With a sudden drop in temperatures expected to hit this week, households in Wales are being urged to check their heating systems are working correctly to avoid being caught out with an unexpected breakdown when the cold weather bites.

The warning comes after last year’s ‘Beast from the East’ played havoc with people’s heating systems, leaving many in the cold. Local technicians also struggled to keep pace with the surge in demand from households requiring emergency repairs.

To help prevent similar issues this winter, OFTEC, which represents the oil heating industry, is advising homeowners to get on the front foot and take the necessary steps now to avoid potential problems before the weather turns colder.

OFTEC’s advice includes:

Book your boiler in for a service by an OFTEC (for oil) or GasSafe (for mains gas) registered technician. Correct servicing is vital and these professionals have been certified as fully competent and will complete the work to a high and safe standard.
Purchase heating oil early to avoid the risk of possible price rises later in the winter. Oil is currently the cheapest form of off-grid heating so it’s worth ensuring you have enough to last the whole winter. Make sure you use a supplier who is a member of the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) for complete peace of mind.
Adjust the timers on your heating controls to ensure the heating comes on when you need it to and radiators are only on in the rooms you are using.
Bleed your radiators to make sure they work as efficiently as possible.
For the 114,000 oil households in Wales check your oil tank is in good condition. Look out for any signs of corrosion, leakage or sudden drops in fuel levels.

While going through these tips to ensure that your home is warm enough, it’s also a good idea to also think about some of the other home improvements you can make for your home.

Malcolm Farrow from OFTEC, commented:

“Following this year’s scorching summer, the nights are drawing in and the cold weather is not far behind. As many of us look to turn our heating back on, it’s important to check everything is still working correctly and efficiently.

“Regular maintenance by an experienced heating professional is the best way to avoid problems, so book your boiler service now before winter bites and use a qualified technician who will check everything is working correctly and identify any potential problems. Remember, it’s far easier and quicker to fix any issues now than to wait for the whole system to stop working when you need it most.”