Regular maintenance is essential if you want to keep your boiler running safely and efficiently. Like your car needs regular servicing, so does your boiler: both could become extremely dangerous if not regularly serviced.
Boiler servicing is not just about safety though, did you know that regular servicing can extend the life of a boiler by up to 10 years? That’s a lot of years of boiler life you could be throwing away needlessly.
Why you need to book a boiler service, today
It is currently Autumn as I write this, and whilst the weather has been mild and for the most part not too cold, and some of you may not have even put your heating on yet after the summer… But, once that cold snap hits we will start to see an influx of emergency heating repair calls. We don’t like having to fix boilers when the homeowner or tenant is stuck with no heating, potentially for a few days (if parts need to be sourced). No, we much prefer to maintain and service boilers so our lovely clients do not have to experience waking up to ice on the inside of their windows due to a boiler breakdown.
Regular servicing your boiler will:
Prevent major breakdowns – Let us identify and fix the minor issues before they become major ones.
Maintains efficiency – Heating your home has never been more expensive than it has become in recent years. An inefficient boiler will cost you more to run, increase your energy usage and make for an even more expensive winter – regularly servicing your boiler will help keep it running efficiently.
Keeps things safe – Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a silent killer. By maintaining your boiler and having it serviced regularly you can get any Carbon Monoxide leaks fixed and contained so you can rest easy knowing that your boiler is safe.
Prolongs your boiler’s lifespan – Did you know that regularly maintaining and servicing your boiler could enable it to remain operational for up to 10 years beyond the typical boiler lifespan of around 10-15 years? That’s almost doubling it’s life!
What happens if you don’t regularly service your boiler?
If you neglect your boiler, you may be using false economy – yes you aren’t ‘paying out’ to maintain it, but there is a host of expensive to fix problems that neglected boilers suffer from – you may as well know what problems you’re storing up for ‘future you’ to deal with.
Leaks: Over time seals and joints deteriorate, leading to water leaks. If you’ve ever had your boiler break down and leak all over your airing cupboard (in the middle of winter when it's harder to get things dry) then you may understand exactly how frustrating this can be – and that’s if you’re ‘lucky’. If you are really unlucky, the problem may not just be a damp airing cupboard – it could be full-on water damage, causing long-term damage that is very expensive to repair. Leaks also make a boiler run less efficiently, so fixing them as soon as possible will help you save money on energy.
Low pressure: A drop in pressure caused by a leak or issues with the pressure relief valve, will make the boiler work less efficiently, costing you more in energy.
Ketting: This occurs when limescale builds up on the heat exchanger, causing the boiler to make loud whistling or banging noises. Ipswich and Colchester are hard water areas, and as such limescale build-up is a real concern for people living in this area.
No heating or hot water: When components such as the thermostat or valves are faulty, the boiler cannot provide hot water or heating.
Radiator problems: Cold spots on radiators can be an indication that sludge has built up, which reduces heat efficiency.
Frozen Condensate pipe: If the condensate pipe freezes, the boiler will shut down. This happens when the weather gets colder.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks: If you do not regularly maintain your boiler, it may develop dangerous faults that could lead to carbon monoxide leaks.
Regular servicing can help prevent these issues, ensuring your boiler runs efficiently and safely.
Annual Boiler Servicing
Why annual servicing by a Gas Safe Registered Qualified Engineer is Crucial:
For safety: regular servicing ensures your boiler operates safely, detecting hazards such as gas or carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide safety is extremely important.
Longevity: Addressing minor issues before they become major ones will help keep your boiler running efficiently and safely for many more years than if you choose not to have an annual boiler service carried out. By as much as 10 years!
Warranty compliance: Many boiler manufacturers require annual servicing to keep the warranty valid. We can advise you on your specific boiler type.
What a typical boiler service Includes:
Visual Inspection: we will check for any obvious signs of wear or damage.
Component cleaning: cleaning internal parts, such as the heat exchanger and combustion chamber ensures efficient operation of the boiler.
Operational Checks: We will ensure that the boiler operates as expected and is safe. We check the flue and ventilation as part of this.
Safety tests: We will test for gas leaks and ensure the boiler burns fuel correctly.
What can you do to maintain your boiler yourself?
It is not recommended that homeowners take on boiler servicing themselves, that really should be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, like the team here at Onyx. But there are some things that you can do yourself to ensure your boiler runs smoothly and efficiently.
Check boiler pressure: ensure it is within the recommended range of between 1.0 and 1.5 bars when off (do check you boiler manual for the specific range recommended for your make and model).
Inspect for leaks: look for any water leaks around the pipes or boiler.
Listen for unusual noises: weird, unhappy noises like gurgling, banging or whistling sounds could be caused by trapped air or other issues.
Check radiators: feel for cold spots, which could indicate trapped air.
Test the thermostat: ensure it is working correctly, and the desired temperature is maintained.
Bleeding Radiators
Step-by-step Guide to bleeding radiators:
Turn the heating off: make sure the central heating is switched off and the radiators are cool.
Prepare your tools: have a radiator key, wiping up cloths and a container ready.
Locate the bleed valve: typically these are on the top of the radiator.
Open the valve: using the radiator key, turn the valve anti-clockwise until you hear it hiss (this is the sound of air escaping)
Close the valve: when you start to get water coming out, close the valse as quickly as possible.
Check the boiler pressure: after bleeding your radiators, check the boiler pressure and top up if needed.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning takes the life of approximately 50 people per year in the UK. In addition to this, around 4,000 people per year are sent to A&E due to CO exposure, with around 200 of these patients requiring hospitalisation.
These statistics highlight the importance of regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances and the use of carbon monoxide detectors to prevent such incidents. Do you have CO detectors installed in your home? If you don’t – please install some or let us install them for you.
As Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas, you will need a carbon monoxide detector to know if it is there or not.
Tips for installing a carbon monoxide alarm
Placement: install the detectors near sleeping areas, on every level of your home, and near fuel-burning appliances (such as your boiler, but don’t forget gas fires or other appliances that burn fuel to operate.)
Testing: Most people forget this, but it is important to regularly test the detectors are working as expected. Some models will beep at you when the battery is running low. Always replace the batteries when needed.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be very dangerous and its symptoms often mimic those of other illnesses, making it hard to detect. Here are some common symptoms:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue
Confusion
Shortness of Breath
Chest Pain
Blurred Vision
Loss of Consciousness
If you suspect CO poisoning, it’s crucial to get fresh air immediately and seek medical attention. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can help prevent such incidents.
Benefits of Regular Boiler Maintenance
Enhanced Safety: Regular servicing by a qualified engineer ensures that your boiler operates safely, detecting potential hazards like gas leaks or carbon monoxide leaks.
Improved Efficiency: A well-maintained boiler runs more efficiently, saving energy and reducing utility bills.
Extended Lifespan: Addressing minor issues before they escalate can significantly extend the lifespan of your boiler.
Reduced Breakdowns: Regular checks help identify and fix minor problems before they become major, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns.
Warranty Compliance: Many manufacturers require annual servicing to keep warranties valid.
Potential Risks of Neglecting Boiler Maintenance
Safety Hazards: Neglected boilers can develop faults that lead to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks, posing serious health risks.
Decreased Efficiency: Without regular maintenance, boilers can become less efficient, leading to higher energy bills.
Frequent Breakdowns: Minor issues can escalate into major problems, resulting in more frequent and costly repairs.
Shortened Lifespan: Lack of maintenance can lead to premature wear and tear, reducing the overall lifespan of the boiler.
Invalidated Warranty: Skipping regular servicing can void the manufacturer’s warranty, leaving you unprotected against defects.
Regular boiler maintenance is a small investment that can save you money, ensure safety, and provide peace of mind.
Have you scheduled your next boiler service yet? You can Book a Boiler Service online with Onyx – we offer gas boiler servicing and oil boiler services. If you prefer to speak to a person, you can give our friendly team a call on 01473 553595 to get your annual boiler service booked in with us or organise a boiler repair.
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