Getting a boiler service is an essential home maintenance task. But how much is a boiler service and why is it so important to get one?

Having your boiler checked by a professional at least once a year is vital whether you’re experiencing problems with yours or not. Joanna Flowers, a British Gas service and repair engineer, tells us: ‘People often don’t give much thought to their boiler until something goes wrong with it. But getting your boiler serviced regularly can prevent problems from arising and help keep it running safely and effectively.’

During a boiler service, engineers will check that your boiler is both working efficiently – to ensure your home stays properly heated – and that there aren’t any potential issues which could cost you money or pose serious issues to your health. Ultimately, getting a boiler service isn’t a cost you can avoid. But how much will it set you back?

Image credit: Toasti

How much does a boiler service cost?

The cost of your boiler service will vary depending on a few different factors. Generally, however, a boiler service will cost on average between £50 and £100.

The price will change depending on the type of boiler you have. Matthew Jenkins, heating expert at MyJobQuote, says that a gas boiler, which is more common, will generally set you back around £50-£65. While an oil boiler – a less popular option – will be slightly pricer, at around £60-£85.

Combi boilers are also generally cheaper to service, as they tend to be less prone to issues and therefore, breakdowns. However, this price will increase a fair bit if any repairs are necessary, with most experts estimating that you could fork out up to £200 for any replacements of parts.

For the price, Louise Murton, Customer Service Director at Baxi Boilers, notes that ‘the service should be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It should include a thorough safety check, inspection and testing of components, check for leaks and corrosion, and completion of the Benchmark service record.’

Why do I need to have a boiler service?

A boiler service might seem like just another tiresome item to tick off of the life-admin to-do list. But it’s important to schedule in, to avoid any safety or financial repercussions that could arise if you put it off. During a service, your engineer will check the general health of your boiler. They’ll ensure it’s working efficiently, and assess whether any parts need to be repaired or replaced.

Even if your boiler appears to be working fine, having a check-up from a Gas Safe registered engineer could help you to avoid bigger problems that could cost you more to fix later down the line.

Even more seriously, a service can help you spot early issues that could potentially affect the health of you and your family. ‘Without a service, faults may go unnoticed which could lead to preventable breakdowns which cost money,’ says Matthew Jenkins. ‘And, more seriously, those faults might cause carbon monoxide leaks, which can be fatal.’ If not serviced regularly, boilers are also at risk of packing in altogether – a situation which could leave you without hot water and/or heating.

An annual service can even help you cut down on your heating bills. ‘A well-maintained and regularly serviced boiler will work more efficiently’ says Louise Murton. ‘This means you are using less fuel and reducing your energy bills.’

Getting regular boiler services is also vital for ensuring you don’t invalidate your warranty, as many are only valid as long as you are having yearly checks.

Image credit: Baxi

What can impact a boiler service cost?

1. Your location

If you live in a more expensive area, expect to pay more for your boiler service due to the higher labour costs. For example, ‘If your property is located in London, then you can expect to pay around £10-£20 more for the cost of labour than in the North or rural countryside,’ says Matthew Jenkins.

2. The type of boiler

As mentioned, the type of boiler you have can affect the price you pay, with more common boilers costing less to service.

3. The time of year

In order to keep costs down, it’s best to get yours serviced in the summer. Why? Nick Paulson, heating expert at PlumbNation explains… ‘Engineers are often busiest during the winter due to boiler breakdowns, as people start using them more frequently when temperatures drop.’

By scheduling your boiler service to take place in summer, you’ll find that engineers are less in demand, which means they don’t command as high of a fee for a call-out. Getting your service done in summer also means it’ll be ready to go for winter, when you’ll inevitably use it more often.

4. How long you’ve had your boiler

If you’ve had your boiler for years, and/or it’s been a long while without a service, the cost of your service will likely rise, as there may be more repairs to do to get it running efficiently and safely again.

5. If you call out of hours

Calling an engineer out of hours in an emergency – if for example, your boiler has stopped working – will likely set you back more too. Generally, out of hours counts as weekends and nights.

Image credit: Worcester Bosch

How can I reduce the price of a boiler service?

A boiler service is one of those essential costs you can’t just skimp on. However, there are a few simple ways to shave precious pounds off of the yearly price.

1. Take out an annual service plan

Many gas/boiler companies offer an annual service plan that you pay for monthly, which can often work out cheaper in the long run if you have the recommended one service a year.  ‘There are different plans on the market for different levels of cover, so make sure you do your research,’ says Vic Wheeler, Operations Director at Gregor Heating. ‘Lots of smaller companies offer good cover for a competitive price.’

Nick Paulson explains that a plan can really pay for itself if your older boiler needs repairs. ‘If your boiler is older than 10 years, it is usually better to take out an annual servicing contract, because it will be more prone to developing problems.’

2. See if any local tradespeople will do it cheaper

‘It is always a good idea to shop around and see if any local gas safety certified tradespeople will do the job cheaper,’ says Matthew Jenkins. Oftentimes they can perform the service at a lower rate than an engineer from your boiler company. But as mentioned, make sure that they are Gas Safe registered. You can check their credentials on the Gas Safe Register.

3. Check if the price is covered under warranty or insurance

If your boiler has been recently installed, the price of a service may be covered under your warranty. ‘If this is the case, get in touch with the manufacturer and they should be able to help,’ says Nick Paulson. You may also be able to shave off some of the cost if your home insurance covers boiler care. ‘If it does, then contact your insurance company and they will be able to send an engineer to come and fix it for you, covering the cost partly.’

4. Get a newer boiler installed

Knowing when to replace a boiler can be tricky. But even though it’s not a short term saving, installing a newer boiler now can save you a lot of money in the future. A new heating system is unlikely to need major repairs, whereas boilers that are over 10 years old tend to develop costly problems.

That’s why most boiler companies advise that you replace your boiler after 10-12 years.

Get a free quote for a new boiler

Ideal Home has partnered with boilerguide.co.uk to provide a free quote for your new boiler.

The post How much is a boiler service? And the five things that can affect the cost appeared first on Ideal Home.

There’s more than just aesthetics to think about when choosing types of glazing for your home. With energy costs on the rise, thermal performance will be a key factor in your window decision, too. When it comes to replacement windows, there’s a lot to get your head around. So it’s worth getting familiar with the industry terminology around all the different glass specifications.

‘The older the glazing, the worse the thermal performance,’ says Dave Mechem, director of inspection and assessment at RISA, part of the Glazing & Glass Federation. ‘Up to 24% of heat energy can escape from old, draughty glazing.’

Inert gas fillings, solar control coatings and acoustic glass are all possibilities to boost your windows’ performance. Plus, if you have ambitious goals for your property’s thermal capabilities, it’s worth looking at the benefits of upgrading to triple glazing over double.

The types of glazing you choose impacts on how much heat is retained vs lost. ‘The energy rating of windows, from A to G, reflects this absorption of heat,’ says Neal Harper, managing director at Wolverhampton Glass. ‘The top rating is given to windows that absorb as much heat as they lose. This includes both double and triple glazed solutions.’

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by installing A-rated double-glazed windows in an entirely single-glazed detached house, you could save between £120 and £155 per year on utility bills.

What is window glazing?

Image credit: Future plc/Tim Young

Glazing is the glass component encased within the window frame. Multiple factors determine the thermal performance of your windows. This includes the quality of the installation and frame material (UPVC, timber, metal etc).

‘The type of glazing you choose can make a huge difference to the thermal performance of your property,’ says Matt Higgs, director at Kloeber. ‘Heat loss from inside to outside (measured in U-values) is a big consideration. As is the thickness of the glass and the width of the space between panes.’

What types of glazing are there?

Image credit: Future plc/Olly Gordon

When it comes to specification, remember that your chosen glazing will impact on other areas of performance. This includes the design, acoustics and overall light levels. Security and privacy are other key areas to consider when looking at types of glazing.

Insulating glass

This type of window reduces heat loss by comprising multiple panes of glass, sealed into one unit, with a gas filling in the middle. ‘A double pane insulated glass unit (IGU) is a system with two panes separated by a gas. A triple pane IGU contains three panes of glass,’ says Liam Hulme, managing director at Global Windows. Typically, argon or krypton are used between the panes of glass. Because of the dense qualities, they help reduce the rate of heat conductivity between the panes.

In today’s energy conscious climate, it’s rare to fit single glazing in any property. The exception, perhaps, is in historic homes where like-for-like period replacements are required by the conservation officer. Most new build homes come with double glazing as standard to ensure Building Regulations are met (in terms of heat loss). Mixing double and triple-glazing is another option if you have higher aspirations for your house’s energy performance. Consider installing triple-glazed units on the cooler, northern side of the house, and double-glazing on the warmer south side.

‘Changes to Building Regulations announced in 2021 have increased the performance required by new windows and doors. So check that the products you’re choosing comply with the new, stricter standards,’ says Edward Stobart, sales manager at IDSystems.

Solar reduction glass

Some types of glazing feature a special metal oxide coating to reduce the amount of heat entering the building. ‘The coating is invisible to the naked eye and prevents short wave radiation from the sun entering your home,’ says Shannon Normoyle, digital marketing executive at IQ Glass. This finish helps prevent overheating. It’s typically used on the south-facing side of properties that get the most sun.

‘There are a variety of specs for solar control coatings, with the most popular being 70/35. This means it lets through 70% of light whilst reducing the G factor (how much radiation can pass through the glass) to 35%,’ says Shannon Normoyle. Not only does this help with cooling costs during summer, but also allows occupants to install large areas of glazing without worrying about the possibility of overheating.

Noise reduction glass

Also known as acoustic glass, this type of glazing reduces the amount of noise that can enter your home from outside. This is great news if you live near a busy road or train line. ‘It works by preventing sound waves from travelling through the sealed unit, either by absorbing or reflecting them,’ says Edward Stobart from IDSystems.

If we take double glazed windows as an example; the two panes of glass will have slightly different thicknesses. There is also a sound laminate sound dampening core to help reduce noise transference.

Window safety glass

Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole

In areas where glass presents a potential hazard – for instance, structural roof glazing that’s installed overhead – safety glass is used. The glass is typically strengthened via a heat treatment process. This means it splits into tiny pieces when it breaks, rather than shattering into large and dangerous shards.

‘Another option is to use some sort of interlayer, such as a PVB (polyvinyl butyral). If the glass is broken the panes are held in place,’ says Shannon Normoyle.

Structured glass

Often used to create design wow-factor, large sheets of frameless glass take some of the weight of the surrounding structure. ‘Completely frameless sliding glass doors are one example,’ says Steve Rawding, sales and marketing director at SEH BAC. ‘Glass extensions are increasingly popular with homeowners as a way of increasing space and natural light without the frames and limited structural possibilities associated with a traditional conservatory.’

Other options include structural glass roofs, glass walls or streamlined picture windows. However, the design and engineering for structural glazing is typically quite complex, so it’s important to work with a specialist glazier who has plenty of experience working with this type of installation.

What is double glazing?

This type of insulating glass comprises two panes of glass, with a gap in between that forms a thermal barrier. The cavity between the glass can be filled with an inert gas (eg krypton, argon or xenon) to further boost your window’s thermal performance.

What is triple glazing?

While double-glazing works by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass, triple-glazing provides extra insulation by adding in a third sheet to form an additional thermal barrier. ‘There are many benefits to triple-glazing, such as better insulation, lower energy bills and a warmer home in winter,’ says Liam Hulme from Global Windows. Triple-glazing is most often specified in homes in particularly chilly or exposed locations, or as part of projects where energy-efficiency is a top priority (eg Passivhaus self builds).

What type of glazing is better? Double or triple?

Image credit: Future plc/Anna Stathaki

While triple-glazed windows will help save more energy, the initial outlay for supply and installation will be greater than for double-glazed windows. ‘It’s not always a case of the more panes of glass, the better,’ says Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin. ‘It would seem logical that triple-glazing would be the pinnacle choice for glazing doors and windows. In our experience demand for this solution is dropping.’ Unless you have specific energy goals for your home, high-quality double-glazing should hit your thermal performance objectives without any issues.

In some cases, it might be better to invest in types of glazing with a special coating. ‘When you’ve got special coated glass you can not only get the same level of insulation you would with a triple glazed unit, but you can get extra benefits. This includes enhanced security and improved noise reduction,’ says Steve Rawding from SEH BAC. ‘Smart low-e coatings provide a one-way door for trapping and holding energy and will stop 56% more internal heat escaping.’

The post Types of glazing for your windows, explained: a complete guide appeared first on Ideal Home.

Adding one of the best milk frothers to your morning routine can elevate that shudder-inducing espresso to a tasty flat white or oat milk latte. Milk frothers tend to work completely hands-free, meaning you can simply add your milk (or milk alternative), press a button, and watch as is forms a creamy texturised foam and perfect warm milk.

These machines not only heat your milk to the perfect temperature (something which is easy to overshoot with a conventional steam wand) but they also come with whisks that get that perfect angle to create even texture throughout your drink. You’ll be sipping on the perfect cappuccino and wiping that milk-foam mustache away in no time.

Of course, many of the best coffee machines come with in-built milk wands, these can often make your machine significantly more expensive and also a fair deal bulkier. You can easily pair one of the best milk frothers with an espresso or pod machine and take up a fraction of the space. Plus, you won’t have to worry about wiping and flushing out your wand after every use. Not to mention, many of the best milk frothers in our guide really do add a touch of stylish flair to your kitchen counters. They come in modern or retro designs, and will often pair with a matching brand or colourway to complete any kitchen layout.

Best milk frothers 2021

1. Lavazza A Modo Mio Milk Easy Frother

Best milk frother

Type: Electric
Max capacity: frothing capacity: 120ml
Reasons to buy: Reasonably priced, pair it with a top pod machine, one-touch design
Reasons to avoid: Only one whisk

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Milk Easy Frother can be paired with many of the best pod coffee machines from the same brand, and it requires a simple touch of a button to make delicious frothed milk. The whisk is magnetic and easily removed for cleaning, and all removable parts are dishwasher-safe.

The lid of the Lavazza A Modo Mio Milk Easy Frother is transparent, which means you can keep an eye while it’s working. The internal capacity for frothing is 120ml, and for heating it’s 180ml. That’s enough for a generous mug of coffee, but it won’t serve multiple people at once.

We enjoy the elegant design which is also compact enough to store next to a coffee machine or even on a coffee cart. The button is multi-functional, so you can toggle between heating and frothing easily.

2. SMEG 50’S Retro MFF01 Milk Frother

Best milk frother for retro style

Type: Electric
Max capacity: 500ml, frothing capacity: 250ml
Reasons to buy: Attractive retro design, large capacity, six preset programs
Reasons to avoid: Expensive, it’s large so you’ll need counter space

Smeg is known for its high-end products and of course, attractive 50s retro design. And their milk frother instantly adds classic style and character to any kitchen. Firstly, it comes with a large stainless steel removable jug, ergonomic steel handle, and Tritan lid with measuring cup. Once powered on, the lights illuminate and you’ll be spoilt for choice with six preset programs to choose from. These include cold milk with thick froth or light froth, hot chocolate, or a milk warming setting. There’s even a manual function allowing you to switch between whisk speed and temperature, which is handy if you have a family with different preferences. The frother automatically switches off once the program has finished so you don’t have to monitor it. 

Equipped with powerful induction heating, it quickly produces a dense and frothy foam that is not too dissimilar to the barista, coffee-shop cappuccinos. In fact, hot chocolate fans (like me!) will be impressed with the chocolate setting, as it creates a thick and velvety texture. 

Compared to other milk frothers, it’s rather big and cumbersome, with a grand capacity to prep 250ml of frothed milk at once. Making it ideal for large families or anyone who simply has a lot of coffee and tea breaks during the day! Best of all, it’s easy to clean, and also comes in a variety of eye-catching colours to suit your kitchen style.  

Despite its premium price, this attractive frother makes a worthwhile investment for serious coffee lovers. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

3. Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother

Best milk frother for Nespresso machines

Type: Electric
Max capacity: 220ml cold capacity: 120ml hot
Reasons to buy: Simple touch panel, auto shut-off
Reasons to avoid: Not dishwasher safe

Looking pretty similar to the Lavazza milk frother, the Nespresso Aeroccino has similar specs, too. It’s got two settings: hot and cold frothing, To operate simply fill and then press the power button once. For cold froth, hold the button down for two seconds until it turns blue.

The frothing whisk pops on and off the internal notch, which makes cleaning very easy. It also means you can make hot milk with no froth, which is ideal for those who are catering to a range of preferences.

As with all of the frothers in this guide, it’s best to clean the Aeroccino straight away. Give it a rinse and a bit of a scrub to remove any stuck-on bits of milk, and you’ll be good to go.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

4. Lakeland Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker

Best milk frother for hot chocolate

Type: Electric
Max capacity: 250ml frothing capacity: 125ml
Reasons to buy: Simple touch panel, auto shut-off
Reasons to avoid: Not dishwasher safe

If you enjoy café style hot chocolates, this Lakeland milk frother is a great option. Designed to versatile, the attractive jug sits on a base with a one-touch, LED control panel. It has three options of hot milk, frothy milk, as well as a cold milk froth, allowing you to make iced coffees, milkshakes and smoothies. A convenient feature is the different temperature times – it makes cold froth in 2 minutes, and hot froth in just 90 seconds. 

Perhaps the stand-out feature is the hot milk setting. Simply add chocolate flakes to the milk and results are creamy, frothy hot chocolate in no time. What’s more, cleaning is a breeze!

Overall, this produces impressive lattes and cappuccinos, making it excellent value for money.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

5. AdHoc Rapido Automatic Milk Frother

Best handheld milk frother

Type: Handheld
Reasons to buy: Powerful whisk, versatile use, attractive steel design
Reasons to avoid: No timer, a little pricey

If you don’t have sufficient space for an electric machine to whisk up some frothy foam, this handheld Rapido Automatic Milk Frother gets the job done well. 

Battery-powered by 3 AAA batteries, it has a powerful engine (10.000r a min) to whisk up an impressive froth in just seconds. Simply press the button at the top, and the AdHoc Rapido Automatic Milk Frother will do all the hard work. Unlike other handheld milk frothers, this model has steady movement, giving you more control over the foam texture, so you won’t have messy splashes everywhere!

What’s more, it can do a lot more than just froth up delicious hot drinks. This handy little frother can be used to froth soups and sauces to preparing milkshakes and cocktails.

In addition, its stainless steel cover gives it a modern look and it’s compact enough to fit into any drawer (or travel bag!).  

The price tag may put some people off, but this is a top quality handheld milk frother that is durable, versatile and will last long.  

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

6. Melitta Cremio II

Best milk frother for lattes

Type: Electric
Max capacity: 250 ml, frothing capacity: 150ml
Reasons to buy: Illuminated control buttons, easy to clean, non-stick coating
Reasons to avoid: Cannot take lid off during frothing process, no auto shut-off

Melitta is a leading brand in the Italian coffee-making world, and the Cremio Milk Frother certainly doesn’t disappoint. Designed in a stylish, stainless steel exterior, it also comes in black to suit your style. It’s sturdy with an easy-to-lift lid which is also attached to the whisking rod. You can also handle the outside of the frother during use without burning your fingers!

The illuminated touch buttons are user-friendly and lets you know what each setting means. A red light signals when it’s on and ready to prepare warm frothed milk, while the blue light indicates cold frothed milk. The second button is to heat milk which is perfect for those frothy, hot chocolate beverages. Perhaps the only thing it could benefit from is an auto shut-off after each setting, but this isn’t a major deal-breaker.  True to its name, the impressive results produced creamy, frothy foam, perfect for milky lattes. 

It’s worth noting that since the lid is attached to the whisk rod, resting it down on a counter may result in messy drips. In addition, this also prevents you from taking off the lid to monitor the frothing process. However, given the overall quality of the frother and excellent frothing results, this can easily be overlooked.  

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

7. illycaffe 20709 Milk Frother

Best compact milk frother 

Type: Electric Induction
Max capacity: 500ml, frothing capacity: 250ml
Reasons to buy: 100% stainless steel, easy-to-pour jug, easy to clean, simple buttons
Reasons to avoid: No option to adjust temperatures

If you’re after a small yet stylish milk frother, this illy Electric Milk Frother is perfect. Its contemporary brushed, stainless steel jug, buttons and chunky base looks great in any kitchen. 

And for those who want a ‘no-fuss’ machine, the illy milk frother is easy to operate with a simple one-touch design. It comes with three buttons – cold milk froth, hot milk froth and milk heater – and the best part is, you can add your chocolate flakes directly to the jug for tasty hot chocolate.  

It’s an impressive little frother thanks to the fast induction heat that quickly whips up light frothed foam, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. In addition, the stainless steel jug is very sturdy, and has an easy-to-pour spout to avoid messy spills. Once the jug is off the base, the illuminated buttons conveniently flash to alert you that it’s still on.

Perhaps the only downside is it only has one preset temperature, which may not necessarily be hot enough for some. However, this can be overlooked by the professional results and its sleek, modern design.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Why do I need the best milk frother?

If you’ve ever wondered why your takeaway coffee tastes so much better with the silky foam top, the secret is simply in the froth!  Frothy milk creates a lighter texture, that keeps the coffee flavour as close to the original taste as possible. This also helps the milk warm up to ensure your delicious coffee keeps its temperature. Whether you want cold or hot frothed milk, the best milk frother makes it simple to replicate specialty drinks. What’s more, you can impress your guests with barista-style coffees!

How much should I spend on a milk frother?

Compared to the best coffee machines, milk frothers are relatively affordable to suit every budget. Automatic milk frothers start from as little as £20 to a whopping £150 for a top brand like Smeg. However, this will depend on the specifications and how often you’re likely to use it. If you’re a true coffee fan though, it’s worth investing in a quality model that will last long. 

How to buy the best milk frother

How much milk do you want to froth?

Size matters, and depending on how much hot drinks you actually drink, find a frother with a suitable capacity for your needs. If it’s just one cup or shorter coffees then a smaller capacity would be sufficient, but making two or more drinks at a time would need something larger. 

See also: the best coffee grinders

What features do you need?

Milk frothers come with a range of options and settings to easily make your favourite drinks. These often include cold froth, hot milk and hot froth, while some models allow you to add chocolate or coffee granules to the milk while frothing. Does it have different timers? Or auto stop? Some electric milk frothers have adjustable temperature control which are handy, while others have only one setting which may not be hot enough. You should also consider ease of use, is it dishwasher-safe or does it have removable parts for easy maintenance. 

Take a look at the best bean-to-cup coffee machines

Can you use non-dairy milk?

Those who are lactose-intolerant can still enjoy milk frothers. Different types of milk and non-dairy options such as soy, almond, coconut and oat milk all taste just as great! Bear in mind though, the consistency and foam texture will depend on the density of non-dairy milk you use. But with a quality milk frother, you should still achieve that silky foam top.

The post Best milk frothers 2022: for easy homemade lattes appeared first on Ideal Home.