Preparing for the cold - Gas Safety Week 2019
Summer is slowly coming to a close and Autumn is on the way. Our home heating may well have seen little use in recent months, so now is the time to think about checking all is well before you switch it back on. For those with a gas fire in their home, now is a prime time to think about your fire, as the 16th - 22nd September is Gas Safety Week.
Gas Safety Week was started in 2011 and is led by the Gas Safety Register. The main focus of the week is to raise public awareness of gas safety issues and emphasise the importance of using Gas Safe registered engineers and suppliers for your gas services. It was recently revealed that 33% of adults admit they did not check if the engineer who has worked on their home was doing so legally, with the Gas Safety Register’s research revealing that a large number of those questioned didn’t realise they should check. Support for Gas Safety Week has grown year on year, with the 2018 campaign reaching 132 million people.
For those who have a gas fire, Gas Safety Week offers the perfect opportunity to get your existing gas fire checked to ensure it is in good working order for the coming colder months. You can head to the Gas Safety Register website to search for a local registered engineer who will check your system and ensure it is in full working order.
A quality gas fire will last a long time, but our tastes can change and we may wish to update a fire to something more in keeping with current décor. Modern fires offer varied design options, with different materials and finishes, shapes and style. At Valor, our own gas fires offer a range of colours, styles and finishing options which mean that you are sure to find the perfect fit for your home. Gas has always been an effective heating method, offering cost savings and comfort. At Valor, modern technology and our constant push for innovation ensures that all our fires provide highly efficient heating for your home at the touch of a button. The purchase of a new fire also provides the assurance of compliance with all the latest requirements and regulations.
If you do decide to upgrade to a new fire there are a few things to consider, particularly if you are changing the style or design of your fire. Take a look at our helpful article, Ask the Expert: Updating an old gas fireplace, for advice regarding what you should be considering when looking to update your gas fire. Your Gas Safe engineer will also be able to advise you on compliance with current regulations, so it is important to check their credentials before they begin any work, both by ensuring they are listed on the Gas Safe Register website and also by checking their Gas Safe ID card.
Current predictions suggest that the coming Winter cold may be as extreme as this Summer’s heat, so as Gas Safety week commences we encourage you to consider updating your gas fire, ensuring your home stays warm and welcoming throughout the colder seasons.