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More organizations and local groups are making the effort to raise awareness on the importance of doing a regular central heating service. The dangers of unchecked gas appliances cannot be underestimated.
There are also steps that a homeowner can make to maintain their central heating and help ensure it is running safely and efficiently. A central heating system typically includes a boiler, pipes, radiators and controls, and sometimes, a hot water storage cylinder or separate pump.
Here are some central heating service tips:
- Bleed your radiators regularly. Bleeding the radiators will remove pockets of trapped air that are taking up space that hot water should be using. This results to cold spots in the radiators that will cause it to not heat properly. Learn how to do this here.
- Regularly check the pipes. The pipes take a lot of strain from the pressure. Make it a habit to check the pipes and look for leaks. Be aware of the sound coming from the system. Clanking sounds can be a sign that the boiler is kettling, which means that there might be limescale build up in the heat exchangers causing the water to become too hot. Read more about what to do when you have a noisy boiler.
- Check the water tank. Water tanks that are tucked away in basements or lofts and it is not uncommon for them to be forgotten. It is important that you check your water tank every few months for leaks, cracks or other irregularities.
- Prevent the pipes from freezing during cold weather. Extremely low temperatures can cause bursting or leaking of central heating pipes. You can insulate the pipes or install frost guards. We have tips here on how to thaw frozen pipes.
Remember that along with these tips, it is important to schedule an annual central heating service.
