If you’ve been feeling the chill at home a little more than usual this week, you’re not alone. The middle of October is generally when people begin to reach for the thermostat and crank up the central heating in order to stay warm.
However, following the Ofgem price cap increase at the beginning of the month, many people will be keen to get the most out of their money. And if you’re yet to turn your heating on, there’s one quick two-minute check that you should do beforehand. It’s very simple, but it could end up saving you a lot of money on energy bills.
Chris Jessop, group customer relationships director at Ideal Heating, has warned those hurrying to switch on their heating that they should complete a few important steps before officially switching on their heating to help ensure their system works as efficiently as possible.
An efficient system provides dependable warmth when you need it most while controlling your energy consumption and monthly bills.
One of these steps that you should do before you turn on the heating is check your boiler pressure. Even when it’s not running, it’s important to do this, as it could indicate a problem.
When your heating is running, the water inside expands, and it’s normal for the pressure to rise slightly. It should increase by around 0.5 bar, so it might sit closer to two bar while active.
When the heating is off, your boiler pressure gauge should read between one and 1.5 bar, and a green zone on the gauge will indicate this. If your pressure drops below one bar when the system is cold, you may need to take action.
If your boiler pressure drops, the system won’t work properly, as the pressure won’t be at the required level to pump water through the boiler system. Low boiler pressure will cause your boiler to work harder when trying to heat your home, meaning more energy is used, which could increase your energy bills.
Another thing to consider before cranking up the heating is whether or not your radiators need to be bled. In order for them to work efficiently, you need to check for hidden problems, especially if you haven’t switched them on for a while.
To check if they’re in working order, slide your hand from the bottom of the radiator to the top. If it gets cooler as you reach the top, it’s a sign you need to bleed them.
Always open the bleed valve slowly, listen for air escaping, and close it as soon as water emerges. If it’s opened too quickly, the water can spray out and potentially damage any walls or carpets nearby.
This also applies to new-build homes, even if you’ve just moved in, as air can become trapped between installation and completion.