Is your new home gas safe?

As a new homeowner, gas safety should always be on your checklist when it comes to ensuring the safety of your home.

There’s no off-season when it comes to gas safety, but it’s important to know that seasonal gas safety is very much a thing. Winter is typically the time of year most people think about it.

As the temperatures plummet and frost forms on the car it’s the time when the heating gets turned up to the max and your gas appliances are put under the most stress.

Once the cold weather sets in, lots of us use our gas boilers and gas fires to keep our families safe and warm. This increased usage can put extra pressure on your appliances and leave them at risk of breaking down when you need them the most.

GAS SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON YOUR CHECKLIST

As a new homeowner, gas safety should always be on your checklist when it comes to ensuring the safety of your home. Gas appliances are typically safe and reliable when used correctly; however, small problems can quickly become large ones if they’re not handled promptly.

As soon as you can, find out where your gas Emergency Control Valve is located, so you can quickly switch the gas supply off in an emergency. In newer houses, the emergency control valve is normally outside with the gas meter – in a meter box. If it’s not there, try looking under the stairs, beneath the kitchen sink or in the garage.

REGULAR SERVICING HELPS KEEP ENERGY BILLS DOWN

Ask the sellers for all records they have about installation, maintenance and safety checks for their household’s gas appliances and gas pipework. And if they can’t provide a record, or it’s been more than 12 months since the last check, get in touch with a local Gas Safe registered engineer who can carry out a safety check for you.

Regular maintenance and inspections of your gas systems and appliances will help keep them running safely. Additionally, regular servicing helps keep energy bills down by making sure that the appliance is working at its most efficient level.

ENGINEER REGISTERED WITH THE GAS SAFE REGISTER

It’s important to remember that any gas appliance must be installed and serviced by an engineer registered with the Gas Safe Register – this includes boilers, cookers, ovens and hobs.

An engineer registered with the Gas Safe Register will carry out a thorough check of the appliance and its ventilation system to make sure it’s safe to use. They’ll also issue you with a Gas Safety Certificate upon completion of their inspection.

The certificate is essential for verification that your gas appliances are safe to use. It may be wise to include this checklist item in your regular maintenance routine when moving into a new home.

Ensuring gas safety in your home could potentially save lives – so never underestimate the importance of checking for gas safety within your property!

QUALIFIED ENGINEER IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

If you’re not sure who to call when it comes to gas safety, The Gas Safe Register website has a handy search tool to help you find a qualified engineer in your local area.

As an added reassurance, all engineers registered with the Gas Safe Register carry an ID card which proves their identity and registration status – so make sure you ask for this before any work starts.

For more information on how to stay gas safe in your home, as well as to find a local Gas Safe registered engineer in your area, visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Following these simple steps can help ensure that your home is safe from any potential gas-related problems – leaving you free to enjoy your new home!

Don’t forget, our professional friendly advisors are on hand to support you and can help you explore all of your options.