Cold weather tips on staying cosy at home without it costing the earth
9th January 2024
A UK winter is lovely in many ways. Crisp mornings and frost covered ground, not to mention its variety of celebrations and crackling log fires. While most Brits enjoy the start of winter, the threat it can pose to your home heating system is very real. As soon as the temperature starts to drop, on goes the heating, increasing the risk of boiler failure. In fact, almost 30% of boiler breakdowns happen in December and January each year. So what gives? Why is winter such a problem for your boiler?
Colder temperatures
It might seem obvious but freezing temperatures put your boiler under increased pressure to keep your home warm. When houses are colder your system has to work harder and use more energy to warm them to a comfortable temperature. This increased strain is often what causes systems to fail. Very low temperatures can also cause external boiler component pipes to freeze. This creates a serious issue, causing blockages and even catastrophic boiler damage if not dealt with quickly.
Increased use
This is a bit of a strange one, because why would a boiler that’s had the whole summer off work, suddenly break down. It’s a great point but annoyingly, boilers don’t work like that. Similar to an old diesel car, they need a good runaround every now and then to keep them limber. Poor maintenance, lack of use and missing your annual boiler service can lead to your boiler doing a number on you as soon as the mercury drops. The sudden increased workload is a shock to the system and some older boilers might simply fail.
Frozen condensate pipes
This is a risk for homes with a condensing boiler. In fact, it’s an issue we see so often that we covered it in a previous article. If condensate pipes freeze, they can become blocked, preventing the boiler from functioning correctly. Worse, it can actually bust your entire system, so don’t delay on getting this issue sorted.
Older boilers
Let’s spare a thought for the trusted old boilers out there. Sadly, older boilers are more prone to problems in winter. They may not be as energy-efficient as newer models, and their components may be more susceptible to wear and corrosion, especially during cold weather. Regular maintenance is essential to keep boilers in good working order, so if you have an older boiler, take care of it. Give our servicing team a call, or check out our boiler cover plans for total peace of mind.
Winter storms and power outages
While traditionally we’ve only experienced the occasional hefty winter storm, climate change carries with it the risk of further unsettled and dangerous weather. Winter storms can lead to power outages, which will often affect the operation of your boiler system. While many modern boilers have backup power sources or can be easily reset, the loss of power can disrupt the heating and hot water supply, causing temporary panic and almost certainly a call to your local Gas Safe-registered heating engineer. It’s worth avoiding the panic and getting your boiler covered for all eventualities.
Winter carries a whole host of potential issues that might impact how comfortable you are in your home, not to mention how comfortable your finances remain. Fortunately there are some measures you can take to protect your home and family from a chilly Christmas. Proper boiler maintenance, regular servicing and perhaps even a boiler care plan, could save you a significant headache this winter. Why not get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.
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