Winter Preparation Checklist: Get Your LPG System Ready
Essential maintenance and checks before cold weather arrives
Winter places significant demand on heating systems. Conducting these checks in autumn ensures your boiler and home remain warm and efficient when temperatures drop.
Action Items (September-November)
- Book annual boiler service with a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Test heating system by turning it on briefly; ensure it fires up smoothly
- Check boiler pressure gauge; pressure should sit at 1 to 1.5 bar when cold
- Bleed radiators to release trapped air; check all radiators heat evenly from top to bottom
- Test carbon monoxide alarm by pressing the test button
- Inspect visible pipes for leaks, corrosion, or damage, or any green spots on the floor, which could indicate a leak
- Insulate exposed hot water pipes in lofts, airing cupboards, and under sinks
- Insulate the boiler's condensate pipe to prevent freezing
- Test thermostat by setting it to minimum; boiler should switch off
- Check roof and gutters for damage; clear gutters of leaves and debris
- Inspect windows and doors for damaged seals
- Locate and test your water stopcock to ensure you can access it in an emergency
Draught-Proofing Tasks
- Apply weatherstripping around windows and external doors
- Fit draught excluders under doors and at letterboxes
- Hang thick, lined curtains on external walls
- Use draught excluder tape on poorly fitting windows
Insulation Checks
- Check loft insulation depth; ideal is 250 to 270 millimetres
- Inspect cavity wall insulation if your property has cavities
- Consider external or internal wall insulation for solid-walled properties
Be Prepared
- Keep emergency contact numbers (engineer, supplier, gas emergency 0800 111 999) visible on your boiler
- Ensure a working torch and spare batteries are accessible
- Consider keeping a portable electric heater available for emergency use