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How To reduce Your Home Energy Bills

We all know what’s its like to come home in the evening on a cold winters night only to feel that inside your home feels colder than outside. Sadly, we may also be familiar with that feeling of dread when the energy bills come through the door, and how we can panic and immediately feel we have no choice but to turn off the much-needed heating.

With the winter just around the corner, and the cost of home heating constantly on the rise, now is the right time to explore the number of ways you can save on your energy bills without the need to live in a cold house.

In the following series of blogs, we will cover a few easy steps you can take that will show you how, by making some small changes to your daily habits, you can reduce your heating bills and still have a home that’s warm and inviting.

STEP 1: TURN OFF ALL APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE

To some of you this may seem trivial and hardly worth the effort, but when you leave appliances plugged in that are not in use, on average those appliances on standby can make up to 10% of your energy bills.

It may also be the right time to upgrade to A-rated appliances as they use up to 55% less electricity to run, than for instance, a D-rated appliance. This initial cost will be offset with the reduction in running costs.

One of the largest energy users in your home is your fridge-freezer, so make sure to defrost regularly to ensure its running efficiently. Never leave the door open, always cover food, check the temperature (Best freezer temperature should be 5°C, and -18°C), always place the fridge/freezer away from any heat source and ensure it has adequate ventilation.

It can also be useful to fit a smart plug on all your big appliances that will show you their energy consumption, giving you the opportunity to see how to reduce its use.

These steps can provide an immediate financial incentive and something that you can begin right away.

STEP 2: TAKE A SHOWER INSTEAD OF A BATH

Encouraging everyone in your home to switch to showers rather than baths will save not only water, but the cost associated with heating that water. Small bite sized changes (like reducing the length of time you spend in the shower) to you and your families’ daily habits, can go a long way to saving not only on your heating bills but water consumption.

A five-minute shower will use about a third of the water that would be required for a bath. As baths use on average 80 liters of water, showers on the other hand, only use 35 liters, so the savings are easy to see. For every 12 showers you take you can save enough water for one bath.

Having your shower fitted with a low-flow showerhead will also reduce your water consumption thus reducing the expense of heating the water. This will have a knock-on effect of reducing your energy bills.

Taking the right steps to ensure that you are only heating the water you need rather than heating the house, is much easier with a modern heating system.

STEP 3: HANG YOUR CLOTHES OUT TO DRY

Even though living in Ireland we are accustomed to frequent showers, we also have days when the weather conditions are perfect for drying clothes on an outside line.

On wet days, we tend to rely on our tumble dryers. Investing in an energy efficient dryer (one with a high star rating) will help reduce your running costs. A good quality dryer can have a life span of 8-12 years. Based on the national average rate of 12 cents per kilowatt of electricity per hour, each hour of electric drying will cost between 24 and 72 cents, the more efficient the model, the less the average costs will be.

Ensuring your clothes are properly spun will also reduce the drying time required. Along with utilising indoor clothes rack, you can have a big impact on your energy costs.

During the winter months doing your washing late at night or using the energy saving mode, can also impact the costs and allow you to avail of lower electricity rates where available.

To save on your home water usage, the water from your dryer is distilled and can be used for watering plants.

STEP 4: UNDERSTAND YOUR DISHWASHER

Understanding the various programme settings on your dishwasher will allow you to choose the water and energy consumption each time you use the machine.

There are a number of steps that will help you reduce the energy consumption and also help with you water consumption. Below are tables that will go through the do’s and don’ts along with what the various programmes settings should be used for.

Your dishwasher will normally use about 13 liters of water to clean an average load, whereas handwashing of the same load will use on average 100 liters of water. On average your dishwasher uses (1,800W) of electricity per hour and costs roughly 36 cents.

STEP 5: HALVE YOUR ELECTRICTY BILL AT NIGHT

Did you know that only 15% of ESB customers have installed a night night-time meter? Unless you have a meter installed using electricity at night is not discounted and costs the same as any other time.

If you switch to ESB’s night meter you will only pay 8.5 cent per unit as opposed to the 16-17 cent you pay during other times. The cost with Bord Gáis is however slightly less, 12.9 cents for daytime use per unit and only 6.4 cents for night-time use.

According to an energy-solutions expert if you use a dryer a lot or are currently paying more than €200 per bill (2 monthly) this is definitely something you should consider.

It may help if you know the costs associated with running different home appliances:

ON AVERAGE:

One load – washing machine _ 1 unit
One load – dishwasher _ 1 unit
One load – tumble dryer _ 2.8 to 3.5 units
Immersion – 5-8 unites
Fridge/freezer- under a unit.

It may also be a good idea to check how much electricity you currently use at night, simply read the meter before you go to bed and again when you get up and it will be a good indication if a night meter is

Planning A Bathroom Renovation?

Here’s What You Need to Know

What do I need to consider when planning my bathroom renovation?

We often get used to laying in our baths looking at the walls covered in ancient tiles and decoration that is just past its sell by date. Bathrooms are often the last room we get around to ‘doing up’ when we move into a new home. So, there are a number of steps that will help you when you decide it is time for the bathroom you have been dreaming of.

Firstly, you will need to consider your budget. Work out how much you can lay out for your bathroom renovation, and bear in mind this figure might need to be higher than you think. In old houses especially, hidden problems can become apparent as things are removed in preparation for new things to go in. You should always make sure you have a small ‘float’ to cover such unexpected expenses, should they arise.

Next you will need to think about the space you have available. If you’re lucky enough to have a larger bathroom, you will have a lot more freedom over the placement of baths, showers, sinks and storage. If your bathroom is smaller, you will need to be realistic about how your bathroom can be.

However, a lot can be achieved in a smaller space. There is no need to compromise too much on your dream bathroom renovation. There are many clever space saving storage solutions available that can maximise the space in your bathroom, and lots of design tricks that can be employed to make the most out of what you’ve got and give the illusion of a larger room.

Step One: Your Design

After we visit your home and see your current bathroom layout, we can talk through what you wish to achieve and the best layout for the space available. With your confirmation we will proceed to draw up the design for your new bathroom.

You might be under the impression that you need a big space to create an impressive bathroom, but this simply isn’t the case! ACR Plumbing & Heating can transform even the most modest space into a sanctuary to be proud of.

Step Two: Installing Your Bathroom

To ensure your bathroom conversion is completed to the very highest of standards, we can start from the very bottom. We passionately believe that quality is paramount, and our skilled tradespeople will work together to bring your dream bathroom design to life. You are free to source and purchase your own sanitary ware; however, we can take care of this for you if you wish.

Disruption

Bathroom conversion is by nature a disruptive process. Your bathroom will be out of action for the duration of the project, and you will likely find yourself inconvenienced as a result. This cannot be avoided. However, we can assure you that our tradespeople are polite, courteous, and aware of how stressful this kind of construction project can be. We will always endeavour to leave things as clean and tidy as possible, and work to a tight schedule to ensure your bathroom is back up and running as soon as possible.

Completion

There is nothing quite like unwinding in a soothing, well appointed, practical yet beautiful bathroom at the end of a long, hard day.

Of course, bathroom renovation is not a small or cheap project to embark upon. Like any construction project it will be disruptive and could be expensive. However, we believe that bathroom renovation is worth it. Your bathroom is the room that most of your guests will use at some point, and we want our home décor to reflect ourselves and our individuality.

ACR are a well-established company of over 30 years, we have the experience and skills to carry out your bathroom conversion to the highest standards. So, you can rest assured that your bathroom will be completed to the highest standards by an award-winning company you can trust.

Immersion Heaters – All You Need to Know

All You Need to Know About Immersion Heaters

What is an immersion heater?

Immersion heaters are electric heating elements that are found inside hot- water cylinders and designed to heat water. They act a little like a kettle and heat the surrounding water in the cylinder.

How does an immersion heater work?

Immersion heaters are connected to their own power supply via a cable. A strong electric current is passed through the element which heats the water around it. Immersion heaters heat water directly from inside the tank and when hot, the water rises to the top.

Do immersion heaters use a lot of electricity?

Average running costs for your immersion heater Heating one full cylinder (normally 120 litres) will cost about €1.30 per day. Actual usage costs will vary depending on cylinder size and the demand for hot water.

How long does it take to heat your immersion?

The average gas heater takes between 30 and 40 minutes to fully heat up the water in its tank. The average electric heater takes about twice as long as the average gas heater to fully heat up the water in its tank, so you can expect it to take between an hour and an hour and 20 minutes to heat up.

Is it cheaper to leave your immersion heater on 24/7?

Some think that it is more expensive to heat from cold so leave their immersion on all the time believing it is the cheaper option. However, it is almost always cheaper to have your hot water on ONLY WHEN NEEDED, it is not necessary to leave it on all the time as a full tank of hot water will always lose heat and need topping up by the boiler.
Turning off your immersion overnight is a better way to save money on heating bills is to set back the temperature of your home at least 8 degrees for 8 hours or longer (while you sleep). In fact, you can save 1% on your heating bill for every degree that you lower the thermostat.
The main issue with immersion heaters is that you have to heat a whole tank of water when you may only need a small amount. Heating water using electricity is more expensive than heating water with gas. However, fitting a thermostat and timer alongside the immersion can help to keep energy use under control.

Benefits of immersion heaters?

The main benefit of keeping an immersion heater is as a backup supply of hot water. Immersion heaters have their own electricity supply and do not rely on boilers to work. This means that if your boiler breaks down you will still have access to hot water.
Your immersion heater can be turned on and off at the flick of a switch so you can keep its energy use under control when it is not needed.
An immersion heater with thermostatic control will automatically turn itself off when the water reaches your desired temperature and turn it back on if the temperature cools too much.
If you install an immersion heater timer you can set it to automatically heat up at specific times of the day or night. If your energy tariff is cheaper at night this would be the best time to have it working.

How to improve your immersion’s efficiency?

Firstly, make sure you choose the right size immersion heater to suit your family’s needs. NEVER have an immersion replaced or installed by anyone other than an approved engineer.
Having a thermostat and timer fitted alongside the immersion can help to keep energy use under control.
Proper maintenance of your immersion heater will drastically improve performance, efficiency, and increase lifespan.
Being proactive about heater care saves money and increases safety.
Check for damage to all switches, fittings, insulation and thermostats.
Insulate the cylinder and pipes.
Install a timer / booster switch
Buy a pre-insulated cylinder.

Problems with your immersion?

If the water is not heating up efficiently or not heating up at all, then it could be a sign of a faulty thermostat or element. This will need to be tested by a proficient plumber or electrician.

If the water is heating up to an extreme, the thermostat may be stuck on the ‘on’ position and will need replacing.

Another common problem can be the timer switch burning out, which would also require replacement.

Still Need Advice?

Call us today on 01 497 9838. We have over 30 years’ experience in the industry and our team of professional engineers are fully RGII registered. Give us a call for a no obligation chat regarding problems with immersion heaters, gas, and combi boilers, leaking pipes and more!

Trouble Shooting: – No Hot Water

No Hot Water?

A water heater that produces no hot water is never welcome and always seams to occur at the most inopportune time. We hope that the information below will help you troubleshoot to find the cause of the problem before you must call in a professional.

Is your boiler working: – It may seem like a silly question but, normally it is the simplest of things that cause us problems. If there is a problem with the boiler it will display an error code (check boiler manual to see what this means) You may simply need to reset the boiler (the manual will also help you with this).

Electricity supply: – check the power source-lights, sockets, main fuse box. If you are not getting an error notice you may not be getting power, or it may have a tripped limit switch or one or more failed heating elements.

First, check the water heater’s circuit breaker in the service panel to make sure it has not tripped. If the breaker has tripped, switch it off, then switch it back on again.

Check your timer: If the clocks have been changed it affects the boiler, any changes in power supply will also impact the timer.

Water Supply: if no water is flowing from the taps this can impact your boiler.

If your heating is working but you still have no hot water, you need to check the diverter valve to make sure it’s not set on heating only. (a problem with the diverter valve will require the help of a professional gas engineer).

For conventional heating systems you need to check to see if there is sufficient water in your header tank, is there a blockage stopping water refilling the tank.

Check boiler pressure:- Low pressure can cause your water to not heat. Normal pressure for a domestic boiler is around 1.5 bar (you will find this on a gauge ‘Manometer’ located where the water supply pipes are connected to the boiler.

If the pressure is low go to your operating manual to re-pressurise the boiler. (if you are in any way unsure of what you are doing call a professional plumber)

You can higher up the thermostat. Ideal operating temperatures for hot water heaters are between 122- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit.

Check for leaks: Leaks can cause all sorts of problems and most often happen at joints in the pipes, begin there or look for patches on ceilings, peeling paint, swollen woodwork, or mould.

Leaks will cause a reduction in the pressure and can end up causing damp resulting in expensive repairs.

Check water supply – conventional systems: – Check to see if there is sufficient water in your header tank, is there a blockage stopping water refilling the tank.

Gas Supply: check other appliances that run off gas (fire-Cooker).

Pilot Light: You may need to relight the pilot light. Always pay attention to the colour of the flame should be blue, if it has a yellow hue it may be a sign of carbon monoxide and you need to call a professional immediately.

Finally ask yourself if your boiler is the right size for your family’s needs. If the tank is too small to serve your families need and running out of hot water is a regular occurrence, then speak to a professional about installing a larger tank or upgrading your heating system to a combi boiler.

STILL NEED ADVICE?

Call us today on 01 497 9838. We have over 30 years’ experience in the industry and our team of professional engineers are fully RGII registered. Give us a call for a no obligation chat regarding problems with immersion heaters, gas, and combi boilers, leaking pipes and more!

THE AWARD-WINNING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST

We turn up on time and when we say we will.

Problems with your Central Heating

What to do when things go Wrong!

Unfortunately, regardless of what heating system you have, sometimes things go wrong and break down. Below we will try to guide you on the most common reasons a boiler or central heating system might be struggling, and what you can do about It.

The boiler won’t turn on – or keeps turning off

You may simply need to reset your boiler by turning it off, leaving it for ten seconds, and turning it back on again. If this does not work, check your pilot light.

Pilot Light

If your pilot light keeps going out or will not ignite at all, this could be down to certain variables, including:

Mains gas supply: always check your mains gas supply by testing your other gas appliances such as your cooker. If these do not work, the problem is with your gas supply, not the boiler, and you will need to contact your gas supplier to rectify the problem.

Low water pressure: check the pressure on the pressure gauge; it should be between one and two bars of atmospheric pressure.

Other problems that you could face with your central heating boiler system is the heating coming on, but perhaps being too hot.

Other problems that you could face with your central heating boiler system is the heating coming on, but perhaps being too hot. This could be a sign of a broken or faulty thermostat

If the thermostat is faulty it will not be able to ‘tell’ the boiler when to stop heating the water in the radiators, leading to an overheated room

Other Problems

Radiators that are hot on the top and cold on the bottom are an indicator of rust and sludge in the radiators, and the system will require a flush through (or drain down).

‘Banging and clunking’ can also be a sign of this, although a noisy central heating system can also indicate trapped air.

Radiators that are cold on the top and hot on the bottom are a definite indication of air in the system, as the air traps the hot water and prevents it from travelling to the top. Try bleeding your radiators to see if this resolves the problem.

When it’s time to call in the Experts

If you have tried to fix your central heating boiler system yourself to no avail, or if it is a problem that requires expertise, then why not give ACR Plumbing and Heating a call? We have over 30 years’ experience in the industry and guarantee 100% customer satisfaction 100% of the time.

Call 01 497 9838 and see how we can help.

Dublin Plumbing Service

You Won't Go Wrong with ACR Plumbing and Heating

ACR Plumbing and Heating offer a top-class Dublin plumbing service. We are a C2 registered company, providing guaranteed services that are covered by our public liability insurance policy. With over 30 years’ experience we believe that a good Dublin plumbing service is not just about the quality of work, but our dedicated team provide excellent customer service that keeps our customers returning year after year.

All our team of engineers are fully qualified and approved Register Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). We are also members of the National Guild of Master Craftsmen and are Worcester Bosch Group approved installers. We are also registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the ‘Home Energy Saving’ scheme for condensing boiler and heating controls upgrade grants.

Our team are highly professional, diagnostic, and installation engineers. Our high-quality workmanship, friendly staff, and punctual services ensure that we have been able to maintain our excellent reputation. Our rates are competitive and as we fully assess and quote every job in advance, you will never be charged for any hidden extras.

With ACR you can be reassured that our team will never leave your home without completing the job and cleaning up before they leave. We want your job to go as smoothly as possible, and we will always go above and beyond to make sure this happens.

Our Dublin plumbing service includes the following:

Supply, service, repair and installation of gas boilers and controls.
Domestic and commercial plumbing services, from maintenance to repairs and emergencies.
Complete bathroom renovations, including design, tiling and electrics.
Installation of dishwashers and washing machines.
Leak detection and repair.
Supply and fit electric showers, power showers, and storage tanks.

What to Expect When You Choose ACR Plumbing and Heating

Fully qualified engineers.
Focused customer service.
Excellent rates and value for money.
Reliability (we turn up on time, and when we say we will).

We Guarantee:

Prompt and consistent service
Economical prices
No hidden costs

If you’re looking for a Dublin plumbing service, call ACR Plumbing and Heating today on 01-4979838 or email us for a no obligation quote.

ACR is the award-winning company you can trust!

Dublin Plumbing & Gas Services

For reputable, reliable, and professional Dublin plumbing and gas services, you’ve found what you’re looking for with ACR Plumbing and Heating. At competitive rates, we carry out Dublin plumbing and gas services with a level of professionalism that you expect and deserve.

Highest standards of workmanship

For over 30 years’ experience, we have provided Dublin with plumbing and gas services, giving us a level of experience and knowledge of the industry far surpassing that of many of our competitors.

As members of the National Guild of Master Craftsmen, we are confident of our ability to work to the highest of professional standards – whether we are renovating your bathroom, or simply installing your dishwasher, we treat every job with the same level of importance.

Excellent customer service

Of course, the ability to do the job (and do it well) is the most important thing – but it’s not the only thing that matters. Many of our gas services are completed within an hour, leaving you to get on with your day – and whatever job we have come to do, we leave your home exactly as we found it. We know that having plumbing work done can be very disruptive, so we do our best to minimise the impact as much as possible. Our engineers are polite, respectful, and will never leave your home in a mess.