Preparing Your Home Heating System for Winter 2026

It is that time of year when people are finding their big coats, but for homeowners, preparing their heating system for winter is a critical time to ensure their home heating system is prepared for the demands of winter. As temperatures begin to drop and energy costs remain a concern, alongside the UK government’s ongoing push towards decarbonisation, the coming months present challenges and opportunities for homeowners.

Why Winter Preparation Matters More Than Ever in 2026

Whether you are maintaining your current setup or considering an upgrade, preparing correctly can benefit homeowners. In addition to keeping your family comfortable during the cold months, you can also prevent breakdowns and technical issues.

“Preparing your heating system ahead of winter is no longer just about comfort; it’s about efficiency, safety, and long-term cost control,” explains Matthew Powell, Founder of WarmZilla and a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. “Annual servicing, correct system settings, and ensuring components like cylinders are properly matched to modern heat sources can make a significant difference to performance, particularly during peak winter demand.”

Several initiatives are available to help homeowners prepare their heating systems for greater efficiency. For starters, the government-funded Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has been increased. The budget for 2025/2026 has been increased to £295 million. This is currently only available to residents in England and Wales. For homeowners in Scotland, similar support is available through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme. Residents in Northern Ireland should check with their local energy provider for available schemes.

Increase in Heat Pump Installations

One method homeowners have used to make their heating systems more efficient is installing a heat pump. In addition to the increase in available BUS grants, the government has removed the rule that required air source heat pumps to be installed at least one metre from the boundary of a property. By not needing to submit a planning application, there is greater flexibility for property owners being able to install a heat pump.

These changes have seen an increase in heat pump installations, with more than 30,000 heat pump installations being recorded for the first half of 2025.

Essential Checks for Every Home

To make sure your heating system is efficiently prepared for the winter months, it is advised that you do the following:

Schedule Your Boiler Service Now!

As a homeowner, the last thing you want to experience is having a broken heating system in the middle of winter. That is why it is recommended to book your annual boiler service as soon as possible. By having your boiler checked by a qualified engineer, you can be confident that it is operating safely and efficiently.

The additional benefits of this include a potential reduction in your heating bills of up to 23%.

Radiator Maintenance

Bleeding radiators is a simple way to help with a home’s heating efficiency. This especially needs to be done if there are cold spots at the top of your radiators.

1. Turn off your heating
2. Place a cloth under the radiator valve
3. Use a radiator key to slowly open the Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) until water appears, then close it.

Furthermore, moving furniture away from radiators (and curtains) can allow heat to flow better. Clean radiators and heating vents can maximise efficiency.

Bonus Tip: Check Your Thermostat

• Position away from direct sunlight, draughts, and heat sources
• Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat (saving on average 8% on bills)

Protect Your System from the Cold: Insulation and Winterproofing

One of the costliest issues homeowners can face is damage to pipes, especially when they burst. With temperatures dropping, exposed pipes in lofts, external walls and garages can become frozen, making them vulnerable.

The cost of preventing damaged pipes and winterproofing your home is far less than repairing them. Whether that is adding pipe insulation, or draught-proofing around the home.

Heat Pump-Specific Preparation

Unlike traditional boilers, heat pumps require different maintenance needs.

Recommended Checks:

• Clear debris (leaves, dirt)
• Maintain clearance (30cm minimum)
• Check drainage
• Monitor snow and ice buildup
• Maintain airflow

Optimise Your Heat Pump System Settings

For heat pump systems to operate efficiently, they need to be optimised. One way this can be done is by having the system’s pressure checked. It is advised it should typically be between 1-1.5 bar (when cold).

Within the heating industry, it is considered that a heat pump’s flow temperature should be efficiently optimised at 45-55°C. However, if your home is well-insulated, and have larger radiators, ask your installer about how to optimise your flow temperature efficiently.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Just like regular heating systems, heat pumps require annual professional maintenance. A qualified technician will check the heat pump system’s refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, test defrost cycles, and ensure optimal performance before peak winter demand.

Hot Water Cylinder Maintenance

Hot water cylinders have higher running costs during the winter months. This is primarily because of the lower temperature of the incoming cold water and the air surrounding the cylinder. For this reason, it is ideal to check that your hot water cylinder’s settings are optimal, and that you can rely on it to see you through to the spring. These checks include:

• Signs of leaks on/around the cylinder – if a cylinder will imminently need to be replaced, it’s best to get it done before it gets urgent and/or the weather turns.
• Hot water temperature – 55°C is optimal, as this ensures that no harmful bacteria can grow in there and that you aren’t wasting money by heating the water higher than necessary.
• Annual servicing if unvented – Unvented cylinders (cylinders which accept water directly from the mains supply) have several safety features, all of which should be checked by a qualified engineer every 12 months. It is not advised that homeowners attempt this, as incorrect use can make the system unsafe.

Utilising a Heat Pump Cylinder

Evaluate Your System’s Suitability for Modern Heating

If you’re considering switching your system’s heat source from a boiler to a heat pump, your existing hot water cylinder may not be optimised for a heat pump’s lower-temperature operation. Traditional cylinders were designed with relatively small coils (0.5-1.0m²) for use with higher-temperature heat sources like boilers (with approximately 80°C flow). Using these cylinders with a heat pump is far from ideal though, as heat pumps usually operate at a lower flow temperature of 45-55°C, meaning the heat transfer rate is too slow to achieve an adequate level of efficiency. To give heat pumps enough opportunity to transfer their power into a cylinder, a much larger coil (usually at least 3.0m²) is necessary.

Overcoming Space Constraints for Heat Pump Installation

One of the biggest barriers to heat pump adoption has been space constraints. Many UK homes – particularly flats, terraced houses, and properties with limited loft or cupboard space – simply cannot accommodate the ideal cylinder sizes for their hot water demand.

For Properties with Adequate Space

The ‘Super Cylinder‘ (designed by Heat Geek and manufactured by Newark Cylinders) offers exceptionally large heat exchange surfaces between 4.0m² and 6.0m² (dependent on the chosen model). This allows the heat pump to operate at maximum efficiency even at very low flow temperatures.

The benefits of this are lower running costs and better performance during winter months when your heating system works hardest. The ‘Super Cylinder’ is an ideal hot water storage solution for optimal heat pump performance.

For Space-Constrained Properties

For properties where space is limited, the Heat Geek Mini Store provides a compact alternative. At around a quarter to a third the size of conventional cylinders, it fits in kitchen cabinets, under stairs, or small airing cupboards – spaces previously too small for conventional hot water storage. Despite its compact size, it can provide flow rates allowing up to three showers simultaneously and can operate efficiently at the low temperatures heat pumps prefer.

Both solutions are designed specifically for heat pump systems, but also make gas boilers significantly more efficient on hot water production when used with lower flow temperatures.

When to Consider an Upgrade:

• Switching to a heat pump and the current cylinder may not be compatible
• Limited space for a cylinder, preventing heat pump installation
• Frequent hot water shortages
• Cylinder showing signs of age and imminent failure
• Looking to maximise heating system efficiency before winter

Additional Winter Efficiency Measures

While checking your heating system, consider these cost-effective improvements:

• Draught-proofing – Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and letterboxes can save £45-65 annually
• Thermal curtains/blinds – Can reduce heat loss through windows
• Loft insulation check – your loft insulation is less than 270mm thick, topping it up could save £230+ annually for an average home.
• Smart heating schedules – Heat your home only when needed using timers and zoning to cut bills without sacrificing comfort. In some cases, keeping the temperature from falling too low can actually be more efficient than reheating from cold.
• Lowering the thermostat temperature by 1°C can reduce heating bills by up to 10% while often remaining comfortable.

Conclusion

Winter breakdowns happen when you least expect them. By taking these preventative steps now, you can avoid emergency callouts, reduce energy bills, and ensure your family stays warm throughout the coldest months.

 If you’re considering a cylinder upgrade for any reason, Newark Cylinders can help your installer to design the optimal solution for your specific situation.

Main Photo Credit: Africa Images via Canva