Helpful Hints
Controlling your central heating
How to set the clock timer or digital timer
If you need to set the clock or digital timer please refer to the instructions that were provided with the boiler/programmer before attempting to do so. If no instructions have been provided, please contact customer services.
How to control the temperature
To set the room thermostat, turn the dial so that the arrow marker is against the temperature setting you want. A comfortable temperature is between 18°C and 22°C.
Bleeding a radiator
You should bleed a radiator if the top part of the radiator is cold. This is because air is trapped in the system. Bleeding the radiator releases the air and allows hot water to fill the radiator.
Do not bleed the radiator if you have a combination boiler, this will result in pressure loss and eventually the complete loss of heat and hot water.
Before you bleed the radiator, if the whole radiator is cold, check that the thermostatic radiator valve is turned fully on.
Turn off the heating system before you bleed a radiator. You will need a bleed key and a rag or bowl. The bleed valve is a small square nut at the top of the radiator. Place the key over the valve and hold the cloth around it to catch any water. Gently turn the key anticlockwise until you hear a hiss. This is the air being released. When water starts to come through, turn the key back clockwise to shut the valve off.
Do not unscrew the valve completely as the plug will come right out.
Clearing blockages
Clearing a sink or bath blockage
Bail out most of the water using a suitable bowl or container. Hold a rag firmly over the overflow opening. Place the plunger over the waste hole, and pump it up and down quickly. You can get plungers from most DIY shops.
Clearing out a waste trap
Bail out any water from the bath, basin or sink using a suitable bowl or container. Place a bowl underneath the trap and unscrew the joints to remove the trap. Clean thoroughly and replace the trap, checking that all the seals are in place and that all the joints are tight.
Clearing a blocked toilet
If the pan is already full, remove some of the water using a suitable bowl or container. Push the plunger to the bottom of the pan, and pump it up and down quickly about 10 times. This vacuum may shift the blockage. Check by flushing the toilet.
Avoiding blockages
You should securely fasten air fresheners to the toilet to make sure that they do not fall in and cause a blockage. Blockages are usually caused by unusual objects, such as nappies, toys, sanitary towels and air fresheners. If there is a blockage as a result of one of these objects becoming stuck, we may charge you for clearing the blockage.
Resetting a trip switch
To reset a trip switch, open the cover on the consumer unit to expose the trip switches. The consumer unit is usually next to the electricity meter. Check which switches have tripped to the ‘off’ position and put them back to the ‘on’ position. If the switch trips again, a faulty appliance is probably causing it. You need to identify which circuit is affected, and which appliance on that circuit is causing the problem.
To find out which appliance is faulty, go around the house noting which set of lights or sockets are not working. Unplug all appliances, including the immersion heater and fridge. Switch the trip switch to the ‘on’ position and plug in the appliances one by one until the switch goes again. You have now found the faulty appliance, so leave it unplugged. If an appliance we have provided is faulty, report the repair in the normal way. If it is one of your own appliances, you should get it checked by a qualified service engineer.
Warning: Never tamper with the electricity company’s fuse and seals, and never take any action unless you are confident that you can do it safely.
