Tech support Get the best from your boiler

You may not need a winter coat for a few weeks yet, but autumn is the best time to make sure your central heating system is in tip-top condition ready for the cold days ahead

Q If our central heating stops working can we fix it without calling an engineer?

Absolutely, but don’t try anything beyond these basic checks. Firstly, if you're on a repayment meter, check your credit, turn on any gas appliances to check for a flame, and see if a fuse has tripped. Power cuts can reset timers, so you may need to reprogramme it; once you've done it, turn the thermostat up past 21˚C, which can force the boiler into action. Checking and topping up your boiler's pressure is simple – search British Gas: How to Check Water Pressure on Youtube. Finally, press your boiler’s Reset button, because sometimes turning it off and on again really is the answer!

Q Are annual services really essential?

A yearly service by a Gas Safe Registered (gassaferegister.co.uk) engineer is just common sense and costs around £60-£100. The engineer should check the flue (both inside and outside the house), operating pressure and heat output and all seals. They should also do a full safety check and clean parts if necessary, plus provide a signed service report.

Q Our boiler cuts out when it’s freezing – is it a fault?

Below-zero weather can cause condensate pipes (found on modern condensing boilers) to freeze, which can stop the boiler from working. It's a common call-out in the winter. Simply defrost the pipe by pouring some warm (not boiling) water over it.

Q We’ve got an A-rated boiler and never have the heating over 20°C, but our bill is still high. Any tips on saving costs and energy?

Boilers account for up to 55-60% of our annual energy bills, so you’ve done the hard part getting a high-efficiency boiler installed, which can cut up to £570 a year compared to an older model. Installing a programmable thermostat (from £35, screwfix. com) and thermostatic radiator valves (TRV, from £5 each) to each radiator can also chop £150* from your bill by letting you control when and where the heating is used. But remember, your home needs to be properly insulated.

Q Is it worth installing a smart thermostat?

Flashy new thermostats like Nest and Hive give you more control over your heating via smartphone, and can track gas usage. The leading brands also promise quite impressive savings. Remember, however, these are not guaranteed.