There are many reasons to keep your central heating system in great condition and efficiently. First of all, it will last longer and require less maintenance. Another great benefit of it is saving on your energy bills. Follow our simple tips to keep your central heating system healthy.
Bleed your radiators
Check your radiators regularly for cold spots to have them operating efficiently. If your system is running but one or more radiators feel cooler at the bottom than at the top, it could be a sign that there is trapped air and they need bleeding. Bleeding your radiators means releasing this air trapped inside your central heating system and helping the hot water circulate freely. If you can hear banging sounds at pipes or radiators gurgling, it is another sign to bleed your radiators.
In general, we recommend bleeding your radiators at least once a year, usually at the beginning of the cold season, even if they are working well.
Insulate your pipes
Insulating your exposed water pipes will prevent significant heat loss as it will keep the temperature of the water around 2 degrees higher. You will need less energy to heat the water and reduce your annual bill. We recommend insulating your cold water and condensation pipes as well. During cold months they are at risk of freezing and it can mean replacing burst pipes. Using insulation will keep them a bit warmer and give your pipes years of protection.
Check your boiler pressure
Modern boilers usually don’t need much attention beyond an annual home inspection and you need just to keep an eye on the boiler’s pressure gauge. It will tell you the pressure of the water circulating in the heating system. If the pressure is too high, there is a risk of leaks developing in the system, and if the pressure is low – it will impact on boiler’s efficiency. You should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how to top up your boiler’s pressure. And if you are unsure to do it yourself, you may ask a gas engineer for help.
Use a magnetic filter
A magnetic filter is attached to the pipe which returns water to your boiler. This filter contains a magnet and catches all debris and sludge and prevents them to enter the system. It improves your boiler efficiency and increases its lifespan.
Service your boiler annually
To make sure that your central heating system is running efficiently, we recommend scheduling a visit of a heating engineer once a year. He can remove the debris from your magnetic filter, inspect the system and carry out a boiler service. The better you care about your heating system, the longer it will last and perform.
Install carbon monoxide alarms
Boilers and other gas-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that is colorless and odorless. It is very important to install CO alarms on every level of your house so that everyone could be alerted to the emergency. If you think your boiler may be faulty, it’s better to have it checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Final words
Keeping your central heating system in great condition will keep your home warm and safe. We believe that prevention is better than a cure and regular maintenance of your central heating system will make it run in the most efficient way.
