Preparing your boiler for winter

Winter’s arrival means we’re all counting on our boilers to keep us warm and cosy as temperatures start to dip. To make sure our central heating systems don’t let us down when we need them the most, it’s really important to keep them in the best condition possible. 

So, what are the most important jobs we can do to make sure our boilers keep us going through the winter months? We’ve prepared this handy blog to help you get your central heating system ready for winter and stay warm, no matter what the weather’s like outside.

Have Your Boiler Serviced Every Year

An annual service is really important to ensure a warm home and dependable central heating system 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, visiting our Contact Us page, or calling 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 they’re all in good working order. Even if everything seems to be running as it should, an annual service is also usually required to maintain your boiler’s warranty.

Insulate Your Pipes

During the winter months, any standing water that’s been produced during the condensing process can cause problems — your boiler can actually stop working if its external condensate pipe freezes. Pipe insulation and keeping the heating at a consistently low temperature is the best way to avoid this, but if the pipe does freeze, you can defrost it by pouring tepid water over it. 

You can watch a video on how to defrost a frozen condensate pipe on our YouTube channel.

Check Your Boiler’s Pressure

If your boiler loses pressure, it can have a big impact on its efficiency. Thankfully, topping up your boiler’s pressure is quick and simple. For more information, refer to the manufacturer’s installation guide or watch our useful video on how to top up your boiler’s pressure. If the pressure in your system 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 your boiler’s pressure gauge.

Bleed Your Radiators

Bleeding your radiators will help to ensure that your central heating operates efficiently. Radiators which are colder towards the bottom indicate there is trapped air in the appliance, reducing the output of your central heating system. For more information, take a look at this video we put together that shows how to bleed your radiator.

Fit a System Filter to Your Boiler

To help your boiler stay healthy for longer, there are several accessories you can use to keep your central heating system run more efficiently. Magnetic system filters are great tools for optimising your boiler’s efficiency, which means better performance and cheaper utility bills. These handy appliances are also an effective way to remove debris and impurities from the water running through your central heating system.

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 the cold weather really sets in. This will allow you to check your system is running correctly and safely.

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.

Bookmark our Ideal Heating blog for more boiler-related advice, expert tips and to stay up to date with the latest posts.

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