A new home heating system can be daunting to a new homeowner. As one of Cork’s leading home heating oil suppliers, we have welcomed many new home owners. Part of our role is to help them adjust to their new home heating oil system.
A home is the most expensive things we will ever purchase in our lifetime. It can be daunting regardless of what stage you are at in your life. A home heating system is vital to the running of a house. If it needs upgrading or a lot of repairs, this could end up being costly to your pocket. And of course, it may not be something you had budgeted for. It’s important when viewing a property to look out for any vital warning signs. You need to budget for any issues with your home heating system down the line. Here are some handy tips for you to keep in mind whether you are at the viewing stage or about to move in to your new home.
THE BOILER IS A KEY PART OF YOUR HOME HEATING SYSTEM
A boiler should be serviced every year by a qualified plumber. Usually when a plumber services a boiler, it will be noted on a sticker or log book attached to the boiler. If there’s no visible signs of the boiler being serviced then you are entitled to ask the vendor/estate agent for evidence of this. Another factor to consider is the age of the boiler. The average life span of a boiler is 10-15 years. If it is quite old, then chances are, the system is quite outdated. This will mean any parts will be expensive to source. So if the boiler is ten years or over, it may better to just upgrade it. So you may want to factor in the cost of a new boiler into your budget.
CHECK YOUR HOT WATER TANK
You should ask the vendor/selling agent to see the hot water tank and/or cylinder. The water tank may be located in the attic which you should look at regardless. It’s worth taking the time to inspect it for any signs of damage such as weeping or leaking joints. You should also inspect the hot water cylinder for any damage or any damp patches on the floor around it. A good idea is to check the ceiling below the cylinder for any water stains that may suggest there’s a leak from the tank. Check for a thermostat and that the insulation jacket is in good condition.
ARE THE RADIATORS WORKING?
It’s the vendors responsibility to show that the house’s home heating system is in good working order. It should specify the condition of the heating system in the advertisement. You should have an opportunity to see the heating system in operation and an important element of this is the radiators. When the heating is on, you should check that all the radiators are in good condition. Make sure there are no blockages, corrosion or leaks. Any cold spots are an indication of a blockage. Bear in mind, you can run a limescale treatment through the radiators to improve the efficiency of them.
THERMOSTATS FOR YOUR HOME HEATING SYSTEM
If the home heating system is quite old, then it could be due an upgrade. You should check out the zoning (if any) of the system and the locations of the thermostats throughout the house. Most modern home heating systems will have three zones – downstairs, upstairs and hot water. These should be in good working order and in correct locations to ensure that the readings are accurate. Our blog on Top Ten Tips for Saving on Your Energy Bills shares some advice on the position and setting of thermostats.
BER RATING
Most advertisements for properties will have the BER rating stated on the listing. The BER rating indicates a house’s energy performance. It is similar to the energy label for household appliances. Every house is rated on energy performance on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. When looking at a potential new home, it’s important to take note of the BER rating. The lower the rating, the higher your home heating bills will be. You may want to factor in the possibility that you will have to invest money into insulating your home or upgrading the home heating system. A new upgrade , while expensive initially, should result in greatly reduced energy bills and most new home heating systems will come with a ten year guarantee.
POSITION AND CONDITION OF THE OIL TANK
If the home is being heated using oil, then there should be a domestic oil tank somewhere on the property. Ask the vendor or selling agent to see it and make sure you find out the age of the tank. 15 years is usually the maximum age for an oil tank. Check for scratches, dents or cracks around the tank. Damp patches around the tank may indicate a leak from the tank. You should also look at the pipes including the cap and any entry points . You ensure there are no signs of corrosion or evidence that water is getting into the tank. If the tank is set on a tank stand, ensure that the stand is in good condition and there are no signs of weakness.
If you are planning on carrying out renovation work on the property, you should take the time to consider the location of the tank. Is it in the safest position? You may want to read our guide on Top Ten Tips to Prevent Home Heating Oil Theft as there are some tips that cover the best location for an oil tank.
ENGINEERS REPORT WILL SHOW EFFICIENCY OF THE HOME HEATING SYSTEM
Unless you are an experienced property buyer, it is well worth getting an engineer in to look at the property before putting in an offer. An engineer will be able to give you an in depth picture of the efficiency of your home heating system, from the insulation to the thermostats to the build quality. The engineer will have the expertise to advise you on what immediate action will be needed to improve the energy performance of the house. The engineer will advise you as whether the home heating system should be upgraded. Any work that needs immediate attention, you should get quotes for the work and discuss with the vendor. There may be in an option to renegotiate the price if it appears that a lot of money is needed to improve the property’s energy efficiency.
BEFORE YOU MOVE IN
- Check the oil level in the tank – arrange for a delivery of oil so that you are ready for moving into a cosy house
- Make sure you have your boiler serviced by your own plumber to avoid any breakdowns in the heating system.
- Contact your fuel supplier to change update the system with your new address.
HAVE YOU BOUGHT A NEW HOME?
Of course, if you have just purchased a new home and regardless of whether you are new to us or one of our longstanding customers, we are happy to make your move as smooth as possible. We offer a wide range of quality fuels to heat your home. You can check out our website www.cityoil.ie or our parent company www.tria.ie. If you have any queries regarding your home heating oil supply, your oil tank or you would like to update your details on our system, don’t hesitate to call us on 022 4222011 or email us on info@cityoil.ie. We are one of Cork’s leading Home Heating Oil Suppliers with over 30 years experience and happy to manage your home heating needs.