NRES

As with any energy solution, whether it’s run by fossil fuels or sustainable energy, it is important to ensure it’s regularly serviced – ideally, every 12 months. By servicing your commercial gas boiler regularly ensure it continues to run efficiently and cost-effectively. An unserviced gas boiler can quickly under-perform and, as a result, cost more in breakdown repairs than a service would have cost. Servicing of a commercial gas boiler is also essential for insurance purposes.

Maintaining your gas boiler

A gas boiler service must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will inspect and clean all of the parts inside the boiler, such as the pipework and seals which will also be examined for leaks. In addition, the pressure will be checked and the boiler flue will be fully inspected to ensure it is safe.

Typically, the service will also include inspections of the burner and heat exchanger. These will be cleaned to remove any dirt generated from the gas burning process. The expansion vessel will also be tested to ensure is has the correct pressure in the system.

While the annual servicing of a residential gas boiler is highly recommended, it is a legal requirement for businesses. An insurance policy can become null and void if a servicing is missed or late; ignorance is not an accepted excuse.

Gas certification

For businesses with gas appliances in commercial kitchens, an annual Gas Certificate is also required, for insurance purposes. As part of this servicing work, the ventilation and extraction systems are checked to ensure they continue to work effectively and safely.

Renewable energy alternatives to gas boilers

If you are considering moving away from your commercial gas boiler to something which is more sustainable, there are a few options to consider:

Biomass

Commercial biomass heating is an efficient way of heating an area and/or hot water, and is typically a great alternative to a gas boiler. It can significantly reduce your environmental impact with lower C02 emissions through its use of carbon-neutral wood pellets. In addition, biomass heating delivers fuel cost savings of between 50% to 80% compared with fossil fuels.

CHP Systems

Our Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems are bespoke solutions ideal for businesses with high electricity and hot water demand, such as hotels, spas, swimming pools as well as the hot water processes such as cleaning of food-use tankers and equipment. A highly efficient technology, CHP units can reach efficiency ratings in excess of 80%.

Air Source Heat Pump

An air source heat pump (ASHP) transfers heat absorbed from the outside air to an indoor space. It works via the wet central heating systems to heat radiators and provide hot water. A heat pump system can provide all the heat your business needs while running at much lower temperatures than a gas boiler, thereby reducing your energy bills.

Contact us

Our technicians are Gas Safe Registered Engineers, as well as HETAS approved technicians. This means we can provide the servicing and maintenance of commercial gas boilers as well as renewable energy solutions, such as CHP systems, across the North East of England and the Central Belt of Scotland.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to book your gas boiler service.

A CP42 certificate is a Commercial Kitchen Gas Safety Certificate which verifies that your kitchen’s gas equipment is safely installed and safe to use. If you’re running a commercial kitchen in any type of establishment, you are legally required to have your gas appliances tested and serviced annually, as part of the CP42 certification.

What businesses need CP42 certification?

Any business with a commercial kitchen that includes one or more gas appliance needs CP42 certification. The types of businesses/organisations include:

• Restaurants, hotels, cafes and clubs
• Fast food/take away establishments
• Education settings
• Catering companies, mobile and/or fixed kitchens
• All private and public sector, and government kitchens

What are the legal requirements for a CP42 certificate?

Any commercial kitchen (fixed or mobile), with gas appliances, must hold a valid Gas Safety CP42 certificate. Businesses delivering services to groups or individuals are responsible for ensuring the annual inspection and certification of gas appliances.

If you don’t have a valid CP42, your insurance can be invalidated; you can also be fined, up to £6,000, and jailed for up to six months. If there is an incident resulting in the death of another person, you can be held accountable and charged for manslaughter.

How long is a CP42 certificate valid?

The certificate is valid for 12 months, from the issue date. As such, an annual inspection is required. It is important to keep the certificate safe as your insurance company may require a copy. An insurance claim may be denied if you don’t have a valid certificate.

How much is a CP42 certificate?

Commercial kitchen gas safety certificates usually cost between £200-£300 (ex VAT) depending on the size of the kitchen and how much gas equipment is installed. The cost may be higher for larger kitchens.

How do you get a CP42 inspection and certificate?

Gas Safe registered engineers, such as NRES, will inspect any commercial kitchen equipment and machinery connected to a gas supply. They will check your gas appliance, related pipework, interlock systems and your extraction system. Assuming no issues are identified, your engineer will issue the CP42 certificate, however, If any issues are identified during the inspection, these must be resolved immediately. Once the issues have been resolved, your engineer will issue the certificate.

Contact us

We are Gas Safe registered engineers and can carry out your annual inspection and issue you with a CP42 certificate.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to book your CP42 gas safety inspection.

How can you keep your home energy costs down?

With the unstable energy costs that are hitting both businesses and homes, we are constantly being asked if we have any tips on how to save energy in your home. So, here are ten such tips to help bring down your home energy costs.

 

Insulate, insulate, insulate

Insulation has to be at the top of the list! Good insulation, between 200mm and 270mm thick, will stop you from losing 20-25% of your heat through the roof of your house. The insulation is laid gently between the gaps of the beams in your loft and will provide much improved results, immediately, at a very low cost of install.

Wall insulation, although beneficial, can be a costly addition, however, it is worth it over a period of years so is worth considering if you have no plans to move any time soon. If you are on a low supported income, there is funding to help you.

 

Layer up!

Put a jumper on before you think about turning up the heating! You may laugh but, did you know that for every one degree above 20 degrees, you could increase your fuel bill by a ten percent. So, next time you reach to boost your central heating, stop and grab a jumper, blanket, dressing gown, anything! Obviously, as it gets colder, you will need to up your heating, but if you can hold off as long as possible, it really will help you save on your energy bill.

 

Lower your boiler temperature

Another easy way to save money on your energy bill is to simply turn down the setting on your boiler so it runs at a lower temperature. Often 55 degrees of heating is perfectly acceptable for most modern systems, and it will save money on your energy bill. Refer to your boiler user guide if you’re unsure how to edit the settings or, if you’re having your boiler serviced sometime soon (see energy saving tip #7) ask your plumber to lower the temperature for you.

 

Heat smart with TRVs

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allow you to control the amount of heat a radiator gives off in any room. So, if the heating is on in the house, but you aren’t using all the rooms, there’s no point paying to heat unused space, or at least it’s better to lower the temperature in those spaces. This reduces the amount of work your boiler has to undertake which, in turn, reduces the amount of energy used, costing you less.

 

Replace your lightbults with LEDs

Replace your light bulbs with LED alternatives. This is a quick and easy energy saving tip with a quick return on investment, especially in the winter months. Switching over your lightbulbs with LEDs is a very simple change that is neither difficult or expensive. You can buy LEDs online and in your local DIY or grocery store.

 

Get your financial support

There is some direct financial support available to certain groups of people, including pensioners. It’s important to check if you’re eligible and that you’re receiving everything.

• Warm Home Discount Scheme – mainly to pensioners and those who get certain benefits. This one-off discount of £150 is paid directly to your electricity supplier between October and March. If your energy supplier provides you with both gas and electricity, you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead. Simply contact your supplier to find out. Visit uk to find out more about the scheme.
• Winter Fuel Payment – for those born on or before 26 September 1956. The Winter Fuel Payment is from £250 to £600 to help you pay your heating bills. The amount you’ll get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ which is between £150 and £300. This is an automatic payment, but you can find out more on the uk website.

 

Use your Night Rate/Economy 7 meter

If you have a Night Rate (an Economy 7 meter) for energy, utilise it! It will cost half as much as the Day Rate so it really is worthwhile. To take advantage of this saving, it’s best to operate your dishwasher or washing machine at night. It’s also a good time to charge your devices! The seven hours of Night Rate typically run sometime between 11pm and 8am, but it’s worth checking with your energy supplier for the actual cheaper hours.

 

Service your boiler

Have your boiler serviced before winter to ensure it’s running as it should, it will help save energy in your home. Or perhaps it’s time for it to be replaced: a 10-year old boiler will be surprising inefficient and replacing could help you save money in the long run. It might also be worth considering changing to an Air Source Heat Pump. While there is a high upfront cost, the running costs are lower and less maintenance is required than for a regular boiler.

 

Use draft excluder

Save money by simply using draft excluder around all of your doors and windows and your loft hatches. These low cost strips save a lot of lost heat and are extremely easy to fit yourself. As with the LEDs, you can buy draft excluder from a number of online retailers as well as your local DIY store.

 

Have a cuppa!

Our last home energy saving tip is simply this: enjoy lovely cup tea! It’s no joke. A hot drink will warm you from the inside, meaning you’re less likely to need to boost your heating above 20^oC! Remember to only boil the water you need as the energy used will be less and the kettle will run for a shorter time. Insulated cups and flasks are a cheap and easy way to keep your drink warm for a little longer.

 

Contact us

We hope you’ve found our top tips to save energy in your home useful. Although we primarily work within the commercial sector, we are happy to give advice to anyone who asks! Contact us on 07889 105050 to discuss your energy.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems are a sustainable energy solution ideal for businesses with high electricity and hot water demand, such as hotels, spas and swimming pools. They’re also a sustainable solution for the cleaning of food-use tankers and equipment.

Our hydrogen-ready CHP systems work by taking gas and converting it into electricity, with the additional benefit of producing free hot water as a biproduct.

While CHP systems boast over 80% efficiency ratings vs conventional heating and energy supplies, it is vital that they are maintained regularly to ensure they run as efficiently as possible and continue delivering significant savings for their 20+ years lifespan.

Reduce your energy costs with CHP

Installing a CHP solution in a commercial space also delivers significant fuel cost savings.

The gas units are 33% efficient. In simple terms, this means that for, say seven pence of gas you can produce twenty-one pence worth of electric and as energy cost rise this benefit has more value.

As a side benefit, CHP systems also deliver an abundance of hot water, for free. For example, a CHP system could cover a hotel’s electric air conditioning and other electric needs; as a subsequence, the system would generate enough hot water to fill a swimming pool or to be used by an adjacent spa at no extra cost.

The benefits of Combined Heat and Power

The main benefits of CHP include:

• A highly efficient technology, CHP plants can reach efficiency ratings in excess of 80%.
• Lower your electricity costs and reduce reliance on grid energy by generating your own electricity onsite.
• Gain budget stability through predictable electricity costs and accurate forecasting of operating expenses.

Maintaining CHP systems

Just like a regular gas boiler, CHP systems need to be regularly maintained. A CHP system check should be carried out by a registered, qualified technician who will undertake a full service, clean and inspection, replace all worn components and lubricate any moving components.

A well installed and maintained CHP system should last for around 20 years so it makes sense to ensure it is regularly serviced!

Contact us

We provide servicing and maintenance of commercial renewable energy solutions, such as CHP systems, across the North East of England and the Central Belt of Scotland. We are also registered with HETAS for the servicing of Commercial Biomass Boilers.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to talk about maintaining your CHP systems.

Budgets are tighter than ever, so education providers are having to think smarter to make less go further. Energy costs consume a significant proportion of budgets but there are some easy ways to reduce energy costs in schools and other education settings.

Here are our top 7 tips to reduce energy costs in schools, colleges and universities.

 

1.      Carry out an energy audit

An audit of your energy use is a great place to start because you will be able to measure your usage before and after your energy efficiency reduction efforts. If you use a smart meter, you will be able to monitor your school’s energy throughout the day. If you take manual meter readings, you can still record your usage to measure the impact of your efforts. This is also a great way to engage with students so they can support the effort.

As energy experts, we can carry out a full inspection on your behalf to check for air leaks, insulation issues and energy-efficient lighting, for example to help with the process.

Here’s a simple energy checklist from the Carbon Trust.

 

2.      Turn down the heat

While the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 does not specify minimum temperatures for any parts of a school, the National Education Union (NEU) suggests temperatures in school classrooms should be maintained at 18^oC at least.

Depending on what your school’s temperature is currently set to, if it is slightly higher than the recommended minimum, it is possible to reduce energy costs by 8%  by dropping the temperature by just 1^oC. You might be able to monitor hot spots and turn down the radiators in those areas.

It’s also worth managing the heating of spaces that are used less frequently. For example, if the main hall will not be used on any given day, why waste energy and money when you could further drop the temperature in that space?

 

3.      Switch off the lights

Two tips in one… one of the easiest ways to save energy is by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED, and by switching off lights in classrooms and other spaces that aren’t being used. It is a no-brainer really, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t turn off lights when they leave a space. Obviously, sensor lights can really help here but a simple reminder to staff could be enough.

LEDs use over 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and they could last for 15 years!

You may even qualify for a grant.

Engage your staff and students in your energy cost-cutting activities. They are most likely being more conservative with their home energy usage right now, so they’re bound to be understanding.

 

4.      Turn off electrical equipment

A single desktop computer or laptop left on or on standby overnight can cost an extra £35 a year. Encourage your staff to turn off all computers in their classrooms and other spaces at the end of their working day and especially at the end of the week!

Your staff can also help you save money by unplugging printers, chargers and other electronic devices when they aren’t used. IT Managers across the nation beware!

 

5.      Run an energy-efficient staff room

The staff room offers a few opportunities to save energy:

• Only boil as much water in the kettle as is needed. Encourage a tea-buddy system whereby small groups of staff, maybe 3-4 people, take turns to make the tea during the day. It’s more efficient to boil the kettle once for four cups than it is to boil the kettle four times, one cup at a time.
• Put the radiators on TRVs or timed systems to avoid heating empty space.
• Pull the plug on the microwave or toaster after use!
• Wait until the dishwasher is full before switching it on
• Regularly clean your fridge and freezer filters to keep them efficient

When the time comes to replace appliances, it’s really worth opting for A+++ rated ones.

 

6.      Switch your energy supplier

It’s fair to say that, because of the current energy crisis, you won’t find many energy tariffs on price comparison websites right now. But, as and when things improve, it’s important to review your energy supplier. As we move into the summer the best deals are usually offered.

When you are able to consider switching to a new supplier, it is worthwhile contacting your existing supplier to see if they can do a deal to keep you. It not only reduces the effort it takes you to switch but is also gives your supplier the option to keep your much needed business!

 

7.      Service your boiler

Whether you are already on your way to becoming a Net Zero education provider and use a Biomass boiler, for example, to heat your school, or you are still using a fossil fuel solution, such as gas, it is important to regularly service your boiler.

The ideal time to service your boiler is at the end of the academic year, during the summer holiday period, or after the winter during the Easter break.

Whenever you opt to service your boiler, it is important to remember that this annual servicing can ensure your energy solution is fit for purpose and as efficient as it can be, thereby reducing energy costs and greatly reducing the risk of a breakdown during the colder months.

 

Contact us

The above tips are quick and easy fixes to reduce energy costs in schools, as well as other organisations. As HETAS approved technicians, we provide servicing and maintenance of commercial renewable energy solutions, such as biomass boilers, across the North East of England and the Central Belt of Scotland.

Contact us on 07889 105050 to book your next boiler service or if you need maintenance repair work.