Ensure your home is ready for all winter 2024 has in store
January 12: With forecasters warning there is a ‘greater than normal’ risk of snow and icy conditions battering the UK this month, the trade organisation for the liquid fuel heating industry in Ireland —
OFTEC — has urged householders to do all they can to beat the freeze this winter.
Looking ahead, the Met Office says there is an “increased chance of colder than average
conditions” from 16th January – 30th January and that the “risk of impacts from cold, including ice
and snow, is greater than normal” during this two-week period.
OFTEC Ireland Manager, David Blevings, says it is important householders take the necessary steps now, to ensure their homes remain as warm as possible during any potential cold snap.
“As temperatures fall further, it is important householders do what they can to avoid any heating
problems at this time of year,” he said.
“January can be a tough month at the best of times so householders should follow our top tips andmake sure their boiler has been serviced to avoid any unnecessary hassle.
“This could make all the difference and will help protect your home, and your family, from the worst this winter will throw at you.”
OFTEC’s advice and top tips to keep your home warm this winter include:
- Keep your heating on constant – during cold weather it is often more efficient and comfortable to keep the heating on constantly at a lower temperature, rather than running it at full capacity at intervals throughout the day. This keeps the system at a constant warm temperature and prevents pipes freezing.
- Check your fuel supply– check you have enough oil in the tank and avoid the pitfalls of ordering oil at the last minute.
- Keep your house warm even when you’re out – leave your heating on for at least an hour in the morning and an hour at night if you are away from home.
- Close doors and curtains – the very simplest measures can lead to major energy savings so remember to close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms you use most. Where possible, ensure your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture.
- Insulate your pipes – to prevent your pipes freezing, install lagging around your home heating and water pipes to insulate them. A professional can fit this for you or keen DIY’ers can purchase lagging from a DIY store.
- Don't forget your oil tank and ensure it's included in your service - It's important to ensure all caps, lids and vents are secure to prevent damage from rainwater, melting snow and other contaminants.
- Keep the details of a plumbing and heating technician close to hand – a breakdown can be stressful enough without the hassle of finding a trusted tradesman. For oil users, choosing a highly skilled OFTEC registered technician is strongly advised and can be found on www.oftec.org.
Do not attempt to fix or service the appliance yourself as modern boilers require
a trained and professional technician to ensure your system is operating correctly, efficiently,
and safely.
- Prevention is always best – the overall advice from OFTEC is to have a qualified technician check and service your appliance before the cold weather sets in. A simple check over and service may prevent heating disasters this winter.
For more information visit https://www.oftec.org