Gas safety inspections are one of the essential services of today’s world. The advantages and requirement of the use of gas to businesses and other customers undermine the risks involved with it.

The risks might even endanger life. This danger can be minimized in a safe environment by adhering to safety precautions and giving utmost priority to safety regulations. Timely inspections and constant maintenance by specialized technicians can evade possible accidents and disasters. Nonetheless there are clear risks, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and explosion, if appliances are faulty or poorly maintained. It is vital to understand gas safety obligations – for both the security of people and to avoid costly disruptions.

Services

Gas safety inspections include advisory, field and 24/7 support services required by homes, private and public sector companies, hotels, industries, hospitals etc. The services meet legal obligations, reduce energy costs, and maintain a safe environment for the staff and customers. They service gas appliances to run smoothly and comply as per the Gas Safety Regulations 1998.

Highly trained and experienced Gas safe registered technicians of highest standards, well versed with the latest technologies can work on a range of gas and heating equipment fixing the problems quickly to keep the customers safe. The risks associated with gas supply and installations are rapidly identified and managed effectively to protect people from danger, boosting their confidence in their working environment.

Businesses employ the gas advisory services to identify and manage specific risks, requirements, and responsibilities; inspect, test, maintain and service full fledged gas units; decrease operational costs; provide and store all records needed to comply with legal gas requirements; and create adequate back-up systems, maintenance and reactive gas services to ensure no risks or disruptions to business. Gas safety inspections are very important to large companies that have operations in multiple locations to manage their operations. Account management and web portal services provide information that enable clients to request for services. The breakdown call centre gives 24/7, 365 days a year service.

Avoid Costs

Regular Gas safety inspections avoid the costs that result from non-compliance. They not only provide a complete range of self serviced gas services that are cost effective
but also put in and service gas installations that reduce energy consumption, costs, and CO2 emissions. A planned gas servicing avoids unpleasant incidents that injure people or damage property, and prevents fines, a lost reputation, or even imprisonment on the charges of negligence. Preventive gas maintenance and reactive gas services avoid a loss in revenue and production from gas service disruptions. Servicing and certifying gas appliances on an annual basis by a registered Gas Safe company increases the performance of business which results in improved customer service and satisfaction. Avoidable costs are removed by replacing the old appliances with new ones, which improve efficiency and reduce gas consumption, and also prevent gas breakdowns which cause discomfort, disruption, and damage to reputation.

Gas safety inspections offer all the services needed to identify and effectively manage gas appliances and gas systems avoiding unnecessary costs, and disruption of business and daily life. Legal obligations are all met to ensure safe installation, maintenance and use of gas by specialized team of engineers to keep people safe in their environments.

Yet while Texas has large reserves of low grade coal, most of what is burned in its coal-fired plants is brought in via train from Wyoming and Montana.

So, it makes sense for Texas electric power generators to rely more on the supply of natural gas in our back yard rather than waiting for the next 10,000 tons of coal to roll in from Wyoming. Over half of Texas’ energy comes from natural gas-powered generation plants. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal and does not leave behind large amounts of cinder and ash that require proper disposal.

Natural gas and oil have been twin commodities that helped build Texas. Natural gas pipelines stretch in all directions from Texas and it has long been used throughout the US for heat, light, and electrical generation. So, it’s little wonder that in this country its price has long been bound to oil, a commodity in a very volatile market where prices are often shaped by world events. For this reason, power generating companies have paid more for natural gas than coal, nuclear, and wind. Because it is the most expensive and so heavily relied upon in Texas, the price of natural gas determines the price of Texas electricity.

Comparing 2009 Natural Gas with 2010

You have probably noticed that the summer of 2010 was warmer than 2009. According to the EIA’s Short Term Outlook Report:

The use of natural gas for electric power generation surged this year because of the 23 percent increase in U.S. cooling degree days, resulting in an over 300 Bcf (11 percent) increase in natural gas consumption in the power generation sector over the last 4 months compared with the same period last year.

In spite of hot weather driving electrical demand, large surpluses are still in storage. The August 27th working natural gas inventory was 3,106 billion cubic feet (Bcf). While this is 169 Bcf more than the 2005-2009 average, it was still 208 Bcf less than the record levels of 2009. June, July, and August also witnessed hurricaine threats that shut-in 7.9 Bcf and slowed production. The EIA originally predicted 57.4 Bcf produced for this period. New deep-sea gas wells were also shelved as part of the drilling moratorium following the historic BP oil spill in the Gulf on April 20, 2010. An official reccomendation about when to end the moratorium might be released by the end of September.

Horizontal drilling for shale gas and liquified natural gas technologies both came of age when natural gas prices were high. Drilling companies were able to take on lots of debt to bore new wells into vast untapped US shale gas plays. An interesting example is the Kardell Gas Unit 1H which is pumping in the Haynesville Shale in San Augustine County, Texas. Back in October, 2009, this well achieved a continuous 24 hour flow rate of 30.7 million cubic feet (Mcf) with a flow pressue of 6,824 psi. Unfortunately, numbers have surfaced showing that shale gas wells are very short term producers, yielding enourmous amounts in their first year but dwindling quickly over the following few years. How this factor will affects the industry in the long term has yet to be clearly addressed.

Unfortunately for the industry, profits seemed to be dwindle from their wells just as quickly. Natural gas prices dropped in in late 2008/early 2009 and remained low throughout 2010. Liquified natural gas imports (both via pipe and ship) into the US have dropped from 56,410 Million Cubic feet (Mcf) in January 2010 to 32, 521 Mcf in July, 2010. Whether it was to just stay in business or maintain drilling rights to acreages, drilling companies drilled more wells and produced more natural gas —and drove natural gas price down further. Dave Pursell, managing director and head of macro research for Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities Inc, characterizes the shale gas rush by stating, “This industry is drunk on shale liquor and can’t get sober fast enough to avoid a low-commodity-price hangover.”.

Over the course of 2012, the EIA predicts natural gas production falling by 1.2 Bcf (1.9 percent) as low commodity prices apply the brakes to drilling rigs. Some of this can be attributed to major US gas producers, Chesapeake Energy and EOG Resources. They announced that they will be reducing their shale gas operations and switching to developing natural gas liquids operations. Natural gas liquids are extracted in conjunction with natural gas at the surface in gas processing or cycling plants and include propane, ethane, butane, pentane and natural gasoline.

Troubled Waters: Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, uses water, sand, and chemicals at very high pressure to crack shale rock formations and enable the natural gas in the shale deposits to migrate to the well head for collections. While most of this is done at depths most experts have argued are below water tables, there has been evidence in 6 states showing the process is fraught with documented instances of methane contaminating aquifiers and exploding drinking water wells. The issue has been made all the more controversial in the public eye by Josh Fox’s film, Gasland.

In answer to public concerns, the US EPA plans on beginning a new study in 2011.

Projections for 2011

The EIA expects near-normal summer weather conditions for 2011. The reason being that the strong El Nino effects of 2009 will have played themselves out. The National Weather Service predicts the winter for December, 2010 through February, 2011 as drier with above normal temps in Texas and the southwestern US with the bulk of country likely to experience “equal chances of normal conditions”. The same weather pattern is expected through April and into the summer with higher temperatures moving solidly into the southwest.

As a consequence, the EIA projects flat consumption through 2011 with the bulk being used by expansion in the electrical generation and industrial sectors – lending some credence to a recovering economy.

2011 Solutions for the Texas Energy Consumer

In May, the EIA reported that the average price of Texas electricity was 11.6 cents/kwh and would rise to 11.9 cents/kwh in 2011. Since May, the real average price has dropped to just over 10 cents/kwh. This is partly a factor of natural gas prices dipping lower during the fall due to moderate temperatures throughout the country.

Natural gas is cheap right now but is expected to trend upwards as the winter heating season gets underway. EIA pegs that amount at $4.76/MMbtu. For the Texas electricity consumer, this means it is still a buyer’s market for a little while. On Sept. 21, mid-afternoon prices for October delivery at the Henry Hub were $3.82/ MMbtu. Yet it is still an uncertain world. Later in the day, the price rose 9 cents to $3.91 as the National Hurricane Center announced that an Atlantic storm was potentially threatening gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Even still, it’s great time to shop around for a fixed energy plan that can save you money.
If you sign on to a two year plan now, you can lock in the current low fall 2010 rate through fall 2012. Switching now when rates are low could save you hundreds of dollars over the next two years. Why? Because you can take advantage of a long-term fixed-rate energy plan that locks in the current low energy price. While the EIA projects that prices will be flat in 2011, prices are likely to gradually rise towards the end of the year as large gas-producing companies, like Chesapeake Energy (which produces 2 Bcf/day), migrate their attention to more profitable natural gas products. The record surplus natural gas in storage will gradually be used up and not immediately replaced by producers. Another factor influencing the nature gas market will be the EPA’s report on fracking which may adversely impact future production costs in shale gas plays.

Consider the September 21 price of $3.91/MMbtu and the EIA prediction of natural gas rising to $4.76/MMbtu in 2011. That’s an increase of 21%. Right now, if your energy plan is locked in at 10.4 ¢/kWh for 1500 kWh per month, you’re paying about $156/month. But in 2011 given a possible minimum increase of 21% in natural gas, your bill could jump by that much to $188.76/month. That’s a difference of $32.76/month or $393.12 for the year.

Don’t worry. Now is exactly the right time maximize your savings for these next two years to take advantage of the current low prices. To find a long term plan that will help you save the most money, go to Bounce Energy. Bounce Energy has recently reduced pricing on many of their energy plans with rates starting as low as 8.7 cents/kwh. Check out their Tremendous 24 plan as well as their other 12 month, 9 month, and 6 month fixed rate plans.

The biggest problem with reviews is that people often only leave reviews if the service is bad.

How many people would order a new fireplace and then go on to random online review sites just to leave a positive review because it all went smoothly and the product arrived on time? Statistics show that most genuine feedback on online review sites is from customers who have had bad service and it’s the perfect outlet to vent their frustration!

HotPrice.co.uk are constantly striving to provide excellent customer service on all sales of their fireplace surrounds, gas & electric fires and wood burning stoves. HotPrice encourage their customers to leave reviews after they have received their fireplaces as they understand that it is an extremely important factor in new customers final decision as to where they decide to buy from.

Choosing the right gas fire to suit your chimney or flue is very important. A number of factors will determine the size and style of the fire you can have. As both a Gas Safe & HETAS registered company, HotPrice.co.uk can offer expert advice on choosing your new fireplace but they always recommend having a survey carried out by a registered gas engineer that has experience in fitting fireplaces prior to making a purchase.

Never go off price alone when making your decision to buy fireplaces online. Always follow the points below and you should find buying your new fire, fireplace or wood burner stress-free:

1. Is the company a official supplier of the fireplace? This is vital should anything go wrong with the gas fire within the warranty period. Customers will need to contact the company where they purchased the fire from and that company should have a direct link with the manufacturer to rectify the issue promptly.

2. Does the company have full contact details shown on their website? This is a legal requirement in the UK.

3. What is the companies return policy. Distance selling regulations allow up to 7 days from receiving your product to return it should you not be entirely satisfied.

4. What are they like on the phone? With technical items such as gas fires and wood burning stoves, customers feel reassured speaking to a sale advisor before making a purchase. Does the company encourage telephone calls or is their number hidden on a back page on the website? Whilst a snazzy website can inspire confidence in a small number of people, savvy consumers find picking up the phone and gauging a feel for the company more important.

Choose carefully and you will get a great deal on your dream fireplace. Most online companies selling fires and stoves etc do have showrooms which are great to view the products before you buy. Even if you live some distance away, it may still be worth a trip as it is always better to view the products before you buy. HotPrice.co.uk has detailed descriptions and several images of all their fireplaces but seeing it for yourself is always the best option.

Burley Appliances introduced fixed flueless gas fires to Britain in 1999 and through product innovation, design, production and extensive testing, have gained a wealth of experience and documented facts. Fixed flueless gas fires give a combination of convenience, efficiency and safety which flued appliances can never come close to matching. We have entered an era of spiralling gas prices, gas shortages and potentially cataclysmic global warming. It is short sighted to continue wasting energy at such a rate when there is an alternative product which is superior to flued fires in many ways. Some people are unaware that flueless fires are available, some cannot understand how a fire without a chimney can perform so much better than a fire with a chimney and a few have been misled by myths. The purpose of this article is to provide the trade with the facts and dispel the myths to allow people to make an educated decision.

Flueless gas fires incorporate the very latest in gas fire technology using a catalytic converter which the product of combustion gasses pass through converting all harmful gases into carbon dioxide and water vapor. The result is a gas fire appliance which is 100% efficient with no heat being lost up a chimney or flue.

Flueless gas fires can give this exceptional level of safety because they have to be designed to burn incredibly cleanly even in the worst possible scenarios and do not have a chimney to rely on to remove the combusted gasses. Chimneys and flues are fallible and can get blocked by a bird’s nest, a collapse of masonry or poor installation. With a flueless fire this can never happen.

Flueless gas fires are very popular due to their low fitting costs. A flueless gas fire can literally be fitted in minutes rather than several hours. It is an extremely simple and problem free operation provided the CORGI or Gas Safe registered fitter follows the installation instructions. If it is to go in an open chimney, then the flue must be blocked and the fire just needs connecting and testing, and a 100cm2 air vent is required in the room where the flueless gas fire is installed. The vent is primarily to maintain the correct level of oxygen in the room. With all flueless gas fires there is a minimum room size required depending on the model of gas fire you choose.

A popular myth that Hotprice often gets asked is “will my house be affected by condensation”? This is not the case. Most fires, including flueless gas fires, should be used as a secondary source of heat, supplementing your central heating. The background temperature prevents most of the moisture from condensing and allows it to be dispersed via normal air movement. You may have some condensation on colder surfaces such as single glazed windows. On high the Environ flueless gas fire emits approximately 0.25 litres of water vapour per hour.

There are a large number of flueless gas fires designs available. Hotprice.co.uk offer the full Burley fires range including the Environ inset flueless gas fire that is designed to be installed within a fireplace. Image and Acumen models which offer a more contemporary look as they are wall mounted designs.

To view the full Burley range including flueless gas fires, electric fires and fireplace suites visit www.hotprice.co.uk