Seasonal Boiler Care Checklists
Practical, season-by-season maintenance tasks from RARE's Gas Safe engineers. Follow these checklists to prevent the most common boiler faults — and avoid costly winter breakdowns.
Autumn Checklist
September – November
Get your boiler winter-ready before the cold sets in and engineers get busy.
All Four Seasons
Why Seasonal Maintenance Matters
Prevent Breakdowns
80% of winter boiler failures are preventable with routine seasonal care. A 15-minute monthly check catches issues before they become emergencies.
Protect Your Warranty
Most manufacturers require annual servicing to honour warranties. Skipping a service can void a 10-year guarantee worth thousands.
Save on Bills
A serviced, sludge-free boiler runs 10–15% more efficiently. Over a London winter, that is £150–£300 in saved energy costs.
Boiler Maintenance FAQs
How often should I service my boiler?
Once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Annual servicing is required to maintain most manufacturer warranties and keeps the boiler running at peak efficiency. The best time is late summer or early autumn, before the winter demand begins.
What pressure should my boiler be?
Between 1.0 and 1.5 bar when the system is cold. If it drops below 1.0 bar, top it up using the filling loop. If it regularly drops below 1.0 bar, you likely have a leak or a failing expansion vessel — call an engineer.
What is the most common winter boiler problem?
A frozen external condensate pipe. When the condensate drain freezes, the boiler locks out for safety. Insulating the pipe in autumn prevents this. If it does freeze, pouring warm (not boiling) water over the external section usually clears it.
Should I leave my heating on in summer?
Run the heating for 15 minutes once a month. This keeps internal seals lubricated and prevents the pump from seizing. Do not leave it on full-time — that wastes energy and adds wear.
What temperature should my hot water cylinder be set to?
60°C. This is hot enough to kill legionella bacteria but not so hot that it risks scalding. If you have young children or elderly residents, consider fitting a thermostatic mixing valve to limit tap temperature to 41°C.
How do I know if my radiators need power flushing?
Cold spots at the bottom of radiators, slow warm-up times, discoloured water when bleeding, or noisy boilers are all signs of magnetite sludge. A power flush restores flow and heat distribution.
Need a Hand with Seasonal Maintenance?
Our Gas Safe engineers handle annual servicing, power flushing, pressure checks and full system health checks across Central London.