Prevent a breakdown in your home

We didn’t get a white Christmas in 2019 but that doesn’t mean the snow - along with the freezing cold - won’t be making a return soon.

The UK is always more likely to see snow in January and February and if you don’t want to be left out in the cold, then follow these useful tips to keep your boiler in tip-top condition.

Ensuring your boiler is working to perfection will save you money on energy bills as your heating consumption is equivalent to around 25% of your annual energy consumption.

Here are SIX great boiler maintenance tips:

1. This may seem the most obvious one but you’d be surprised by the number of people that neglect to have their boiler serviced. The regulation is clear and indicates that if you have a boiler at home, you should have it serviced at least once every two years. You will be left to foot a huge bill - as well as freeze - if you ignore a boiler service.
2. A boiler will always work better if it’s kept clean so checking for soot is a good way to go. Too much soot means bad combustion. You can also check joints to make sure no unwanted air is creeping in. Unwanted air reduces a boiler’s efficiency.
3. Ensure the air grilles are not blocked. Again, a simple clean will keep them unobstructed.. You can also make sure all the boiler connections are properly plugged in - whether it’s the electrical connection, gas or water pipes.
   

   You should have your boiler serviced at least once every two years.
4. The standard operating pressure for a boiler should be between 1.2 and 1.5 bars so make sure the pressure is correct. You can check this by switching it on, waiting a couple of minutes and then checking that it’s within the correct parameters. If you’re going to be away for a while, close off the main gas service shutoff valve.
5. Spending on heating can increase by up to 7 per cent for each degree about the ambient so the right temperature control is also so important. The best temperature for a home is 18’C if you’re going to be out of the house for a few hours or asleep. During the days when you’re moving about at home, it’s best to keep the house at 21’C. Dressing properly is actually very important. If you dress warm, you can spend winter at home at a standard temperature of 20’C.
6. It’s always an idea to purge or bleed radiators around your home to release air that may accumulate inside of them. Trapped air prevents water from heating your whole radiator, creating cold spots. You can do this by using a screwdriver to and twisting the purging valve little by little.
   

   Being one of the most expensive purchases you'll make, it's likely that you'll want to avoid replacing your boiler at all costs.