It is the most common topic for small talk at everything from weddings to business meeting. As a nation, we collectively denounce our weather when it is inclement and unpleasant, but enjoy the \u2018few days of summer\u2019 we get each year.<\/p>\n
Too cold and we complain and yet when we are too hot, we still complain, lurching from flooding to droughts within months of each other.<\/p>\n
As we stand on the cusp of spring, we look back at the winter of 2016\/17 and perhaps think it wasn\u2019t all that bad. As we enjoy the warmth of summer we forget the cold of the winter past and not think too much of the winter weather that could arrive on our doorstep this time round.<\/p>\n
And, as winter arrives on the doorstep, we will flick the switch on the boiler on the assumption it will burst into life and keep us toasty warm all winter.<\/p>\n
But will it? As we enjoy the heat of summer, will the small issue with the heating system that we have promised we will get fixed asap, suddenly develop into a fault that prevents heat being distributed? Will the small leak become such a big problem that come the colder evenings there will be no heat to ward off the chill?<\/p>\n
There is never a convenient time to find that you have a problem with your heating, although making this discovery when temperatures plummet is possibly the worst time.<\/p>\n
Like all things, prevention is better than cure. And this means expending a little time and effort \u2013 and cash, if needed \u2013 to make sure that your underfloor heating is in great shape.<\/p>\n
But here is the first piece of good news: underfloor heating needs relatively little attention to carry on being the energy-efficient system you know and love.<\/p>\n
The second is that you can perform a preliminary and basic heating health check on your system. Discover something whilst doing this, and you have a better idea of the problem when you call in a suitably qualified engineer.<\/p>\n
An easy task to start with: simply turn the system on, create a demand for heat, and check that the pump is running and flow gauges are showing a consistent flow of water through the system.<\/p>\n
With the system still turned on, turn each thermostat down so that there is no demand. What should happen is that the pump should go off and the boiler should not fire. If it does, it still means there is demand in the system for heat or hot water. The flow gauges should also have a zero reading.<\/p>\n