With the spell of cold and wet weather that has recently hit the UK, many people will be switching on their boilers for the first time in several months and beginning preparations for winter. 

To make sure you’re ready we have devised a checklist and some troubleshooting assistance for the harsh months ahead.

• Check your radiators are working properly

o If your radiators have cold spots, this means you have air in the system so you will need to bleed them to get them working efficiently. To do this, turn the central heating system off and then turn the radiator key until the air stops and water runs consistently. Once you have turned the system back on, the problem should be solved.

• Stop your home losing heat

o Hang heavy, lined curtains at windows to help keep the heat in and close them as soon as it starts getting dark. If you have Venetian blinds tilt the blades so they face down.

o Make sure all of your home’s windows and doors seal properly to stop warm air escaping. For those that don’t, fitting draft excluders is a quick and cheap way to cut down on your energy bills. Draft excluders can be purchased from most DIY stores. 

o Did you know your home loses a third of its heat through the walls? Insulating wall cavities could save you around £110 a year, and insulating your loft could also save you up to £145. British Gas is currently offering free loft and cavity wall insulation for all (you don’t even need to be a customer), click here for more information.

• Get the temperature right

o Make sure you have the temperature set at the right level for you and that heating is not left on unnecessarily.

o Keep control of your heating at all times with our Remote Heating Control technology – allowing you to remotely control your heating from your smartphone or computer whenever it suits you. 

o Did you know that by turning your thermostat down by one degree you could help cut your energy bills by up to 10%? It could save you around £60 per year.

• Insulate your pipes

o Burst pipes were a huge issue for UK households during the cold spell last winter.

To help prevent burst pipes, ensure all pipes are properly insulated using lagging, which can be bought cheaply from most DIY shops. 

Troubleshooting

• What do I do if my central heating and hot water stop working?

o Firstly, check to see that there are no other causes - are the other gas appliances and electric sockets working? 

o Check your isolation switches are on and that the trip switches in your fuse box are also on. 

o If you are a pre-pay customer, you should also check that you are not out of credit. 

o Check your thermostat – it may simply be a case of turning it up. 

o Check appliance controls on your boiler, is the temperature dial turned up? 

o Your boiler pressure should read between 1-2 bar - If the pressure is too low, carefully turn on the valves next to your boiler until you see your pressure gauge rise. 

o Reset your boiler’s timer. If you’re not sure how to set it, check the manufacturer’s guide. 

o Check your boiler’s pilot light – if you have a pilot light and it has gone out, check the manufacturer’s instructions as to how to relight it. 

Dyno-Rod’s Flooding Checklist 

Be informed - Make sure you find out straight away as to whether your property may be at risk to flooding

Drains and pipes - Always call an expert like Dyno-Rod to ensure drains are fitted properly. 

Pumping - If your property is in an area that is affected by flooding from groundwater you may need to consider pumping water to protect your property. Call a plumbing expert to talk through whether you might be affected

Documents - Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged during a flood.

Plumbing - For sinks, toilets, and other sewer connections, you may need to check backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering. Always ensure a plumbing expert installs any plumbing appliances

Electrics - If at risk of serious flooding, turn off all gas and electrics to be on the safe side

Call The Experts - If in any doubt about your plumbing and flood risk prevention go to the Dyno-Rod website or call an expert on 0800 084 1020 who will be happy to help.