Keeping Your Heating System Healthy - Our Tips

Now that the summer months are upon us, it could be the perfect time to consider how to look after your heating system and keep it healthy. Your heating system is an intricate system with a lot of components so it pays to do your bit to ensure that it continues to work correctly. Therefore, we have compiled a range of tips that help you to take care of your heating system.

During the summer months, you won’t use your heating as often but that doesn’t mean that you should forget about it. Problems can still develop when you are using it less and that makes it even more important to check that it is still working from time to time. When your boiler is out of action for weeks or months, it can mean that it has to work harder to get working again and that is the point where problems can arise.

Your boiler manual isn’t something that you should throw away or forget about. You should make sure that you familiarise yourself with it and use it during the summer months to carry out any basic checks that it might recommend. However, remember that you should never remove the cover or fiddle with any of the components as this could make your boiler unsafe.

Over time, your boiler can lose pressure and this can cause it to work inefficiently. Topping up your system pressure is a simple job and this can be found in the instruction manual or by watching a Youtube video created by the boiler manufacturer. It is an easy process but if you are unsure then you should call an engineer to take care of it for you.

If you notice that your radiators are cooler at the bottom than the top then this could indicate that they have air trapped inside them and require bleeding. Radiators that do require bleeding will stop your system from running as efficiently as possible and it could also place a strain on your system and that could cause your system to fail.

One of the best ways to keep your system working correctly and remain healthy is to look for any leaks or cracks and listen for any unusual noises that might occur. If you spot anything that is unusual then it is time to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to take a look at your system. You should also make sure that your external vents, air bricks and flues are free of debris.

Your boiler should have a strong blue flame. If the flame is yellow or smoky then there is a problem and at this point, you should call a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately.

This summer could be the right time to protect your pipework from frost by insulating the external condensate pipe. You can do this by using pipe insulation or by keeping your heating at a low temperature constantly. If your condensate pipe does freeze then you can defrost it by pouring tepid water onto it. 

In the same way as other gas burning appliances, boilers can produce carbon monoxide which is a dangerous gas that is both odourless and colourless. If you believe that your boiler might be faulty then you should have it checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer as carbon monoxide can prove fatal. Furthermore, you should also have a carbon monoxide monitor located in your home.

Keeping your heating system working efficiently and correctly is easy enough. This will ensure that your home remains safe and warm. Through regular maintenance, you’ll make your heating system more efficient and that can help you to save money.