We have had a wonderful summer this year, which makes me fear that it may be a long hard winter. Now as the children return to school is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the autumn and winter.
Boiler
We give our boiler an annual service every September. We use a local company and our boiler is only 8 years old. However, if you have an older boiler or are on certain benefits you might be entitled to help via Help-Link UK and their Affordable Warmth scheme. You can read more about the updated and latest financial support schemes, including free boiler schemes and boiler financing on the official Heatable website.
Radiators
If you have had your boiler serviced and are running it then it is the perfect time to bleed any radiators you have and ensure that they are running efficiently.
- Firstly turn on your heating and make sure your radiators are all hot.
- Then check for cool spots at the top of radiators
- Turn off the central heating
- Bleeding radiators usually requires a radiator key, but with more modern radiators you can use a flat-blade screwdriver.
- Hold the key or screwdriver with a cloth, and have another cloth ready to catch any drips, then slowly turn the radiator key or screwdriver anti-clockwise – if gas is escaping you’ll hear a hissing sound.
- Once there is no more gas, liquid will come out and the valve will need to be closed quickly. With the more modern screwdriver operated escape valve, liquid is likely to emerge as a jet rather than a dribble.
Around the House and Garden
- Clean out the guttering and check for any leaks.
- Clear out leaves and debris blocking up drain grilles and clean patios and footpaths before they get slippery from a build-up of dirt.
- Apply a coat of teak oil to wooden furniture in preparation o9f storing it for the winter.
- Buy covers for your wooden furniture and BBQ if you have no space to store it in the garage or shed.
- Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are in full working order.
A big thank you to www.help-link.co.uk who we collaborated with to create this post