GETTING YOUR HOME WINTER READY!

With Winter almost upon us, now is a good time, if you have not already, to make sure you are all set up to stay cosy and warm during the cold months ahead!

Have a look at our checklist below to help you avoid any nasty surprises this Winter:

Check that your heating system is working and no longer in ‘Summer Mode’ i.e. ensure that your thermostat’s settings are updated to heat both hot water and your home!

Check your heating controls: Make sure all the controls are set appropriately for the colder months. Some controls allow you to set different temperatures for different periods of the day in different areas of your home. It is worth setting the thermostat to a low heat for the unoccupied spaces rather than being completely off.

Check your boiler pressure: Low water pressure can be a very common issue, so it is a good idea to check the pressure has not dropped. It should always be between 1 and 1.5 bars (please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions).

Check that your radiators are turned on and heating correctly: We often turn our radiators off or to ‘0’ over the summer months, so ensure that your radiators knobs are turned on, ready to warm up your rooms! Also check if your radiators are warm from top to bottom. If the radiators have cold spots or are cold at the top, they will need bleeding.

Ensure radiators are clean: All radiator surfaces should be dusted and wiped down now and again to ensure they are giving out as much heat as they should be.

Leave your heating on a timer: We all know that winter is the coldest season of the year. If you leave your home empty with no heating, there is every chance that your pipes will freeze and potentially crack or burst! Therefore, we would highly recommend putting your boiler on a timer for a few hours a day to ensure that this does not happen! This is also more energy efficient!

Check the stop cocks: Stop cocks can seize up when they are not used, so it is worth checking where they are located and that they are working properly by fully closing and opening the valve.

 So, there you have it! Doing these simple things will help prepare your home for the chilly Winter months ahead.