From our Lettings Manager
Heating Tips to Manage Autumn and Winter Conditions
With summer now a distant memory, and the days grow shorter, now’s the time to make sure your home or building is ready for the colder months ahead. This time of year, our property management team always see an increase in calls about boiler faults, radiators not heating properly, and general heating issues.
While we’ll always aim to act on any issues as quickly as possible, please remember that heating engineers can be in high demand during colder spells, so same-day attendance may not always be possible. We hope the following advice helps keep your heating running smoothly as we move into autumn and then winter.
Heating advice for your home
Here are some ideas for heating your home efficiently in the colder seasons:
- Turn off the heating when you leave: It’s cheaper to reheat your home than to keep it on low when you’re out, unless you have a heat pump.
- Keep furniture away from radiators: Blocking your heat source can make your system work harder.
- Put your feet up: The floor is often the coldest part of the house, so putting your feet up can help keep them warmer.
- Lower the thermostat: Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can save you about £105 per year on energy bills. However, Citizens Advice recommends staying above 18°C to stay safe and comfortable.
- Fit a hot water cylinder jacket: This can save you around £50 per year on energy bills.
- Insulate your home: Insulation can help keep heat in your home and reduce your energy bills. You can check your roof for extra loft insulation if snow melts faster on it than your neighbors’. You can also fit draught-proofing strips to your windows and doors.
- Install thermostatic radiator valves: These valves allow you to set the heat output for each radiator, so you can set lower temperatures in rooms you don’t use as often.
Common heating issues & useful guides
If you find that some radiators aren’t heating properly, the most common cause is air trapped inside. You can release it by bleeding your radiators. Check your manufacturer’s instructions or follow the link below for a step-by-step guide from SSE:
If the radiator remains cold afterwards, and you have thermostatic valves, the internal pin may be stuck. A gentle tap or adjustment can often free it:
If your property uses electric storage heaters, heat pumps or other electric systems, please note that these operate differently. Avoid manual resets or electrical disconnections unless instructed by a qualified engineer.
Recommended combination (combi) boiler checks
If you use a combination (combi) boiler, it’s worth checking the following before calling an engineer:
- Pressure: The pressure gauge should be within the recommended range, usually 1–1.5 bar. If it’s low, you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions to top up the system. If it’s too high, you can try bleeding or draining a radiator.
- Thermostat: Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat” and above room temperature. If it’s wireless, you can try resetting or replacing the batteries.
- Pilot light: If your boiler has a pilot light, make sure it’s on and try to light it if it’s not.
- Gas supply: Make sure the gas supply isn’t interrupted.
- Burners: If your boiler has a gas flame that’s going out or turning yellow, the burners might be dirty or blocked. You can try cleaning or replacing them.
- Noises: Small noises are usually nothing to worry about, but more pronounced noises could signal a problem. For example, a drone noise could be a sign of pump issues, while a gurgling noise could mean there’s trapped air in the boiler.
- Error codes: Modern boilers display fault codes. Check your manual for guidance before resetting.
- Bleed the radiators: As advised above.
- Contact a professional: If you’re not sure or suspect an internal component failure, you should contact a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. Similarly, if none of these steps resolve the issue, contact a professional for support.
Frosty Weather & Frozen Pipes
As much colder weather starts to arrive and we see the first frosts of the winter season, another common issue when the outside temperature drops below freezing is for the condensate pipe from your boiler to actually freeze. When this happens, your boiler will lock out and will not work.
The link below gives helpful advice on how you can thaw it out yourself to avoid an engineer’s visit to your home:
Soaring costs of Energy Bill
The Ofgem Energy Price Cap for 1 October to 31 December 2025 is currently set at £1,755 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. While costs have eased slightly from last year, many households will still feel the strain of higher prices through the colder months.
If you’re struggling with your energy bills, there are organisations that can help:
Citizens Advice
Free, impartial energy and financial advice, including details of grants and benefits available.
Citizens Advice Website | Tel: 0808 223 1133
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Now open for winter 2025/26, giving eligible, low-income and pension-age households £150 off their electricity bill.
Warm Home Discount Scheme – Eligible?
Cold Weather Payments
Between 1 November and 31 March, those on qualifying benefits receive £25 for each 7-day period of freezing weather in their area.
Cold Weather Payment Overview
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership)
Provides free home energy visits and practical advice for anyone at risk of fuel poverty.
Apply for LEAP | Tel: 0800 0607567
Conclusion
As always, we encourage all landlords and residents to test their heating early, well before the coldest weather arrives. Regular maintenance and a few simple checks can prevent many breakdowns in cold weather and reduce unexpected costs.
Our property management specialists are here to enhance and protect properties, as well as support occupiers through all seasons. Get in touch today to discover more about the services and support available to you with Watsons.
Property Management Specialists:
18 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA
📞 Phone: 01603 226500
✉️ Email: management@watsons-property.co.uk
*This blog was originally published on September 2024. It has been updated and refreshed in 2025 to include new insights and the latest information.
