Winter is coming. Are you heating your home safely?
16th November 2022
Not what any of us wants to be facing in January, however, the fact remains that your heating system is more likely to break down during the winter, so it’s better to be prepared.
When heating systems fail, taking immediate action is crucial to ensuring both your own safety, and that of your property. There can be an easy fix on occasion, but it’s important to say at this point that you should never attempt any DIY work on your boiler. Only a GasSafe-registered engineer is legally allowed to carry-out any repair work. Here are some simple tricks or inspections that you can perform safely at home, before you get us on the case.
Check the thermostat
It sounds basic but a simple knock of the dial, or a flat battery could be the source of your heating woes. Ensure that your thermostat is set to the desired temperature and is functioning correctly.
Inspect the circuit breaker
Some boilers have their own circuit breakers, normally housed near to the boiler itself. Check the circuit breaker to ensure that your heating system is receiving power. If the breaker has tripped as the result of a power surge or the like, reset it and monitor the system to see if the issue persists. If this does keep happening, it’s a good idea to call out a qualified engineer.
Verify your fuel supply
Not all boilers run on mains gas, for homes with biomass or oil fuelled systems, the reason for your cold home could simply be that the boiler has run out of fuel.
Inspect your boiler’s pilot light
Gas-powered heating systems rely on a pilot light to remain functional. If it’s extinguished, relight it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, these should be available in your boiler’s user manual. Alternatively, you can find our easy step-by-step guide here. If the pilot light is continually going out, there could be a more significant issue behind the scenes – time to call us in!
Perform basic maintenance
December is a busy time of year, and you could be forgiven for having a month off your normal heating checks. Routine maintenance should be exactly that though, routine. Conducting regular tasks such as bleeding your radiators, cleaning vents and the area around your boiler, is important for a properly functioning heating system.
Keeping safe and warm while you wait for help
If you’re still experiencing a problem after your checks, it’s time to contact a professional engineer. Be warned that it can be a very busy time of year, so you should be prepared to wait a little longer for assistance in some cases. Make sure you have emergency heating, such as a portable radiator, plenty of hot water bottles and blankets, and a ready supply of hot tea.
Boiler care plans
Don’t wait for the cold to bite in your home. Our boiler care plans are a great way to make sure that your boiler doesn’t break down in the first place and, in case of emergency, to provide rapid and qualified repair and assistance. You can find out more about our range of sensible boiler care plan options here, or give our team a call on 0116 366 5664.
Need help with your boiler or heating system? Contact us today
