In many parts of the world, gas central heating systems are more or less a necessity especially in the harsh winter months. Believe it or not, but central heating systems are very expensive to replace or repair. With regular upkeep and annual services scheduled, you can greatly enhance the life and health of your central heating system.
The boiler is perhaps the most important component of this system that converts energy into heat which is blown into the duct system and keeps the house warm. If you want to know how to extend the life of your central heating system, keep reading.
- Clear Air Vents and Flues
Have your energy bills spiked recently? You might be dealing with an efficient boiler. A common reason of dealing with an inefficient gas boiler is perhaps clogged vents and duct system. Over the course of usage, the vent pipes and duct system can eventually accumulate dirt and debris and block the passage of air for your boiler.
- Check the Pilot Light
One of the ways to check the efficiency of your central heating boiler is to see if the pilot light is on. If it’s a strong blue flame, your boiler is in optimum condition. If the flame is orange or yellow in color, the boiler is not utilizing fuel efficiently. You could clean the pilot light area with a thin piece of wire to clean the gas area and a can of compressed air to clear the dust and debris.
- Check Water Level in Boiler
Boiler leaks are expensive to fix once they happen. They can also be extremely hazardous as your boiler can catch fire if the water levels fall down massively. Thankfully, most boilers are equipped with a safety feature that fills the boiler with water if levels fall below the set range. Keeping an eye on the boiler water levels regularly can ensure a peace of mind that the safety features are working fine, as boilers tend to lose water with increased usage.
- Flushing the Heating System
At times, a more aggressive solution such as flushing the heating system is used to clear the radiator. Make sure to close the gas supply and take care of not letting water leak into the system. Make sure that you flush the expansion cylinder with generous amounts of water so that water doesn’t leak into the system.
- Clear the Area
Ventilation is vital for your boiler. If your boiler is placed in a closed space such as a basement or a cupboard, ensure that you free the space of clutter to cool off the boiler.
- Check the Pressures
Your boiler and whole system will lose pressure overtime. Ensure regular pressure checkups. The gauge should be pointing in between the 1-1.5 bar. If it’s below this range, you might need to pump more pressure. Your plumber and heating engineer can help you with it.
