Cold weather puts more demand on boilers, radiators and pipework. A few simple checks before winter can reduce the chance of being left without heating when you need it most.
Here are some practical things ReliaHeat recommends checking as temperatures start to fall.
Cold weather puts more demand on boilers, radiators and pipework. A few simple checks before winter can reduce the chance of being left without heating when you need it most.
Here are some practical things ReliaHeat recommends checking as temperatures start to fall.
Don’t wait until the first freezing weekend to find out your boiler has a problem.
Turn the heating on before winter properly arrives and check that the boiler starts normally, the radiators warm up and there are no unusual noises, leaks or fault codes.
If the boiler hasn’t been serviced for some time, arranging a service before the colder months can also identify problems before the system is working at full demand.
Walk around the house once the heating has been running for a while.
A radiator that is cold at the top may contain trapped air and need bleeding. Cold areas elsewhere can indicate a circulation or system issue that needs further investigation.
Don’t repeatedly bleed radiators if the system pressure keeps dropping — that may point to another problem.
Pipework in lofts, garages, cupboards and other colder parts of the property can be more vulnerable during freezing weather.
Check that exposed pipework is adequately insulated and avoid letting particularly cold parts of the home become unnecessarily cold for long periods.
If you are going away during winter, think about how the property and heating system will be protected while it is empty.
Turning the thermostat as high as possible will not necessarily heat the house faster.
Use your programmer or thermostat to heat the home when it is needed and check that thermostatic radiator valves are operating properly.
If your heating controls are difficult to understand or no longer working correctly, updating them may make the system easier to manage.
Before calling an engineer, check:
If the boiler still won’t operate, contact ReliaHeat and tell us the make, model and fault code where possible.
Arrange professional help if you notice repeated boiler faults, water leaking from the heating system, pressure continually dropping, radiators that will not heat properly or a boiler that regularly shuts itself down.
Getting a recurring problem checked is usually better than continually resetting the boiler and hoping it goes away.
A small change can occur as the system heats and cools, but pressure that repeatedly falls may indicate a leak or another system problem that should be investigated.
That depends on the property, heating system and weather conditions. During very cold weather, allowing a property to become extremely cold can increase the risk of frozen pipework.
Air trapped inside a radiator can cause the top to remain cold. Bleeding may help, although recurring problems should be investigated.
Make a note of the code and check the manufacturer’s user instructions. If the fault does not clear or keeps returning, arrange for the boiler to be checked.
Whether your boiler needs servicing, your heating isn’t working properly or you’ve developed a fault during colder weather, contact ReliaHeat for advice and current appointment availability.
