Are you a homeowner? Then here’s one question for you: Is your boiler ready for winter? The boiler is key to maintaining a warm home all throughout winter, providing much-needed heat for your water system. If you’ve ever needed boiler maintenance services or furnace repairs, checking the boiler is one of the important things you should prepare for your home. With that said, we at Constant Home Comfort want to strongly encourage you to have one of our professional HVAC contractors help you ready your boiler for winter.
We provide 24/7 affordable boiler and furnace repair in hamilton and all throughout Ontario and bring years of experience and expertise. We’ll go over what you can do to prepare your boiler for winter and the steps you’ll need to take before turning it on and why it’s a good idea to leave your boiler on if you’re planning to go on an extended holiday out of town! Start saving your money when the temperature drops!
How Do I Prepare My Boiler for Winter?
One of the first things you should do is have your boiler serviced by a certified HVAC contractor at least once a year. They’ll check and make sure all parts and components are clean, ensuring everything is in good working condition. They’ll also review any written boiler room logs left behind because they provide information on factors such as fuel consumption and flue gas temperature.
If your boiler is old and running on for years, it’s recommended you have it serviced every few months to make sure everything still works and maintain your warranty. This includes checking for serious warning signs such as leaks, cracks, clunking noises, or soot/sentiment accumulation.
These things can build up inside the boiler’s fire tubes due to oxidation and can cause problems if too much water is built. A professional contractor can perform chemical water treatments to clear things up and reduce oxidation. As such, this can only be done by them because they have the training and expertise.
Steps You Need to Do Before Turning On Your Boiler
Before turning on your boiler, you should make sure your pipes are insulated from the freezing cold to provide thermal support. This helps avoid your pipes from freezing over and your boiler from breaking down. Any water frozen in your pipes can cause boiler failure. With insulation, it heats the pipes at a low temperature and you can easily defrost it with warm water if it does freeze.
Another thing you can check is the boiler pressure, as it’s a common cause of heating problems in the home and happens when there’s a reduction of water in the system. You should be able to repressurize the boiler yourself, but if you find that you’re doing it more frequently, you’ll need to have a contractor service it for you.
You should also check to make sure your carbon monoxide alarm is working properly. Broken boilers can produce toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Because it’s odourless, clear, and tasteless, it’s a gas that can kill if you’re not alerted to it. The alarm will notify you quickly to evacuate your home and you can call a professional to resolve the issue. Have it placed in the boiler room and test it each month to ensure it’s working.
Next, bleed out your radiators to make sure they’re colder on the bottom than the top. What this means is that air is trapped in the system and needs to be released because it’s causing unnecessary strain on your boiler. To start this process, turn the heat off and turn the bleed valve with a key. Air will slowly hiss out and you can lock it back up once any water drips out. This ensures your boiler is operating efficiently with maximum heat output, saving you your time and money.
When you turn on your boiler, try to do it as regularly as you can to prepare for the winter. Leave it one for around 10-15 minutes a few times in the summer to make sure it’s working properly. Follow the steps we’ve described and keep an eye on its water levels, pressure levels, and temperature.
As always, we are here to help you keep your home warm and safe – call us anytime at (289) 802-1088 to service your boiler and keep your energy bills to a minimum!
Should I Turn My Boiler Off When I Go On Winter Holiday?
Now that your boiler is on for the winter, what do you do if you’re planning on leaving your home for vacation? The quick answer is that you can leave your boiler on. The reason behind this is that it keeps the house warm, prevents your pipes from freezing, and you’ll be able to avoid a cold snap in your home when you return.
Additionally, modern boilers do not use any more energy when there is no need for it, saving you more money on your monthly bills. They have automatic frost or antifreeze settings you can set to make sure your home stays heated while you’re away. As a result, you can return to a comfortable, warm home safe from the cold winter.
Is your boiler ready for winter? Get it checked out and serviced today by one of our professional HVAC contractors. We’ll deliver great results at a price you can afford.