Making the Decision: When to Turn the Heating On
As the cold weather approaches, many households are faced with the decision of when to turn on the heating. British Gas engineer Sonny Solanski explains why it is better to do it sooner rather than later. He also provides tips that could save you up to £185 a year on your energy bill.
The Danger of Waiting Too Long
Sonny warns against waiting too long before flicking that switch. He explains that if anything goes wrong with your heating system, you could be stuck in the freezing cold without any heating. By turning on your heating now, even for just a short period, you can ensure that any issues are addressed before the cold weather sets in.
Checking for Problems
Sonny advises listening for strange sounds and paying attention to how long it takes for your heating system to start up. As the homeowner, you are the best person to identify any problems as you know how your system usually sounds and operates. It's also a good idea to check if your radiators need bleeding, which can be determined by feeling the temperature of the top and bottom sections. If the top is cold and the bottom is warm, it means your radiators need bleeding.
How to Bleed Your Radiators
Bleeding a radiator involves removing pockets of air. Sonny provides step-by-step instructions: turn off your boiler, make sure the radiators are cool, use a radiator key (or pliers) to open the valve until you hear a hissing noise, then close the valve back to its original position. Sonny also emphasizes the importance of topping up the pressure in your boiler after bleeding your radiators.
Repressurizing Your Boiler
According to the British Gas website, your boiler pressure should be between 1.0 to 1.5 bars. Sonny explains that repressurizing your boiler allows more water to enter the system. He provides instructions for boilers with a filling loop, which involve switching off the boiler, finding the filling loop, opening both valves, waiting for the pressure to reach between 1 and 1.5, shutting off the valves, and switching the boiler back on.
Easy Ways to Cut Down on Your Bills
In addition to preparing for colder weather, Sonny suggests a few things you can do to help save money on your energy bills. He advises against blocking radiators with furniture and recommends leaving a gap if you cannot move furniture around. Draughtproofing your home with self-adhesive solutions for windows, draught excluders for letterboxes and doors, and closing curtains and blinds can also help. Sonny recommends lowering your thermostat by just one degree, insulating central heating pipes, and turning radiators off or down in unused rooms. Lastly, he stresses the importance of getting your boiler serviced regularly to prevent bigger problems.
The Cost of Boiler Servicing
Boiler servicing can be booked with any Gas Safe Registered Engineer or through your energy company. A 30-minute boiler service typically costs between £65-£80 as a one-off fee. Alternatively, you can opt for boiler and central heating cover, costing around £180-£300, which also covers breakdowns. Adding boiler insurance to your home insurance may be another option. While a one-off fee should be cheaper, annual cover provides peace of mind.
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