If you’re going to install a new boiler, you’ll need to fork out between £600 and £850 even when investing in a relatively basic unit. Although this can be offset by energy savings over time, this is a significant amount for the vast majority of families up and down the UK.
Given the cost of buying and installing a brand new boiler, it’s important to take proactive steps that help to keep your central heating system in tip-top condition.
This is far easier said than done, of course, so we’ve shortlisted a few ideas to help you on your way. These include:
Regularly Check Your Radiators
Not only do radiators play a key role in heating your home, but they also offer an insight into the performance and the efficiency of your boiler.
One of the most common issues that impair your heating system occurs when cold air gets trapped in the radiators, particularly those closest to the boiler. These air pockets prevent the heated water from circulating, and you can identify this issue by regularly checking your radiators for cold patches when the system is running.
If you do find cold patches, carefully drain your radiators by releasing water and air from the valve. This is a small and simple job that can dramatically boost the performance of your heating system, whilst you can buy complete radiator bleed kits for as little as £1 in DIY stores.
Monitor the Boiler Pressure
If your radiators do require bleeding, the chances are that your boiler may also be running at a higher-than-normal pressure.
This can impact the efficiency and the performance of your boiler, whilst potentially leading to systematic failure if you fail to reduce the pressure successfully over time.
To minimise this risk, be sure to check the pressure metre on the boiler whenever the system is running. Ideally, the pressure should always be set between 1.0 and 1.5 bar, and if it does need adjusting you can follow this simple video to guarantee the best results.
Consider Pipe Lagging
It’s particularly important that you look after your central heating system during the winter, and not least because it will be running constantly during the colder months of the year.
There’s also a significant risk that your pipes can freeze and burst in these conditions, creating a scenario where your central heating fails and you need to replace your pipes at a considerable cost.
You can negate this risk with pipe lagging, however, which provides a cheap and effective solution that can insulate your system within minutes. You can even buy ready-made lagging that provides years of protection, all without spending too much of your hard-earned cash!
The Last Word
Even with the best intentions and most proactive owners, boilers and central heating systems can suddenly develop unexpected faults. In this instance, you’ll need to employ the services of companies such as Fletchers Heating and Plumbing, which are based in Wellingborough. To find out more about Fletchers Heating and obtain a quote, submit a query in writing to fletchersheating@gmail.com or call 07919156562 to speak to one of the team.