It’s autumn, and the darker colder nights are drawing closer. We are all starting to spend those cosy darker nights at home. As the temperatures fall, many of us are starting to think about turning on our boiler, for extra comfort and warmth. To avoid that nasty surprise, of firing your boiler up in winter and discovering it’s broken or not working properly, follow these simple tips to help prepare your boiler for the colder winter months.

1. Switch your boiler on

Many of us don’t think of switching on our boiler during the summer and autumn months, when the sun is shining. What we don’t want to find, is any unwanted surprises when winter arrives, and our boiler has packed in.

Start early. Switch your boiler on for 10-15 minutes, to make sure that all parts are working correctly.

2. Check your boiler pressure

Boiler pressures can drop. Make sure you keep an eye out on the pressure gauge on your boiler, and if it drops, top it up by using the filling loop.

Don’t forget to seek advice from a Gas Safe Registered heating engineer if you need help.

3. Bleed your radiators

There is no point having a boiler on if the heat is not effectively radiating from your radiators. Have you cold spots appearing in your radiators? If you have, then perhaps now is a good time to bleed your radiators.

4. Insulate your condensate pipes

One of the most common boiler faults is a frozen condensate pipe which occurs when the temperature outside drops below freezing.

This can be easily prevented, by simply insulating the condensate pipes.

Boiler broken? You may be eligible to funding

Don’t wait until winter to get your boiler replaced, beat the winter chills

Your boiler is much more likely to breakdown in the colder winter months, as it is probable that you’ll be using it more often to heat your home. You don’t want to be left without any heating or hot water in the colder winter months. If you’ve switched your boiler on, and it’s not working, there is funding available to help.

If you or someone in your household is in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you could be eligible for funding for a boiler replacement.

The funding is available to homeowners, and your boiler needs to be a minimum of 8 years old and be broken or with an intermittent fault beyond economical repair, to qualify.  Generally, the funding is only available to replace non-condensing boilers.

Check to see if you qualify for funding for a funded boiler

Insulating your home will keep you warm this winter

Before you look at replacing your boiler, it is recommended that you first explore whether your home is suitable for cavity wall and loft insulation.

Did you know? According to the Energy Saving Trust, around one-third of heat loss from most homes is through the walls and a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Insulating your home, will keep you warm and cosy this winter.

There is funding available through the Connected for Warmth Scheme for homeowners and those that privately rent, that meet the qualifying criteria. Your home needs to be in Council Tax Bands A to D to be eligible.  The scheme is designed to help reduce householder’s energy bills and lower carbon emissions.