One of winter’s biggest expenses is home heating: Here’s a few ideas to get the best from yours

1. Ease your boiler into winter.  

Look after your boiler the way you would your car. Don’t force it to go straight to full winter power after being turned off during summer.

Turn it on once or twice a month before the cold weather starts. That way you’ll discover any problem issues in time to get them fixed before winter arrives.

2. Bleed your radiators

A common complaint when people come to switch on their central heating for winter is that their radiators aren’t heating up properly. If there are cold patches, this is often a cheap and easy fix - they need bleeding, and you can do it yourself with a bleeding key. They’re available at most hardware stores and cost very little.

Here’s how:

1. Have a cloth or small tub to hand.

2. At the end of your radiator, find a slot that you can fit your key into.

3. Put your tub or cloth up to the end of the radiator.

4. Turn the key - there’ll be a hissing noise as the built-up air in the radiator is released...followed by a little water.

5. Turn the key to close the radiator and repeat for your other radiators.

3. Next, ensure you’ve got the correct boiler pressure.

Check to see if your boiler’s pressure has dropped as a result of bleeding the radiators. If it has, it will need topping up.

If you have a pressurised central heating system, your boiler must be at just the right operating pressure for your heating to work properly. With the heating on, your boiler pressure should be between 1.5 and 2 bar. When the heating is turned off, the boiler pressure should be between 1 and 1.5 bar. 

Boiler pressure problems often indicate that something is wrong with your system - a water leak, an issue with an expansion vessel or valve problems. Hence the reason for tip 1. If the problem can’t be fixed, it could be time for a new boiler.

4. Get your boiler serviced annually.

Again, just like a car, your boiler needs the right care to go on running the way it should. A regular service will prolong its life and that of your central heating system, and often costs less than you might think.

Having an annual service is often required to keep your manufacturer warranty valid, but that’s not the only reason you should ensure you do it.

A service will ensure that your boiler is tested for efficiency, checked for leaks, the clocks are adjusted and your water and gas pressure is as it needs to be.

5. You’ve paid for the heat, so keep it in.

You’ve good money for your home heating and boiler servicing, and taken the time to bleed your radiators so it makes sense to keep the heat in.  From blocking draughts to cavity wall and loft insulation, using radiator foil, keeping doors closed, and simply adding an extra layer of clothing.

And did you know that you can save 10% on your annual heating bill simply by turning the heat on your thermostat down by just one degree? You probably won’t even notice the difference.