Freezing temperatures prompt boiler protection advice

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 15:28 · Archive

Arctic air is set to bring freezing temperatures and widespread frost to the UK this week, with more than 40,000 households expected to be affected.

Arctic air is set to sweep into the UK this week, bringing the country's first cold snap of the autumn. The first cold weather alerts have been issued for parts of England. Widespread frost is predicted in the coming days, with temperatures forecast to fall as low as −1C in cities such as Manchester. Far northern areas could see sleet and snow, with strong winds adding to the bitter chill. More than 40,000 households are expected to be affected.

Peter Knowles, a British Gas service and repair engineer, has shared practical advice to help homeowners keep their homes warm and maintain functioning heating systems. He recommends starting with the basics, particularly checking boiler pressure, which can drop over time, especially if the system has not been used for a prolonged period. A normal pressure gauge reading, when the heating is off and the system is cool, should be between 1 and 1.5. Anything below this should be checked out.

Homeowners should also check if their radiators feel cooler at the top, as this could indicate trapped air preventing proper heating. Once the heating is turned off and the system has cooled down, a radiator key can be used to release the air. Boiler pressure should be checked afterwards, as bleeding radiators can cause pressure to drop.

Beyond maintenance, Knowles recommends several ways to conserve heat. Moving furniture away from radiators, closing doors to unused rooms and taking advantage of zonal heating all help. Draught excluders, window seals, thicker curtains and rugs prevent precious warmth from escaping.

How it is being reported

• How to protect your boiler as freezing temperatures set to hit UKAn expert has shared his tips for combating problems with broken boilers and heating as temperatures are expected to hit freezing this week.Wandsworth Guardian · 13 Nov, 14:51
• How to protect your boiler as freezing temperatures set to hit UKAn expert has shared his tips for combating problems with broken boilers and heating as temperatures are expected to hit freezing this week.News Shopper · 13 Nov, 14:51
• How to protect your boiler as freezing temperatures set to hit UKAn expert has shared his tips for combating problems with broken boilers and heating as temperatures are expected to hit freezing this week.Croydon Guardian · 13 Nov, 14:51

In this story: Peter Knowles · British Gas · Manchester · England · UK

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