What can you do personally to maintain a boiler?
A poorly operating central heating boiler is no good for your wallet, or the environment, as it’s efficiency can be reduced by 30%.
So what can you do personally to maintain a boiler is be observant and get to know your boiler, remember what is sounds like when running at peak performance and also remember, above all, to get it serviced annually.
Don’t, however sensible it might seem, attempt any boiler repairs yourself. You can listen to it, even of course adjust the controls, or re-start as per manufacturers’ instructions, but once you start opening it up, you are taking a dangerous risk. Simply, don’t do it. Boilers contain fuel elements, hot water and exhaust gases. Mess with those and the least you might get is a patch of burned skin.
Okay then, here’s some top tips for looking after your boiler.
Firstly, a central heating boiler has a life-span of about 15 years. They can of course last far longer than that, but if you have one like that, ensure that it is a. it’s safe and b. ask yourself the question, could a new boiler – most modern examples operate at over 86% efficiency – save you money with lower fuel bills and help save the environment with lower carbon dioxide emissions?
So, don’t just let the boiler sit there in the corner of the kitchen, gurgling away, year after year, being politely ignored in the belief that it will last forever. Bear in mind that boilers will tend to break down when they are the most stressed – deep winter – and that is not a good time to get someone around for emergency repairs.
Right, boilers make noises and those noises have a purpose. You might blank those noises out as white noise, lost in the fabric of living, but picking up on strange noises is usually the first sign that something is up.
In principle a boiler is quite a simple device, but in practice, they are quite complex devices with a number of key components and controls. So, when it’s fully operational and running sweetly, you can get used to the sound of the boiler expanding as it warms up, or cools down; the sound of the pump starting the flow of the water around the system; and, the sound of the fuel elements as they light and heat the water. Sub-consciously, you’ll get used to those sounds, but once something starts to sound a bit off-key, then it might indicate problems.
A whiny pump might suggest a possible failure, or just a noisy bearing; a struggling fuel element might mean a fuel impurity; or, a pilot light which continually goes out, might suggest a problem with the fuel supply.
Take a look at your boiler occasionally. Is it leaking; are the pipes leading to it and away from it leaking? Are there any sooty marks that can’t be explained by normal operation?
And always ensure that your boiler if free of obstructions and that vents are free.
In th summer when you might give it a rest for a month, or two, depending on the weather of course, always give it a run every few weeks, just to ensure it’s working properly.
If you have a gas boiler, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector and if you smell gas, turn off the supply immediately, open all the windows and doors you can and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
So, it all comes down to being a bit savvy about how your own boiler is doing. And don’t forget those two rules: get your boiler serviced annually and don’t attempt to fiddle with the boiler itself.
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