Preparing Your Boiler For Winter

Our handy blog helps you prepare your boiler for winter and get the most out of your central heating system.

Have Your Boiler Serviced

An annual service is important to ensure proper boiler function and a warm home during the winter months. If you haven’t had your boiler serviced yet this year you can book an appointment using the Find an Installer section of our website or call our customer services team on 01482 498660.

During a boiler service, your engineer will clean all the parts and components in your boiler and check that they are all in good working order. An annual service is also usually required to maintain your boiler’s warranty.

Insulate Your Pipes

During the winter months, standing water in pipework can freeze. If your boiler’s external condensate pipe freezes it can cause your boiler to stop working. Pipe insulation and keeping the heating constantly at a low temperature as a minimum is the best way to avoid this but if it does freeze, you can defrost it by pouring tepid water over it. You can watch how to defrost a frozen condensate pipe.

Check Your Pressure

If your boiler loses pressure, it can impact its efficiency. Topping up your boiler is quick and simple. You can refer to the manufacturer’s installation guide or watch our useful video below. If the pressure is too high, you may need to speak to a Gas Safe registered engineer. The pressure should typically be between 1 and 1.5 bar on the pressure gauge.

Bleed Your Radiators

Bleeding your radiators will ensure that your central heating operates efficiently. Radiators which have colder parts towards the bottom indicate trapped air, reducing the output of your central heating system. You can watch how to bleed your radiators here.

Be Prepared In The Run Up To Winter

It’s a good idea to test your boiler and central heating system properly by running it for a few hours one evening before cold weather sets in. This will allow you to check your system is running correctly and ensure gas safety.

Keeping your boiler healthy, particularly over the winter, will help keep your home safe and warm. Regular maintenance will also make for a more cost effective heating system as your boiler will be running more efficiently.

For help in finding a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area, click here.