Spring has well and truly sprung, so why not thank your heating for keeping you warm over the last few months and give it a service ready for next winter? While it’s important to ensure that any major work is completed by a professional, there are a few things you’ll be able to do yourself.
Bleed your radiators
You should bleed your radiators once a year or when they feel hot at the bottom and cold at the top. If you don’t do this then your radiators won’t heat up properly and you’ll waste money and energy. Before you bleed your radiators make sure you turn off your boiler and have some rags handy to catch any water that comes out. Using a bleed key, slowly open the valve at the top of the radiator.
You’ll start to hear a hissing sound as air escapes – keep the valve open until the air has stopped completely. If you have a combi boiler make sure you adjust the pressure after you’ve bled your radiator, otherwise the boiler will not run correctly. If you’ve bled your radiator and it’s still not performing correctly call your local plumber.
Insulate pipes
It’s really important that you insulate your pipes and water tank, it’s inexpensive and will save you money and energy. You can buy foam insulation from any hardware store; simply slip it around your pipes and secure it with gaffer tape. For your boiler you’ll need a hot-water tank jacket.
If a year has passed and you haven’t had your annual gas check and boiler service, make sure that you get one arranged ASAP, or if you are an tenant, speak to your landlord. By doing these three simple things you will save money, save energy and be ready for next winter.
