Prevent Winter Breakdowns with our Top Tips

As the winter weather sets in and we ramp up the heating at home, we’re often reminded to check for warning signs of breakdowns and take steps to prevent pipes from freezing. This is even more important for commercial heating and air conditioning systems, where the impact of a failure can be much more severe.

Even if your system has been serviced recently, it’s worth taking a little time to carry out a few simple checks to prevent any costly problems.

Check radiators

Switch on your heating system and take a walk around, checking each radiator. If one doesn’t warm up it could be a sign it needs bleeding, but if several have problems you should contact a professional.

Maintain temperatures

It’s best that your building doesn’t drop below freezing point at any time, so aim to maintain a constant low temperature of around 5 to 7 degrees C. Building controls often have frost protection settings to cater for this, but check with your servicing partner if you’re unsure.

Audit risks

Be aware of which areas of your building are most at risk of freezing, and take extra care to prevent this. As much as 15% of heat can be lost through gaps in windows and doors, so it’s also worth checking for draughts and taking steps to prevent them.

Optimise controls

Different areas of your building will have different needs, depending on size, occupancy and activity levels. Avoid spending too much on heating up rooms that go unused for long periods of time by using timers and energy controls effectively.

Prepare for breakdowns

Make sure you have breakdown cover in place, as the impact of a loss of heat will be felt quickly in the winter months. If replacement parts or equipment are needed a good breakdown contract will significantly speed up the process.

Of course, the best way to avoid unexpected problems is through regular servicing by qualified engineers who understand the warning signs and can advise on ways to make efficiency savings. For more information on how the 361 Servicing team can help you this winter, click below to get in touch.