Have you checked your indoor heaters?
When the temperature drops, you’ll want to make sure your home is warm and comfortable so it’s a good idea to test your heating before bad weather sets in.
Here's how to check your indoor heating before the cold weather hits:
1.Check you have had your annual boiler service – if you haven’t, you can arrange this now by emailing the Gas team
2.Bleed your radiators before firing up your central heating. This will make sure any trapped air is removed. Here’s our video on how to bleed a radiator
3. Check windows, loft hatches, old extractor fans, cracks in walls and skirting boards for any draughts and fit draught excluders
4. Check that your timers and thermostats are working properly – make sure the time and temperature are set correctly
5. Check for any faults:
- Check that the pilot light on the boiler is lit properly and doesn’t go out
- Are there any unusual or loud noises?
- Is your boiler or any of your radiators leaking?
- Are all the electrics on the boiler and thermostats working properly?
Save money by saving on your energy and help reduce your bills
Whether you’re a homeowner, a private or social renter, a student or you live with your parents, there are many things you could do to save on your gas and electricity bills. Here's some of our tips:
- Take regular meter readings to make sure you are only paying for the energy you use
- After you service your boiler, check your system is set up correctly – make sure the temperature from the radiators is 55° or below. This will increase the efficiency of your boiler by around 10%
- Use your boiler and heating controls correctly – set your heating half an hour before waking up or arriving home. Use your thermostat to control the temperature, ideally between 18°-21°, this should help obtain the optimum temperature
- Don’t leave electric or water immersion heaters on for longer than needed. Turn the hot water on the boiler to 46° or mid-way, and adjust by 1° at a time to obtain optimum performance
- Don’t heat rooms you’re not using - turn off individual radiators and keep doors shut to prevent heat escaping