As the colder months approach, it’s a great time to check that your heating is working properly before the chill sets in. Accent care about your comfort and wellbeing, and we want to make sure you and your family stay warm and safe this winter.
Quick checks you can do now
- Test your heating system: Turn it on for 10–15 minutes to make sure your radiators warm up and your boiler fires correctly.
- Bleed your radiators: If they’re warm at the bottom but cold at the top, trapped air might be the issue. Bleeding them can improve efficiency.
- Check the condensate pipe: Especially in freezing weather, this pipe can become blocked. Make sure it’s clear and insulated if needed.
- Boiler pressure: Your boiler should usually sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when cold. If it’s too low, it may not work properly and you may need to top it up.
Need a repair?
If you spot a fault or your heating isn’t working, please report it through our Technical Hub as soon as possible. The sooner we know, the quicker we can help.
Help yourself while you wait
- While we aim to respond quickly, you can help avoid delays by:
- Checking the boiler’s reset button or error code.
- Making sure the thermostat is turned up.
- Bleeding radiators and checking for leaks.
- Ensuring the gas supply is on and topped up.
- Repressurise your boiler if required.
- Look at our website for how to guides and videos on how to resolve any quick fixes such as bleeding the radiators or repressuring your boiler.
Keeping warm at home
- Layer up: Wearing multiple thin layers traps heat better than one thick layer.
- Use draught excluders: Block gaps under doors and around windows to keep warm air in.
- Close curtains at dusk: This helps retain heat and reduce drafts.
- Keep active indoors: Moving around helps boost circulation and keeps you warmer.
- Do not block the radiators: ensure furniture or clothes are not covering the radiators for better heat circulation and prevent any damp or mould.
Technical tips
- Annual servicing: Ensure you allow access for your gas safety check to avoid breakdowns.
- Radiator valves: Make sure thermostatic radiator valves are working and set correctly.
- Smart thermostats: If you have one, check your schedule settings to ensure it’s heating your home when needed.
Important: If you’ve been offered a new boiler or radiators by our Planned works team, please don’t refuse the upgrade. Older systems are more likely to fail in cold weather, and you may find yourself without heating when you need it most.
We are here to help you stay warm, comfortable and safe in your home this winter. Please check your heating now and let us know if you have any issues. If the faults are minor, but you can’t sort them yourself, you can report them online via MyAccount. If you have a heating emergency please contact us now.