Storm Austen is passing through the South West today, Friday 23 October, bringing strong winds and heavy rain right across the region. The Met Office named the storm on Tuesday and has a yellow wind warning in place for southern England and south Wales.

Gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely across the warning area, with more than 70mph possible on the most exposed coasts. Many places could also see 20 to 30mm of rain. The Met Office warns of possible travel disruption, power cuts and flying debris.

Here at Custom Heat & Cool, we know how exposed homes in the South West can be, especially near the coast. Below are some simple ways to keep your heating and cooling running safely while the storm passes, and what to do afterwards.

How a storm can affect your heating and cooling

High winds and heavy rain don’t usually damage a boiler or heat pump directly, but they can stop them working properly. These are the most common problems we see after a storm:

• Power cuts. Most boilers need electricity to run, even gas and oil ones. Heat pumps and air conditioning units need it too.
• Blocked outdoor units. Leaves, sand and debris can build up around heat pumps and air con units, which stops air flowing through them.
• Blocked or damaged flues. Your boiler flue needs a clear path to get rid of waste gases safely.
• Damp. Days of heavy, wind-driven rain can let moisture into walls, particularly in older homes and coastal properties.

Simple checks to keep your home warm

If you have a power cut

When the power comes back, your boiler or heat pump should restart by itself. If it doesn’t, check your thermostat and timer settings, as some reset after a power cut. You can also try resetting the boiler using the instructions in your manual. If it still won’t start, give us a call.

Clear around your outdoor units

Once the wind has died down and it’s safe to go outside, check around your heat pump, air conditioning unit and boiler flue. Gently clear away any leaves, sand or debris. Coastal homes in particular can get a lot blown in.

Secure your garden

Before the worst of the wind arrives, move or tie down garden furniture, bins and plant pots. This stops them being blown into outdoor units or flues.

Check your oil tank

If your home runs on oil, check your tank once the storm has passed. Make sure it’s secure and hasn’t been damaged.

Keep your heating ticking over

Keeping your heating on low and steady through wet, windy weather helps to stop damp and condensation building up indoors.

After the storm

Storm Austen should ease later on Friday as it moves out into the North Sea. However, the Met Office says more wind and rain are likely over the weekend and into early next week, with the heaviest rain most likely in western areas. That means the South West could see a few more unsettled days yet.

Now is a good time to make sure your heating is ready for winter. If your boiler or heat pump hasn’t been serviced in the last 12 months, booking a service now can help catch small problems before the colder weather arrives.

It’s also worth checking in on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours, especially if they’ve had a power cut.

We’re here to help

Call us on 0330 383 0000 or visit customheat.co.uk to get in touch.

Storm details are from theMet Office and were correct at the time of writing. Check the Met Office website or app for the latest warnings.