Turning Your Heating Back On? 7 Checks to Make Before Winter

For many households, autumn marks the first time the central heating has been used properly for several months.

Rather than waiting until the first freezing morning to discover something isn’t working, carrying out a few simple checks now can give you time to deal with problems before winter arrives.

1. Turn the Heating On Before You Really Need It
   
   Run your central heating for a short period and make sure the boiler fires up normally.

   Check that the property begins warming as expected and look out for warning lights, error codes or unusual behaviour.

2. Check Your Radiators

   
   Once the system has been running for a while, carefully check each radiator.

   Are they all warming up?

   A radiator that remains cold, heats unevenly or takes considerably longer than the others may indicate trapped air, balancing issues, a faulty valve or a problem within the heating system.

3. Look at the Boiler Pressure

   
   If you have a sealed heating system, check the boiler’s pressure gauge against the manufacturer’s recommended range.

   If the pressure is regularly falling and you’re repeatedly having to top it up, there may be an underlying problem that needs investigating.

4. Test Your Thermostat
   

   
   Increase the thermostat setting and make sure this causes the heating to start.

   If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, check that schedules are still appropriate for your household.

5. Listen for Unusual Noises
   

   Boilers and heating systems make some normal operational sounds, but banging, persistent gurgling, whistling or knocking can indicate a problem.

   If the system sounds noticeably different from last winter, arrange for it to be checked.

6. Look for Signs of Leaks

   Check around accessible radiators, valves and exposed pipework for moisture or staining.

   Even a small leak can cause boiler pressure to fall and may become worse over time.

7. Check When Your Boiler Was Last Serviced
   

   If your annual boiler service is due, autumn is a sensible time to arrange it.

   The HSE advises that gas appliances should be regularly maintained and serviced at least annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

   Never remove the boiler casing or attempt repairs to gas components yourself. Gas work must be carried out by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

Get Your Heating Ready for Winter

Finding a heating problem in October is considerably less stressful than discovering it during a freezing December evening.

If your heating isn’t working properly, or your boiler is due a service, Deakin’s can inspect the system and identify any issues before the colder weather arrives.

We install boilers from leading manufacturers including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi and Main, for homes across Preston, Chorley and the wider North West. Find out more about our boiler installation service, call us on 01772 426 065 or get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.