Advice on boilers, radiators, central heating systems and keeping your home warm and energy efficient.
When was the last time you had your boiler serviced? If you can't remember, you're probably not alone: it's easy to forget about your boiler when everything seems to be working properly, but when the temperature drops and the heating goes back on, the last thing you want is to discover that something's wrong.
Underfloor heating has become increasingly popular in UK homes, offering warm floors, even heat distribution and an alternative to traditional radiators. But is it really worth the investment? The answer will usually depend on your property, your budget and whether you're renovating or building from scratch.
If you’ve landed here, you’ve probably already been searching for Smart Thermostat Installation UK and are wondering how to proceed from here. A smart thermostat is a great upgrade to your home that allows you to have more control over your heating. Many homeowners are now making this smart move to better monitor their energy use.
Few household problems are as frustrating as turning on the tap or stepping into the shower only to discover there's no hot water. While the cause may be something simple, it can also indicate a more serious issue that requires professional attention. Here's what you need to know.
There is never a convenient time for your air conditioning to break down. It always seems to happen on the hottest day of the year, when the house already feels stuffy and every room is a few degrees warmer than it should be. Whether your unit has stopped completely or is simply not performing as it should, an air conditioning problem can move from minor annoyance to urgent issue very quickly.
Underfloor heating has become increasingly popular in UK homes, offering warm floors, even heat distribution and an alternative to traditional radiators. But is it really worth the investment? The answer will usually depend on your property, your budget and whether you're renovating or building from scratch.
Condensation is the result of water vapour in the air condensing when it comes into contact with a cold surface, which can become an issue. Read our advice.
If you want to save on heating, you could install or resurrect a fireplace. All wood burns, but not all offer the same heat. Here’s what you need to know.
If you are considering using your obsolete fireplace again, it is important that you prioritise safety. Here’s what you need to know.
If your boiler breaks down, you will want to find a boiler specialist - here’s what you need to know about getting the right Gas Safe engineer to do the job.
This week, we bust common heating myths, explaining why constant low heat, high thermostat settings and single sensors aren’t always efficient ways to warm your home.
An in-depth look into the pros and cons of a combi boiler and the system boiler to see which is most suitable for your home.
If you have noticed damp or mould starting to develop, TrustATrader gives you tips on how to deal with condensation
Condensation causes about 70% of damp problems in the UK. In this series, we explore what is condensation, what causes it, and how to avoid it.
Insulation will save you money in the long-term and will help to keep your home snug, whatever the weather. A look at how insulation works and where to insulate
Our trusted heating engineer can help, whatever the task at hand, offering reliable support and professional expertise.
When was the last time you had your boiler serviced? If you can't remember, you're probably not alone: it's easy to forget about your boiler when everything seems to be working properly, but when the temperature drops and the heating goes back on, the last thing you want is to discover that something's wrong.
Common heating and boiler questions, including servicing, breakdowns, maintenance and safety advice.
A combi heats water straight from the mains on demand - no cylinder needed, which makes it compact and ideal for smaller homes or flats. A system boiler works with a hot water cylinder, storing a ready supply that can serve multiple taps or showers at once without the pressure dropping - better for larger homes with more bathrooms. There's also the conventional boiler, which needs both a cylinder and a cold water tank in the loft - common in older properties. A heating engineer can help you figure out which suits your home best.
Heat pumps pull warmth from the outside air (even when it's cold) and use it to heat your home and hot water. They work best in well-insulated homes, ideally with underfloor heating or larger radiators that work well at lower temperatures. In draughty or poorly insulated properties, the benefits are more limited. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards installation, so it's worth getting a professional assessment to see whether your home is a good fit before committing.
Once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It keeps the boiler running safely, catches small issues before they become expensive, and is usually a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Some home insurance policies require proof of regular servicing too. If you're not sure when yours was last done, book one before winter - better to find out before you're sitting in a cold house!
This issue is almost always trapped air. Bleeding the radiator - using a radiator key to release the air - usually sorts it, and it's one of the few heating jobs you can safely do yourself. If bleeding it doesn't work, or if several radiators are having the same problem, it might be a pressure or pump issue. Worth getting a heating engineer in to have a look.
Keep an eye out for: frequent breakdowns, energy bills going up without using more heat, unusual noises (banging, kettling, or whistling), a flame that's yellow or orange instead of blue, and any visible leaks or rust around the unit. If your boiler is over fifteen years old and ticking any of those boxes, replacing it is usually the more economical choice - modern boilers are significantly more efficient.
For a new build or a big renovation, underfloor heating is often a great investment - it heats rooms more evenly than radiators and can be more efficient, especially alongside a heat pump. Retrofitting in an existing home is more of a job, and how worthwhile it is depends on your floor types and how much disruption you're happy to deal with. Either way - wet or electric - it has to be installed by a qualified professional.
Some pressure drop over time is normal, but if you're topping it up regularly there's usually a cause: a small leak in the system (which isn't always easy to spot), a pressure relief valve that's releasing water, or air in the system after bleeding radiators. Topping it up via the filling loop is fine as a short-term fix, but if you're doing it more than a couple of times a year, it's worth getting an engineer to look into why it keeps happening.
If you have a question in relation to TrustATrader specifically, please check out the TrustATrader FAQs, with separate lists tailored to consumers and tradespeople. Alternatively, get in touch with our team. We're happy to help!