We spoke in our last post about keeping your house warm for winter – here’s how to make sure your central heating system is up to the job!
Now that we are heading towards colder weather, it’s a good idea to check our central heating systems are in good shape to keep us warm over winter. If you have a gas heating system, it’s a great time to have the annual boiler service carried out. Keeping the system safe is always the no.1 priority. Ensure you use a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
What Else Can I Do?
As well as having the boiler serviced, it is a good idea to run the heating system up and check that each radiator gets warm. Closing all but one of the radiators off by its manual or thermostatic valves can help push any air pockets into radiators where they can be bled off using the air bleeds. Checking each valve after it has been turned for leaks is a good idea, valves that have not been moved for a year can show their age and leak from the packing gland. This may be able to be tightened to stop the leak, or of the type where replacement is required. If your system has a hot water storage tank and motorised valves to control the heating and hot water, it is worth operating the valves manually with the lever provided on the valve head manually before setting the system to heat after the summer. Isolate the heating system electrically, then Move the valve actuator lever to its full extent of travel a few times, then return it in the auto position before restoring the electrical supply and starting the system.
The heating controls may need setting to a suitable time schedule, and it’s a perfect opportunity to change the batteries in any thermostats or controls, so they won’t let you down when you need them most.
Is your central heating system ready for winter? If you’re not sure then make sure you spend some time checking now before the weather turns too cold!