Preparing your boiler, heating, and pipes for winter | Tenant news

Winter is in full swing so knowing how to respond if your boiler, heating, or water system has a problem will help to ensure that it’s resolved quickly and give you peace of mind.

Boilers and radiators

Keep an eye on your boiler pressure. The pressure should sit at the 1.0-1.5 bar. If it’s not, take a look at your boiler instruction manual.

Your manual will tell you how to reset pressure, but, if you can’t do this, please call our Customer Services Team at Habinteg Direct to report it on 0300 365 3100.

If your boiler has a fault, it’s making strange sounds or leaking water, or your radiators aren’t heating, report it as a repair via the My Habinteg tenant portal which you’ll find on our website’s home page.

If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to register for one. You can call Habinteg Direct or email them at direct@habinteg.org.uk.

Frozen pipes

Boilers can stop working if outside pipes freeze in very cold weather. To help prevent this, open the cupboard under the sink so the heat in your kitchen can reach the pipes.

You can also try switching the boiler off and pouring warm to hot (not boiling) water on the pipe to help thaw it out.

Don’t use ladders or hang out of windows to do this. Once the ice is thawed, switch on the boiler. If in doubt, call the Customer Services Team to report it.

Managing your heating

You can manage your heating by checking your usual thermostat setting. Turning it down by just 1°C can help.

Set it to the lowest comfortable temperature, usually 18 to 21°C. If the thermostat won’t change, call Habinteg Direct.

If you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales, you may also be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment to help with heating costs.

You can check if you’re eligible on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/winter-fuelpayment/eligibility.

Reporting an emergency

If you notice any kind of burning smell of smoke from a socket or fuse board, turn off the main power immediately and call Customer Services right away on 0300 365 3100.

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