Just like any appliance, your boiler works best when it’s well looked after. As many of us regularly use our boilers for heating up our homes and even our water, we often take them for granted. If anything was to go wrong, many of us simply wouldn’t know how to fix it. To get the most out of your boiler, you need to make sure you take all the necessary precautions to look after it and to keep it running smoothly.
Here are some of the things you can do to look after your boiler and to prevent any boiler breakdowns further down the line.
Do you need a boiler replacement?
Before you attempt to fix a boiler or spend any money on new parts, consider the age of your current boiler. Is it over 10 years old? Does it tend to break down or refuse to work regularly? If so, then it might be about time you purchased a new one, or at least considered your options. The upfront cost of a brand new boiler may be high, but thanks to advancements in technology, you’ll be replacing your old one with a much more efficient, energy-saving model.
Check your boiler pressure.
In order to operate to the best of their ability, boilers must have the right amount of boiler pressure. If not, they won’t be able to function effectively. To check your boiler pressure, you can look at the pressure gauge which will tell you whether or not it is running on high, low or ideal pressure.
There are many reasons for an incorrect boiler pressure level. Perhaps your pressure valves have come loose or you need to bleed your radiators – if you’re unsure, your boiler manufacturer will be able to give you further help and advice.
Boiler servicing.
To keep your boiler ticking over and to prevent any imminent faults or failure, you should get your boiler serviced at least once per year. In a lot of cases, with every boiler purchase, you’ll receive some sort of warranty guarantee, which can cover anything from labour to replacement parts.
To keep your warranty valid, you’re usually expected to keep up with boiler servicing. If you don’t, then your warranty will be invalid and you won’t be able to take advantage of the benefits. A service can also highlight any problems and enable you to fix them before anything serious goes wrong, so it is more than worth noting it on your calendar.
Keep your boiler clean.
Keeping anything clean is going to increase its running time. Even if a boiler doesn’t look like it’ll need much cleaning on the surface, what’s inside is can be a completely different matter. As water and debris runs through the pipes constantly, it can cause a build-up of sludge-like substance over time, which can block them up or even prevent your boiler from running efficiently. It’s something that needs addressing as soon as possible.
The external plate of your boiler can easily be cleaned by hand, but the cleaning of internal pipes and components needs specialist equipment. Always seek professional help and the work of a registered engineer before attempting anything yourself.
Bleed your radiators.
A main reason why your boiler may not be working as it should be, could be down to the fact there is too much air in your radiators. A good way to check this is to turn on your central heating and wait until your radiators are hot. If you feel any cold spots or your radiators aren’t getting fully hot evenly, then this means you’ll need to bleed them.
After you have bled your radiators when they are cold, boot up your heating again and see if it has made any difference. If it has, great – you’ve found the culprit. If not, then this may be down to a more serious problem that may need to be addressed.
Choose pipe insulation.
The harshness of different types of weather can be cruel to central heating pipes. Choosing to purchase easy-to-fit, foam piping can reduce the amount of heat lost from these areas as well as keeping your water hotter for longer periods of time. You may need to measure the size of your pipes beforehand to make sure you get the most appropriate foam insulation for your system.
Your boiler can be more efficient and better protected when taking the necessary steps.
Most of us need a little help when it comes to caring for our boilers and other large appliances. However, taking the time to go through your options will enable you to save money and energy in the process. Most of the ways in which you can care for your boiler can be done alone or with the expert help of a professional engineer. If in doubt, always ask for a professional opinion.
