MILLIONS of households will soon be making the decision about when to turn the heating on.
British Gas engineer Sonny Solanski explains why it is better to do it sooner rather than later.
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With the cold weather just around the corner and the darker nights creeping in it is almost time to switch the heating back on.
After months of not having to think too much about energy bills, many households will be dreading the winter months.
Some will hold off for as long as possible in a bid to keep the household bills down.
But British Gas engineer Sonny Solanski explains why you shouldn’t wait too long before flicking that switch.
He also gives some tips that combined could save you up to £185 a year on your energy bill.
Sonny said: “Many people will be concerned about their bills, and be tempted to wait until it gets really cold before switching their heating on.
“But this means that if anything goes wrong they will potentially be stuck in the freezing cold without any heating.
He recommends that households should put their heating on sooner rather than later, even if it is only for fifteen minutes or so.
“It is better to fire up your heating now so that if anything is wrong you can get it fixed before the cold weather really sets in.
“You don’t have to leave it on for long, just enough to make sure that it is in working order and all of your radiators are warming up.”
Sonny says that when you do this listen out for any strange sounds and pay attention to how long it takes to fire up.
He said: “The homeowner is always the best person to be able to tell if there is a problem, as they know what their heating system sounds like and how it usually works.
“Also, it is a good idea to check if your radiators need bleeding, you will be able to tell this by feeling the temperature of them.”
“If it is cold at the top and warm at the bottom the section that is cold will be air and it means your radiators need bleeding.”
How to bleed your radiators
Bleeding a radiator is the process of removing the pocket of air.
Your boiler will need to be turned off before you start to bleed your radiators and the radiators themselves will need to be cool.
You will need a radiator key ideally, and this can bought cheaply at any DIY store, but if you are unable to get one you could also use pliars.
Be sure to have a dishcloth handy to catch any dripping water too.
To bleed the radiator insert the key into the valve, and turn it gently until you hear a hissing noise – this is the buildup of air escaping.
When you are done, rotate the valve back to its original position.
Sonny adds: “A common thing that people forget once they have bled their radiators is topping the pressure back up.
“Not everyone remembers to do this and it is a really important step.”
How to repressurise your boiler
According to the British Gas website, your boiler pressure should be between 1.0 to 1.5 bars.
Re-pressurising your boiler means you allow more water to enter into the system.
Most modern combi boilers rely on a filling loop to do this but always check in your manufacturer’s booklet before starting.
Here is how you would do this if your boiler has a filling loop:
- Switch off the boiler and allow it to cool.
- Find the filling loop (this is a flexible silver pipe with a valve at each end).
- Open up both valves so that they align with the pipe and allow cold water into the system.
- Wait for pressure to reach between 1 and 1.5 on the gauge.
- Once it has, shut off both valves and switch the boiler on.
- Undo the filling loop and remove the pipes.
Easy ways to cut down on your bills
As well as taking steps to prepare for the colder weather, there are a few things you could do to help save you a few quid on your winter bills.
Sonny said: “We don’t want people spending a lot of money on making big changes but there are some small things you could do to help heat your home more efficiently.”
According to Sonny one of the most common things he sees when visiting people’s homes is sofas and beds pushed up against radiators.
He said: “Having bit items of furniture up against radiators blocks the heat from circulating around the room.
“I know people are often struggling for space, so if you are unable to move your furniture around just make sure you leave a gap.
Draughtproofing your home is another relatively cheap and easy way to make sure the heat you are paying for stays in your home.
Sonny said: “You can buy self-adhesive draught solutions for windows and also get draught excluders for your letterbox and doors.
“Just using draught excluders could save you £60 a year.”
Most DIY retailers will stock draught solutions, we had a look at the B&Q website, and depending on what size you would like prices for a fabric draught door excluder start from £8.
Self-adhesive draught excluder tape costs from £5.86 for a 6m roll and letterbox draught excluders start from £4.50.
It is always good to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal and the right option that works for you.
You can compare the prices of similar items using websites such as Google Shopping.
Another tip that will cost you nothing at all but could also save you money is something as simple as closing the curtains and blinds when you put the heating on.
He said: “It might seem like an obvious thing but closing your blinds curtains when the heating is something you can do straight away to stop heat escaping.
“Some people also leave the bathroom window permanently open but there is no need to do this unless you have had a shower.”
He says that British Gas recommends having your thermostat at between 18-21 degrees but realises that some people will need their heating up higher.
Sonny said: “Turning your thermostat down by just one degree if you can manage it could save you £100 a year.
“I know that this might not suit everyone but you could try it and see how you get on.”
Other tips that could all help keep costs down this winter include making sure to insulate your central heating pipes and turning radiators off or down low in rooms that you do not use.
Sonny said: “One of the main things I would say to people with regards to their heating system is make sure you get your boiler serviced.
“Even in the summer it is working to give you hot water, it is essentially working 365 days a year and needs to be looked after.
“Having a regular boiler service can help prevent bigger problems coming down the line.”
How much does it cost to get my boiler serviced?
You can book a service with any Gas Safe Registered Engineer, although many customers prefer to do so through their energy company.
Customers can pay a one-off fee, of between £65-£80, for a 30-minute boiler service.
Or some might opt to take out boiler and central heating cover.
This costs more, around £180-£300, but will also cover you for any breakdowns.
If you have home insurance, you may also have the option to add boiler insurance – which should cost less than taking out a separate policy.
On the whole, paying a one-off fee should work out cheaper, but a yearly cover will give you full peace of mind.
