Energy bills: Expert advises to 'close curtains' when heating is on
One of the easiest ways for households to avoid huge energy bills this winter and keep their heating running smoothly is to increase boiler efficiency.
An inefficient boiler can mean higher bills, lukewarm radiators and a heating system which doesn’t work properly, according to engineers at British Gas.
To help, Mark Ronald, lead engineer at Hometree, recommended bleeding radiators as well as booking a boiler service.
1. Bleed radiators
Bleeding radiators is an “easy maintenance task” which can help to improve a boiler’s efficiency as well as help to keep a room warmer for longer.
Mark said: “You can easily bleed the radiator yourself with a cloth, bowl, and radiator bleed key (available from any hardware shop or online). You can also try an allen key if you don’t have a radiator key to hand.
READ MORE: Gardener shares tips on protecting plants from wind and frost
“Firstly, make sure your boiler is switched off and the radiators are cold before you get started, as hot water expands and will leave more air in the system. The bleed valve will usually be at the top of the radiator.
“Hold your cloth under the valve and insert your key into the square point. Carefully turn anti-clockwise and you will hear a hiss as the air is forced out by the water pressure. Once the water starts coming out, you can close the bleed valve.”
2. Book an annual boiler service
According to Mark, regular checks and maintenance are “essential” to keep boilers in “good working order” and “maximising their efficiency”.
He added: “It’ll also help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to any potential breakdowns, which you’ll want to avoid particularly during the colder winter months.”
Don’t miss…
Important Christmas cacti job to do now to ‘initiate blooming’ next month[LATEST]
DIY ‘rodent repellent’ will send rats ‘sprinting in the opposite direction’[INSIGHT]
Boiler expert shares ‘ideal’ temperature to heat homes to ‘avoid’ pipes freezing[EXPERT]
A one-off gas boiler service can cost anything between £80 to £120, although this may vary depending on location.
3. Check your condensate pipe isn’t frozen
If the boiler has stopped working in freezing temperatures, then there is a good chance that the condensate pipe is frozen.
While this may only happen during extremely cold weather, it’s good practice to get used to tell-tale signs.
He added: “It’ll also help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to any potential breakdowns, which you’ll want to avoid particularly during the colder winter months.”
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
To defrost the pipe, pour some hot, but not boiling, water over the pipe, paying attention to any flat surfaces or elbows where ice is likely to form.
The expert advised: “If pouring hot water on your boiler condensate pipe doesn’t work, you could try using a hot water bottle instead.
“Leave it on the frozen section for a longer period. When you see water leaving the pipe or hear a trickling sound, you’ll know that the blockage has cleared.”
Source: Read Full Article