How To Maintain Your Boiler

After your new boiler is installed, you might make the mistake of leaving it to its own devices. However, it is important that you actively maintain your boiler, to ensure it continues to run efficiently. If your boiler fails to run efficiently then it will start to cost more to run, increasing your energy bills.

If you do not maintain your boiler properly, its components could become faulty or the entire unit could break down. Not only will this be costly to repair or replace, but it may also leave you and your family without heating and hot water for an extended period.

Now you are aware of the importance of an efficient boiler you are probably wondering how to keep it running perfectly. Luckily for you, this guide will take you through the different ways you can maintain your boiler.

To ensure your boiler continues to operate at its potential, you should have it serviced once a year by a qualified engineer. The engineer will check the boiler’s key components to confirm that they are working properly. This process will allow the engineer to spot any slight faults with your boiler, preventing them from turning into more serious issues in the future.

Your boiler needs to operate at the right pressure, for it to deliver hot water to the various taps around your home. To find your boiler’s pressure, simply check the pressure gauge on the front of the unit. The reading should be between 1 and 2, although if not, there are several steps you can take to fix this yourself.

Over time, air can become trapped inside your radiators, causing cold patches and preventing the entire radiator from heating up. If this happens, your heating will not work as effectively. To solve this problem, you can bleed your radiators to release the trapped air from the system.

Although powerflushing is related to radiators, it can benefit your boiler as well. Powerflushing is when chemicals are used to deep clean your central heating system. This process flushes out all the sludge, rust, and other debris that settles in your radiators, pipes and boiler. Cleaning out your central heating system is an effective way to prevent dirt from corroding or damaging your system, allowing your boiler to carry on working productively.

One of the key safety issues relating to your boiler is the fact that it should burn with a blue flame. An orange or yellow flame could indicate that there could be a risk of a carbon monoxide leak. If this is the case then you should contact a Gas Safe registered engineer straight away. It is also important to have a working, carbon monoxide detector near your boiler, so you are alerted of any leaks.

The space around your boiler should be kept clear, to allow your boiler to be well ventilated. Although it is perfectly acceptable to keep your boiler in a cupboard, you should avoid covering or surrounding it with clutter.

If you discover a problem with your boiler, then it is important that you contact a Gas Safe registered heating engineer as soon as possible. This will ensure that your boiler can continue to work efficiently, helping you to save money on your energy bills and most importantly keeping you and your family safe.