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5 tips on keeping your central heating running

We didn’t get a white Christmas but are we going to get some in January? We can’t be sure, but the last thing you want is to be without central heating when this happens. In the past many homeowners across Coventry & Warwickshire have been caught out by the milder winters but when the cold snap appears that are often caught out, literally in the cold.

For most Christmas is expensive enough without the need for call out charges at this time of year for boiler breakdowns or central heating faults, sometimes it can’t be helped, especially if a Gas Safe Engineer or Electrician is needed but here are some tips on helping your central heating running and keeping you warm through January.

5 tips on keeping your central heating running

1 – Keeping your condensation pipe from freezing

In freezing temperatures even the best-maintained boiler will struggle to function if its condensate pipe freezes. Luckily, it’s not a difficult job to put things right if it does happen. To prevent the pipe from freezing again make sure you insulate the pipe by wrapping it in some old towels or rags immediately to prevent it from freezing. If you’re able too, get to your local DIY store and buy some foam pipe insulation. This usually comes in a variety of sizes so bear in mind to measure it before you buy it. When measured and cut, wrap the condensation pipe in the insulation and this should help prevent the pipe from freezing

2 – Turn up your Boiler Thermostat

During a really cold it may help to run the heating system with the boiler thermostat set to maximum. This is not the room thermostat normally located somewhere in one of your main rooms. This is the thermostat that is located actually on your boiler. Once the really cold snap is over turn the thermostat back to its usual setting.

3 – Keep your boiler on ‘constant’

As a temporary measure it may also help to keep your central heating on a constant setting (24hr) as opposed to the timer setting. However keep your room thermostat on a slightly lower temperature of around 15oC. We certainly recommend this as an ongoing solution, as it goes against the idea of having an energy efficient boiler, but as a temporary fix, its worth doing.

4 – Get your boiler serviced

If at any time you need your boiler to be working at it’s during the winter months. In most cases boiler breakdown problems occur because of common faults and usually because it hasn’t been serviced for some time. Like a car, your boiler needs to be serviced on a regular basis. Getting your boiler serviced before it gets too cold would be advisable before problems start occurring.

5 – Power Flushing

If you’ve got an older central heating system over time this can become inefficient because of blocked pipes, preventing radiators from heating up correctly. A black sludge can build up in your central heating system and can cause your radiators to get cold spots. Getting rid of these cold spots is fairly easy with an effective technique called Power Flushing. Water and cleaning chemicals are pumped through your radiators at high pressure which flushes out any build-up of dirt, often a back sludge that is causing a blockage. By Power Flushing all your radiators, you will be making your central heating system more efficient which will save you money on your heating bills and potential money spent on central heating repairs. Above all else its keeping you warm through January

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