February is the worst month for boiler breakdowns, according to recent studies, as records reveal the coldest temperatures have spread across the country. Read on to find out how to stay warm this winter…
Figures from landlord-insurer Direct Line for Business reveals boiler breakdowns are up 163% than the monthly average, and during last winter, break down claims had a 27% increase than the previous year.
Make sure you don’t get caught in the cold this winter, here a few handy tips for choosing, maintaining and repairing your boiler should the worst happen:
The Right Boiler For You
Save your money and cut your bills by replacing your old boiler. You could save up to an estimated £652 each year by swapping the old with the new!
Most importantly, ensure you choose a reliable boiler. According to a recent boiler-reliability survey by Which? “almost two thirds of the most reliable boiler brands are still fault-free after six and a half years.” However, it was discovered more than half of the unreliable brands developed a fault during the same timeframe.
Maintenance Advice
It is highly recommended to get a yearly boiler service. This usually costs around £70, compared with the average cost of boiler repair at £120. Treat your boiler like a car – when parts wear out, it can lead to a breakdown, leaving you with a hefty bill for an emergency call-out. On top of this, not servicing your boiler can result in invalidating its warranty.
A handful of companies offer annual contracts which include a service for a yearly rate of £200. You might be better off arranging a service yourself and saving money to put towards future repairs.
Emergency Repair
If you find your boiler is acting up, you must first consult your manual that came with the boiler, which should contain some troubleshooting tips. If you’ve misplaced the booklet, you can download a PDF file from the manufacturers website, all you’ll need to do is input the exact model of your boiler.
Also, it might be best to ensure the condensation pipe isn’t frozen. This vents condensate water from the boiler and can freeze in low temperatures. Use warm, not boiling water, to melt the ice held in the pipe, then lag it to prevent future freezing.
Don’t attempt any repairs yourself, doing so could be dangerous and could invalidate your warranty. To fix your boiler, book an appointment with one of our heating engineers call 0161 746 8000