- We suggest you refer to the ‘user’s instructions’ when checking the operation of your boiler, time switch and thermostats. Please study those instructions carefully and be sure to keep them in a safe place for future reference.
- If you have a gas boiler, and suspect you may have a gas leak, take action immediately! Turn the boiler and any other gas appliances OFF. Eliminate all naked flames and do not smoke. Open windows or otherwise ventilate the area where you suspect the gas leak to be and call British Gas Transco for immediate attention.
- Please ensure that the power supply is maintained to the boiler. Without electricity most boilers will not fire and the programme settings on any time control may be affected. Some programmers also have a back up battery that will need replacing periodically.
- Where automatic temperature controls are installed, e.g. a room thermostat or thermostatic radiator valves, it is normally sensible to operate the boiler at a high temperature i.e. maximum or just below. This will not consume more gas or oil; it will simply achieve the desired result more quickly. Regular on/off cycling of the boiler is normal. If you have a room thermostat fitted you will sometimes find that the radiators go cold during a heating ‘on’ period. This is normal. It simply means the property has reached the temperature set on the room thermostat and no more heat is required for the time being.
- Remember that an open-flued appliance i.e. an appliance attached to a chimney, needs to draw air for combustion from the room in which it is installed. The source of air is often provided via an air vent in the external wall, which should not be restricted in any way. Similarly, if you have a room-sealed appliance with a balanced flue terminal through an outside wall, you should ensure that no obstruction is placed in the immediate vicinity of the flue terminal and that shrubs, hedges etc. do not over-grow it.
- If your boiler fails to operate, first check the pressure gauge reading on the front of the appliance to establish whether the water pressure has reduced below the minimum level (possibly as a result of a leak or the draining of a radiator!). If it has, you need to re-pressurise the system. To do this, re-connect both ends of the metal braided hose filling loop that re-connects the mains water supply to your heating system. Open the two valves on each side of the filling loop thus allowing water into the system until the pressure gauge registers the pressure required on your particular appliance, usually around one bar (equivalent to 10 metres static head of water). Close both valves again and disconnect the filling loop (one end only!).
- If one of your radiators goes cold at the top but remains warm lower down, this means that air is trapped within it. The air can normally be released by using a vent key, which fits on the little plug at the top, usually at one end or just behind the top edge of the radiator, but first turn the central heating off. When operating this plug, do not remove it completely. You will hear the air hissing out. When you close it down again, do not over tighten it. If you do, you may not be able to open it again on a future occasion.
- To remove a radiator for decorating purposes, first close both radiator valves by using the same top from the setflow valve. Place a bowl below one of the unions connecting the valves into the radiator then loosen the union slowly and drain the water from the radiator into the bowl. The process will be speeded by opening the air vent at the top of the radiator. Once the water is removed fully, disconnect both radiator valve unions. The radiator may then be lifted from its brackets. Be sure to lock any thermostatic valve closed or plug the end which connects on to the radiator.
- If you go away during the winter months, be sure to leave the heating on for a few hours each day at a low temperature setting e.g. 10º C to guard against freezing. If possible, arrange for someone to keep an eye on your property and adjust the time control if the weather becomes extremely cold. If you are going away for a long period, and want to close the system down, turn off the electricity supply and drain the complete installation of water. We also suggest you protect your plumbing system. A simple protection is to close the main stopcock and open the cold tap at the kitchen sink. This will take some pressure off the mains water supply within the dwelling.
- In very cold weather, keep a watchful eye for freezing up in your loft. If your loft floor has been well insulated, anything above it e.g. pipe work and water storage tank (if you still have one), will be all the more prone to freezing. If you think it may have frozen, then inspect it carefully before the thaw. Any icing up can force a pipe out of a fitting or split the wall of the pipe. If it is left until the ice thaws, mains water will start escaping into your loft, the effects of which can be catastrophic.
If you require any further clarification of the above points, please do not hesitate to contact us at the above number.
