Tips On Protecting Your Boiler In Cold Weather

A lot of time is spent at home during the winter so making sure our central heating is working correctly is crucial to a cosy and warm Christmas. Whilst no one can predict the turn the UK weather will next take, what we do know is that temperatures begin to plummet from October, dropping down into single fingers as November and December approach. The increased wet and cold and wreak havoc, particularly as we are usually hit with it with little to no warning. With that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at boiler protection, boiler protection insurance and the most efficient way to run heating for that extra piece of mind in the coming months.

What Is Boiler Protection

The first thing to note is that even though your boiler is used to heat your home, they still need to be protected from the cold and frost. This is particularly true as temperatures hit below zero, where system-wide failures occur more frequently due to the lack of natural warmth. When this happens, you risk the pipes bursting which can cause serious damage to the structure of your home as well as nearby electricals and wiring. Not to mention the havoc and stress a broken boiler can cause particularly if you have young children.

What Are The Benefits Of Boiler Protection

A well-protected boiler is likely to better withstand the winter weather, providing warmth throughout your home. Quick ways to make sure yours is in working order year-round is to book in your annual boiler service prior to Christmas. By doing so, you can uncover any underlying issues that may require repair before further damage is caused to your boiler or the pipes around it. Regularly checking your boiler pressure can also help you identify whether you need an expert to look at it to, preventing any possible downtime that may be a result of it not working correctly.

Other ways you can effectively protect your boiler during the winter months is by:

• Looking out for leaks
• Checking for pipe condensation
• Not forgetting to bleed your radiators – find out how to bleed a radiator
• Ensuring your thermostats are working
• Ensuring the area around your boiler is dust and dirt free

How Can I Set Up Boiler Frost Protection All Night?

Temperatures often plummet after dark, so it’s important to have something in place to stop your boiler from freezing during the night. One of the most effective ways to do so is by insulating the condensate pipe with lagging – a type of insulation – to provide greater protection from the cold. By doing so, it’ll stop the pipe from freezing whilst helping the hot water stay hot which can provide greater support in the rising energy bill crisis.

Many modern boilers also have frost protection settings, when the temperatures get low enough they’ll automatically turn on and warm the water in your system just enough to prevent the pipes from freezing. Whilst this does use a little extra energy, any impact on your bills should be minimal, and turning this on can help prevent more costly damage from occuring.

What Else Do I Need For Boiler Protection

In addition to installing lagging to the areas of your boiler exposed to the cold such as its pipes, you can also consider leaving your heating on overnight at a low temperature. Keeping your heating on will ensure the condensate remains warm, reducing the risk of it freezing overnight. Though doing so will use more energy, it will require less time for the boiler to kick into action the next day helping to minimise the time it’s on for. With rising energy bills, it may not be possible to do this all night every night but instead when snow or icy cold temperatures are expected to avoid a bigger bill of fixing your boiler.

Boiler Protection Insurance

Things can go wrong at any time, your boiler included. If you’re worried about being stuck in the cold, boiler protection insurance may help to put your mind at ease particularly as we head into the depths of winter. In addition to helping cover the cost of calling out an engineer to repair your boiler or heating system, some boiler protection insurances also include the cost of parts required to make a repair, helping to save you thousands of pounds in the long run if it’s even needed. Before signing up, be sure to do your research and understand what your select insurance covers to ensure you don’t face any surprises if it’s ever needed.

If you take anything away from this article, be sure to make it a priority to check your boiler and central heating before the weather gets too cold to reduce heat loss and give you sufficient time to arrange the necessary repairs and fixtures needed to stop yours from unexpectedly freezing over this year.

With the cold weather well and truly upon us, take a look at some of our leading radiator deals to set you up for a cosy winter. For support and guidance, call our expert sales team on 0800 876 6813 today.