Expert Advice
Heating Advice & Boiler Maintenance Tips
Practical heating and plumbing advice from our Gas Safe registered engineers in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Keep your boiler running safely and efficiently all year round.
At Curtis and Carder Services Ltd, we've been keeping homes and businesses warm across Bicester, Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties for over 40 years. Our Gas Safe registered and OFTEC certified engineers have put together this collection of heating advice and boiler maintenance tips to help you look after your heating system between professional services.
A well-maintained boiler is safer, cheaper to run and far less likely to break down in the middle of winter. Simple checks like monitoring your boiler pressure, bleeding your radiators and keeping an eye on your thermostat settings can make a real difference to your energy bills and your comfort. Whether you have a gas boiler, an oil-fired system, an air source heat pump or a traditional central heating setup, the advice below applies to most modern heating systems.
Remember: any work involving gas, oil or your boiler's internal components must be carried out by a qualified, registered engineer. If you smell gas or suspect a carbon monoxide leak, turn off your gas supply at the meter, open doors and windows, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately.
Bleed Your Radiators
If your radiators are cold at the top but warm at the bottom, trapped air is stopping them heating fully. Bleed them with a radiator key — it takes five minutes per radiator and can dramatically improve how quickly your home warms up. Do this at the start of every heating season.
Check Your Boiler Pressure
Your boiler pressure gauge should sit between 1.0 and 1.5 bar when the system is cold. If it's dropped below 1.0 bar, top it up using the filling loop. Low pressure causes your boiler to lock out and stops your heating working entirely. If pressure keeps dropping, you may have a leak — call an engineer.
Book an Annual Service
An annual boiler service keeps your boiler safe, efficient and warranty-valid. A Gas Safe registered engineer will check the flue, combustion, heat exchanger and safety devices. Regular servicing can catch small faults before they become expensive breakdowns — and keeps your manufacturer warranty intact.
Protect Against Frozen Condensate
In cold weather, the condensate pipe that carries waste water from your boiler to the drain can freeze and block, causing your boiler to shut down. Insulate exposed pipework with foam lagging. If it does freeze, pour warm (not boiling) water over the frozen section to clear it.
When to Call a Professional
While the tips above cover routine maintenance you can safely do yourself, many heating faults need a professional. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer if your boiler is making unusual noises, frequently losing pressure, displaying error codes, or if your radiators are cold even after bleeding. You should also arrange a professional service once a year — it's a requirement of most boiler warranties and keeps your appliance running at peak efficiency.
If you're considering upgrading your heating system, modern condensing boilers are over 90% efficient compared to older models that may be as little as 60% efficient. An upgrade can cut your gas bills significantly. For homes off the gas grid, air source heat pumps offer an efficient, low-carbon alternative — and with the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could receive a grant towards installation. Our MCS accredited team can advise on whether a heat pump is right for your property.
Curtis and Carder cover Bicester, Oxford, Banbury, Aylesbury, Buckingham, Brackley and the wider Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire area. Whatever your heating or plumbing needs, our family-run team is here to help.
Need Help With Your Heating?
Our Gas Safe registered engineers are ready to help with boiler servicing, repairs and heating upgrades across Bicester and Oxfordshire.