We have pretty chilly winters here in York County, PA. World Climate reports average lows of 21°F in the month of January.
You need regular boiler maintenance to ensure you can heat your home. Checkups can make sure your boiler is safe and energy efficient, saving you money and warming your home.
If you’re a new homeowner, you might struggle to know where to start with boiler maintenance. Professional help is essential, but there are some things you can do for yourself.
Our guide gives you 4 handy boiler maintenance tips. Read on to stay toasty.
1. Boiler Maintenance Requires Professional Inspections
The rule is one annual check for boiler maintenance. A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professional will get the job done fast. So what are they looking for?
Accredited HVAC engineers inspect each part of your boiler for age, damage, and future issues. They will make sure your emissions are at safe levels and the system works as it should. You can save money by booking repairs early.
Booking a winter service in due time ensures everything works when the mercury drops. But remember, some states can experience cold weather at the most unexpected times.
Your boiler maintenance engineer will also clean, replace, and test components while inspecting them. The best engineers will be transparent about the cost of this. Ask for an itemized bill for each repair.
Most boiler manufacturers state the frequency of checkups in their warranties. If you miss an inspection, you may invalidate your warranty, and last-minute boiler purchases can hit your bank balance hard.
Check your state’s boiler regulations, too. Your HVAC engineer will ensure you remain safe and compliant.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Boiler Pressure
Older boiler systems tend to lose pressure over time. This affects their efficiency, and they will take longer to heat your home. Keep a notepad near your boiler and jot down the pressure at regular intervals.
You can show this to your HVAC professional when they come, and it will make everything easier. It also acts as evidence if you want to claim your warranty, so record your professional services here, too.
How to Check Boiler Pressure
Your boiler’s pressure meter may be digital or an old-school dial. Pressure is measured in bars, and the average range for an inactive boiler is 1 to 1.5 bars. When your home’s heating system is one, this may be around 2 bars.
High pressure, on the other hand, can cause your boiler to fail. Safety mechanisms prevent high pressure from becoming dangerous. Great, but when you need heating fast, this can be a nightmare!
Bleed Your Radiators to Maintain Heating Efficiency
Depending on your level of expertise, you may choose to bleed your radiators annually to keep pressure stable. Your engineer can give you heating tips to help you do this, or they could do it for you.
Trapped air prevents your water heater from reaching all your radiators. Turn everything off, lay down towels to protect carpets, and find your radiator bleed key. Place a bucket under your radiator value and open it with the key.
As the water starts to drip or dribble out, listen for gurgling sounds. This is the air escaping, lowering the pressure of your home’s heating system. Do this for all your home’s radiators.
3. Clean the Exterior of Your Boiler Yourself
You can skip the professional callout for this one. Make basic boiler maintenance part of your cleaning routine. Once a month or so should be enough, and you can do it with the equipment you likely have already.
First, make sure your boiler has been off for long enough to cool down. Some metal areas can be a burn hazard. Also, a disclaimer: never try to clean any interior parts, disconnect, or open any parts of your boiler!
Add Some Elbow Grease
Remove dust and grime build-up as you would for other home appliances. This makes it easier to spot issues, and you won’t be embarrassed when your boiler engineer shows up for your annual inspection.
Check for rust, drips, and condensation. Pipes, nuts, and seals should all look solid and clean. Use a soft brush to get to hard-to-reach areas.
Turn On Your Heating Each Month
In summer, you can forget about heating in most states, unless a cold snap strikes. But you should avoid leaving your boiler inactive for too long. Turn it on, at a minimal temperature, to keep things moving.
Once a month should be enough. When the seasons turn and the leaves start to drop, you will be ready. This also lets you spot issues with plenty of time to book a repair.
4. Know When You Need to Renew Your Investment
Boiler maintenance makes your boiler last longer, but in time, the inevitable comes calling. Check your warranty, as you may be entitled to a saving or even free replacement. If not, try to look at this as an essential investment.
A new boiler, with all the modern features, will save you cash over time. Boilers today heat efficiently, monitor pressure with precision, and have better safeguards. Ask your HVAC engineer for their recommendations.
You will also benefit from a new warranty, and if you are a new homeowner, you can tick this off for some time. Your state’s warranty laws protect you as a consumer.
You could opt to replace only the parts you need each year. But when you add up their cost and installation, a new boiler could be better for you.
Get More From Your Boiler for Longer
Boiler maintenance will save you money, time, and stress in a long run. You can enjoy your new home with peace of mind and the coziness of the winter season. Take care of your home’s heating system and your investment.
Williams Service Company has helped new homeowners make the most of their boilers since 1979. Based in York County, PA, we can solve your HVAC and refrigeration concerns.
We’ll reach you 24/7/365 in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Hanover. Our clients trust us for a reason, and we take pride in our service.