With the approach of winter, one of the most important steps you need to take is preparing your central heating system. This task often gets overlooked until the temperature goes down. However, if you give your heating system some attention before the cold sets in, you can save significant money, energy and all possible unnecessary stress. A dedicated boiler service in Plymouth can help you with optimising your central heating system.
4 steps to make your central heating ready for winter:
Here are four essential steps to make your central heating system winter-ready.
- Check your boiler:
The boiler is the central component of your heating system. You need to ensure it is performing at its best. If you haven’t had your boiler serviced already, right before winter is the best time for it. An annual service by a gas-safe registered engineer can ensure that your boiler is performing well. Secondly, you also need to check the pressure of the boiler. It should read between 1 and 1.5 bar when the system is in a cold state. If you find the pressure to be too high or too low, you may need to adjust it following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Low pressure could indicate a leak in the heating system, while high pressure can put a significant strain on the system.
- Bleeding the radiators:
Sometimes, air can get trapped in your radiators over time. It could cause cold spots and reduce the efficiency. When your heating is on, you need to check your radiators for cold spots. If you detect uneven heating, you may need to bleed them. However, bleeding a radiator is a sophisticated process. You need to use a radiator key to slowly release the trapped air. Then, you need to turn the key anti-clockwise until you hear a hissing noise. After a while, you need to tighten it again once the water starts to dribble out. If you are not sure about the process, the professionals can help you with it.
- Check thermostats and controls:
For the best performance, you need to test your thermostats. Check whether they are working correctly. An efficient thermostat can help you save a great deal of money on your energy bills. If you don’t already have a thermostat, you can benefit greatly by upgrading to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to control your heating remotely.
- Ensure insulation:
Even the best-performing heating system will fail if your home is not properly insulated. Up to 25% of your home’s heat can escape through the roof without proper insulation. This is why you need to ensure your loft insulation is at least 270mm thick for the best energy efficiency. In colder areas, you may also need to insulate the pipes. It will help prevent them from freezing and bursting. Most foam insulation tubes are cost-effective and support DIY installation.
Do you want to make your home winter-ready before the temperature goes down? Get in touch with PJ Plumbing & Heating, the leading boiler service in Plymouth. We will conduct a thorough inspection of your heating system and ensure that all the components perform at their peak.