Climate Change has become a major global issue over the past decade and to help the UK Government to reach its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has announced a ban on gas boilers in all new homes by 2025. Home heating accounts for over 30% of all carbon emissions in the UK, with domestic gas boilers emitting twice as much carbon dioxide as all power stations in the UK, so installing a replacement gas boiler will also be banned from 2035.

The most favoured replacement for domestic heating systems appears to be air source heat pumps, but these are expensive in comparison to gas boilers and have limitations to the temperature of the water they produce. This means that they are best suited to well insulated homes and underfloor heating systems as these have more heated area than traditional radiators.

For these reasons, existing gas boiler users may be reticent to replace their existing gas boilers until they are forced to do so. This may lead to increased use of older and potentially, less safe gas boilers, which could lead to more ‘make do and mend’ situations. We should therefore be more vigilant when looking at the safety aspect of our aging gas equipment.

An unsafe gas appliance has the potential to be the cause of gas leaks, fires and devastating explosions. They also carry an increased risk of causing carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, but if looked after and serviced regularly by a certified gas engineer can still be used safely. All gas engineers should be registered with the Gas Safe Register, which replaced CORGI as the UKs only gas registration body in 2009, so before you allow an engineer access to your gas boiler or other gas appliances, always ask to see his or her registration details. The ID carried by a Gas Safe Registered engineer will have a registration number on it and you can check it on the Gas Safe Register website, https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk

The best way to ensure the safe and economic use of a gas boiler is to have it checked and serviced regularly, ensuring that the engineer is a Gas Safe Registered engineer. This ensures that any faults, leaks and potential problems are found at an early stage and rectified with any faulty parts being replaced in a timely manner.  If you own your own home it is advisable to have this check and service carried out once a year. If you are a landlord, this advice becomes a directive, and the service is mandatory and should be followed up with the issue of a Gas Safety Certificate. As a tenant you have the right to have a copy of that certificate and to have access to the landlord’s Gas Safety Record, referred to as a CP12.

One of the main dangers from gas appliances is that of poisoning from carbon monoxide (CO), which is a tasteless, odourless and invisible gas. Carbon monoxide is produced from fuels, in this case gas from a boiler, gas fire, water heater or cooker that has not burned fully. There are often tell-tale signs of an accumulation of carbon monoxide. Under normal circumstances, natural gas burns with a blue flame, whereas if carbon monoxide is present, it will burn with a hazy, yellow or orange flame. A pilot light which frequently goes out can also be a sign of carbon dioxide being present as can dark staining round a gas burning appliance or increased condensation on windows in the room with the fuel burning appliance.

The main signs of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, tiredness, breathlessness, constant headaches and eventual loss of consciousness. If you think someone is suffering from CO poisoning, call the emergency services and the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Natural gas is an odourless substance, so an artificial smell is added to make it more detectable. The substance is called mercaptan, and gives off a strong sulphur like smell that some people say reminds them of rotten eggs, is added to the gas.

Gas leaks are dangerous, some having catastrophic results for both people and properties and knowing what to do in an emergency can save lives. There are some dos and don’ts if you smell gas;

Always;

• Open doors all windows to encourage a flow of fresh air into the property.
• Turn off the gas at the mains tap, which is usually near the meter
• Vacate the property.
• As with CO, phone the National Gas Emergencies number on 0800 111 999.and follow the advice you are given.
• Wait outside, standing well clear of the property until a gas engineer arrives.
• If you feel unwell, contact your GP or hospital A&E as soon as possible and tell them you may been suffering from exposure to a gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never;

• Smoke, light a match, candle or any other naked flame.
• Touch any switches to turn lights on or off or use a doorbell
• use household appliances or sources of ignition
• make phone calls from your house
• try to find or repair the leak
• assume someone else will report the leak

Major gas leaks are relatively uncommon. Smaller leaks can happen both inside and outside your home and may cause a dangerous accumulation of gas inside your property. Gas leaks of any size can be caused by poor installation of gas pipes or appliances or by using old, worn appliances

After a gas leak has been detected and repaired, give your property time to air and for any residual gas disperse through open windows and doors.

Although exposure to low levels of natural gas caused by leakages is not harmful, exposure in the longer term can affect your health. Burning natural gas produces nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and methane, which can trigger respiratory problems, depression, and affect your health. Talk to your doctor if you believe the gas leak is affecting your health.

As with electricity, gas appliances are part of everyday life in many households and if treated with respect and care are perfectly safe on a day to day basis. Always use a Gas Safe Registered engineer to install, service and repair your gas appliances and have regular safety checks carried out on your appliances.

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