7 Central Heating Servicing Tips That Are Essential For Your Home
The central heating system is one of the most fundamental elements of your home. As the winter months and cold nights draw in, you’ll be relying on your central heating now more than any other time of year.
With this in mind, it’s essential that it’s always in good working order so that it doesn’t let you down when you need it most.
The best way to keep boilers, radiators and other central heating systems performing at the top of their game is to ensure they’re frequently serviced so any issues are picked up on and addressed before they become more serious.
At A&D Plumbing, we’ve spent more than 15 years providing expert plumbing services, including central heating services, to customers across Colchester, Braintree, Ipswich and the surrounding areas.
We’ve put together our top seven essential central heating tips for your home.
Annual Service
It’s recommended that central heating is serviced at least once a year. In fact, this is a legal requirement for landlords who rent out their properties. While it’s not mandatory for people who own their own homes, it is still strongly advised.
An annual service should be sufficient to pick up on any issues or problems that may have occurred with your central heating system. Of course, you can get it serviced more regularly than this if you notice an issue or just want additional peace of mind, but it shouldn’t be less frequent than an annual checkup.
Identify Carbon Monoxide Signs
One of the main reasons why central heating servicing is so important is to prevent carbon monoxide leaks. If a boiler breaks, this toxic gas can be emitted throughout a property. The gas is colourless and doesn’t have a smell, so it can quickly spread throughout your house without you even noticing. Highly poisonous, the leak can be extremely dangerous and cause severe illness to anyone who breathes it in.
A regular service will be able to identify any signs of carbon monoxide and ensure they do not develop into life-threatening situations. Remember, if your boiler has a flame it should always glow blue. If it’s yellow or orange, it’s a sign that there may be a carbon monoxide leak.
Proper Care Saves Money
Times are tough right now, and it’s understandable that people are looking to save money in any way they can. With an unprecedented cost of living crisis and soaring costs in all areas, it’s only natural that people are tightening their belts.
However, you should never put off a boiler or central heating service. In fact, neglecting boiler maintenance will do the opposite of saving you money in the long run. Regular maintenance will ensure no serious problems are on the horizon, and any repairs that are required will always be cheaper than a full boiler replacement. The best way to be more efficient with your heating is to have a system that’s in peak condition.
Bleed Your Radiators
Over time, air can become trapped inside your radiators. These air pockets can prevent your radiator from fully heating up, meaning you’re not receiving the full benefits of your central heating system.
In order to counteract this, bleeding the radiators will release trapped air and ensure the radiators are working as effectively as possible.
Get Into A Servicing Routine
As mentioned earlier, a regular, annual service is the best way to ensure your central heating system is working at its best and no unexpected issues occur.
Among the busy nature of modern life, it’s easy to forget what is, let’s face it, a fairly mundane task. It’s important, however, that it’s not neglected and getting into a regular servicing routine can be one way to keep on top of it.
Try and stick to the same kind of time each year and get your next service scheduled in advance. This way you’ll always remain protected.
Never Try and Fix It Yourself
Even to the most seasoned DIYer, central heating systems are a different kettle of fish and only properly trained professionals should attempt to fix them if a problem occurs.
If a fault or an issue has occurred, always get in touch with a professional company that can help. Trying to resolve the problem yourself can result in more damage being caused, and more money being spent in the long run.
Choose An Accredited Company
Only engineers who are recognised by the Gas Safe Register are legally accredited to work on gas appliances like boilers and ovens in the UK. It’s vital that the company you choose to carry out your service has this accreditation. If not, the standard and safety of the work are not guaranteed.
At A&D Plumbing, we’re proud to provide homes throughout Colchester, Braintree and Ipswich with top-of-the-range plumbing and central heating services. Our team of specialists is fully qualified and holds a range of industry accreditations, this includes being on the Gas Safe Register and the Guild of Master Craftsmen. For more information on how we can help you, get in touch with our team today.