Turning Your Heating Back On After Summer? What to Check Before Autumn

There is always that point at the end of summer when the evenings start to feel cooler and you suddenly realise the heating has not been switched on for months.

Before you wait for the first properly cold morning, September is a good time to give your heating system a quick check.

Turning it on now means you can spot any problems early, whether that is a radiator not heating properly, low boiler pressure or a fault you had completely forgotten about since spring.

Start With a Simple Heating Test

You do not need to wait until the house feels cold.

Turn your heating on for a short while and make sure your boiler fires up as expected. Give the system enough time to warm through, then walk around the house and check your radiators.

Ideally, they should all begin to heat evenly.

If one radiator stays cold, only heats partly or takes much longer than the others, there may be an issue worth looking into before autumn really sets in.

What Are Your Radiators Telling You?

Radiators can often give you an early indication that something is not quite right.

A radiator that is cold at the top but warm at the bottom may simply have trapped air and need bleeding.

If it is warm at the top but cold towards the bottom, there could be a build up of sludge within the system.

A completely cold radiator could point to an issue with the valve, circulation or another part of the heating system.

Catching these things now is far better than discovering them when temperatures suddenly drop.

Take a Look at Your Boiler

Your boiler pressure is another useful thing to check.

For many domestic boilers, the pressure gauge will usually sit somewhere around 1 to 1.5 bar when the system is cold, although you should always check the guidance for your particular boiler.

If your boiler pressure has dropped, it may need topping up.

However, if you find yourself having to do this regularly, there could be an underlying fault or small leak that needs investigating.

It is also worth keeping an eye out for any unusual fault codes or warning lights.

Listen for Anything Unusual

You probably know what your heating system normally sounds like.

If you suddenly notice banging, knocking, whistling or gurgling noises when the heating comes back on, do not ignore them.

Sometimes the cause can be relatively simple, such as air in the system, but unusual noises can also indicate issues with water flow, pressure or a build up within the heating system.

If it sounds noticeably different to normal, getting it checked early can help prevent a small issue becoming a bigger one.

Check for Small Leaks Before They Become Big Ones

Because your heating has not been working as hard during summer, small leaks can sometimes go unnoticed.

Have a quick look around visible pipework, radiators and around the boiler.

Signs to look out for include damp patches, staining, corrosion or water around radiator valves and pipe joints.

Even a very small leak can cause problems over time, particularly once the heating is running regularly again.

Do Your Heating Controls Still Work Properly?

This is also a good time to check your thermostat, programmer and any smart heating controls.

Make sure the thermostat is responding when you increase the temperature and check that your timers still suit your routine.

If your controls use batteries, replacing them now can save you from wondering why the heating is not coming on later in the year.

Is Your Boiler Service Due?

If your annual boiler service is due, early autumn is a sensible time to get it booked.

A boiler service gives your heating engineer the opportunity to inspect the appliance, carry out the relevant safety checks and identify potential problems before your boiler is working harder through the winter months.

It can also give you peace of mind that everything is ready for the colder weather ahead.

Better to Find Out Now Than on the First Cold Morning

Most of us do not think much about our heating during summer.

But testing the system before you really need it is one of the easiest ways to avoid an unwanted surprise later in the year.

If your boiler is showing a fault, your radiators are not heating properly or your annual service is due, Elgar Services can help.

Our experienced heating engineers provide boiler servicing, repairs and heating services across Worcester and the surrounding Worcestershire areas.

Get in touch with Elgar Services to arrange a boiler service or heating repair before the colder weather arrives.