As one of the hardest-working appliances in any home, it’s inevitable things could go wrong with your boiler.
Here are a few boiler tips for winter to help prevent it from packing in when you need it most.
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.
We’ve covered how to bleed your radiator previously.
Test your boiler by running it for 10 to 15 minutes in the warmer months to prevent issues when colder weather strikes.
Every boiler manufacturer recommends annual servicing to prevent problems. It also helps you conserve energy, save money and improve longevity.
You can’t always predict boiler problems, but you can get cover. Check your home insurance policy as you may have boiler cover included. Although many insurers offer it as an optional extra.
If you’re an Admiral Home Insurance customer, here’s what you get as standard:
Our Boiler and Home Emergency cover protects your boiler, heating system or hot water if it suffers total failure.
We spoke to claims expert Sedgwick who advised us on what to do if your boiler stops working.
Boilers won’t switch on if the thermostat is lower than 21°C.
Power cuts can reset boiler timers, so check everything is working after one.
Unpaid bills and forgetting to top up your meter can make your boiler appear like it doesn’t work.
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.
Remember: you may have trace and access cover to help source and fix the leak.
Pilot lights 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.
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.
To make a claim, call us within 48 hours of discovering the emergency and have your:
For emergencies, contact our 24/7 helpline on 0345 609 4375.