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How to get your heating system winter-ready

How to get your heating system winter-ready

With summer drawing to a close it is time to check your heating system. Especially as no one likes to have a failing heating system during winter. On top of that, a properly fitted and well maintained heating system delivers greater heat efficiency, which sees you consume less power and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This article explains how to get your heating system winter-ready.

The problem: carbon monoxide poisoning

Poorly serviced heating installations give off carbon monoxide. Being an odourless gas, carbon monoxide is all the more dangerous. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a relatively common problem, with the risk rising during autumn and winter, especially on windless and foggy days. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by poor evacuation of combustion gases in your home. During the cold season, the reality of it is that a lot of houses are less well ventilated. Fit a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to be on the safe side.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

What can you do yourself to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? Properly aerating your home is crucial (not just to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning). But that is not enough. In fact, you need to tackle the problem before your installation releases carbon monoxide. Confine the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the bare minimum and have your heating installation fitted by a certified professional. A properly fitted installation not only drives down the health risk, it also operates more economically and it is better for the environment.

Get a professional in

For the same reasons, it is vital to have your installation checked and serviced at regular intervals. Whereas an annual or biennial inspection by a service engineer is compulsory for large installations, no statutory obligations exist for individual appliances such as gas stoves. Yet, these appliances often cause problems too.

Have your installation checked over at least once a year by an expert at your own initiative. The expert will check your heating boiler as well as the water pressure. Having your installation checked at regular intervals means you get to enjoy a pleasurably warm winter plus you avoid running unnecessary health risks.