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What is the Difference Between a Gas Engineer and a Plumber?

If you require a new gas heating system or to fit a new gas appliance in your home, you need to ensure that you hire the right person. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can tell whether an engineer is qualified to work on your system. First, you should check their gas-safe ID number. By visiting the gas-safe website, you’ll be able to verify that they are qualified.

 

When do you need a Gas Engineer

When do you need a Gas Engineer?

If you’re looking for a professional to fix your home’s heating system or fit a gas appliance, you will want to hire a qualified gas engineer instead of a plumber. Although they perform similar tasks, they have different specialisations. Some gas engineers have training in gas central heating systems and plumbing, while others have extensive experience in just one area. Here are some things to consider when hiring a gas engineer: The type of job they do, the experience level required, and the level of training.

A gas engineer must have a Gas Safe license to work on any gas boiler or gas appliance. They must also be Gas Safe registered, which is important because the gas industry is highly regulated. Plumbing engineers also have the advantage of using specialised software to navigate plumbing systems.

Gas engineers and plumbers may charge for emergency call-outs, hourly labour, and parts. Those fees vary depending on how much work the serviceman does, the skill level required, and the time it takes. 

 

Plumber Vs Gas Safe Engineer

There are pros and cons to both options. While a plumber may be able to install a boiler in your home, a gas engineer is a safest and most responsible option. Gas services are heavily regulated for a good reason. A Gas engineer may be slightly more expensive per hour, but they should be gas-safe registered. You can be confident they will do the job right and will not take any risks to get the job done quicker, as there are regulated by the Gas safe organisation and can be stripped of their qualifications and held accountable for their work.

 

When Do You Need a Plumber

A plumber is a qualified professional who designs and fits plumbing systems. Plumbers have been around since Roman times, and the word ‘plumber’ comes from the Latin word ‘plumbum’, which means lead. However, most modern plumbing pipes are made from plastic. While no formal qualifications are required to become a plumber, fully qualified plumbers must have an NVQ level 2 or 3 plumbing qualification. 

There are also options for a plumber to specialise in a specific area of plumbing. While plumbers and gas heating and engineers are two separate trades, plumbers and gas engineers do overlap in some areas. Gas engineers need formal qualifications and must be Gas Safe registered. The job responsibilities of a plumber are more varied than those of a gas engineer. But some plumbers have training and experience in both trades.

A plumber specialises in the heating and plumbing systems of a home. They can fit thermostatic radiator valves, change radiators, and install towel rails. They can also work on sewage and irrigation systems. However, a plumber is not necessarily qualified to work on a gas boiler.

While the Gas Safe Register does not regulate plumbing, it is still essential for your home. Blocked drainage can lead to a smelly bathroom or flooding, and corroded pipes must be repaired and replaced. In addition, plumbers install bathrooms, sewerage, drainage systems, bathtubs, and bathroom accessories. In short, a plumber’s job is to make your home comfortable and functional.

 

Gas fitters

Gas fitters

A gas engineer is a qualified professional who can install and repair gas-fired heating systems. They must be registered with the Gas Safe register. If the engineer does not have a Gas Safe number, you should avoid using them. You can find out if a gas engineer is registered by checking the Gas Safe register website.

A gas engineer and a plumber are two distinct professionals. While plumbing is fundamental, a gas engineer has specialised training in gas appliances. This includes completing accredited training, completing an on-site portfolio of gas work, and holding a Gas Safe licence. However, some plumbers have plumbing experience but need more qualifications to carry out gas work.

As the public expects a gas engineer to be a plumber, they are often mistaken as being the same. While some gas engineers work exclusively in the plumbing industry, most gas engineers are also plumbers. Even though they have similar skill sets, a gas engineer cannot fit only the gas side of a boiler.

 

Safehouse services Gas Safe Gas Engineers and Plumbers

SafeHouse services provide Gas Safe Qualified Gas Engineers and Qualified Plumbers depending on our client’s needs. If it is an entirely new central heating system installed. We will send a gas engineer to work with the plumbers. The plumbers will do all the water side of the system, and the gas engineers will carry out all boiler and gas work.

Giving our clients the best of both worlds. Keeping cost at a minimum and giving you peace of mind that the central heating system and the gas boiler have been fitted to the Gas Safe standards and signed off by a Gas Safe engineer.

 

Gas Engineer Qualifications

Gas Engineer Qualifications

If you’ve ever considered a career in the plumbing and gas industry, you’ll need several essential qualifications to succeed. These include excellent practical skills, excellent time management, and a good sense of customer service. Gas engineers must also have excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

Several different certifications are available in the plumbing and gas industry. If you need these qualifications, you can take Gas Assessment Training (ACS) courses to help you get on the register. If you’re interested in a career in this field, you’ll need to be Gas Safe registered and ACS-qualified.

A gas engineer will work on boilers, gas cookers, and gas fires. They’ll also work on gas meters. Each type of gas appliance has its certification requirements. Some gas engineers specialise in a kind of appliance, while others are experts in all of them. A plumber can also do the same. You can hire a plumber to diagnose a problem, but a gas engineer is more likely to specialise in a specific appliance. A plumber is more likely to focus on a particular issue.

Applicants must also have a ten-hour course in construction safety. These courses are essential to successfully applying for the license. In addition, applicants must have a minimum of 1,000 clock hours of general construction site experience under the supervision of an individual holding a non-apprentice-level construction-related professional license. Furthermore, a plumber must be registered under an approved drug-and-alcohol plan.

 

Choosing between a gas engineer and a plumber

Choosing between a gas engineer and a plumber

There are subtle differences between a gas engineer and a plumber; choosing the right one for your home will depend on your specific needs. Both plumbers and gas engineers can handle most of the same types of problems, but some jobs are better suited for plumbers.

One of the significant differences is that plumbers may not be Gas Safe registered. On the other hand, gas engineers need a formal qualification and have been trained to work with gas appliances.

However, they can be cheaper if they use less than premium materials or are less experienced. In either case, it is best to use a qualified professional to ensure the safety of your home.

When it comes to gas safety, it is best to use a registered engineer. You can look for the Gas Safe Register, which certifies most gas engineers. 

When hiring a plumber for gas central heating work, you should insist on this. If you’re unsure whether your plumber is Gas Safe registered, look elsewhere for a plumber.

Besides experience, a good gas engineer should be able to explain what they’re doing without using jargon. This is important because Gas can be a mystery to most people. 

If you require a Gas Safe Qualified Gas engineer or a plumber, don’t hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to help.