• Boiler

Caring for your boiler during the colder weather

The festive season is the most wonderful time of the year…when you have a working boiler! A broken boiler at Christmas has the potential to ruin the holiday mood by leaving you in the cold and with your money being dedicated to presents, turkey and Christmas parties, the cost of a boiler breakdown in November and December is something that nobody wants to deal with.

With the UK being hit by freezing temperatures over the winter period, it’s undoubtably the most common time for boiler breakdowns. According to experts, four in ten people across the UK didn’t arrange a boiler service in preparation for winter in 2018*.

Here’re a few top tips for how to look after your boiler and central heating system this Christmas:

Regularly check your boiler

Keeping an eye on your boiler before the freezing temperatures fully set in is a great way to make sure that your boiler is working as it should be. There’s nothing worse than leaving your boiler alone for months and then when you finally need it come wintertime, it’s broken down!

Bleed your radiators

To ensure your radiators are working as they should be, we recommend bleeding your radiators every now and again. If you notice cold spots near the top of your radiators, there is air present that shouldn’t be there. Bleeding your radiators releases this air and gets them working effectively again. Whilst doing this is vital, it can result in a drop of pressure. Make sure your boiler’s pressure is topped up by checking your pressure gauge after bleeding your radiators.

Prevent your pipes from freezing

Dropping temperatures increase the risk of pipes freezing and ultimately bursting, but there are ways to prevent this from happening. Keep your pipes warm by keeping your heating on low when you’re not in the house or allow your heating to come on at intermittent periods. There are also insulation materials available to purchase at DIY stores to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Get home emergency cover

What better way to care for your boiler and central heating system than with home emergency cover? Our central heating system, boiler, plumbing, drainage and utilities cover is here to solve your problems by providing peace of mind with complete protection for boiler breakdowns, heating failure and other home emergencies.

Want to keep your heating running smoothly year-round? Discover our boiler and heating cover, or take out a Complete home emergency plan for total peace of mind. Get a quick, free quote online and find the perfect plan to keep your home cosy! Or explore our full range of plans, including plumbing and drainage, and appliance cover.

Last updated: 26 June 2019