Top Tips To Help Get Your Central Heating Ready For Winter
As gas experts one of the main questions we get asked on a yearly basis is how to get your boiler ready for winter, so we can help you prevent unwanted breakages with your central heating and boiler during the colder months. Atlas Gas is going to share with you the top six tips to help prepare your boiler for autumn and winter.
Boiler Services
It's a legal requirement in rental properties to have your boiler serviced every years, and for homeowners, it's recommended they do this yearly as well. There are many benefits to servicing your boiler such as:
For the safety of anyone entering your premises.
Prolong the life of your boiler
Save money on bills and repairs
To keep in compliance with insurance and guarantees
If you are a landlord it is a legal requirement
The perfect time to have your boiler serviced is usually around autumn to avoid any unwanted inconvenience and maintenance repairs in the colder months simply because your boiler will be clean and any damages or repairs can be spotted, ensuring a warm cozy home during the gloomy winter months.
Flushing Your Systems
A flush of your system will ensure any unwanted limescale, sludge and iron oxide is removed from the system. Any unwanted dirt that has accumulated in your central heating system can cause huge problems and the efficiency may become compromised. One of the most common problems is your system will not heat up as well as it should and you may encounter the use of more fuel.
Sludge can also block up your system and cause cold spots meaning your system will need to work harder meaning longer waiting times when it comes to heating your rooms. Dirty water is also a main cause when it comes to breakdowns.
Bleed Your Radiators
When it comes to bleeding your radiators always make sure they are turned on when you check them by checking if the top of the radiator is cooler than the bottom. If this is the case it simply means there is air trapped inside the radiators and this needs to be released, you will be able to do this by using a radiator key at the top of your radiator.
Insulated water pipes
Like most winters in the UK the temperature can drop massively and it’s easy for your pipes to become frozen if they are not insulated properly, meaning there will be no water being released into your property from the external pipework, a complete freeze will mean the flow will be reduced completely this could cause damage or breakage. So you must keep the water in your pipes flowing at all times. It's absolutely essential, once it’s getting cold outside make sure your pipes are insulated so the water does not freeze.
Check The Position of the thermostat
The position of your boiler’s thermostat is just as important as anything else as the wrong position could make your system kick in when it doesn’t need to, it’s important thermostats are installed away from windows and drafts so the temperature is measured according to each room.