Warning to all UK households turning heating on this week

Every UK household planning on turning their heating on this week has been warned to make some vital checks before flicking the thermostat on.

The warm summer weather seems to be a distant memory now as a cold snap sweeps over the UK this week, leaving some parts of the country facing temperatures as low as 4C overnight.

It means that many of us have already begun checking the thermostat and nervously glancing at the radiators wondering if it's time to turn the heating on.

But households have been warned that, after a long period without running the central heating over the summer, there are some key checks you need to make.

Firstly, your boiler needs to be serviced once a year. Failing to do so not only risks voiding the warranty but it makes sure that the boiler keeps running well and working properly, which you'll need through the cold winter months ahead. A boiler working inefficiently also costs you money because it is wasting energy you've paid for.

Households are also being told to bleed their radiators before using the central heating.

Bleeding your radiators is a relatively straightforward, but very important job in regards to the health and efficiency of your central heating system. By letting any trapped air out in your radiator, it allows water to flow freely around the radiator, meaning that they are hotter and more effective when the time comes to turn your heating back on again.

You should have an allen key or radiator key that fits your radiators to bleed them with, but if not you can pick one up for around £1 in most DIY stores.

Andy Kerr, founder and CEO at BOXT said "As a general rule, your boiler should be serviced every 12 months from the day it was installed, even if you don't see any warning signs that call for immediate action. The service is not just about keeping your boiler in top condition, but also to ensure that the manufacturer's warranty for your boiler stays valid.

"Whilst it may be easier to ignore your boiler during the summer months, it's actually the perfect time to get it serviced. This is the time of the year when you're using it the least, meaning that you can find out if any issues need to be addressed before the cold weather sets in.

"Before the summer months end, we'd suggested that you complete the following tasks."

He then urged households to bleed radiators as well as turn radiator valves to their highest number.

He added: "It is recommended that you fully open your thermostatic radiator valves (TRV's) during the summer months, by turning them to the highest number. If left shut for too long, they can become stuck. This means that when you try to open the valve in winter months, they may not open fully and you will likely find your radiators to be cold.

"While you may not be using your boiler as regularly during the summer months, it is still important to keep on top of your boiler pressure. If your boiler pressure is too high, internal leaks are much more common. But if the air pressure is too low, issues such as water and radiators not being hot enough can arise.

"It's important to have your boiler serviced every 12 months to keep your boiler healthy. However, if it has been less than 12 months since your last service and your boiler is making strange noises, your bills are rising or it isn't heating up properly, it is essential that you book in for a service straight away.

"Boiler servicing typically includes a professional inspection and maintenance of your boiler system. A Gas Safe registered engineer carries this out and it involves cleaning, safety checks and ensuring all components work efficiently."