Five things to check before turning the heating on

Winter is here and most of us will now be having the usual household debate between donning another jumper, or finally giving in and popping the heating on. But if your boiler has been hibernating through the summer months, it might not be too happy at the prospect of working the winter shift.

So to make sure that your boiler works as hard as it should, here’s 5 things to check before turning on your central heating:

1. Has the boiler been serviced?

One of the biggest contributors to your energy bills is your central heating, so making sure it’s in tip top shape for Winter is a must! Over 78% of boiler breakdowns happen in August and winter, which is why it’s best to get your boiler serviced during the summer. That way if anything does crop up, you have enough time to get it sorted and ready for when you need it.

But don’t worry, if you haven’t yet had your boiler serviced this year, there’s still time. Tradesmen can service your boiler all year round – it may just be a little easier to book someone when the weather is fairer!

2. Bleeding radiators and installing thermostatic valves

Unless you have big family at home, then the chances of you needing to heat all the rooms in your house to the same temperature are pretty slim. Did you know that you can avoid wasting money on heating up the spare room (that seems to have become an extended wardrobe) by installing thermostatic valves on your radiators? It’s a great place to start.

You can pick up thermostatic valves from most DIY stores, so you can then set the rooms you don’t use much to a lower temperature, easing the workload on your boiler and saving some of your hard earned cash!

It’s also a great idea to bleed your radiators (watch our video guide) before firing up your central heating to ensure they’re all working as efficiently as they can (and your boiler doesn’t have to work as hard to heat up your home).

3. Take care of those draughts!

It’s not just about the workings of your central heating that you should check, but also your house! There’s no point in making your heating system operate as efficiently as possible, if you’re going to lose all that warmth to a draught!

Draught proofing your home is a relatively inexpensive job which anyone can do, and not only does it save you energy and money, but also reduces the amount of work your boiler needs to do, to keep your home nice and toasty – not to mention it will help keep your boiler healthier for longer.

But where to start? Here’s a few common places to check:

• Windows – Especially older or wooden framed windows. It’s also worth considering closing your curtains to help keep the heat in
• Loft hatches – Heat rises, so you could be losing a lot of your heat to your loft (make sure it’s fully insulated too!)
• Old extractor fans – Extractor fans are great for reducing humidity in your home and circulating air. But if you have an old one that you don’t use, it’s letting out all that lovely warmth!
• Cracks in walls – It’s worth checking around your home for cracks in exterior walls as these could also be letting heat out – don’t forget to check your skirting boards too!

Further reading: Check out our handy guide for more ideas on how to draught proof your home.

4. Timers and thermostats

Heating your home when you’re not there is not only a waste of time and money but also puts unnecessary strain on your central heating system. So while you’re doing your checks, it’s worth remembering to make sure your timer and thermostat are also working properly. This includes checking the time is set correctly as well as the temperature – if it’s set too low then your heating will not switch on.

If you don’t have a set routine, then it might be worth investing in a Smart Thermostat. One of these little devices will allow you to alter your heating from your phone – ensuring that your home is perfectly toasty, ready for when you get back (even if you decided to pop to the shops on your way home from work). Understanding what Smart Thermostats are, and why it could be good for your home can seem a little daunting, but there are plenty of benefits of having a Smart Thermostat – plus, they’re very straightforward to install!

5. Check for faults

Diagnosing central heating problems can be tricky, but a few simple checks before switching on your central heating can help resolve potential boiler breakdowns.

Things to look out for:

• Check that the pilot light is lit properly and doesn’t keep going out
• Are there any unusual or loud noises?
• Is your boiler or any of your radiators leaking?
• Are all the electrics on the boiler and thermostats working properly?

Enjoy quick and reliable boiler repairs with HomeServe

If you’re unsure about any problems with your boiler, you should call a qualified engineer to fix it.

Carrying out these checks will help make sure that your boiler can do its job throughout the chilly seasons – so you can carry on with your day, safe in the knowledge that when you get home, it will be nice and warm!