Learn the proper maintenance of gas appliances in your home.
Found in rock formations located deep underground, natural gas is hydrocarbon an consists mainly of methane, varying amounts of higher alkanes and smaller percentages of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide. It is a source of energy used for cooking, heating and generating electricity. Some examples of gas appliances are boilers, stoves, ovens, water heaters, central heaters, furnaces, etc.
The UK is the second- largest producer of natural gas in the European Union. The use of gas as an energy source in homes has significantly increased in the UK. In 1970, gas provided a fourth of the energy used in a home. As of 2009, gas supplies energy to two- thirds of a household’s needs.
If you are using gas as a source of energy in your home, then you need to know the proper maintenance of gas appliances to ensure the safety of your family and prolong the life of your appliances.
Maintenance of Gas Appliances
Here are our tips for proper maintenance of gas appliances:
- Use only LPG for LPG appliances and natural gas for natural gas appliances. Operating a gas appliance with the wrong appliance can be hazardous and dangerous – unless the appliance has been converted.
- Put a lit match adjacent to the burner or press the ignition button before turning on gas to a burner.
- The burners should produce a blue flame. If the flame is yellow, call a gas safe registered engineer right away.
- Do not bypass, tamper or force safety valves, fittings and control knobs.
- Switch off your gas appliances when going to bed or leaving the home.
- If you smell gas inside you home, immediately turn off your gas appliances and / or gas supply, exit your home and call your local gas company or fire department.
- Keep the gas oven and burners clean to avoid build up of food and dirt.
- Take out removable parts and clean them in warm soapy water.
- Wipe away food spills immediately so that they don’t harden and become difficult to remove.
- Make sure the oven door seals perfectly.
- If you think your oven temperature is incorrect, check by using an oven thermometer.
- Make sure all light bulbs are working.
- Check your water heating system for leaks.
- If you experience fluctuating water temperature, call a boiler specialist right away and get it checked.
- Turn off your hot water system if you will be away from home for a while.
- Get your boiler or heater cleaned before the winter rolls in.
- Check for leaks in the hose fittings, or corrosion.
- Have your chimney checked to make sure there are no blockages.
- Have your gas appliances serviced regularly to ensure they are in perfect working condition.
If you need help with maintenance of gas appliances, boiler service, or any gas appliance repair, call RJ Gas and our gas safe registered engineers would be happy to help.
