The nights are drawing in, the clocks go back this month and the heating is coming back on in homes right across Scotland. It’s also the time of year when boilers that have sat idle all summer are suddenly asked to work hard — and when breakdown calls start to climb.
Our team has been getting into the Halloween spirit (meet our Ghostbusters and Bobby’s Angels below), but there’s nothing spooky about a cold house. Here’s why autumn catches so many boilers out, a few quick checks you can do yourself, and how we can help you save on your energy bills this winter.
Why boilers break down in autumn
- Months off. After a summer of doing little more than hot water, pumps and valves can stick when the heating is switched back on.
- Low pressure. System pressure can creep down over the summer, and many boilers will lock out if it falls too low.
- Sludge and debris. Build-up in the system restricts flow, so radiators heat unevenly and the boiler has to work harder.
- Frozen condensate pipes. On modern condensing boilers, the small plastic pipe that runs outside can freeze in the first hard frosts and stop the boiler working.
- Faults that hide in summer. Ignition and flame problems often only show up once the heating is running for hours every day.
Five quick checks before the cold sets in
- Put the heating on now, before you really need it, and let it run for an hour.
- Check the pressure gauge — most systems sit at around 1 to 1.5 bar when cold, but check your boiler’s manual.
- Bleed any radiators that are warm at the bottom but cold at the top.
- Look for drips, leaks or an error code on the boiler display.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarm — and if you don’t have one near your boiler, fit one.
If you ever smell gas, leave the property, open the windows if it’s safe to and call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 straight away.
How we can help you save on big energy bills
Heating is the biggest part of most households’ energy bills, so how well your system runs makes a real difference to what you pay.
- An annual boiler service keeps your boiler running safely and efficiently, catches small faults before they become breakdowns, and is usually needed to keep the manufacturer’s warranty valid. See our care plans.
- Better controls — a smart thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves let you heat only the rooms you’re using.
- A replacement boiler — if yours is getting on in years, a modern condensing boiler is far more efficient. New boilers.
- Going greener — an air source heat pump (with a Home Energy Scotland grant of up to £7,500 for eligible homes) or solar PV and battery storage can cut your bills for years to come.