4 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BOILER HEALTHY
A little maintenance now can mean fewer problems when the colder weather kicks in.
Sleeping in two jumpers, cold showers, escaping to a friend’s house for warmth… there’s not much worse than a broken boiler in winter. With the average cost of repairs now £282, and a new boiler costing around £2,500, a bit of effort now is well worth it.
1 TURN YOUR RADIATOR VALVES TO FULL
It’s worth gearing up your central heating now so it’s ready for the chillier months. Thermostatic radiator valves, found in many homes, can become stuck if left in the ‘off/low’ position for too long. Always ensure that your radiators are turned to maximum, even over summer, so they’re ready for switch-on.
2 STOP YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING
No hot water, a gurgling noise or an error code displayed could mean the condensate pipe, which carries water from the boiler to the drains outside, has frozen and stopped working normally. To prevent this, wrap your condensate pipe in pipe insulation, available in most DIY stores.
GHI TIP: If your condensate pipe is frozen, thaw it by holding a hot water bottle against it.
3 BLEED YOUR RADIATORS
Experts recommend doing this a couple of times a year to remove any trapped air bubbles in your heating system. These air pockets don’t conduct heat as well as water, and this can cause cold patches on your radiators.
By bleeding radiators, you’ll prevent your heating system from becoming wasteful and avoid constantly whacking the thermostat up, lowering your energy bill as a result. All you need to get started is a radiator key, costing next to nothing.
4 PERFORM VISUAL CHECKS
Treat your boiler how you’d treat a new car – check it regularly for any visible signs of damage, such as congested vents, a yellow flame rather than a crisp blue one, sooty marks and leaks. Worried about a leak but can’t spot one? Look at your pressure gauge. If it is less than one bar, the pressure has dropped too low, which can indicate an out-of-sight leak. Always call a professional if in doubt.
GHI TIP: You normally want to see a pressure of 1 to 2, but always refer to your boiler’s unique specifications.