Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the relevant question to see our answers.
Do i need a boiler service every year?
Yes, an annual boiler service is highly recommended for several important reasons. During a service, a qualified engineer will thoroughly inspect your boiler to ensure it’s operating safely and efficiently. This check helps identify and address any potential faults or issues before they become costly problems.
Additionally, most boiler manufacturers require regular servicing to keep your warranty or guarantee valid. By scheduling an annual service, you not only maintain your boiler’s performance but also protect your investment and ensure peace of mind throughout the year.
What do i do if i smell gas?
If you think you have a gas leak or can smell gas, leave the house and phone the National Gas Emergencies number immediately on 0800 111 999.
If you’re at home, and you can do it safely, turn off your gas supply. The gas mains tap should be beside your gas meter. Move the handle a quarter turn until it’s at 90 degrees from the pipe to shut off the gas supply.
What should i do if i have a water leak?
A good place to start would be to turn of the mains water. Then open the taps to drain any pressure out.
If the leak is coming from the boiler, a radiator or hot water cylinder, then contact us to arrange a visit.
If the leak is from a tap or somewhere in the kitchen or bathroom then you will have to contact a plumber.
What is the difference between a heating engineer and a plumber?
Whilst many people assume a plumber and heating engineer is the same thing, there are in fact some differences.
A plumber has the skill and qualifications to work on and install water pipes, waste water and drainage pipes, hot water systems, bathroom suites, kitchen sinks etc.
A Heating engineer has the qualifications to work on gas, or other fueled boilers. And in general they also have more experience with central heating, radiators, hot water storage etc.
Why the confusion?
Because many plumbers are also qualified in gas and oil etc, they do plumbing and heating. Whereas some plumbers only do plumbing. So some heating engineers only do heating and boilers.
Why doesn’t Cortex heating do general plumbing?
Whilst we have the skill do “do it all”, we focus on one aspect, that is heating. This way we need less tools and resources than if we tried to do everything. By not having overheads as large as the “do it all” companies, we are able to offer lower prices. Also, all our training and qualifications can be focused on boilers and heating so you know you are getting the best knowledge and workmanship for your money.
Where do you work?
Please see our coverage page for the areas we cover.
What is the difference between mains gas and lpg?
Mains gas comes from a mains supply to your house via underground service pipes.
LPG comes from storage canisters that you have to fill up when they run out, or come from a bulk storage tank nearby. There are many different suppliers such as calor gas or flogas.
Not all gas engineers deal with both types of gas as they require slightly different qualifications.
What brand of boiler do you recommend?
I have alot of experience with many different boiler brands. Whilst i cannot guarantee that one particular brand will be trouble free, i do recommend Viessmann.
The customer service is excellent should something go wrong down the line.
Guarantees up to 12 years can provide you with peace of mind.
How many engineers work for cortex heating?
Cortex Heating is made up of 1 engineer and his apprentice.
Is cortex heating MCS certified?
While Cortex Heating is not directly MCS certified, we ensure that our air source heat pump installations are carried out under an MCS umbrella scheme. For smaller companies like ours, pursuing direct MCS certification can be cost-prohibitive. However, working with an MCS umbrella scheme allows us to offer the same high standards of installation and access to the benefits of the MCS certification, including eligibility for government grants and schemes. Rest assured, our installations adhere to all necessary standards and regulations to provide you with reliable and efficient heating solutions.
What is an MCS umbrella scheme?
For air source heat pumps, we partner with an MCS-registered company to handle the necessary registration and ensure eligibility for government grants. While they manage the certification process, our team handles the actual installation, delivering high-quality workmanship and ensuring your new system performs at its best.