Getting central heating ready for winter

With the clocks now set on winter time, Britons may have switched on their central heating in order to ensure their houses are cosy and warm.

But in order to ensure their central heating is working safely and efficiently, while also increasing the possibility of achieving cheap gas bills, there are a number of steps households can take.

And taking such action could ensure that people are not left out in the cold should their central heating break down.

Improving central heating efficiency

In order to help achieve cheaper gas bills, the Energy Saving Trust notes that there are a number of ways to increase the efficiency of central heating.

These include installing heating controls which can help to ensure that no rooms are heated if they are not occupied, which could help to shave valuable money off winter gas quotes.

Meanwhile, radiators can also receive a boost by being bled to remove any trapped air bubbles, which can see their efficiency being increased. Furthermore, by placing a reflective panel behind radiators, heat can be reflected back around the room, rather than being lost through a nearby window or absorbed through the walls.

And the Mirror also advises lagging hot water pipes and putting a jacket on a boiler to help with insulation.

Getting gas boilers serviced

It could be said that one of the most vital jobs that should be carried out concerning central heating is to have a gas boiler serviced.

Speaking to the Mirror, George Clarke, presenter of Channel 4's The Home Show, said: "Get an annual service check by a Gas Safe^TM registered engineer to make sure your central heating system works safely and efficiently. The older your boiler, the more inefficient it will be."

The Energy Saving Trust notes that a gas boiler which is over 15 years old may need replacing, ideally with a condensing boiler, which it claims is more energy efficient than older models.

However, a more pressing reason for having a gas boiler serviced is to reduce the potential risk of a carbon monoxide leak, fire or explosion.

For this reason, the Gas Safe^TM Register advises having one gas boiler service a year.