafts are entering. Think about those areas of the property that are not being utilised. Do you possess a guest bedroom or a box room? O perhaps a utility room? If these rooms are not in frequent use then shut off the radiators in those room as there is no point heating them. If you already have the heating system on the timer, try setting it to come off 60 minutes earlier. If you feel that too much - adjust until eventually comfortable. It can be very difficult getting the temperatures correct in individual rooms if the entire process is driven by one thermostat placed in one area of the house. To deal with this we advocate the installation of thermostatic radiator valves. This will allow you to easily control the temperature in every room to match. You may possibly want a heated bathroom and a cooler bedroom and getting each room regulated permits you to cater to your individual specifications. Drawing the curtains can significantly lessen the amount of energy that is left out through windows. Water temperature thermostats are often set to high. Anything above 60° is going to be too high and you are going to be adding cold water to it. This means that energy will be wasted in heating it beyond the temperature needed. We recommend that you regularly service your boiler. For people who routinely get their central heating boiler serviced, the benefits are as follows: - complete breakdowns are less likely - you can be happy that it’s working more efficiently - any safety issues will be dealt with - it will help lower your energy bills - your central heating boiler and its main components will live longer Our Hornchurch Plumbers travel to jobs in this zone and around Havering and Essex. Get in touch for your free, no-obligation quote by calling 07977 229 134 OR 07970 296 171. Plumbers Brentwood | Plumbers Chelmsford | Plumbers Colchester |
Plumbers Dagenham | Plumbers Harold Wood | Plumbers Romford | Plumbers Shenfield | Plumbers Upminster  Do you live in Romford, Essex? Are you thinking of replacing your kitchen? You should! It can transform your home dramatically. Whether you want to replace the cupboard doors or the entire kitchen on a small or large scale, we’re sure you will be able to find something in your price range, whether you’re on a small budget or have more money for your dream kitchen. Arco Heating Ltd, can help install your kitchen and update your plumbing installations at the same time.
A new kitchen can add a considerable amount of value to your home especially if you have shopped around for the best products and used your common sense to get the best out of the space you have. There are so many designs available on the market you will be spoilt for choice. You can mix and match designs to suit what you like. You want your kitchen to stand out and be noticed so don't be scared or abstract colours or designs. Spending a lot of time thinking about the appliances you want to incorporate into the kitchen can have a dramatic effect. You want to consider whether or not they will be integrated, built in or simply just sat in place under the worktop. What colour do you want your appliances to be? There are lots to choose from. Getting the wrong ones can make your expensive new kitchen look out of place but getting the right ones can make it spectacular. Don't be afraid of incorporating some lights into your kitchen maybe. There are many places where you can incorporate atmospheric lighting: some down lights or some up lights under the cupboards, some small lights in the plinth, hanging lights above the table. You can create fantastic shades patterns and designs if you incorporate coloured lights behind glass doors into recesses and around islands. There's so much that you could do to create a truly amazing kitchen with all the different products available on the market. It really is possible to add a lot of value to the home at the same time. For anybody looking to buy a new home, the kitchen is one of the key rooms they want to be up-to-date. It could be the deciding factor for the sale. Other things to consider when installing a kitchen is to think about when you want sockets and switches to be installed. Where are you installing your fixed appliances? They will need access to power. Where is your work area for cooking, do you need extra sockets to plug in portable appliances? Will your kitchen be a workspace too? Do you need extra power points near the table? Our advice is to always add more than you think you will need – you will be thankful in the future that you did. Also think about your boiler. Is it situated in the kitchen? When was it last replaced? Does it work in the current location, or will it need to be moved? Perhaps now is the time to upgrade and get a new boiler fitted. The team at Arco can help install a boiler and a new central heating system in your home in or around Romford. Look over several different designs and models before deciding. Do you have enough room in the centre of the kitchen for an island? Can you also create storage space? What other appliances or items are stored in your current kitchen. Where will they go in your new kitchen? Last but not least make sure you choose the right people to fit the kitchen. Get at least three quotes, ideally from friends of family recommendations. Ask if you can see some of the work they have done or if they have references you can check. You wouldn't want to go through all the trouble of designing the perfect kitchen for somebody to fit it badly. Arco Heating Ltd in Romford, Essex offers a wide range of work from domestic too commercial large to small nothing is beyond our capabilities. That’s what makes us the ideal company for all your heating and plumbing needs. All our staff are highly motivated an enjoy their work. We offer a complete service at the right price. If you are looking to have your kitchen fitted in Romford, Essex or nearby, contact Arco today for an appointment. Call Martin on 07977 229 134 or Craig on 07970 296 171.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are rarely obvious, and usually quite vague. Often, they mimic the symptoms of viral infections like colds or flu, or even just tiredness. A person may feel dizzy and drowsy, have headaches, feel nauseous or be sick, have chest pains and visual problems and pains in the stomach or be very breathless. If more than one person within the household is suffering similar symptoms, this is an additional clue, as is the letting up of symptoms when extended periods of time are spent away from the house, such as during a holiday. Seasonal symptoms are a further clue; carbon monoxide poisoning is more prevalent in the winter when the boiler is most in use. A regular central heating service is one of the best ways to safeguard yourself, family and pets from this kind of harm. Always use a fully-qualified Gas Safe Registered (previously Corgi) professional for your central heating service. A good gas professional will check all of your appliances and heating system for any leaks or corrosion, and will give the vital parts a good clean to keep them working efficiently. As well as a central heating service, purchasing a carbon monoxide detector is a good way to safeguard against poisoning. A small audio device, a detector of this sort works in a similar way to a smoke detector but isn't as loud or urgent, but will still alert you as soon as there is a problem, allowing you to resolve it quickly. As a homeowner, it's vital that you have a regular central heating service once a year if possible. Not only will a yearly central heating service help keep your boiler running efficiently thus reducing your bills, it could also save your life. Faulty gas appliances in the home can result in Carbon monoxide leakage; a gas that is poisonous to humans. The main reason carbon monoxide is so dangerous is that we are unable to detect it. It has no smell or taste and is colourless. Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon-based fuels, such as oil, gas, coal and wood, burn incompletely, and when it enters the body it stops the blood being able to transport oxygen to the cells and organs. Affects on the body can be devastating, and in some cases carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. In the UK, carbon monoxide poisoning in the home accounts for 50 recorded deaths per year. Prolonged exposure to this gas over many months can cause very serious harm to health; even brain damage and paralysis. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are rarely obvious, and usually quite vague. Often, they mimic the symptoms of viral infections like colds or flu, or even just tiredness. A person may feel dizzy and drowsy, have headaches, feel nauseous or be sick, have chest pains and visual problems and pains in the stomach or be very breathless. If more than one person within the household is suffering similar symptoms, this is an additional clue, as is the letting up of symptoms when extended periods of time are spent away from the house, such as during a holiday. Seasonal symptoms are a further clue; carbon monoxide poisoning is more prevalent in the winter when the boiler is most in use. A regular central heating service is one of the best ways to safeguard yourself, family and pets from this kind of harm. Always use a fully-qualified Gas Safe Registered (previously Corgi) professional for your central heating service. A good gas professional will check all of your appliances and heating system for any leaks or corrosion, and will give the vital parts a good clean to keep them working efficiently. As well as a central heating service, purchasing a carbon monoxide detector is a good way to safeguard against poisoning. A small audio device, a detector of this sort works in a similar way to a smoke detector but isn't as loud or urgent, but will still alert you as soon as there is a problem, allowing you to resolve it quickly. If you have any concerns about your central heating system, contact Arco today for an appointment. Call Martin on 07977 229 134 or Craig on 07970 296 171.
 If it’s time to upgrade your boiler, first ask yourself if this is the best place for your new boiler to go too, or might there be a better place within your home? There are a few reasons why you may want to move your boiler. Does its current location get in the way? Is it too noisy? (though new boilers tend to be quieter) Are you extending your property and its current location, simply won’t work? If you’re renovating and need a new boiler now may be the perfect time to find it a new home. Where are boilers usually located? Boilers can be found in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or utility room. A utility room is an ideal place for your boiler because it is out of the way and doesn’t get in the way of your living space. We don’t usually recommend it to be near or above bedroom’s as this could cause disrupted sleep as it switches on and off. Many boilers can be installed in a cupboard, if you wanted it to be out of sight completely. What type of boiler should I get? This really depends on the size of your home, number of bathrooms and number of people living in the home. You want one that can keep up with the demand of your household. There are three types of boilers you can choose from: condensing boilers, combi boilers and system boilers. How much space will the boiler take up? Again, this depends on what type of boiler you get. Once you have decided on your boiler, check that if it will work in the location you had in mind. Find out the dimensions of the boiler and how much clearance there should be surrounding it. It’s a good idea to decide on a location for your boiler before you buy it. If you are going to move your boiler, remember too that your plumber may need to take up flooring to move the pipework. This will result in extra time and cost, compared to a straightforward boiler replacement. Can a boiler go in the loft? Yes, but there are a few things you’ll need to check first. Is there enough room in your loft for you or your plumber to stand up? Can the wall support the weight of the boiler? Do you have a loft ladder and good lighting? Will the boiler have frost protection? Note, that if, your boiler is a long way from you’re the various taps in your property, it will need to work harder to provide your taps with hot water. This will increase your energy consumption and may result in higher bills.  Can you put a boiler in the garage?
Yes, this might be another option too. If you are going to install your boiler in the garage you will need to make sure it has frost protection – you will need insulation so that the pipes don’t freeze. Make sure it’s easily accessible Despite not needing to get to the boiler too often, it still needs to be easy to get to for both yourself and your plumber. You should have at least an annual boiler service, to make sure that it is in good working order. Should work need to be done to it, having clear access will make it easier for your plumber. Are there any regulations for boiler installations? Regulations state that all new boilers have to be condensing, which means they need a discharge pipe and should be positioned on or next to an outside wall. The minimum flue clearance distance will depend on your boiler, and will be detailed in your manufacturers instruction booklet. How can you ensure the boiler is safe? If you’re moving your boiler to another room, don’t forget to install or move your carbon dioxide alarm along with it. Also, always make sure that the plumbers installing our new boiler are registered with Gas Safe. You can be sure that when you use Arco Heating Ltd, that our plumbers are registered and that your home is in safe hands. We cover all areas in and around Havering including, Romford, Collier Row, Hornchurch, Upminster and beyond. Call us now on: Martin: 07977 229 134 | Craig: 07970 296 171  There’s nothing worse than waking up on a cold winter’s morning to find that the heating is off, there is no hot water and your boiler has broken down. Jumping into a freezing shower and having a cold home is the last thing you need – especially in the winter months! Many boiler failures happen in the winter. It's essential, therefore, that you take care of your boiler all year round. This will help avoid boiler break down experiences. Here are our tips to help your home stay cosy and keep your boiler in working order. Fix issues quickly If you want your boiler working all year round it is important that any issues you find are dealt with promptly by a qualified plumber. This will ensure that your central heating runs properly and your boiler is safe. Bleed your radiators Making sure that your radiators are bled regularly is an easy way to keep your home warm and save you money. If your radiators have trapped air inside, they will not warm up properly and your boiler will have to work a lot harder, increasing wear and wasting energy. We recommend regularly checking your radiators and bleeding them when necessary. Read our blog to find out how to bleed your radiators  Boiler pressure checks
Along with bleeding your radiators, it is important to check the boiler pressure. This is something that you can carry out yourself. All boilers lose pressure over time, which means that they will work less efficiently and require a top up. As boilers are different, check the manufacturers manual to find out how to carry this out. Alternatively, you can seek advice from a plumber if you are unsure. Call Arco’s plumbers in Romford, Essex Book an annual boiler service The best way to ensure your boiler is running efficiently at all times, is to arrange an annual boiler service by a qualified professional. Central heating engineers will do the necessary checks and maintenance that your boiler require; giving you peace of mind that your boiler is safe and working correctly. The annual service is also cost-effective and could save you money in the long-term by preventing possible problems from occurring. For households with new boilers, it is important to keep up your annual checks to ensure that your warranty for parts remains valid. Book Arco’s boiler servicing today Let your boiler ‘breathe’ All boilers need to be well ventilated to ensure they work correctly and safely. Keep the clutter at bay to allow for adequate ventilation. Power flushing Although this is usually done when fitting a new boiler, power flushing is a service that can be carried out at any time when required. Over time, your radiators may begin to clog up with sludge, rust and solidified minerals caused by hard water, which may cause your boiler to become increasingly noisy. Power flushing is a deep cleanse for your entire central heating system, making it run more efficiently by removing blockages. We recommend you do not carry this out yourself and seek advice from a reputable plumber. Call Arco for a Power Flushing Service Keep the heating on in the summer It may not seem to make sense to run your central heating when the weather is warm, however, turning your heating on for 10 minutes every week during the summer months will prevent your boiler from seizing up. If your boiler is doing nothing for months at a time, it can deteriorate and you may find that it doesn’t want to work when you switch it back on. For further advice on how to take care of your boiler, or, if you would like Arco Heating Ltd to carry out any central hearing or plumbing servicing, repairs, improvements or installations, get in touch with our friendly team today! We cover all areas in and around Havering including, Romford, Collier Row, Hornchurch, Upminster and beyond. Call us now on: Martin: 07977 229 134 | Craig: 07970 296 171  If you've noticed that your radiator isn’t warm all over and has some cold spots, it's likely that it isn't working very efficiently. The result is that your system will be working harder and costing you more in heating all without your home feeling the full benefit. The solution can often be simple. Air, trapped inside the radiator will need to be let out - or bled. Bleeding a radiator is an easy and quick job that you can do yourself leaving your radiators work properly and your home warmer as a result. How to bleed a radiator First of all, you will need a radiator key (or a flat-head screwdriver), a cloth or towel. Turn on your central heating Make sure that your radiators are on so that there is pressure in your system. This helps the air out to get out. Check which radiators need bleeding Go around your home and feel the tops of each radiator. If you find cold spots, you'll have identified a radiator that needs bleeding. Turn off your central heating Now turn off your heating and let the radiators cool down. If you do this when your radiators are hot, you could scald yourself with the hot water.  Bleed the radiators
Once your radiators have cooled down look for the valve at one end of the top of your radiator. Attach the radiator key (or flat head screwdriver) to the square part in the centre. Hold the key with a cloth and slowly turn the key anti-clockwise for about half a turn. Listen out for a hissing sound as the air leaves the system. Turn the key to the closed position once the hissing stops or when water starts to leak out. Don’t over-tighten the valve as this could damage it. Check the pressure on your boiler Check the pressure on your boiler gauge. If the pressure is too low, you’ll need to top up the water using the lever or tap on your boiler. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to re-pressurise your boiler. Turn the heating back Turn the heating back on and let the radiators heat up. Check the radiators that you bled. Hopefully you will no longer have any cold spots. Also check that the valves are not leaking. What if I still have cold spots? If, after turning the heating back on, you still find cold spots, you may need to bleed some radiators a couple of times to complete the job. If you’ve done this and the radiators are still not heating properly, it’s time to call in some professional help. It could be that there is a build-up of rust or sludge in your central heating system which will need to be determined by a plumber. Arco's heating engineers are all Gas Safe registered plumbing and heating specialists. Should you have any issues with your plumbing or are looking to service your boiler, give us a call. We cover all areas in and around Havering including, Romford, Collier Row, Hornchurch, Upminster and beyond. Call us now on: Martin: 07977 229 134 | Craig: 07970 296 171 |
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