Is your boiler getting the summertime attention it deserves? While it may work less for heating, it still plays a crucial role in hot water. This article will show you why summer is the perfect time to take care of your boiler, saving you money and stress during the colder months.
Why is summer the ideal time to get your boiler serviced?
Summer is the perfect time for tackling essential boiler maintenance. By servicing your boiler now, you’ll be a step ahead when winter hits. Here’s why:
- Beat the winter rush: Heating engineers are understandably busiest during winter, dealing with emergency breakdowns. Summer appointments are easier to schedule, and you might even find better prices.
- Prevent breakdowns: A summer service can catch potential problems before they turn into inconvenient breakdowns when you need your heating the most.
- Improve energy efficiency: A well-maintained boiler works more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills throughout the year.
What does a summer boiler service include?
A professional boiler service isn’t just a quick look. A Gas Safe registered engineer will perform a thorough check of your system, including the following:
- Visual inspection: The engineer will carefully check for any signs of wear and tear, leaks, or other visual issues with your boiler.
- Internal cleaning: Essential for peak efficiency, components within the boiler are cleaned to ensure optimal performance.
- Safety checks: Your boiler’s gas pressure, flue functionality, and the absence of carbon monoxide leaks are crucial safety checks included in a service.
Summer boiler care tips: What can I do myself?
Alongside professional servicing, here are a few easy things you can do to look after your boiler during summer:
- Run heating periodically: Even in warm weather, make sure you run your central heating for about 15 minutes at least once a week. This keeps internal components moving and helps prevent seizing.
- Monitor pressure: Keep an eye on your boiler’s pressure gauge. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for topping it up if needed.
- Be alert for issues: Any unusual noises, leaks, or changes in boiler performance should be addressed by a heating engineer.
Should I turn my boiler off completely in the summer?
While you can safely turn off your central heating during the summer, it’s usually not recommended to shut down your boiler completely. Here’s why:
- Hot water supply: You still need your boiler to provide hot water, so a complete shutdown isn’t practical.
- Modern boilers: Today’s boilers are designed to be energy-efficient. The cost of occasionally running your heating is minimal compared to the potential costs of a seized-up system later.
Sure signs it’s time to replace your boiler
Even well-maintained boilers don’t last forever. Here are signs it might be time for a replacement:
- Frequent breakdowns: If your boiler needs constant repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a newer, more efficient model.
- Age: Boilers over 15 years old tend to become less efficient and more prone to breakdowns.
- Yellow flames: A healthy boiler flame is blue. Yellow flames can indicate a safety issue and should be checked immediately by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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