Repsol YPF

Gas heaters are widely used, although they are starting to be replaced by gas boilers, which provide both Hot Water and Central Heating. There are two types of water heaters: atmospheric combustion or sealed combustion heaters. The former use the air in the room in which the heater is placed as combustion air, which is the reason why they must be provided with sufficient ventilation and meet certain minimum dimensions. As to the latter, combustion air is supplied through a duct. This means that the heater can be placed in any room and, at present, this is the most advisable system.  

Renove Plan for domestic gas devices 

In many Spanish homes, heaters are old and their performance is rather defective, which can be appreciated upon opening the hot water tap. If it takes a long time to get hot water and when we finally do the pilot light (in case it is provided with one) makes a great noise, you should call the Installers’ maintenance services. They will tell you whether you should carry out an in-depth cleaning of the heater or replace it. Domestic gas devices, as well as electrical appliances, last 10 to 12 years, and their useful life should not be expanded in order to avoid the subsequent expenditure. Apart the loss of energy and comfort at home, a badly-operating heater could bring about risks that, in extreme cases, could even provoke human casualties among tenants. 

The corresponding sections of the Economy and Consumer Affairs Departments in several Spanish autonomous regions have set forth different Plans to Renew Domestic Gas Appliances, for those appliances that are more than ten years old and also for those that may cause safety problems due to bad combustion or roughing, even if they are not so old. 

Gas heaters are included in this programme, and the subsidy to change them amounts to 125 Euros for sealed combustion heaters and 35 Euros for atmospheric combustion ones. This campaign is currently going on in the Autonomous Region of Madrid and the Basque Government ran it over the last four years, but the project came to an end last 31st of December 2007. If you are living in Madrid and your gas heater is old, you can still benefit from these subsidies. You can get information by phoning the Industry, Energy and Mining Department: 91 420 65 14 and 91 580 21 47, or by phoning Repsol: 901 100 125.

Cleaning and maintenance 

For safety reasons, it is absolutely necessary to keep heaters in perfect condition. Thus, the manufacturers’ technical services or the gas suppliers’ technical services will have to carry out annual overhauls. Professional technicians will check the thermostats, the burner operation, the gas evacuation duct, their combustion and the Hot Water temperature, and they will clean the appliance in depth. Apart from these periodical overhauls, you can clean the lid and the control panel of the appliance on a weekly basis. You will just have to clean it with a wet cloth so as to remove any dust or dirt upon it. 

You should have a look at the air grates in the room in which the heater is placed. They should be clean, with no dust or elements that may hinder air entrance and exit. Check the grates regularly and do not let dirt accumulate upon them. 

Finally, make sure you always close the gas faucets when going on a long journey and if you smell gas, open the windows, close the faucet and call the distributors quickly. 

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