Keeping homes warm and water hot relies on the smooth operation of gas appliances. Behind the scenes, ensuring their safety and efficiency, requires specialised skills. Here's where the CPA1 qualification comes in.
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Have you ever started your journey to becoming a qualified electrician, gas engineer, or plumber but life got in the way? Perhaps you started your NVQ training but had to put it on hold due to unforeseen circumstances. If this is the case for you, Access Training is here to help you get back on track and achieve your qualifications – even if you started your journey elsewhere.
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Plumbers and heating engineers have many similar skills, but the main difference is the work they do. Plumbers usually deal with water systems and drainage, while plumbers oftern work on heating systems and boilers.
Domestic plumbers, heating engineers, and gas engineers are skilled tradespeople who play vital roles in keeping our homes safe and functional, but how do you know who to call when your appliances break down? We've put together this blog to highlight each role's area of expertise and day-to-day responsibilities so that you can be sure you call the right person for the job. Keep reading to learn more.
The Difference Between Plumbers and Heating Engineers
What is a plumber?
Plumbers primarily deal with water systems and drainage in homes.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing and repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines, and other water-using appliances
- Working on water pipes and drainage systems
- Fixing leaks and blockages in pipes, drains, toilets, and faucets
- Maintaining hot water systems, including boilers, water heaters, and unvented cylinders.
- Installing and repairing water softeners and filtration systems
Interested in training as a plumber? Read our blog on How To Become a Plumber in the UK.
What is a heating engineer?
Heating engineers primarily deal with heating systems and boilers in homes. This does not include working with gas. A heating engineer would need to qualify to become Gas Safe Registered in order to do this.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing and repairing boilers, radiators, thermostats, and other heating system components
- Servicing and maintaining boilers and heating systems
- Diagnosing and fixing heating system problems
- Providing advice on energy efficiency and system upgrades
Are you interested in training as a heating engineer? Check out our blog "What Is a Heating Engineer" for more information.
The Difference Between Plumbers and Gas Engineers
What is a gas engineer?
Gas engineers work solely with gas and gas appliances. A gas engineer must be Gas Safe Registered.
Responsibilities include:
- Installing, servicing, and repairing gas cookers, fires, and other gas appliances
- Perform routine safety inspections
- Issue gas safety certificates
If you want to learn more about the diverse role of a gas engineer and how you can train to be one, check out our blog: What Does A Gas Engineer Do?
Overlapping Skills
While their primary areas of expertise differ, domestic plumbers, heating engineers, and gas engineers often possess overlapping skills and may be able to handle some tasks outside their core focus. For example, some plumbers are Gas Safe registered, allowing them to work on boilers and gas appliances. Similarly, some heating engineers may have experience with basic plumbing tasks like fixing leaky faucets.
When to Call a Plumber vs. Heating Engineer vs. Gas Engineer
Call a plumber for:
- Leaky pipes, faucets, or appliances
- Clogged drains or toilets
- Problems with hot water systems (except boilers)
Call a heating engineer for:
- Faulty radiators or thermostats
- Problems with the central heating system
Call a gas engineer for:
- Gas appliance issues, e.g., boiler breakdowns or servicing
- Gas meter issues
It's always best to check the specific qualifications and areas of expertise of any tradesperson you hire to ensure they are the right person for the job. If you are looking to become one of these skilled tradespeople yourself, take a look at the wide range of courses we offer here at Access Training.
In the UK, it is illegal to work on gas appliances unless you are Gas Safe registered. This is to ensure the safety of the public. In this blog, we explain how Access Training can help you join the Gas Safe register and become Gas Safe registered!
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If you're thinking of switching careers, it's helpful to imagine what your day-to-day tasks may look like. To help you get started, we've put together an example of what a day in the life of a gas engineer might look like.
No two working days are ever the same in the life of a gas engineer, but through our years of expertise, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect. So, without further ado, welcome to a day in the life of a gas engineer!
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An apprenticeship is a common pathway for someone looking to start a trade career. Apprenticeships are great for those with trade skills, because students are able to get hands-on experience as they learn.
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If you require some gas work done in your property, it is always recommended to acquire a Gas Safe registered engineer for the job. This blog will tell you all about the Gas Safe register, and how to find a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out work in your property.
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With over 23 million gas boilers in use across the UK, there are just as many gas engineers working hard to keep these boilers maintained. When you become a gas engineer, you enter into an incredibly exciting industry with lots of opportunity for career progression.
If you're looking to progress your gas engineering career, take a look at the our career progression opportunities for gas engineers and see if anything takes your fancy!
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