There a few simple things that you can do to give yourself the best chance of a hassle-free winter with your boiler so here’s our quick check on things to do:
1. Service Your Boiler
Having an annual boiler service is important to make sure your boiler is working as expected. Servicing your boiler regularly on an annual basis will help to avoid boiler breakdowns in the colder months and keep it operating safely and efficiently. Always make sure that you choose a Gas Safe registered heating engineer who will check the components of your boiler for any wear and tear. If you have any sort of home emergency policy then make sure your engineer gives you a certificate confirming that your service is up to date.
2. Check Your Boiler Pressure
The pressure of your boiler can change over time which may impact its efficiency. One of the most common reasons for loss of heat is due to the boiler pressure dropping. Depending on the make and model of your boiler there is usually a pressure gauge with a green area usually between 1 and 1.5 bar. Your boiler pressure should be within this zone. If the pressure of your boiler is dropping then it is likely there is a reduced supply of hot water flowing around your system. To prevent this you should regularly check your boiler pressure and if the pressure is too high you need to bleed your radiators or if the pressure is too low you will need to use the filling loop. However, if the boiler pressure is constantly changing, we recommend you speak to a Gas Safe registered heating engineer.
3. Bleed Your Radiators
It is important before winter arrives that you switch on your boiler and check your radiators. You will quickly know if you need to do this; just turn your heating on and if you feel cold spots on your radiators then they probably have air in them in places where water should be which means they are not operating as efficiently as they should be. Bleeding your radiators will release the trapped air allowing the hot water to circulate freely to effectively heat your home. You will either need a radiator key or a flat head screw driver and it is a simple process- just turn the valve and if water comes out then all is good but if you get air whistling out, leave the valve open until that ceases and then tighten again.
