With UK heating costs set to rise (a typical household will see a rise of around £149) with the recent announcement from OFGEM, it’s more important than ever to ensure your home’s heating system is as efficient as possible so you can stay warm without breaking the bank this winter.

Here are five essential tips to prepare your home for the upcoming autumn season:

Get your boiler serviced

It is very important to get your boiler serviced each year for a variety of reasons:

• Ensure the well-being of everyone on your property.
• Extend the lifespan of your boiler.
• Reduce heating costs and minimise maintenance expenses.
• Protect your investment and adhere to regulations.
• Boiler safety is crucial for all property owners, regardless of tenancy status. It’s a legal obligation for landlords but equally important for homeowners.

To ensure that your boiler works well throughout winter, having your boiler serviced in the Autumn is advisable – as then it has been recently looked at, cleaned and if needed, repaired to ensure it gives you a warm home throughout the colder months.

Powerflush your central heating

A power flush cleans your central heating system, removing harmful sludge, lime scale, and iron oxide. Dirty water can significantly reduce your system’s efficiency, leading to colder rooms and higher heating bills.

Sludge buildup can also cause cold spots and contribute to pump and boiler breakdowns. By keeping your system clean, you’ll enjoy optimal performance, lower energy costs, and fewer repairs.

Bleed your radiators

A classic Autumn heating tip! When your heating is on, check if the top of any radiators feels cooler than the bottom. If so, there might be trapped air. Bleed the radiators using a radiator key to release the air and ensure even heat distribution.

Bleeding your radiators removes trapped air, allowing them to heat up efficiently. This reduces strain on your boiler, preventing potential breakdowns and saving you money. You can bleed radiators yourself using old towels and pots to catch any water that might leak.

Insulate your water-pipes

When temperatures plummet below freezing, uninsulated pipes can freeze, leading to:

• Water Shortage: No water supply to your home.
• Pipe Damage: Potential pipe breakage due to freezing water expansion.
• Boiler Damage: Reduced water flow can harm your boiler.

Prevent Frozen Pipes:

• Insulate Pipes: Protect your pipes with inexpensive foam lagging to keep them warm and prevent freezing.
• Keep Water Flowing: Run a trickle of water from a faucet on the coldest floor during extreme cold spells to maintain a slight flow and prevent freezing.

By taking these simple steps, you can safeguard your plumbing system and ensure a continuous water supply, even in the harshest winter conditions.

Check your thermostat position

Placing your central heating thermostat in the wrong location can lead to inefficient heating. If it’s near a window or drafty area, it might not accurately measure the room’s temperature, causing your heating system to turn on or off at the wrong times.

Another small Autumn heating tip is to ensure optimal performance – therefore position your thermostat away from windows and drafts for accurate temperature readings.

Got a smart thermostat? Check out our simple guide full of smart tips!

Looking to buy a smart thermostat? Then take a look at our buying guide.

Why you should choose VPS Underfloor Heating

VPS Underfloor Heating are able to answer any question you might have in regards your upcoming project or installation and stock a range of top-quality underfloor heating products from some of the most recognised names in the business including: Grundfos, Taconova, Heatmiser, ProWarm, ESBE and Salus Controls.

Give us a call on 0141 459 3141 to talk to one of the team or take a look at our Underfloor heating design and quotation service – to get a detailed cost of your underfloor heating project. Our team of design experts are on hand to create your underfloor heating quotation. In just 24 hours we provide you with a detailed quotation, material estimate, and further details about our products and your new system.