8 tips to get your boiler winter ready

Boiler engineer with customer

It’s easy to forget about your boiler in the summer months, but don’t get caught out waiting to see if there are any problems.

Here are a few handy tips to make sure you’re ready for the colder months ahead:

1. Test everything in autumn

There’s nothing worse than your boiler packing up in the middle of a morning shower. Have a quick check up now to avoid any nasty surprises in the winter months.

2. Get it serviced

Getting your boiler serviced will cut down the risk of leaks, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and repairs. Most systems require an annual check to keep them in warranty, so get it serviced to put your mind at ease.

3. Get a power flush

A power flush is when your central heating system is cleansed by special equipment and chemicals to remove scale, sludge and iron oxide. Getting a power flush increases the energy efficiency of your system which will help you save money on your energy bills.

4. Check and bleed your radiators

To test your radiators, turn your heating on full whack to see how they’re doing. If they’re hot at the bottom and cold at the top, it means they need bleeding to get the air bubbles out. To do this:

  1. First put a towel or bowl beneath the valve on the radiator to catch any leaks.
  2. Turn your value anticlockwise using a radiator key.
  3. Shut the valve when the radiator stops hissing and water begins to run.

Doing this will make your home warmer and save you money on bills.

5. Check your pipes

It’s easy for your pipes to freeze up when it’s cold, this can break both the pipes and your boiler. You can avoid this problem by insulating your pipes properly, this will keep the water flowing when the temperature starts to dip. You can get ready-made pipe lagging cheaply from all good DIY shops.

6. Check your thermostat

If your thermostat isn’t in the correct place it could make your central heating kick in at the wrong time, wasting energy and increasing your bills. Make sure they’re positioned in a place away from draughts and windows so they can accurately gage the temperature in the room.

7. Gas safety checks and carbon monoxide alarms

Gas leaks can be hard to detect. To be safe, get your boiler serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer once a year. And make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm installed to detect any leakages, as exposure can be lethal.

8. Compare energy deals

We advise that you shop around for an energy deal that is right for you to make sure you’re not being overcharged. This way you can keep you home warmer without the fear of sky high bills in the winter months. A warmer home will keep you healthier and reduce the chances of damp and damage.

If you’re a Bristol resident, be sure to get in touch with our partners at Gregor heating for all things boiler related. We have some great partner packages that could help you save money on your energy bills or your boiler coverage, so don’t miss out.

Get your no obligation, personalised quote.

Or call us free on
0808 189 4072