Are you an average household spending more than average on heating your home?

There are several things you can do to ensure that your boiler and heating systems are ready for the winter.  At ACL Plumbing and Heating we offer a range of services, from boiler services to installation and repairs to make sure you heat your homes with efficiency.  Below are our top recommendations.  

1. Boiler Servicing

Boiler repairs can be costly, especially when they are unexpected.  Not only that, it can be hard to find a heating engineer in an emergency and you can pay a premium because of this.  

Getting your boiler serviced regularly, is a great way to avoid emergency breakdowns as your heating engineer can identify problems before they arise.  Regular servicing also ensures your boiler is running as efficiently as it should be, which can save money on your energy bills. 

2. Boiler Pressure

A boiler that doesn't have constant water pressure won't be able to work as efficiently as it can.

There are two very common causes for losing boiler pressure: water leaks and bleeding radiators.  

If you are having your boiler serviced the engineer should check the pressure as part of the work.  However, you can check this yourself.  The gauge on your boiler should be giving you a pressure reading of 1-1.5 bar. If it’s reading less than 1 bar, you can increase the pressure yourself by using the manufacturer's instructions.  

It is important to say that if your boiler pressure is dropping, it is very likely that there is something wrong, so best to call a registered Gas Safe engineer to take a look.  

3. Bleeding Your Radiators

You may have noticed that some of the radiators in your home do not warm up fully despite having your heating turned on.  Or perhaps you have heard some strange noises coming from them?  If so, then it might be time to bleed your radiators.  

Radiator bleeding is where you release any trapped air from your home's central heating system.  This can improve your heating's effectiveness, eliminate rattling sounds, and in the long run save you money on your heating costs. 

This is something most people can do themselves and there are lots of videos on Youtube to help.  However, if you would like to book a professional plumber, we would be happy to help! 

4. Protect Your Pipes

When the cold starts to kick in, it can cause your pipes to freeze.  This can lead to more serious problems such as a burst pipe and much like emergency boiler repairs, this can be costly when trying to find an emergency plumber.  

To prevent this, you can use pipe-lagging to protect your pipes.  It is easy to apply and relatively cheap to buy, but again, if you would like a professional to do the job, just give us a call!

5. Magnetic Heating System Filters

A magnetic system filter is a device that collects debris within your heating system and ensures your boiler is running efficiently.   Rust and corrosion can form in pipes over time which can peel off and combine with other debris to form a sludge-like substance.  This in time can cause blockages and potential breakdowns as well as make your system run less efficiently. 

As well as keeping your system clean and efficient, having a filter fitted will give you an indication of the performance of your boiler so that you can consider whether you need to call out an engineer for repairs or services.

6. Thermostats

It’s not always the boiler that causes the problem.  Sometimes it’s the thermostat.  It can be as simple as changing the batteries if you find that the boiler is reading different temperatures.  

However, if you are unsure, give us a call and we would be happy to check it out. 

In summary

We hope this has given you a little more knowledge and insight into your heating system and how to get the best out of it this winter.  

If you need help with anything or you’re feeling unsure about the efficiency of your boiler, call us on 01536 903123.