Boiler models produced these days are far more advanced and reliable in functionality than their predecessors. They are designed to heat your home with the utmost efficiency, to benefit both the environment and your energy bills each month. Despite boiler technology constantly evolving, your boiler will still need some TLC every now and then if you want it to last you for many years – as it should.
Boiler servicing
The main way to ensure your boiler is working as it should and doing its job properly is to book in for regular services with a professional engineer. At least once a year, find a Gas Safe registered engineer to schedule in for a gas inspection and boiler service – not one or the other. An engineer will use the inspection to check the safety of your boiler itself whereas a boiler service involves the actual cleaning, fixing or replacing of any of your boiler parts. Both are equally as important to ensure your home is kept safe and warm.
BOXT pride themselves on their speedy and top-quality customer service, offering customers the chance to have a brand new boiler installed and serviced as quickly as the next day. They stock a range of the best boiler brands in terms of reliability and energy efficiency, such as Worcester Bosch and Vaillant boilers to homes and businesses all across the UK.
Pipework
Boiler care doesn’t just involve checking over your boiler itself; your home’s entire heating system should be checked over every once in a while. Pipework is one element of your central heating that can be problematic, particularly in British winters when they are prone to freezing over. Leaky, blocked or damaged pipes can affect the overall efficiency of your system and could lead to you spending far more than necessary on energy bills to heat your home. Keep a check on your pipes by watching out for any leaks and head to your local DIY store for some pipe insulation/lagging.
Regular use
It’s easy to forget all about our boilers once the warm weather rolls around. Leaving your boiler inactive for months can actually do significant damage and leave you more prone to breakdowns when you do come to need your home heating again. To avoid any permanent damage by neglecting your boiler, turn your heating on once a month for around 15 minutes even during summer, to keep your components active and identify any issues before the winter creeps in.
Boiler pressure
Boilers need the right amount of pressure to function as they should, making it important to keep an eye on your boiler pressure gauge. Boiler pressure is influenced by a number of factors, but if it’s left to become too low or too high, your boiler may run inefficiently or cut out altogether. There are a number of ways to get your boiler’s pressure levels back to normal, such as bleeding your radiators or re-pressurizing your system.
Clear your boiler area
While it’s common now for boilers to be installed within kitchen or utility cupboards to keep them hidden away, it’s important to note that they do need plenty of ventilation space to function. An engineer should advise you on the necessary space required for storing a boiler, but in general, you should make sure there is plenty of room surrounding your boiler to allow air to circulate. Keeping a clutter-free area for your boiler is not only important for ventilation purposes; it also makes sure that your boiler is easy to access should anything go wrong.
Power flushes
Boilers naturally see a build-up of sludge and grime over time, which can settle at the bottom of your radiators and inside pipes. It’s important to book in for semi-regular flushes of your heating system to ensure complete efficiency and keep your system running smoothly. It’s best to book in just before the cold weather hits, so you can rely on your boiler running at an optimum level during the winter months. BOXT offer a free MagnaCleanse with every boiler they install, so you can rest easy knowing your boiler is raring to go and keep your home toasty warm.
As you can see, boiler care doesn’t have to take time or effort, but a little TLC can go a long way in prolonging your boiler’s lifespan and keeping an efficient home.
