Heating

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

Your Annual Reminder to Get Your Chimney Swept! Here's Why

10th November 2023

Last week we talked about ways of heating your home efficiently. Wood or coal fuelled fires may not be the cheapest way to heat your home but they do add ambience, and are great at heating a small area, quickly. What’s more, with increasing numbers of environmentally friendly fuel options, it is possible to enjoy an open fire or wood burner without a conscience.

If you have a wood burner or open fire it is vital that you get your chimney swept before you use it this year. Here’s why.

Home safety

The primary reason to maintain your chimney is to prevent chimney fires, which can wreak havoc on your home. It might seem counterintuitive, as chimneys are designed to withstand fire, but that's not entirely accurate. Chimneys are meant to channel fire fumes away from your home, but when the chimney itself catches fire, the results can be dramatic as well as dangerous. What makes them especially dangerous is that they burn slowly, for an extended period, and at extremely high temperatures. This means that you or your neighbours may not notice it until it's too late, by which time the intense heat from the chimney may have ignited other areas of the house.

Chimney fires are usually caused by the buildup of creosote, a natural byproduct of burning wood, on the chimney's interior. If you've ever used creosote to preserve wood, you know it has a tar-like consistency. When it accumulates, it can form a glossy layer inside the chimney, highly combustible and susceptible to ignition from a stray spark. Regular chimney sweeping, at least once a year, can prevent creosote buildup.

Smoke damage

Smoke damage can occur even without a full-blown house fire. If your chimney is left uncleaned, the smoke from your fire won't be properly drawn out of your home. It might be imperceptible at first, but eventually, it will manifest as soot deposits on your hearth and nearby furnishings. A layer of black soot is hardly an appealing feature, and it's far more convenient to have your chimney swept than to invest in professional cleaning for your entire home.

Your health

For individuals with health conditions such as asthma, COPD, or allergies, neglecting chimney maintenance could exacerbate their problems due to inhaling soot and smog from the fire. However, the more significant risk is carbon monoxide, a silent but deadly threat. As a natural byproduct of burning any material, carbon monoxide is typically directed away from your home through the flue. If your flue is obstructed, carbon monoxide can infiltrate your living space. It's odourless, invisible, and can be fatal. So, don't delay—schedule a visit from your local chimney sweep, and consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

A savvy homeowner will book their chimney sweep a year in advance. If you have not done so already, check out our directory to find a chimney sweep near you. For more advice, stay connected with us on Facebook or X.

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Looking for more heating advice?

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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