Is Your Boiler Ready for Winter?

As a homeowner, you need to be ready for winter.  While the UK winters might not be as harsh as they once were, they can still pack a punch.  And your boiler is at the heart of your home heating system.

But what needs to be done?  The simplest answer is to have a professional inspect the boiler and carry out a service.  This ensures that the boiler is ready and able to provide heat throughout winter.  But there are also a few other things you can do to make sure your house is warm and cosy this winter.

The good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune on new equipment, but it does pay to stay up-to-date with the latest equipment and regulations.  Here's what you need to know.

Older homes will typically have a boiler that was installed around 15 years ago, while new homes will likely be fitted with modern condensing boilers that are much more efficient in terms of energy use.  But just because your boiler is older than the average age by a few years, doesn't mean it's automatically inefficient.

You should still have a service carried out regularly by an experienced contractor.  There may be additional work that could be done to improve the performance of your boiler, but you don't need to face these costs unless you are sure there is a problem.

The best thing you can do is have your fuel bills monitored.  This will give you a good idea of how much energy is being used and how that could be reduced.  Is there an issue with one room or area? Is the boiler too hot? Is it under-performing?

If you see a sudden jump in your energy consumption, then now's the time to act.