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If you have the unfortunate problem of a boiler breakdown in winter and you have to replace your gas boiler or you are simply looking to upgrade your gas boiler then there are a few things you need to consider when choosing what type of boiler to install in your home. The size of your boiler, the type, construction, and energy efficiency will all have an impact on your home and your energy bills. You should take some time to consider your options and think carefully about which boiler to choose.

Below is some information on the regular or ‘conventional’ gas boilers, system gas boilers and combination or ‘combi’ gas boilers. (System boilers are very similar to conventional boilers.)

Combi Gas Boilers

A combination or combi boiler is both a high-efficiency water heater and a central heating system boiler in a single compact unit. Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap, so you won’t need a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water storage tank in the attic.
They are also very cost-effective and energy-efficient as water is heated instantly rather than being heated and then stored in a cylinder. An added benefit is that hot water is delivered at mains pressure, which means that you could get a powerful shower without the need for a separate pump.

System Gas Boilers

System boilers require a cylinder for storing hot water, however the major heating and hot water system components are built into the boiler itself, making it quicker and easier to install. In addition, there is no need for a tank in the attic, so it can be an option in a home with little or no attic space or where the space is earmarked for a conversion.
These boilers are also compatible with solar water heating systems, which deliver environmental benefits as well as lower energy bills.

Regular Gas Boilers

Regular boilers (sometimes known as conventional or heat only boilers) are ideally suited to homes that already have a traditional central heating and hot water system which is linked to a separate hot water cylinder. These boilers also need a cold water storage tank in the attic to feed the hot water cylinder as well as a tank that maintains the water level of the central heating system.

A regular boiler may be the best option for replacing an existing boiler if the property has an older radiator system, as it might not be able to cope with the higher water pressure that is delivered by system or combi boilers.

We at Dewar Gas & Oil Service are specialist in this field, looking after ten of thousands of customers across Dublin city and surrounding areas. We would be more than happy to send out a directly employed, qualified and fully insured heating engineer to give you a free written quotation for a Gas Boiler Replacement.

Why your boiler makes banging noise when firing up.

Boiler Makes Banging Noise

You arrive home and you put on the heating after a long day at the office. You have been thinking about that book you put down on an exciting chapter last night. You try to cosy up on the couch with a cup of tea. You should be at peace but unfortunately you’re disturbed by a strange but constant banging noise, despite being alone in your home. What the hell is that you ask yourself? Well, if there’s no one else in the house banging around. Let’s pray it’s not a burglar, it’s likely then to be your boiler makes banging noise / central heating system.

Your central heating shouldn’t be noisy at all, so if your boiler makes banging noise or any sort of humming, tapping, clicking and gurgling noises then you need to have it investigated. We in the trade call this kettling.

So let’s see what is causing all the fuss?

There are a number of reasons why your boiler makes banging noise but if you’ve just had a new boiler installed; this is likely to be the culprit. Whilst boilers shouldn’t make any noise whatsoever, if they’ve not been installed correctly, they’ll make all sorts of strange sounds.
Other problems can include poorly maintained heating systems and limescale build-ups.

Identifying the noise and problem

Before calling a plumber, we recommend you do some of your own checks. Try to find the location and times the noise starts, ie (is it when your heating just starts up, cools down, when the temperature is turned up higher etc. These are some of the questions the heating plumber will ask you when you phone them up. Below we’ve provided a quick guide to some of the sounds you are likely to hear and what they may mean.

Banging noise coming from the pipes

If you hear a banging or clanging noise, it’s likely to be coming from your pipe work. Check that they have all been fitted and secured with clips or bracketed and tied down properly. If you can see that they are loose or not secured properly, then that’s probably what’s causing those annoying sounds. If the pipes appear to be secured and clipped correctly, then there may be a pressure issue inside the pipes and system. The best thing to do is drain them out and refill the system again. If the banging persists, you will need a plumber, to perhaps power flush the system or install larger pipes for your new boiler.

If your heating thermostats are set at the wrong timing or the system is filled with too much pressure, they may cause your boiler to create a humming sound. To stop this from happening, we recommend checking that your thermostat is working correctly, that the correct water pressure is present (consult the manufacturers manual) it is usually between 1 mbar and 1.5 mbar depending on the system. If it is, it may be a cause of needing to reduce the water pressure, slow down a pump speed that is feeding the heating system.

Please keep in mind that if the pressure is set too high, it can cause damage to your pipes, which is likely to result in them banging and clanging. If you are unsure of any of these it is wise to contact a qualified heating engineer.

Gurgling and tapping noise from the radiators

If you can hear a gurgling or tapping sound coming from your radiators, there’s likely to be a build-up of air inside them. The solution to this problem is pretty simple – you just need to bleed the air out of the system.

To do this, loosen the bleeder screw (ensuring you’ve got a tub underneath, be careful not to open too much the screw could fall out on you) and wait for the water to appear. Once it does, you can be sure that all of the air has gone. Note you may need to top up the heating system if it is a sealed system to the recommended manufacturers water pressure, usually around 1mbar to 1.5mbar.

Tapping sounds can also be caused by lime scale in your radiator pipes also known as kettling. To resolve this issue, you will need to buy a descaling solution to pour into your system. Just make sure your central heating system is turned off beforehand.

Call in a qualified heating plumber

If you do not feel confident in investigating or trying resolve any of these issues yourself, it’s highly recommended that you get in touch with a Registered Gas Installer and or Oil Installer to see if your boiler makes banging noise. We at Dewar Gas & Oil Service are specialists in this field looking after ten of thousands of customers across Dublin city and surrounding areas. We would be more than happy to send out a directly employed, qualified and insured plumber to resolve it for you.

Different Types of Gas Boilers for your Central Heating System

Types of Gas Boilers

Combi Gas Boilers

System Gas Boilers

Regular Gas Boilers

Why your boiler makes banging noise when firing up.

Boiler Makes Banging Noise

So let’s see what is causing all the fuss?

Identifying the noise and problem

Banging noise coming from the pipes

Gurgling and tapping noise from the radiators

Call in a qualified heating plumber