In the next month or so, homeowners around the UK are likely to fire up the central heating once again. It’s probably been turned off since the spring, but most will take it for granted that everything will work as before. There are some things you can do to help keep your central heating running smoothly.
Below are a few tips for ensuring your central heating runs smoothly and keeps you warm all winter long.
Pipe lagging
One common practice in colder climates is to keep your central heating pipes covered in the winter. This prevents the water freezing, which can not only mean your central heating no longer works, but it can also cause a water leak.
Lagging is available at an affordable price and is easy-to-fit.
Check radiators for trapped air
Trapped air in radiators can be a big problem for your central heating. Over time, hot water evaporates, and this happens with your heating too. This puts air in to radiators and prevents the hot water heating the entire radiator. It’s one of the most common causes for complaints of ineffective central heating.
Luckily, it is an easy job to fix. Simply use a radiator key to turn the screw slightly at the top of the radiator (you can find guides online) and let out any air slowly. If water comes out, then all of the air has gone.
Check boiler pressure regularly
As the central heating system loses water over time, the boiler will lose pressure. Usually this is nothing to worry about, although a sudden drop in pressure can also suggest that there is a leak somewhere. Keep an eye on the pressure, it needs to be somewhere between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it’s looking low, contact Wirral Heating for assistance.
