RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

Turning off the heat

24th April 2014 Print

One of the biggest indicators that spring has arrived is when the central heating is turned off.
 
AA Home Membership estimates that thousands will be turning down the thermostat this Friday, which it expects to be the most popular day to switch off the heating for the spring.
 
Last year, callouts for problems with boilers tailed off from this date, probably because fewer people had their heating on.
 
Respondents to a survey conducted for the AA by Populus said they are most likely to switch their heating off in April. Around one in twenty-five respondents keep it on year-round, with the Welsh most likely to do so. Scots are most likely to switch their heating off later in the year.
 
But even when the heating isn’t on, Ryan Murphy, AA Home Membership Engineer of the Year advises householders to take a few steps to keep central heating systems ticking over during the summer: “Putting the heating on for about fifteen minutes each month can help clear any debris from the system and stop parts of the system from seizing up.
 
“If you think something’s wrong with your boiler or central heating call an engineer – don’t try to fix it yourself.”
 
The AA’s data shows that more people begin to get their boilers serviced as the weather warms up in April and May.
 
“Boilers should be serviced every year to make sure they’re working efficiently and it’ll pick up any underlying issues too,” continues Ryan Murphy.
 
“If you can, it’s best to do this in the summer. That means you’ll know it’s in good working order for the winter when you’ll need your heating most. But it’s important to get an annual service, whatever the time of year.”