Millions of households across the UK are being urged to check their boilers and heating systems before winter arrives. The Energy Saving Trust is advising households to prepare their homes ahead of colder weather, including checking that their heating system is working properly and arranging a boiler service if one is due.
Carrying out basic checks now could help households avoid problems when they begin using their heating more regularly, rather than discovering an issue during the first cold spell.
Potential costs and efficiency
Checking your heating system before winter could also help households avoid unnecessary costs. Identifying a problem early may prevent a more expensive breakdown later, while ensuring radiators, thermostats and heating controls are working properly can help households use their energy more efficiently.
The Energy Saving Trust advises households to check their heating system before winter rather than waiting until the heating is needed every day. An annual service can also help identify potential problems and ensure the system is operating safely.
Simple steps to take now
The last thing households want is to discover their boiler has broken down during a cold spell, when they may need an engineer at short notice. Homeowners should also check their radiators, thermostats and heating controls, while looking out for signs of leaks or other problems with the heating system.
Checking doors and windows for draughts is another simple step households can take before winter. Sealing gaps and improving insulation can help prevent heat from escaping and may reduce the amount of energy needed to keep a home warm.
What the Energy Saving Trust said
“As the temperatures fall, people start to turn their heating on. If you don’t have heating controls, you might have switched your heating off during the summer.
“The last thing you want is to switch your heating on during a cold snap only to find it’s broken down. Therefore, we advise checking your boiler and heating now. You should also think about getting a boiler service booked in if you haven’t already had a service this year.”
Winter start dates
In the UK, winter officially arrives in December, although there are two different dates depending on whether you follow the meteorological or astronomical calendar. Meteorological winter begins on 1 December 2026, a fixed date used by weather scientists to divide the year into four three-month seasons. Astronomical winter begins with the winter solstice on 21 December 2026, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
For households, however, colder weather can arrive well before either official start date. Checking heating systems in advance could therefore help households avoid problems when temperatures begin to drop.
