Winter Heating Checks For Your Rental home

Stay warm and save money with these simple winter heating checks for your rental home.

Check the pilot light in your boiler is on

If the pilot light is off, you will not get any hot water or heating. Tenants can often relight the pilot light themselves.

1. Look for the pilot light knob, usually at the bottom of the unit and typically labelled ‘Pilot’, ‘On’ and ‘Off.’ If you can’t easily locate this knob, log an issue online and we will ask a qualified contractor to call or visit you.
2. Turn the knob to the “Off” setting. You should be able to adjust it easily using your fingers. This stops the flow of gas.
3. Wait a few moments to allow any remaining gas to dissipate from the chamber. A minute or two will be sufficient.
4. Turn the knob to “Pilot,” and let gas to flow to the pilot. Light a lighter or match, then push in the reset button. Hold your flame to the pilot light’s opening. Keep the reset switch depressed until the pilot light is burning steadily. Then, slowly release the button.
5. Once the pilot light is relit and you’ve released the reset button, your furnace should fire up automatically. Observe the pilot light for a few moments to ensure it stays lit. Check the surrounding areas for drafts or other air sources that could have extinguished the pilot light initially.

Some boilers have an electrical system to ignite the gas; in these systems there is no pilot light. Instead, an electric element heats up and ignites the burners. If this electric ignition system malfunctions, log an issue online and we will ask a qualified contractor to call or visit you.

If you are unable to relight the pilot light, the pilot light won’t stay alight or if you are not confident about following these steps, again log an issue online.

Keep Fireplaces and Chimneys Clean and Clear

Fireplaces and chimneys will be clean and clear before you move in to your property. However, if you are resident for an extended period and use your real fire regularly you should schedule chimney inspections annually. This will keep your fire and chimney safe and in good working order.

Hiring a chimney sweep will remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote from your chimney, fireplace or wood burner. It only takes a small build up of creosote glazing, caused by burning wood, to create the potential for a chimney fire and reduce the efficiency of the fireplace. Avoid regularly burning pine as this causes a rapid build up of creosote.

Radiators

If radiators are hot at the bottom and cold at the top, there may be some air trapped in the system. Tenants can usually sort this themselves.

1. Turn your central heating on.
2. When the heating is as hot as it usually gets, go through the house checking each of the radiators. Listen for gurgling and feel for cold spots. Note any radiators that take longer to heat up than others.
3. Turn the central heating off (if you leave it on, you risk scalding yourself)
4. Put some old towels down. Water may be discoloured and you will risk spoiling carpets if water is spilled. We recommend you wear a pair of washing up gloves while you do this to protect your hands.
5. Using a radiator key, insert it into the bleed valve at the top and to the side of the radiator. Carefully turn the key anti-clockwise. As the air escapes you will hear a hissing sound. Be careful, as the escaping air could be hot. A quarter to a half turn will be enough. Once you bleed air from the radiator, water will come rushing out. Turning the key clockwise will seal the radiator again. Take care not to over tighten.
6. Repeat this process for every radiator in the property. Air rises, so start at the bottom of the house and work your way up.

If this problem is persistent, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. In this case, or if you are not confident about following these steps, log an issue online.

Winter Heating Checks For Your Rental home. See also Is the garden of your rental property ready for winter? and 4 Simple External Checks To Get Your Rental Home Ready For Winter.