Get ahead before the cold arrives
Autumn is the moment to make sure your central heating is ready for the months ahead. After a long summer switched off, systems can develop small faults that only show up when you fire everything back up. Sorting them now means a warm, safe and efficient home when the temperature drops.
In Norfolk, that first genuinely cold morning can catch you out, so a little preparation in the autumn goes a long way. Work through the checklist below and you will head into winter with confidence.
1. Test your heating before you actually need it
Do not wait for the first frost to discover a problem. On a mild autumn day:
- Switch the heating on and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Check that every radiator heats up fully and evenly.
- Listen for unusual banging, gurgling or whistling.
- Note any radiators that stay cold, smell odd or leak.
Testing early gives you time to arrange any work calmly, rather than facing a breakdown when demand for engineers is at its highest.
2. Bleed your radiators
If radiators are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, trapped air is the likely culprit. Bleeding them restores even heating:
- Turn the heating off and let the radiators cool.
- Hold a cloth under the bleed valve and turn the key slowly anticlockwise.
- Let the air hiss out, then close the valve as soon as water appears.
- Check your boiler pressure afterwards and top it up if it has dropped.
Evenly heated radiators mean your boiler works less hard for the same warmth.
3. Check your boiler pressure
Most combi boilers should sit somewhere around 1 to 1.5 bar when cold, though you should always check your own boiler’s manual for the correct range. If the pressure is too low, radiators may not heat properly. If you find yourself topping it up frequently, that points to an underlying issue worth having checked.
4. Book your annual service
An annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the cornerstone of a reliable heating system. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are legally allowed to carry out this work. A service will confirm your boiler is safe, check for the risk of carbon monoxide, and catch minor faults before they become winter breakdowns. If your boiler is under warranty, an annual service is usually required to keep that cover valid.
If you have not booked yet, autumn is the last comfortable window before engineers get very busy.
5. Test your carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, so a working alarm is essential. Press the test button, replace the batteries if needed, and make sure the alarm is not past its expiry date. This is a two-minute job that could save lives.
6. Insulate pipes against freezing
Exposed pipes, particularly the condensate pipe on a combi boiler, can freeze in very cold weather and cause the boiler to shut down. Lagging any exposed pipework with foam insulation is inexpensive and helps prevent this common winter fault. Pay particular attention to pipes in unheated spaces such as garages, lofts and outbuildings.
7. Set your controls for the season
Now is a good time to review your heating settings:
- Set your room thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, which for most people is between 18°C and 21°C, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
- Adjust your programmer or timer so the heating comes on when you are home rather than round the clock.
- Turn thermostatic radiator valves down in rooms you rarely use.
Getting your controls right keeps you comfortable while helping to manage costs, which matters given that Ofgem confirmed the energy price cap rose by around 13% from 1 July 2026.
8. Keep the warmth in
A few finishing touches help your heating go further:
- Draught-proof gaps around windows and doors.
- Fit radiator reflector panels behind radiators on external walls.
- Close curtains at dusk, keeping radiators clear so heat can circulate.
- Check the loft hatch and any obvious gaps where warm air escapes.
Your at-a-glance autumn checklist
- [ ] Test the heating on a mild day
- [ ] Bleed the radiators
- [ ] Check boiler pressure
- [ ] Book your annual Gas Safe service
- [ ] Test the carbon monoxide alarm
- [ ] Insulate exposed pipes
- [ ] Set your thermostat and timer for winter
- [ ] Draught-proof and keep heat in
Work through these and your system will be in good shape well before the first Norfolk frost.
Get winter-ready with Norfolk Heating Ltd
If any part of this checklist raises a concern, or you would simply like the reassurance of a professional service before winter, our Gas Safe registered engineers are here to help across Norwich and Norfolk.
Call 07751 261207, email enquiries@norfolkheatingltd.co.uk, or visit Prestige House, Avian Way, Norwich NR7 9AR. We are open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm. Book early and enjoy a warm, worry-free winter.
