Boiler hacks you need to know about before the first cold snap

These expert tips could save you heaps in the long term, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

Act now to avoid expensive boiler repairs (Alamy/PA)

There’s always a sense of trepidation when you fire up the boiler for the first time in months – and those three magic words come to mind: Will it start?

Naturally, you sigh a sense of relief when you hear it igniting, but the life of a boiler has its ups and downs.

“The whole nation is looking to make cutbacks and lower bills where possible, and with boilers set to be in use a lot more, it’s important to get them in perfect running order,” says Jess Steele, heating technology expert at BestHeating.

“The benefits of doing so won’t just lower your energy consumption and save money, but will keep warranties valid should issues arise,” cautions Steele. “Something which is often forgotten.”

Here, experts share their top tips for ensuring your hot water and heating runs like clockwork…

Get it serviced

First of all, if you haven’t booked your boiler service yet, make it a priority, advises David Cruz, plumbing expert at Myjobquote.

“The sooner you get it booked in the better, as engineers get incredibly busy dealing with boiler breakdowns as soon as the temperature drops,” warns Cruz. “Gas boilers need servicing annually to ensure they’re safe and working efficiently.”

Do a test run

Cruz says you might be feeling smug if you’ve already had your boiler serviced. But before you get complacent, it’s worth giving your boiler a quick test run.

Then, if there are any problems, you’ve got time to get them fixed before the cold weather kicks in.

“To do this, leave your heating running for around 15 minutes. Listen for any unusual sounds and look at the boiler’s display to make sure there are no error codes showing up.

“While the heating’s running, make sure your radiators are turned on and run your hand over all the panels,” says Cruz. “Make a note of any that aren’t warm all over and once they’ve cooled back down, bleed them with a radiator key to remove trapped air.”

“Once your radiators have been bled, you may need to re-pressurise your system,” he adds.

Carry out a visual inspection

Although a visual inspection can’t replace an annual service, Cruz says it’s a good way to spot problems early before they end up costing you lots of money.

“You can check your boiler’s pressure by looking at the gauge – the needle should be in the green zone,” says Cruz. “Ideally, it’ll be at around 1.5, but as long as it’s sitting between 1 and 3, it’s OK.

“To top it up, you should check the user manual first, but there’s usually a flexible hose at the bottom of your boiler with one or two lever-style valves,” notes Cruz. “Open these up and watch the gauge – switch the valves off again as soon as your needle hits the correct position.

He continues: “While you’re there, give the underneath a visual inspection to make sure there’s no sign of water drips or corrosion on the pipes.”

Go outside and check nothing is blocking the flue. Cruz says if your flue is at risk of being blocked by falling twigs and leaves over autumn, hook on a mesh flue guard – readily available at DIY stores.

Stay in control

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with your boiler and heating controls, says Cruz. That way you can optimise your system for the weather – and keep it running efficiently.

“Your user manual should explain the best settings for your flow temperature, depending on whether you have underfloor heating or radiators,” suggests Cruz.

“If your thermostat is a basic model with just a temperature dial, consider getting it upgraded before winter so you have better control over your heating.”

Add corrosion inhibitor

Steele recommends using corrosion inhibitor and says it’s vital in ensuring your central heating system is working correctly, and will prolong the lifespan of a boiler.

“This is a chemical liquid to break down sludge that has built up from rust to stop a blockage within the system,” explains Steele.

“Water doesn’t mix well with metal so the corrosion inhibitor will provide a healthy balance to your boiler and heating system as a whole, which long term will save money on parts that could be expensive to fix.”

Turn down the flow temperature

A simple setting that could save you more than £100 on your energy bills is turning the flow temperature down on the boiler, suggests Steele.

She says there are usually dials or a digital display that can be moved on a boiler, one that affects the temperature of hot water that comes from a tap – and another for the water that goes into radiators to warm them up.

“They are usually located behind a flap on the boiler, so lift it up and turn the temperature down to 50°C as this will efficiently provide enough heat to keep your house warm and for hot water,” says Steele.

“This is particularly useful for those who feel like their water burns their skin, or need to use cold water as well due to the heat.”