Most people forget about their boilers during the summer months. Making sure your boiler is ready for the colder months is important. Here are some tips to care for your boiler and make it ready for the winter months.
1. Test everything in autumn
There is nothing worse than your boiler malfunctioning during a morning shower in the colder months. Make sure you have a quick check-up now to avoid any surprises during the winter.
2. Get it serviced
Preventive maintenance helps cut down the risk of leaks, fires, repairs, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Annual checkups help keep your boiler in warranty. Hence, you need to get the boiler serviced to have peace of mind. Many home plans provide one service a year as an inclusive part of the package – see here for details.
3. Get a power flush
A power flush helps cleanse the central heating system with chemicals and special equipment to remove scale, iron oxide, and sludge. A power flush also helps increase the energy efficiency of the system and save money in the long run.
4. Check and bleed your radiators
Turn the heating of the boiler on full scale to see how the radiators are doing. If the radiators are cold at the top and hot at the bottom, it means the radiators require bleeding to get the air bubbles out. Here is how to bleed the radiators:
. Place a bowl beneath the valve of the radiator to check for any leaks
. Turn the valve anticlockwise using the radiator key
. Shut off the valve once the radiator stops hissing and the water begins to run
. It helps make your home warmer and save money on energy
5. Check your pipes
The pipes can easily freeze when they are cold. Freezing can break the pipes and the boiler as a result. Insulate the pipes properly to avoid this problem. It helps keep the water flowing when the temperature starts to dip. You can shop for cheap ready-made pipe lagging from a good DIY shop in the area.
6. Check your thermostat
When the thermostat is not in the correct place, the central heating system can kick in at the wrong time thereby wasting energy and increasing your utility bills. The thermostat should be positioned in a place away from draughts & windows to accurately gauge the room temperature.
7. Gas safety checks & carbon monoxide alarm
Gas leaks are very hard to detect. Make sure you get the boiler serviced by a Gas Safe Registered technician at least once a year to be on the safe side. Install a carbon monoxide alarm in order to detect gas leakages since exposure to carbon monoxide can be lethal.
8. Compare energy deals
To avoid being overcharged, you need to compare energy deals. That way you don’t have to worry about sky-high bills during the winter months to keep your home warmer. A warmer home reduces the chances of damp and damage and keeps your entire family healthier during the colder months.
