MARK Ronald, lead engineer at Hometree, said: “This year, avoid the shock of a glacial shower and freezing house by checking your heating to make sure your boiler is working. It could mean you dodge a ‘temperature tantrum’, something half of us admit we’ve had at home over when the heating can be turned on.”

Top tips for checking your boiler is in working order:

Service Your Boiler

Ideally, in the run-up to colder months, getting your boiler serviced by a Gas Safe engineer is an excellent way to make sure everything is running efficiently.

Your boiler transfers heat to your radiators and provides you with hot running water, so it is worthwhile checking it is in good working condition before the cold hits.

It's better to avoid the expense of a repair or replacement in the middle of winter.

Quite often, problems with boilers occur from small and persistent issues, so resolving these without delay will be beneficial to you in the long term.

Watch for warning signs

There are various things you can look out for in helping to identify any problems with your boiler, including leaks, cracks, and noises.

Noticing these signs early on could potentially save you hundreds of pounds.

Hearing strange noises, for example, could mean there are underlying integral issues, including loss of water pressure, boiler kettling, and excess air in the system.

A faulty pilot light or an error code could mean that the supply of gas to your boiler has stopped.

Small indications that sound or look strange could mean there are more comprehensive problems with your boiler.

Bleed the radiators

When first turning the heating back on make sure you check your radiators – you may find that heat is unequally distributed.

If you find they are hot at the bottom but cold at the top then this is most likely due to being full of air and will need bleeding.

If you find that they are suffering from large cold spots in the middle and general poor circulation, then this could well be due to the presence of sludge in the system and will require a professional flush to be carried out to remove it and allow the free flow of water again.

This will put less strain on your boiler, as well as make your home more energy efficient, saving you money.

Leaking and Dripping

Keep a watchful eye on your boiler, radiators and pipes in your home for signs of leaks or drips.

If you spot them early enough then you may only need a small repair or replacement of a seal, however, if the problem is more widespread, it may be better to invest in new equipment to guarantee that you experience no more issues.

Homeowners must always make sure that they seek expert advice though where their boiler is concerned.

Insulate Your Pipes

Pipes freezing and bursting in the winter can play havoc for homeowners.

To prevent this from happening, make sure your pipes are insulated if in a loft space and protected with a frost protection device connected to the boiler.