Having a new boiler fitted is a huge expense for most of us.   If you have recently invested in a new boiler then you should do everything possible to look after it.  It’s almost like looking after a car, you would service your car every year to make sure that it is working properly.  The same applies to your central heating equipment.  Your boiler also needs an annual maintenance check and service. Not keeping up with the maintenance and servicing of your boiler could affect the performance of your boiler and heating system.

Keeping this in mind, JWC Plumbing & Heating in Liverpool have provided some simple tips on how to maintain your central heating and make sure that its working safely and efficiently.

Check the Flame in the Boiler

A clear sign that your boiler is not performing well is the colour of the flame.  The flame colour on your boiler should be blue. If the flame appears to be orange or yellow then is normally a sure sign that your boiler is not performing properly.   If this is the case then you should call out an engineer to check your boiler as soon as possible.

Noisy Boiler

If you hear unfamiliar noises like a popping and ticking when your boiler starts up then this could be a problem.   Over time, parts of your boiler become worn and can result in banging noises and other strange sounds which we would advise you to get checked out.

The pump on your central heating can be one of the main reasons that these noises happen. Boilers can suffer from airlocks which can be noisy but also easily fixed.  Normally, you should be able to turn the bleed screw which will then let the air out of the system.

Check Your Boilers Pressure

If your boilers pressure keeps rising or dropping, this means that your boiler is not performing efficiently. Also, a continual high pressure on your boiler could be a sign that your boiler needs some attention from a professional.  If this happens then your boiler should have a pressure relief valve.  We would not recommend relying on the pressure release valves as they can become faulty or stuck.  Pressure release valves are known for getting jammed.

This can be due to a build up of dirt and mud.  If this happens then you would need to call an engineer as soon as possible.  Unfortunately, you are dealing with gas which can be very dangerous if left.

Also you can keep an eye on the pressure on a normal combi-boiler.  Normally when the system is cool, the average pressure should be between 1 and 1.5 bar.  By making sure that your pressure stays within these ranges, you can improve the boiler’s efficiency levels, saving you money and energy.

Help Prevent Your Boiler From Freezing

To help prevent your boiler from freezing, we recommend that you set a low temperature constantly to keep your boiler from freezing over.

If you have discovered that you have a frozen pipe then try pouring hot water on it.  When this has defrosted, you can then try and restart the boiler.

If possible, make sure that your temperature is not set higher than 65°C.  In other areas of the house like your bedroom, this should be no more than 18°C.

Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your pipes can be a vital part of maintaining your central heating system. It is not a necessity to do this, but pipe insulation can help you save money.

Central heating pipes can be in areas of your home that are not heated. Unfortunately, the possibility of pipes freezing or bursting in these areas will be a lot higher. If you do opt to have your pipes insulated, then it would be more difficult for the cold air to get inside the pipe and stop it from freezing over. If a pipe does freeze then this could potentially burst.  By insulating the pipes this could save you a lot of money rather than having to replace burst pipes!

Insulating pipes can also prevent condensation building up.  If you have a build up of condensation on your hot water pipes, then over time this can cause erosion.  It would be a lot cheaper to insulate your pipes than replace pipes that have eroded.

Insulating your pipes also works by keeping the heat inside the pipes so this can help you keep water temperatures stable so you will save energy and use less water. Insulating pipes within your home can help you save money on utility bills in the long run.

Regularly Check Your Radiators

Your radiators perform a vital role in your central heating system.  To check your radiators, brush your hand over them from top to bottom.  If you notice cold areas on your radiators, then this could be a problem with trapped air in the heating system. Obviously if this is the case then you will notice your home being a lot colder.  Also this could cause pressure in your boiler to build up.

In most cases, this can be resolved quite easily by bleeding all of your radiators every so often.  By doing this, it releases any trapped air that has built up.  If the problem keeps happening or your radiators are noisy and cold at the bottom part of the radiator then your heating system might need a clean by a qualified engineer.

For more information on any of our domestic or commercial gas and plumbing services, please contact us on 0151 345 4039.