Preparing your boiler for winter: Essential maintenance tips

With winter almost upon the UK, there has never been a better time to make sure your boiler is working properly. Being stuck in the cold weather with no heating is a nightmare as well as being expensive.

Here are some tips to help you keep your boiler working properly and efficiently for winter.

Schedule a professional service

Booking in a professional boiler service before winter hits is essential. Having a professional look over your boiler, pipes and heating system can identify any issues that may cause a breakdown. Any small adjustments can be made at the appointment, prolonging your heating system’s lifespan. If you own a high-quality boiler such as a Worcester Bosch boiler, a service can help to maintain its life, meaning you will have good heating for a long time.

Annual services are recommended for optimal efficiency and safety. You could see if you can book in for the next one early in the year, meaning you won’t be fighting for appointments during the busy season.

Bleed your radiators

Your radiators help to push heat around the room and if they have air trapped then there is less heat making its way around the system. If this happens, you will need to remove the air by bleeding your radiators.

One of the easiest ways to tell if there is air trapped is to feel the radiators when they are on. Trapped air will cause cold spots along the top of the radiator.

Use a radiator key or flathead screwdriver to slowly and carefully release the pressure in the affected radiators. Listen for the hissing noise which is the air escaping. Once water starts coming out, close the radiator valve again – it can be sudden, so make sure you have a towel or container at the ready!

Check your boiler pressure

Keeping your boiler at the correct pressure is good for efficient heating and preventing damage to your system. Checking the pressure is really simple. All you need to do is locate the pressure gauge on your boiler and make sure the arrow is in the correct zone.

Most boilers have a colour-coded segment which indicates that it is safe. Usually, this is numbered 0 to 4 with red and green sections. Normal pressure can range between 1 and 2.5 but be sure to check your boiler’s manual if you aren’t sure.

Insulate pipes and look for leaks

Exposed pipes lose a lot of heat, making your system slightly less efficient and costing you more in energy bills. The best way to combat this is to insulate them, especially in unheated places. Not only does this trap the heat in but it also prevents freezing which can lead to costly repairs.

Polyethylene foam insulation is a common choice as it is cheap and easy to install. All you need to do is pop the tubes on your pipes once cut to size and secure them. Whilst you are insulating your pipes, take notice of any leaks or dripping. If you notice any, be sure to contact a professional for their opinion.