Getting Your Boiler Ready for the Winter
Now is the perfect time to think about your boiler and how to get it back into action after the warmer months. Here are some essential steps to ensure your boiler is ready for the winter ahead:
Check Your Heating System
Start by turning your heating on and checking if your home heats up quickly, as it should. Make sure your hot water is getting warm enough, too. Pipes and boilers can seize up when they are not used for long periods, so this initial check can help identify any issues.
Check and Bleed Your Radiators
Trapped air in radiators can reduce their efficiency, leading to uneven heating. Bleeding your radiators releases this air, helping them heat your home more effectively. If your radiators are hot at the bottom but cold at the top, it’s a sign that they need bleeding. This quick and easy task can make a significant difference to your home’s warmth.
If you’re unsure how to do this, our helpful how-to videos demonstrate the process, along with other useful tips. Simply use a radiator key to open the valve until you see water escaping, then close it.
Stay Alert for warnings
There are some clear signs that your boiler could be faulty and potentially hazardous. Be mindful of the following indicators:
- Leaks
- Cracks
- Unusual clunking noises
- Black marks or soot around the boiler
If you notice any of these contact our contractors directly to speak to a dedicated expert. You can find their contact details in the ‘Check the Boiler Pressure’ section or raise a repair via our Customer Portal online by clicking on the Raise a Repair tile to ensure your safety.
Our new repairs portal allows you to describe the repair you need, add photos of the issue you are facing and select preferred appointment dates and times (which are subject to availability).
If you can smell gas in your home or fumes, or any strange odours coming from your boiler follow the advice in the ‘What Should I Do if I Smell Gas?’ section and call the National Grid emergency line immediately from outside the property on 0800 111 999 .
Check the Boiler Pressure
When a boiler sits unused, its pressure can drop. Low pressure can lead to heating problems, so it’s essential to check the pressure gauge. It should generally be between 1 and 1.5 bar. If the pressure is below one, please call our contractors directly to speak to a dedicated expert, who can book an appointment or may be able to help you rectify issues over the phone.
If you’re based in the South East, please call K&T Heating on 0208 269 4502.
Verify Your Thermostat
A functioning thermostat is key to maintaining a comfortable home temperature. Aim for a setting between 18 and 21 degrees. Turn your thermostat on and ensure that your heating system responds as it should. Check if the thermostat requires new batteries and replace them if necessary.
Ensure Carbon Monoxide Detectors are Functional
Check that your carbon monoxide detectors are operational and have fresh batteries. Carbon monoxide has no taste, smell or colour and can kill without warning in a matter of hours. If the carbon monoxide alarm is not operational or is found to be faulty or past its expiration date, please call us on 0800 9170839 to arrange a replacement and to learn more about repair response time visit, here.
Find out more about gas safety in your home, here. 
What Should I Do if I Smell Gas or the CO Alarm has activated?
If a gas appliance has been badly fitted or poorly serviced, potential risks include gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Here’s what to do if you smell gas or suspect it’s CO poisoning.
It’s crucial to act quickly in a gas emergency. These are the steps you need to take to stay safe:
- Get fresh air immediately; make sure you open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
- Turn off the gas emergency control valve (also called gas emergency shut off valve) at the meter, unless the meter is located in a basement or cellar or at the LPG bulk tank or storage vessels.
- Extinguish all naked flames and don’t smoke.
- Don’t operate electrical switches (including turning light switches on or off) because this can ignite escaping gas.
- Contact the relevant National Gas Emergency service number for your area. We’ve listed these numbers in the next section.
- If the attending emergency operative identifies an issue with any gas appliances, follow their advice concerning the use of the equipment. Where advised, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix the appliance and check it’s safe.
- If you’re feeling unwell, visit your GP or hospital immediately and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
- Don’t turn the gas supply on again until it’s been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Who to call in a gas emergency
If you smell gas, want to report a gas leak or require gas emergency services, there’s a free, 24-hour National Gas Emergency Helpline you can call: 0800 111 999
Facing issues?
Our how-to videos can help you troubleshoot issues like safely bleeding your radiators, re-pressurising your boiler, and managing your heating and hot water timers.
Before reporting a repair, please check our Repairs Responsibilities to determine who is responsible for fixing the issue. If the repair is not our responsibility, we may charge you for the work. You can view our Recharge Policy here.
If these resources don’t resolve the problem, please raise a non-emergency repair request here .
For emergency repairs , use our Customer Portal by clicking on the Raise a Repair tile on our website for further support.
About Shepherds Bush Housing Association
Part of The Guinness Partnership, we have more than 5000 homes, throughout nine boroughs in west London