Heating

Advice on boilers, radiators, central heating systems and keeping your home warm and energy efficient.

Ten Ways To Prepare Your Home For Winter: Part Two

19th November 2018

Previously we looked at five ways that you can prepare your home for winter. This week, we look at your next list of things to do to help save energy and keep your home warm, even on the bleakest of winter days.

1. Check Your Guttering

Guttering is something that homeowners rarely think about, until it goes wrong! Over the summer and autumn, guttering can become blocked by birds building nests and leaves falling from trees. This isn’t a problem until you get heavy rain. Throughout the autumn it is a good idea to check your guttering for blockages – check your drain pipes, too to make sure water is draining out of them. If you are uncertain about using a ladder at heights, you can employ a local handyman. While you (or your handyman) are up there, take a look at the guttering for any obvious wear and tear, such as splits, cracks, missing panels or missing screws. If you notice anything, get it fixed before it becomes a problem.

2. Tidy Trees

With the British winter comes sudden storms and strong winds. If you have trees on or around your property, it is worth checking them for dead or broken branches before a storm hits. Falling branches can damage property and even cost lives. What’s more, if you trim back your trees so that they don’t overhang your home, your guttering is less likely to get blocked: a win-win situation! If you are concerned about the condition of a tree on your property, contact a local tree specialist.

3. Check For Draughts

Houses are designed to “breath”, without a certain level of ventilation you will experience condensation and could develop a mould problem. However, draughts can also add a distinct chill to your home; the trick is to get the balance. If you notice draughts under doors, invest in draught excluders or draught strips; if there are gaps in your double glazing, check that your hinges don’t need tightening. If you notice damp or condensation, you may need to ease up on the draught strips to let some air out!

4. Get Your Chimney Swept

Regardless of how often you use your fireplace or wood burner, it is essential that you get your chimney swept at least once a year by a reliable, certified chimney sweep. If you have a fire and you haven’t had your chimney swept, your insurance may be invalid.

5. Check Your Insurance

Make sure your insurance covers you for floods and storm damage. If you have recently had a wood burner installed, make sure that you have informed your insurance company; failure to do so could render your policy invalid. While you’re at it, check that your insurance is the best value for money; if it’s not, switch it and save some money to spend on winter treats!

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Find clear, practical answers to common heating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What is the difference between a combi boiler and a system boiler?

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.
Is an air source heat pump right for my home?

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.
How often should a boiler be serviced?

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!
Why is my radiator cold at the top but warm at the bottom?

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.
What are the signs my boiler needs replacing?

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.
Is underfloor heating worth it and do I need a professional to install it?

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.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?

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.

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