Your boiler works diligently to keep your house warm during the winter. But in order to keep this crucial device in good working order, how frequently should it be serviced? Come along with the team at Boonstra Heating and Air Conditioning as we break down the essentials of boiler maintenance and assist you in making the best choice for a comfortable and effective home heating system.
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What is the process of maintenance of a boiler?
For a boiler to operate safely and efficiently, maintenance involves a number of essential steps. Here is a closer look at what you can expect:
- Visual examination: A technician will look for any obvious problems, including leaks, corrosion, or soot accumulation. Safety Inspections: They will then assess the boiler to ensure the safety controls, such as temperature and pressure relief valves, are operating correctly.
- Look for any leaks: Next, a technician will check for any gas or water leaks in the boiler and its parts. If a leak is detected, they will repair it.
- Clean the combustion chamber: To guarantee effective combustion and heat transfer, they will then clear the combustion chamber of any soot or debris.
- Examine and clean the burners: To ensure effective fuel combustion, the burners will be cleaned and tested to ensure they operate correctly.
- Test control mechanisms: To make sure they react as intended, a technician will test the controls, thermostats, and safety switches.
- Examination of ventilation and flue: To ensure appropriate air circulation and exhaust, a technician will make sure the flue and ventilation systems are free of obstructions.
- Test the temperature and pressure: Next, a technician will make sure the water temperature and boiler pressure are within the advised range.
- Clean and empty system: They will also flush the system to get rid of silt and scale accumulation.
- Examine the expansion tank: To keep the heating system's pressure at an appropriate level, inspect and, if needed, they will refill the expansion tank.
- Assessment of the safety shutoff: To check that the safety shutoff valves operate properly both in emergency situations and during regular shutdowns, a series of safety tests will be performed.
Remember that boiler maintenance is an ongoing procedure rather than a single occurrence. We suggest booking a maintenance appointment on an annual basis.
How do I know if my boiler needs servicing?
There are a few clues that suggest your boiler might require maintenance. The following are typical signs to look out for:
- Strange sounds: Unusual sounds like gurgling, whistling, or banging could be signs of problems with the internal parts of the boiler.
- Diminished heating effectiveness: The boiler may not be operating as efficiently as it could be if it takes longer for your house to heat up or if certain rooms aren't getting hot enough.
- Varying temperature or pressure readings: Variations in the water's temperature or pressure may indicate issues with the boiler's controls or circulatory system.
- Observable leaks: Any indications of gas or water leaks around the boiler need to be fixed right away.
- Problems with the pilot light: If the pilot light is constantly going out or changing colour, there may be combustion problems that need to be addressed.
- Odors: Odors that seem off, especially if they smell like gas or burn, should be investigated right away.
- Stains or soot: Soot or other stains near the boiler could indicate a blocked flue or issues with combustion.
- Increased energy bills: An unexpected increase in energy bills without a change in your heating usage habits could indicate reduced system efficiency.
How long does a serviced boiler last?
A serviced boiler's lifespan can vary depending on a number of different variables, including the type of boiler, how it is used, and the standard of maintenance it receives during its service life. That said, in general, a boiler with proper maintenance will last between 15 to 30 years.
As such, if you're looking to prolong the lifespan of your home's boiler by preventing repairs and saving money on your energy consumption, regular maintenance is absolutely essential. We suggest booking a professional service appointment with a certified HVAC technician at least once a year.
Are boilers easy to service?
It's extremely important that homeowners leave boiler servicing to qualified experts. While homeowners can carry out some essential maintenance tasks, like monitoring pressure levels, looking for leaks, and making sure there is enough ventilation, more complex service calls for the experience and knowledge of a certified HVAC technician.
Complex control systems, electrical wiring, and gas connections are just a few of the parts that make up a boiler that are incredibly dangerous to handle if you don't know what you're doing. Meanwhile, expert technicians are equipped with the skills necessary to recognize problems, fix them, conduct safety inspections, and maximize efficiency. Remember, a lack of knowledge or experience in boiler servicing can result in damage, decreased performance, and safety risks. So, it is recommended to rely on certified HVAC technicians to ensure proper servicing.
Is your boiler due for a maintenance appointment? If so, don't hesitate to reach out to the team at Boonstra Heating and Air Conditioning to book an appointment with one of our certified HVAC technicians. We're available 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, at no extra charge to you!
Reach out to us directly over the phone or book with Boonstra using our online booking form.
