Heating and electrical: local engineers on HowfenConnect

With the heating season a few weeks away, this is the point in the year when boiler faults and electrical problems tend to surface. Gas engineers and electricians across the area are typically fully booked by mid-October, so anyone with work outstanding is better placed booking it now.

HowfenConnect covers Westhoughton, Horwich, Atherton, Over Hulton, Hunger Hill, Hart Common, Lostock, Aspull, Hindley, Hindley Green and Blackrod. These are the heating and electrical businesses currently listed on the directory.

Heating and gas

Ashcroft Heating, Atherton Gas engineer covering Atherton and the surrounding areas. Boiler servicing, repairs and gas work.

Naylor HVAC, Westhoughton Heating and air conditioning installation. Based in Westhoughton and working across the North West.

Electrical

A Curtis Electrical Ltd, Westhoughton Electrical contractor. One of the most recent additions to the directory.

Weston Power Electrical Services, Westhoughton Electrical services for domestic and commercial customers.

Jobs worth doing before the heating goes on

1. Book a boiler service. Demand for gas engineers peaks in October. Booking in September usually means a shorter wait.
2. Bleed the radiators. A radiator that is warm at the bottom and cold at the top has air in it. This can be done without an engineer.
3. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Both should be checked monthly, and a carbon monoxide alarm is essential in any home with a gas boiler.
4. Check the thermostat and timer. Make sure the settings still match your routine before the system is running every day.
5. Protect outside taps and exposed pipework before the first frost. A foam cover costs a few pounds. A burst pipe does not.

Listing a business

HowfenConnect lists local businesses free of charge while the directory grows. Every listing is checked before it goes live. Gas engineers, plumbers and electricians in any of the areas above can apply at howfenconnect.co.uk/advertise.