A BRITISH Gas engineer has urged households to get their homes winter-ready, with more than 1,000 boiler breakdowns in Dorset predicted amid plummeting temperatures.

After a relatively mild autumn, temperatures are due to take a dramatic downturn, marking the start of what forecasters are calling ’the coldest winter since 2012’.

British Gas is predicting that over the next week, 1,100 households in Dorset are expected to need help getting their heating and hot water systems back up and running.

Each year, British Gas fixes around 1.2 million boilers, with the first cold snap traditionally associated with a spike in demand for urgent engineer callouts.

People are being advised to prepare their homes now, to ensure their heating and hot water systems can see them right through to next spring, as well as learning how to resolve any minor issues themselves.

Josh Oram, a British Gas service and repair engineer from the south west, said: “We know that having no heating or hot water during the colder months is people’s worst disaster in the home, and this week could be the first real test for many households’ heating systems.

“Making a few small changes around the home will help ensure your heating and hot water system is working at its best. What’s more, a system that’s in good shape will keep you warmer for longer without using more energy than it needs – an important way to keep your bills down, at a time when more people are working and socialising at home.

"And remember, it can be rewarding to resolve minor issues on your own, but we’re here to step in if you’re ever uncertain – and we’re all taking the necessary safety precautions on home visits, including wearing full PPE.”

British Gas says getting ahead of the weather is especially important while social distancing measures are in place – people who take proactive steps to keep their heating and hot water working properly will help its engineers prioritise emergency response cases and visits to vulnerable people who are most in need of support.

Mr Oram has shared his top tips on how you can get your home winter-ready:

1. Bleed your radiators: Air can enter the system when you’re not using it over summer – and when it forms bubbles at the top of your radiators, it stops them from working efficiently. If you notice cold spots at the top of your radiators, switch them off and after they cool, turn a radiator key in the valve at the top to let the air out.

2. Wrap your pipes up warm: We often come across frozen condensate pipes. Insulating materials are an easy, cost-effective solution, available from most DIY stores – if you keep your water system nice and cosy, it will do the same for you.

3. Shut out the cold: Draught excluders are available from most DIY stores, and they’re an easy and affordable way to draught-proof your home. As well as sealing the joins around your doors and windows, don’t overlook extra measures like letterbox brushes, chimney balloons and even keyhole coverings.

4. Furnish for warmth: Putting your sofa in front of a radiator may keep the best spot in the house extra toasty, but it will absorb heat that could be warming the rest of the room. Curtains and rugs have an important part to play as well – thick material prevents heat from being lost through windows and doors.

5. TLC for your boiler: Your boiler is essential to keeping the household going, so it’s well worth looking after – and regular services can prevent problems from arising, full stop.

6. Be energy smart: Making the most of smart tech like thermostats means you can control your heating on the go and avoid wasting money on energy you’re not using.

7. Install a carbon monoxide detector: As well getting your boiler checked once a year, it’s essential to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. The detectors last between five and seven years, so check yours is in date and test it to make sure it’s working.

8. Keep everything ticking over: Like a car that hasn’t started for a while, your boiler can seize up if it’s not turned on for an extended period of time. It’s a good idea to run your central heating for at least an hour a day during the colder months – even if you’re not in the house – to make sure it keeps running smoothly.

9. Troubleshoot wisely: While there are plenty of simple fixes that you can make around the house, it’s important to know where to find trusted advice, and to recognise when you’ve reached your limit and need to call in the experts.

10. Get the help you’re entitled to: It’s always worth finding out if you’re eligible for extra assistance with your energy bills, especially before the cold weather sets in. £140 winter rebates are available through the Warm Home Discount scheme, and face-to-face advice, financial support and grants are available from the British Gas Energy Trust (even if you’re not a British Gas customer).