Many people think of boiler service as just an annual check-up, but it can also save you from frozen pipes and other heating problems before they even arise.
With so many different types of boilers on the market today, there’s no one best boiler service – it all depends on what kind of unit you have and how well-maintained it’s been since installation.
This article will help you figure out the best boiler service for your particular situation and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your heating system is in tip-top condition.
Frozen Pipes – What To Do
Frozen pipes aren’t only a problem when they freeze and burst, but they are also responsible for a good deal of heat loss from your home or building. There are things that you can do to prevent frozen pipes from developing in the first place, so if it has been cold recently or is getting cold where you live, take action now before it’s too late.
For example, keeping your heating on even when you’re out can prevent pipes from freezing. We don’t mean running at a high temperature, but just a warm temperature to ensure water can continue flowing.
If your home has frozen pipes, don’t run any hot water until you’ve been able to call for help. Frozen pipes can result in your heating and hot water not working properly; burst; cause leaks and even flooding.
If you think your pipes are frozen, you’ll need to call the experts for backup and ensure your boiler is firing on all cylinders again.
Boiler Service – How Often Should It Be Done?
The frequency of boiler servicing varies depending on a number of factors including whether it is a combi, residential or commercial boiler and how many hours it has been used per day.
Combi’s are used for heating water for both domestic hot water and space heating and will generally require servicing once every couple of years or ideally, once per heating season. Most people decide to have them serviced more frequently if they live in a hard water area due to scale build up within pipes and burners.
Commercial boilers should be checked out at least once per year, because they tend to be operated continuously (24/7) which means they also suffer from scale deposits much faster than domestic boilers.
Boiler Safety – Please Don’t Forget These Two Things
No one wants their boiler to break down. We’ve all been there; it’s a stressful time, and it certainly is not good for you. But make sure you have a plan for when that does happen.
It could save you time and money in the long run to service your boiler regularly (and hopefully not come as too much of a surprise). It’s a good idea to have your boiler serviced throughout the winter months; so you won’t be left with a broken boiler or issues on the coldest days.
Make sure you also know where your nearest backup source of heat is – if there is an issue with your own heating system, make sure you have another source of heat available straight away. For example, a fan heater or portable radiator – just in case you need to wait a little while for the boiler servicing experts to arrive.
The Importance of Ventilation
There are some jobs that are too important to be left up to humans alone. Every now and then, a boiler will need servicing – regardless of whether it’s gas or oil powered.
And by ventilating and properly maintaining your fuel source, you’ll make sure that it works as efficiently as possible for years to come.
It doesn’t matter if it’s an old furnace or a brand new energy efficient model – without proper ventilation, combustion simply won’t occur.
How can SwitchedOn Yorkshire help you?
Don’t put off servicing your boiler – speak to our experts and find out everything you need to know. We can help you to determine if you should need a simple service; or if there are deeper issues which may result in you needing to upgrade to an A-rated boiler.
