As summer officially ends on the 22 September, households and businesses across the UK are preparing to fire up their heating after months of inactivity. Experts are urging people to carry out a few simple steps to avoid breakdowns, harmful emissions, and costly repairs this autumn.
The Four Essential Checks
Before turning the heating back on, a few simple steps can make the difference between a smooth start and a costly breakdown. Taking time to prepare now helps households and businesses avoid common problems and ensures systems run safely and efficiently.
So what should you do before firing up the heating? Here are four recommended checks:
- Book a professional service with a qualified engineer – a service check helps spot faults early, reduces emissions, and ensures safe operation.
- Ensure flues and ventilation points are clear of obstructions – blockages can trap harmful gases indoors, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide exposure.
- Test or replace carbon monoxide (CO) alarms – many alarms expire or run flat; a working device is often the only early warning sign of a leak.
- Warm up the system gradually rather than going straight to full power – sudden demand after months of disuse can strain pumps, valves, and radiators, leading to costly breakdowns.
Why These Checks Matter
When systems lie idle over summer, dust, debris and even blockages can build up unnoticed. Once the cold weather arrives and windows are closed, these issues can cause dangerous carbon monoxide exposure or trigger costly equipment failures.
Search behaviour backs this up: Google data shows that searches for “heating won’t come on” jump by over 750% between August and the autumn months – a sign that many households encounter problems when boilers are fired up after being unused through summer.
Safety data highlights the risks too. The Gas Safe Register estimates that 1 in 6 UK homes has an unsafe gas appliance, while NHS and ONS figures confirm that hundreds of people are hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning each year – many mistaking the symptoms for flu or other seasonal illnesses.
Expert Insight
James Kuligowski, Business Development Manager at Dunphy Combustion based in Greater Manchester, said that skipping a service before switch-on is one of the most common and potentially dangerous mistakes people make.
“Every autumn, when heating systems are first used again, there is a rise in problems linked to poor maintenance,” said Kuligowski. “Blocked flues, unventilated rooms and neglected servicing don’t just reduce efficiency – they can create serious safety concerns. A short service visit before firing up the heating is the single most important step households and businesses can take.”
Other Common Mistakes To Avoid
Skipping a service isn’t the only mistake people make – several other oversights can lead to safety concerns or costly repairs. Small errors or neglected checks can quickly escalate once the heating is back in regular use. These are three additional issues that households and businesses should watch for each autumn:
- Covering or blocking vents and flues – often done during summer DIY or insulation projects, this can trap gases indoors and increase carbon monoxide risk.
- Neglecting CO alarms – many alarms are expired, missing or have flat batteries, leaving homes and workplaces unprotected.
- Ignoring warning signs – yellow flames, unusual smells or banging noises from a boiler should always be checked immediately by a professional.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Kuligowski added that taking preventative steps now can save both money and stress later in the season.
“Heating systems are designed to keep us safe and comfortable, but they need regular maintenance to do so,” he explained. “A little preparation in autumn can prevent breakdowns, reduce emissions, and provide peace of mind before the coldest weather sets in.”
Taking these steps helps ensure heating systems run efficiently, safely, and reliably throughout the winter months.
