Whether you have a gas or domestic heating oil system, there will no doubt be several instances in which you worry about whether your system is going to continue working efficiently to heat your home or whether it is about to fail on you in the most unexpected way possible.

Our heating systems play a crucial role in our home lives in the winter months, keeping our families warm on even the coldest of days. Whether living alone or with young children, we know how important a fully functioning heating system is during the winter months which is why, on a freezing night, a breakdown would be our idea of a complete nightmare.

No system can remain perfect forever and unfortunately unless we possess intricate knowledge of heating; a break down is never avoidable.

Protecting yourself from unsuspecting disaster and of course the repair bill that goes with it is naturally on the mind of every home owner which is why it is important  that you keep a few things in mind and consider the following points to give you, if nothing else; a fighting chance...

• Get Cover- Whether you want to admit it or not, your boiler is in no way immune which means that a breakdown is and always will be inevitably unavoidable. Ensure you have the right breakdown cover and/or insurance in place so that if your boiler does attempt to give you an unexpected surprise then you're as ready for it as possible.
• Learn to Drain- Annually draining water from your boiler is a great way to flush out any dirt that may be building up. Turning off your power and water supply and securing a hose to the drain valve is all you need to do in order to ensure that you are flushing out any build up of sediment or grit.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm- You never know when your boiler might pose a danger to you and your family so to prevent any risks and to give yourself piece of mind consider having a carbon monoxide alarm fitted to prevent any disasters.
• Thermostat- Your thermostat is the control to how much heating your home is receiving and if older than ten years, you may find it no longer works as accurately as it should. With heating experts declaring that simply turning your thermostat down by one degree could save hundreds on your annual bill it is important that your controls are operating efficiently if you are to cut your energy usage. Update your thermostat/heating controls in order to ensure you aren't wasting any time and money.
• Cracks/Holes- One of the main causes for failure in any heating system is the appearance of cracks and holes which can cause unsuspecting leaks. Although maintenance and repair of this would be required by a professional it is important that you as the homeowner keep an eye on your system in order to catch any issues before they worsen.

Minimise the risk of break down and give yourself the best chance of ensuring you aren't faced with days with no heating by knowing just what to look for and what to do and not do when it comes to your gas and domestic oil heating system.

Know what to look for and what to do when caring for your heating to ensure it stays in the best condition, for as long as possible.