As the temperatures start to fall and heating systems click back into life, now is a good time to make sure your home and LPG supply are ready for the winter ahead.
Once again, Liquid Gas UK, the trade association for the LPG industry, is encouraging LPG users to ‘Get Ahead for Winter’ with some simple steps that can make a real difference when the colder weather arrives.
At Northern Energy, we know that when you rely on LPG to keep your home warm, having one less thing to worry about during winter matters. Whether it’s keeping an eye on the level in your tank, getting your boiler serviced or making your home a little more energy efficient, a bit of preparation now can help you head into winter feeling ready.
So, what should be on your winter checklist?
Take a look at your LPG tank
Nobody wants to be heading outside to check their LPG tank when it’s freezing cold, so now is a good time to take a look at your tank level and make sure you’re ready for the months ahead.
As temperatures begin to fall and your heating starts to work harder, you’ll naturally use more LPG. If you place your own orders, keeping an eye on your gauge and ordering in plenty of time can help you avoid getting lower than you’d like.
It’s easy to underestimate how quickly your LPG level can drop when your heating is on more often, particularly during a prolonged spell of cold weather. Getting into the habit of checking your gauge regularly means you’ll have a better idea of how much you’re using and when you might need your next delivery.
Planning ahead also means there’s one less thing to think about when colder weather arrives. So, if your LPG tank level is looking a little lower than you’d like, don’t wait until you’re running low before arranging your next delivery.
Make life easier with automatic top-up
Of course, if keeping an eye on your LPG tank is one job you’d happily take off your to-do list, that’s where our automatic top-up service comes in.
Many of our domestic customers choose automatic top-up because it makes managing their LPG supply that little bit easier. Instead of remembering to check your tank and place an order yourself, we monitor your LPG usage and use this to help us plan when your next delivery is needed.
It’s particularly useful during the colder months, when you’re likely to be using more LPG to keep your home warm. While you get on with everything else winter has to throw at you, we can keep an eye on your LPG supply and plan your deliveries accordingly.
If you're not sure whether you're already on automatic top-up, or you currently order your LPG yourself and would like to find out more about switching, have a chat with our friendly team.
Should I service my boiler before winter?
Yes. Having your LPG boiler serviced before winter can help make sure it’s working safely and efficiently, and also help to prolong its life.
Your boiler has probably enjoyed a bit of a break over the summer, but as temperatures start to drop, it’s about to become one of the hardest-working appliances in your home. So, before winter really gets underway, it’s worth making sure it's ready for the job ahead.
Having your LPG boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer isn’t just about ticking another job off your list. A service checks that your boiler is operating safely and correctly, prevents carbon buildup, and includes checks of components, combustion, the flue and the boiler’s safety devices.
A boiler that’s working efficiently can also help you get more from the LPG you use. If your heating system isn’t working as efficiently as it should, it may use more fuel to provide the heat you need. Regular servicing gives an engineer the opportunity to check its performance, clean components where required and identify anything that could be affecting how efficiently it runs.
Then there’s reliability. Nobody wants their heating to pack in during a cold snap. Regular servicing can highlight wear, leaks, corrosion or other developing issues, giving you the opportunity to put things right before they potentially turn into an inconvenient breakdown.
Most importantly, there’s safety. An engineer will check that your boiler is burning fuel correctly and that combustion gases are being safely removed through the flue. These checks can help identify faults that could present a carbon monoxide risk.
So, if your boiler is due its annual service, try to get it booked in sooner rather than later. A little TLC before winter can help keep your boiler running safely and efficiently, potentially reduce unnecessary fuel usage and lower the risk of an unwelcome breakdown when you need your heating most.
Check your radiators
When you switch your heating back on after the warmer months, give your radiators a quick check too. Are they heating evenly or are you finding some parts feel noticeably colder than others?
If a radiator feels warm at the bottom but cold at the top, it could simply mean there’s air trapped inside. Bleeding the radiators releases this trapped air and allows the hot water to circulate more effectively, helping your heating system do its job properly.
While you’re checking them, it’s worth looking at all the radiators around your home, including in rooms you might not use as often. That way, you can spot any problems before the temperatures really start to tumble.
And if bleeding a radiator doesn’t solve the problem, or you notice anything else that doesn’t seem quite right, don’t ignore it. Speak to a qualified Gas Safe engineer who can take a closer look and make sure your heating system is ready to keep you warm through the winter.
Keep the heat you've paid for inside
There's not much point in warming your home if all that lovely heat is escaping through gaps around windows or doors. Before the colder weather really takes hold, spend a little time looking for places where warmth could be sneaking out.
Draughts around doors, windows and even letterboxes can all make a room feel colder than it needs to. The good news is that some of the simplest measures can make a real difference. Draught excluders, sealing gaps around doors and windows, and closing your curtains as evenings draw in can all help keep more of that valuable warmth inside.
And the more heat you can keep in your home, the less work your heating system has to do to keep it at a comfortable temperature. That can help you make better use of your LPG rather than using extra fuel to replace heat that’s being lost.
If you’re looking to go a little further, it’s worth thinking about insulation too. From checking your loft insulation to insulating your hot water cylinder and exposed pipework, there are plenty of ways to help your home hold onto heat for longer.
While you’re at it, pay particular attention to any pipes in colder areas such as garages, outbuildings or against external walls. Insulating exposed pipework can help protect it from freezing when temperatures really drop, potentially saving you from an unwelcome problem in the middle of winter.
Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that can make your home feel that little bit cosier, while helping you get more from the energy you’re using.
Get to know your heating controls
When it starts to feel chilly, it can be tempting to simply turn up the thermostat. But taking a little time to get to know your heating controls could help you keep your home comfortable without using more LPG than you need to.
Start by checking your heating schedule. Does it still match your daily routine, or is your heating coming on when nobody’s home or when everyone’s tucked up in bed? Setting your heating to come on when you actually need it means you’re not using energy to warm an empty house unnecessarily.
It’s also worth thinking about which rooms you’re heating. If you have thermostatic radiator valves, you can adjust individual radiators to suit how you use each room. A spare bedroom, for example, might not need to be kept as warm as the living room, although it’s still important to maintain sufficient heat throughout your home particularly during cold weather.
And remember, turning your thermostat up higher won’t necessarily warm your home more quickly. Instead, aim for a comfortable temperature and let your heating system do its job.
A few minutes spent checking your settings now could make a difference over the course of the winter. Using your heating a little more thoughtfully can help reduce unnecessary energy use, make your LPG go further and still keep your home warm and cosy when the temperature outside starts to tumble.
We're getting ready for winter too
Getting ahead for winter isn't only something we're asking our customers to do. We’re busy preparing too.
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep LPG moving, particularly as demand increases during the colder months. From the people planning deliveries and the drivers out on the road, to the vehicles, storage facilities and wider supply network behind them, it all plays a part in getting LPG to homes when it’s needed.
Across the LPG industry, continued investment in storage, infrastructure and distribution networks helps strengthen the resilience of LPG supplies and support customers through periods of higher winter demand.
At Northern Energy, planning ahead is a key part of what we do all year round, but it becomes even more important as we head into winter. We plan our deliveries carefully, keep a close eye on demand and work hard to keep LPG moving to our customers throughout the colder months.
There are a few things you can do to help us along the way. If you order your LPG yourself, placing your order in good time rather than waiting until your tank is running very low gives us more flexibility when planning your delivery.
Making sure our drivers can safely get to your tank is important too. Overgrown hedges, locked gates, parked vehicles or changes to your property can all affect access. If something has changed since we last delivered to you, let us know beforehand so we can make sure our drivers have the information they need.
A little forward planning on both sides can go a long way. You can get on with enjoying a warm and cosy home, while we get on with making sure your LPG gets where it needs to be.
Worried about the cost of keeping your home warm?
We know that keeping your home warm can be a worry, particularly when household budgets are already stretched. If you’re concerned about the cost of your LPG or are finding it difficult to keep on top of your energy bills, please don’t wait until you’re struggling to get in touch. Talk to us. The sooner we know there’s a problem, the sooner we can have a conversation about your circumstances and discuss any options that may be available to help.
As a member of Liquid Gas UK, Northern Energy supports the industry’s Customer Charter and its commitment to providing customers with high standards of care and support.
There is also independent help and advice available from organisations including Citizens Advice and Energy Saving Trust, while GOV.UK provides information about help with energy bills.
Get ahead now, worry less later
Nobody wants to be thinking about their LPG tank when it's freezing outside. That’s why a little preparation now can go a long way when the colder weather arrives.
A quick check of your LPG level, a boiler service and a few simple jobs around the house now can help you get the most from your LPG system, and head into winter feeling prepared for the colder weather ahead.
Need an LPG delivery or have a question about your account?
Get in touch with our friendly Northern Energy team on 01423 772 789 or log into your online account.