Winter Weather Advice: Getting your boiler ready for winter
With an estimated 92% of UK homes using a boiler system with radiators as their main source of heating, it's essential to make sure your boiler is in good working order as the weather gets colder.
The average lifespan of a boiler is around 10-15 years. Although, with the proper maintenance and care, some boilers can last up to 20 years.
This guide will explore a few simple ways you can make sure your boiler is winter ready.
Does cold weather affect boiler pressure?
The cold weather puts an additional strain on a boiler because it has to work harder and longer to keep the house warm. When the heating is on, the system pressure increases because the water expands as it gets hot and this is normal.
A sudden rise in boiler pressure is most likely an indication of a failed expansion vessel, blocked pressure sensor (due to a dirty system), the filling loop may have been left open during "topping up" the pressure or the system has been overfilled during "top up”.
Also, frozen pipe work could cause a rise in boiler pressure if the boiler has been switched off for a long period and it is in an unheated area. But it's also important to note that these points are only the case for a combi, system or a regular boiler with a sealed system. An open-vented boiler doesn't have a pressure gauge and so you wouldn't know the system pressure at any given time.
Boiler settings for winter
As the weather gets colder, it’s possible that you'll need to adjust your boiler settings to make sure it's running efficiently through the winter period.
What temperature should your boiler be set at in winter?
There isn’t a universal winter temperature setting for boilers in winter, although there is a general guideline that will help your boiler run efficiently. It’s recommended that combi, system and regular boilers should be between 60°C - 70 °C when the temperature drops. In some cases it can be lower, it really depends how quickly your home cools down during cold weather.
When a boiler is below the recommended temperature setting, it may not produce enough heat to warm up a home. Whereas, if the temperature exceeds the recommended setting the boiler will use more energy than necessary to warm your home and may over heat the rooms. At high temperatures modern condensing boilers might not be running in a high efficiency condensing mode, which would result in higher energy bills.
Get your boiler ready for winter with a Glow-worm service
When the colder months start to creep in, the last thing you want is for your boiler to give up on you. By taking some time to get your boiler ready for winter and following our recommended tips above, you can help to avoid any nasty surprises and keep your home warm and cosy all season long. If you have any concerns about your boiler, or if you think it may be time for boiler service, then please get in touch with us.