What do heating engineers do and how to become one

Heating engineers primarily work on the heating of a specific building or structure. Their role involves maintaining and installing pipe work, to assessing the various fixtures and fittings that are used to heat up a variety of buildings. These include residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Heating engineers or plumbers?

People often get heating engineers and plumbers confused as their area of work is very similar. However, heating engineers don’t venture into any other area other than heating. They typically work on boiler servicing, as well as radiators, thermostats and air source heat pump installation.

Plumbers are involved with water-based appliances and fixtures, including taps, toilets, sinks and dishwashers. From clearing blockages and fixing water leaks, to installing water-based appliances and maintaining drainage and sewage systems – plumbers are your go-to for these particular types of issue.

If there’s a problem with your heating system or you’d like to book a boiler service or repair, the best tradesman to contact is a heating engineer.

Gas Safe Registered

It is required by law that heating engineers are Gas Safe Registered. You can always check if a company is registered by looking on their website, as a certification is usually displayed. Or, you can visit the Gas Safe Register website and look up the company’s name.

It’s important to ensure that your heating engineer has the relevant skills and expertise to perform work on your boiler or other heating systems. If they don’t appear to be Gas Safe Registered, ask them for proof of certification.

Please note that plumbers can hold the same Gas Safe Registered certification as heating engineers, but it doesn’t mean they are qualified to work on gas boilers.

When to call a heating engineer

Heating engineers are best positioned to help with repairs, replacements, services and emergencies that involve your central heating systems. You would usually contact a heating engineer for the following:

• Central heating systems
• Radiators
• Thermostats
• Hot water cylinders
• Piping and fixtures

How to become a heating engineer

Perhaps you’re interested in becoming a heating engineer yourself. The average salary is more than £37,500 a year, with the opportunity to increase this if you have a large clientele.

To become a heating engineer, many people start as an apprentice or take up a college course to receive the appropriate qualifications. Apprenticeships are a great way to get on-the-job training and earn an income whilst doing so.

You’ll be introduced to gas safety and engineering, combining both theory and practical work as you train to become qualified in the trade. There are various level 2 certificates or diploma’s you can apply for, and there are plenty of online resources to help you get started.