TWO heating firms have joined forces to launch a new app.

Flame Heating Spares is preparing to launch the technology alongside heating engineers 0800 Repair Gas.

Bosses say the app will offer support to heating engineers when installing boilers and heating equipment by providing a service which performs a diagnostic on any boiler and identifies the parts required.

Gateshead-based Flame Heating Spares has previously worked with 0800 Repair Gas, based in Houghton-le-Spring, in 2015, supplying its engineers with parts and equipment.

John Savage, managing director of Flame Heating Spares, said the app will be a “game changer” in the industry, adding the companies will soon be in a position to roll it out to customers.

“I have worked with 0800 Repair Gas for many years and they are the ideal firm to carry out the testing of the app, due to their high volume of jobs that its engineers carry out each week.

“Downtime is a major issue within the Heating & Plumbing trade, which I’m sure the team at 0800 Repair Gas are more than aware of, so the app aims to combat this and allow installers to complete as many jobs as possible, efficiently and effectively.

“It is an exciting time for the company and things are heating up in anticipation of our latest launch” he added.

The app will be available for free on Android and Apple devices for all Flame customers, whilst the software has the capability to check stock levels at each of Flame’s six branches.

Phil Pallister, managing director of 0800 Repair Gas, added: “It’s great to be collaborating with Flame again and to assist John with a project of this importance, which really does have the potential to shape the industry.

“We have enjoyed a positive relationship with Flame and our engineers have benefited from our current partnership, so hopefully this will continue as we carry out the testing of the app.”

Flame Heating Spares was established in 2011 by Mr Savage, and now had bases in Gateshead, Durham, South Shields, Sunderland, Stockton and Ashington in Northumberland.