When winter is on its way, it is essential to pay attention to your heating system so that you are adequately prepared for the falling temperatures. During this period, your boiler works intensely to give you the right level of comfort in your home, so it is important to make sure that it is in perfect condition so you can avoid sudden faults and malfunctions.

It is essential to have maintenance carried out on your boiler before winter; even if it is not the compulsory time for maintenance, it is important not to skip this inspection. You should also only use qualified technicians so that a professional can check the device to ensure that it can perform properly. We’ll look at the main checks that should be carried out on your boiler before winter.

Checking the fumes from your boiler

One of the compulsory maintenance works is to check the exhaust fumes, which should be done in line with legal requirements or the boiler manual. In any case, even if the boiler is compliant with the law and this work does not need to be done again, it is still advisable to call a technician to check that the exhaust fumes are being expelled, to ensure that the heating system provides the maximum energy efficiency possible.

If the draught is not optimal, consumption increases and performance decreases, leaving you with a boiler that is not working as it should at the most important time of year. It is best to check the exhaust fumes to make sure that the system is OK and ready to work effectively during winter.

Adjusting the boiler thermostat

Temperature control systems are fundamental devices for managing the temperature in your home precisely and they offer a series of advantages. Above all, you can improve the wellbeing of the residents in your home, setting a suitable temperature and letting the device communicate with the boiler to keep you warm enough. Secondly, the thermostat allows you to optimise consumption, minimise waste and protect the boiler by reducing the number of times it comes on.

One of the maintenance checks that you should perform before winter is to adjust the thermostat, consulting a technician so that they can configure the system perfectly. Naturally, to get the most benefit, you could consider a more advanced model, for example replacing your old device with a chronothermostat or a modulating thermostat. Nevertheless, to save energy, it is important to adjust the boiler’s thermostat.

Maintenance of the exchanger and burner

One of the most important boiler maintenance tips is to check certain components that are vital for the heating system to operate effectively, such as the exchanger and the burner. Some devices are also equipped with a secondary exchanger for the supply of domestic hot water.

Before winter, these components should be inspected by a professional, to check whether they need to be cleaned and to ensure that both elements are working efficiently. Poor maintenance of the exchanger can cause various malfunctions, such as the boiler suddenly breaking down, reduced energy efficiency, increased noise and, in systems without a secondary exchanger, lower hot water pressure and a lower temperature than normal.

Inspecting radiators

We often only concentrate on boiler maintenance, whereas several elements of the heating system can cause faults, waste and have a considerable impact on energy consumption. That is why it is good to check your radiators before winter, making sure that they are clean, are not leaking and that the thermostatic valves are working correctly, getting a professional to perform a general inspection.

A good practice before turning on your boiler in winter is to bleed your radiators, which your technician can do quite quickly to remove any air pockets. This can increase the efficiency of the radiators, reducing the load on the boiler and saving on consumption. Finally, check the pressure of the system so that everything is in order for your boiler to face the winter.

Book a Boiler Service

Boiler services and maintenance should be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. All of our Ariston approved installers are Gas Safe Registered. Find an installer near you and book your boiler service by entering your postcode in our “Find an Installer” directory.