They say that “prevention is better than cure”, and the situation is no different when it comes to looking after your boiler. Statistics have long suggested that boilers are likelier to break down during the colder months. But on the other hand, regular boiler maintenance can help maximise its lifespan and prevent a future emergency call-out, with all the hassle and expense such an urgent course of action would entail.
If you are looking for a fully qualified bathroom and boiler specialist, here at HGM Mechanical Ltd, we offer services such as boiler installation, boiler repair and servicing at a fair price.
In the colder half of the year, the last thing you will want to be doing is sitting at home in your coat and gloves, or taking an hour to fill a bath with boiled water from the kettle due to a boiler breakdown. On the plus side, there are a number of things you can do to minimise the chances of this happening.
So, we’ve put together five tips to help you prepare your boiler for winter conditions:
Turn your heating on in the summer
As odd as it sounds, turning your heating on in the warmer months (when you are less likely to be using the heating) is a very simple way to help avoid problems in the future.
You don’t need to worry about your bills increasing, as you only need to do this for about 15 minutes once a month. The idea behind it is to ensure your boiler and radiators remain active in some way even during the warmer months, to help keep water flowing and prevent blockages.
Carry out some simple checks of your boiler
Yes, for more advanced boiler servicing and maintenance, you should be calling in a suitably qualified professional. But there are also some simple steps you can take to check how your boiler is functioning while you are simply minding your own business at home.
Checking and adjusting the water pressure level is an easy task you can carry out yourself to ensure your boiler is working as it should. The water pressure level is usually located on the outside of your boiler and the needle should always be pointing to between one and two.
Another thing you can do is check the flame colour – it should be blue (not yellow or orange). It is also a good idea to bleed your radiators from time to time to get rid of any air pockets that can prevent your radiators from heating up properly.
Insulate your pipes
Lagging your pipework helps to reduce heat loss, minimise energy consumption and prevent the water inside from freezing. If the water freezes and expands it could potentially burst the pipe, so outside pipes and all hot water pipes (from your boiler, central heating and airing cupboard) should be insulated. You can insulate them with pipe wrap insulation tape, felt or wool or polyethylene foam.
Get your boiler serviced every year
Annual boiler servicing is a ‘must’ if you want to keep your boiler healthy and validate your guarantee. Make sure your engineer is fully qualified and Gas Safe registered if you have a gas boiler, before they start any work in your home. You can always ask to see their ID badge if you are unsure.
Boilers use water to produce heat as well as steam. The boiler pipe suppliers in industrial boiler equipment are constantly modifying their dimensions to help simplify the process of getting your boiler serviced. One of the ways that they do this is making a new type of size-a coil, reducing the cost on all fronts by absorbing welding and labor costs, and maintaining productivity and efficiency levels much better than before.
Regular servicing is a great way to identify minor problems before they become larger issues, and helps to extends the lifespan of your boiler, while making sure that in the present moment, it runs as efficiently as possible. This, in turn, keeps your fuel bills as low as possible and ensures it is safe to use.
If all else fails, it may be time for a new boiler
You might not want to face it, but there are a few signs that may suggest your boiler is about to give up the ghost. These could include:
– Your boiler being over 10 years old
– Your fuel bills being higher than expected
– Your home taking a long time to heat up and not feeling as warm as it should
– Your boiler needing frequent repairs
– Strange sounds coming from your boiler
It’s not all bad news, though. Having a new boiler installed may sound like an expensive option, but once fitted, it will be safer and more efficient and can save you money in the long run.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! The best time to have your boiler serviced is in the spring, summer or autumn, so that you can rest assured it can safely and efficiently heat your home in the winter. The main lesson from this is that we shouldn’t neglect our boilers in the warmer months, as we are likelier to pay for it later down the line.
Be prepared, be organised, and stay warm!
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