Britain's leading energy supplier, British Gas, has reported a significant increase in emergency callouts from households experiencing low boiler pressure. The company attributes the spike to the recent period of unsettled and fluctuating weather conditions across the UK.
Weather Woes Trigger Heating Headaches
The energy giant anticipates that approximately 35,000 customers nationwide will require assistance with their boilers this week alone. The dramatic shifts in temperature are causing widespread issues with system pressure, which can lead to a complete loss of heating or hot water.
British Gas engineer Ella Teakle commented on the trend, offering reassurance to concerned homeowners. "With temperatures fluctuating, we're seeing a big increase in low boiler pressure issues," she said. "If your heating or hot water suddenly stops working, don't panic. Checking the pressure gauge is a good first step and, in many cases, it can be an easy fix."
How to Check and Fix Low Boiler Pressure
Teakle and British Gas have issued clear guidance for those who suspect their boiler pressure has dropped. The first action is to locate the pressure gauge on the front of the boiler. A healthy system should typically read between 1 and 1.5 bar. If the needle is below 1 bar, the pressure is too low and needs addressing.
For those confident to proceed, repressurising the boiler can often resolve the issue. The general steps involve:
- Switching off the boiler and allowing it to cool completely.
- Locating the filling loop, usually a flexible silver hose.
- Slowly opening both valves on the loop until they align with the pipe, listening for water flow.
- Monitoring the pressure gauge and closing the valves once the reading reaches 1 to 1.5 bar.
- Switching the boiler back on and pressing the reset button if needed.
It is crucial to consult your specific boiler manual first, as procedures can vary between models.
When to Call in the Experts
Ella Teakle strongly advises homeowners not to take risks. "If you're not confident carrying out checks yourself, it's always best to call an expert," she stated. If repressurising does not solve the problem, or if issues recur frequently, professional help is essential to diagnose and fix potentially more serious faults safely.
British Gas provides further detailed advice on boiler maintenance and safe repressurisation on its official online resource, The Source.
