In case your home is equipped with a boiler, there are chances that you might not be aware of the amount of regular maintenance that it requires on a seasonal basis. Having regular maintenance on any major appliance or piece of equipment in your home is a great way to make sure you get the most out of it in terms of efficiency and life expectancy. Your boiler is no different in this case, so the team at Alturas Contractors has prepared this brief Residential Boiler Maintenance Checklist. Regardless of whether your boiler runs using steam or forced air, these maintenance tips will go a long way towards improving the lifespan and overall performance of your boiler.
Annual Checks
A lot of the homeowners already take benefit of the annual service checks offered by their utility company or boiler manufacturer. If you are among those who have not made arrangements with either of these resources to perform maintenance checks on your boiler, you may have to consider giving an HVAC professional like Alturas HVAC a call. We can quickly evaluate the status of your boiler and are fully prepared to provide advice or complete necessary repairs if necessary. Between our professional service calls, there are some things you can do yourself that will keep your boiler running smoothly.
Bleed Radiators
You may notice over time that some radiators get warmer than others throughout your home. Making sure that everything else is working in a proper way with your boiler, you can yourself solve this problem by bleeding the radiator valve. You can do so by placing a towel or container under the radiator valve and opening the valve with a radiator key. This will primarily release the excess steam build-up in the radiator, followed by water.
After the water starts flowing out of the valve, you can close it back up and dry up any extra water with the towel. Your radiator should start to heat more evenly after that.
Never forget to Check for Vents and Water
Any blocked air vent can keep your boiler from running in a proper way. You will have to make sure that you have these airways clear of any sort of debris or blockage at all times, so your boiler remains effective. Meanwhile, when you are at it, you must also confirm that the water in the boiler is at an ideal level. Too much or too little would cause your boiler to become damaged beyond repair. You must also check for any potential leaks or dripping on your overflow valve. In case you notice any problems, always try to make sure that you have them repaired before they lead to more expensive issues.
Flame Color
Most of the boilers will allow you to look inside without removing too many large cover panels. This is the case in which you can check things like the color of the flame on the heating element. While you perform your checks, always make sure that you confirm that the flame is blue. If you notice a primarily yellow or orange flame, this can cause a major issue with the heating element. For this boiler repair, you will need the help of a professional.
Preventive Maintenance of Boiler
We all know that boilers are considered the most popular form of home heating service, a boiler system is able to provide your home with a lot of benefits.
All of these perks include.
- Energy efficiency
- Heating
- Longevity
In case your home uses a boiler heating system, you will have to review this checklist that will explain how to maintain your boiler system.
Alturas Contractors is your one-stop-shop for all your needs. Our experienced team knows the ins and outs of boiler maintenance and can help you get the most out of your boiler. We also provide boiler repair services should you encounter any issues with your boiler system.
Boiler Daily Checklists
One of the best ways to get the most out of your boiler heating system would be to provide it with the proper maintenance that it requires.
Here are some points that you can include in Residential Boiler Maintenance Checklist in order to keep your boiler running smoothly and efficiently.
- Watch for any Leaks
Every other day, you must check your boiler unit for any kind of leaks. All these leaks can cost you a lot of money in repairs as well as they can also permanently damage your boiler system entirely. You must check in front of and behind your boiler for any sort of signs of any leakage. In case there is a leak, you must contact our team, and we will fix it up for you.
- Remove Obstructions
Each day, you will have to make sure that nothing is obstructing your boiler from operating in any way. You will have to be extra careful where you leave miscellaneous items near your boiler. In case there is any problem with your boiler, you do not want to have a lot of hurdles in the way that would prevent you from fixing it.
- Check for Error Codes
When something goes wrong with your boiler, there are chances that it may display an error code. You must take note of any of these error codes and contact us at Alturas Contractors. We may be able to walk you through some troubleshooting methods over the phone. If that does not work in your favor, we will send one of our licensed contractors to inspect your boiler.
- Listen for Noises
Your boiler must operate quietly and without any interruption. If you hear noises that are coming from your boiler, it could signal that something is wrong with your boiler. If you are not sure of the origins of these sounds, you can again call our team. We can diagnose the issue and provide a helpful solution for any problem that you may face.
- Check Temperature Readings
You should always make sure that you check the boiler’s temperature and pressure readings on a daily basis. Any inconsistencies can signify an issue with your unit. Rising temperatures and pressure can put you and your family in danger. Call us immediately if this problem impacts you in any way.
Monthly Boiler Checklist
While you conduct your daily boiler maintenance check-ins, always make sure that you plan these following inspections monthly or even occasionally.
- Inspect the Piping of Your Boiler
For the monthly checkups, you will have to be even more extensive. Properly inspecting your combustion air piping would be an ideal first step for your boiler maintenance plan. Piping is somehow critical to your boiler’s functionality. In case you find out that there are any leaks, damage, or deterioration, it could signify a sizable problem. Nevertheless, it could also be a clogged pipe, which is something our team can always fix for you in no time.
- Check the Relief Valve
A relief valve controls the pressure in a boiler system. Any leakage in your relief valve could be alarming. It could actually signify that there is too much pressure for your boiler for you to handle. Our whole team can look at your boiler and try to fix the leaks while adjusting the pressure levels of your heater in the given time frame.
- Check the Burner Flame
In case your boiler has a burner flame, you should always make sure that the blaze remains relentless. Any changes that involve a burner flame could spell trouble. There can be many reasons your boiler blaze could look different, including low airflow, closed air valves, loss of ignition, and more. We will help you identify the root of the problem and provide you with the best possible solution.
- Schedule a Low Water Cutoff Test
As a boiler owner, you will have to make sure that your water levels align with what the manufacturer recommends. We are familiar with most manufacturers’ requirements and will test your water to see if you have an adequate amount in your tank. Low water levels negatively impact your boiler’s performance.
- Brush Up on Owner’s Manual
The owner’s manual for your boiler is the most important piece of literature you should have on hand. The manual tells you everything you need to know about your unit, including how to maintain it.
Annual Boiler Checklist
There are also some tips on how to maintain a boiler system annually. First of all, during your first year of owning a new boiler, you must have a professional inspect your system. After year one, hire a contractor to check on your boiler system annually. This yearly inspection will make sure that your system is working fluidly without any issue. You can run these tests on your own.
- Check Wiring Connections
A practical thing you must do once a year is to check the wiring and connections of your boiler. Always make sure that nothing is loose and that all the wires are in proper working condition.
- Check the Vents
Another thing you can check annually is if there are any blockages in your vents. Obstacles in your ventilation system can majorly cause your boiler to work harder than it should, which will increase your energy bills. Also, it will impact how your boiler works. Our team of professionals can clean your vents thoroughly, allowing your boiler to produce at its highest potential.
- Boiler Maintenance
A boiler system should provide you with the interior heating that your home and business deserve. We surely have a team of licensed and insured contractors that are working toward the same goal: to put a smile on the faces of all our customers.
Boiler Maintenance Cost
The annual boiler service cost can either come in the form of a one-off fee of around £80 for a 30-minute service or an annual charge for insurance. On average, boiler and central heating cover costs fall between £180 – £300, but this will cover you for any breakdowns that may have happened. Paying a one-off fee would work out cheaper, but the yearly cover will give you full peace of mind. In case you have home insurance, you must speak to your provider about adding boiler insurance to the package as well. This might cost you less than taking out a separate policy. If your boiler is broken beyond repair, a new boiler will need to be fitted.
How much does a gas boiler service cost?
A one-off gas boiler service can cost anything between £60 – £100, with £80 being the average that homeowners would pay for gas boiler servicing. During a gas boiler servicing, any specialist Gas Safe engineer would be there to inspect the boiler and controls to check for its functionality. They will also check for any sort of leaks to make sure the pressure is correct and test the flue in case of any toxic fumes.
How much does an oil boiler service cost?
We would recommend that oil boiler servicing should be done every 12 months by any qualified engineer. The total cost of an oil boiler service is typically between £50 – £180, which depends on many factors that have been outlined. The cost of an oil boiler service can somewhat be offset by making sure your boiler remains as energy efficient as it is possible, which will save you a lot of money on fuel costs. For instance, a build-up of dust, smoke, or any sort of debris in the boiler may reduce efficiency, which means that more oil must be burnt to achieve the same level of heating. With regular servicing, this issue can be identified properly and resolved.
