Why Prepare in Autumn?
Heating systems that have sat idle all summer are more likely to develop faults when first switched on in autumn. Waiting until winter to discover a problem means cold nights, potential emergency call-out charges, and longer waits for an engineer (as demand spikes in January and February).
Spending a little time in September or October checking your system can save significant hassle and expense.
Your Winter Heating Checklist
Boiler and Controls
[ ] **Book a boiler service** if one hasn't been done in the past 12 months[ ] **Test the boiler** by turning the heating on for an hour — does it fire up and heat all radiators?[ ] **Check the pressure gauge** — should read 1–1.5 bar when cold[ ] **Check for error codes** on the boiler display[ ] **Test the thermostat** — set it above room temperature and check the boiler responds[ ] **Update the heating programme** for winter hours[ ] **Replace thermostat batteries** if it's battery-powered[ ] **Check the CO alarm** is working — test the button and replace batteries if neededRadiators
[ ] **Bleed all radiators** to release trapped air[ ] **Check TRV settings** are set appropriately for each room[ ] **Check all radiators heat up fully** — cold patches may indicate sludge[ ] **Move furniture away from radiators** to allow heat to circulatePipes and External Components
[ ] **Insulate the condensate pipe** with outdoor foam lagging to prevent freezing[ ] **Check the boiler flue terminal** is clear (no bird nests, debris, or obstructions)[ ] **Inspect visible pipework** in lofts, garages, and outbuildings — insulate anything at risk of freezingHot Water
[ ] **Check your hot water cylinder** is heating to 60°C (if you have a system boiler)[ ] **Test the hot water pressure** at tapsBoiler Cover
[ ] **Review your cover plan** — is it still appropriate for your needs?[ ] **Check contact details** for your heating engineer are easily accessibleIf you'd like a professional winter check carried out by one of our engineers, call Halo Heating on 01483 676108.
