As one of the hardest-working appliances in any home, things can go wrong with your boiler quite easily. That’s where preparing your boiler for the colder months can help.
Here are a few boiler tips for winter to help prevent it from packing in when you need it most.
How to maintain your boiler
Bleed your radiators
Bleeding your radiators releases air and allows your boiler to work better. It’s an easy enough job, and we recommend doing it before winter arrives.
Check out our guide on how to bleed your radiator.
Test your boiler
Test your boiler by running it for 10 to 15 minutes in the warmer months to prevent issues when colder weather strikes.
Get regular servicing
Every boiler manufacturer recommends annual servicing to prevent problems. It also helps you conserve energy, save money and improve lifespan.
Consider getting Home Emergency or Home Emergency Extra cover
You can’t always predict boiler problems, but you can get cover. Check your home insurance policy, as you may have boiler cover included. Many insurers also offer it as an add-on.
If you have home insurance with us, here’s what you get as standard:
- Admiral level: no cover as standard, but you can add Home Emergency cover or Home Emergency Extra cover
- Gold level: Home Emergency cover is included as standard, or you can upgrade to Home Emergency Extra cover to cover additional things like your roof or electrics
- Platinum level: Home Emergency Extra cover is included as standard
Home Emergency Extra cover is our most comprehensive protection. It covers you for complete boiler failure, as well as a range of other home emergencies.
Please head to our Home Emergency and Home Emergency Extra page to learn more about what we offer, as well as policy limits and exclusions that apply.
What to do if your boiler stops working
We spoke to claims expert Sedgwick, who advised us on what to do if your boiler stops working.
Check the thermostat
Boilers won’t switch on if the thermostat is lower than 21°C, so check the temperature of your home.
Check if your power is on
Power cuts can reset boiler timers, so check everything is working after one. A switch may have flipped on your switchboard, so check to see if everything is on as normal.
You can also check your energy provider’s website for outage updates in case there’s been an issue in your area.
Check if your water is on
Your boiler may not be able to heat up water because its supply of water has stopped. Check your taps to see if your water supply is on.
Top up the meter
Unpaid bills and forgetting to top up your meter can make your boiler seem like it doesn’t work. If your boiler is on a meter, check to see whether it’s run out and needs topping up.
Look for leaks and signs of frost
Check your radiators for leaks and the boiler’s condenser pipe for frost. You can fix a leaky radiator by tightening the nut.
To defreeze the condenser pipe, pour hot water over it.
We also have tips on how to prevent frozen pipes.
Remember, you may have trace and access cover with your home insurance to help source the leak.
Check your boiler for pressure or reset it
Pilot lights (the flame that lights the boiler’s gas) are a common issue in older boilers, so resetting the boiler can help relight it.
Pressure is another frequent issue, and you should follow manufacturer guidance on repressurising one or call a professional.
Wrap up warm
Until you get your boiler fixed, make sure you wear enough clothing at home to stay warm. You may need to use an electric heater if it’s very cold or you have young children.
What should be my boiler temperature in winter?
Keeping your boiler warm prevents the pipes from freezing. Experts recommend an internal boiler temperature of at least 65°C or a little more.
Don’t set it lower than that, as lower temperatures can increase the rate of bacteria growth, including threatening ones like Legionella.
Setting your boiler temperature very high also carries risk and we don’t recommend it. It can overwork your boiler, making it less efficient and more likely to break down.
For room temperature, most recommend somewhere between 18°C and 21°C. You may want your bedroom a little cooler than that, though, as sleep experts recommend a temperature between 15.6°C to 19.4°C.
It’s important to turn your heating on and keep your boiler running in the colder months to prevent issues like damp and mould too.
How to claim
If you’re a Home Emergency or Home Emergency Extra cover customer, please contact us to make a claim. Make sure you have your:
- policyholder name and address
- policy number
- boiler details
We cover temporary repairs up to £500 if you’re a Home Emergency cover customer, or up to £1,000 if you’re a Home Emergency Extra customer.
Please note that you need to tell us about any emergency within 48 hours of it happening.
For emergencies, visit our make a claim page or claim in MyAccount.
