3 Tips to Prepare Your Boiler for Winter

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Winter is almost here and there is nothing more important that knowing that your home will be warm and comfortable when the temperatures begin to drop. The boiler is the heart of your home's heating system, so it is vital to ensure it's ready to keep your family warm this winter. To avoid unexpected boiler repairs in the dead of winter, here are a three tips to help you prepare your boiler for winter.

Test It before Winter

A boiler may seize up if it isn't regularly turned on. They can also lose pressure overtime, causing insufficient heat. In order to prevent the risk of finding out there is a problem when you turn it on in the winter, it's best to test it a few times in the summer and the fall. To test the boiler, turn it on for about 10 minutes to ensure everything is working okay. When testing the boiler, make sure you: 

  • Check all of the controls that regulate the water feed, dampers, and interlocks
  • Make sure all stack dampers are open
  • Check the boiler water level
  • Inspect the furnace and flue passes for accumulation of fuel and remove any unburned fuel
  • Test the flame detection devices
  • Purge the furnace for at least 5 minutes to clear the gas passages. If the burner does not ignite within five seconds, shut of the fuel supply and re-purge the furnace.

Insulate the Pipes

Water expands when it freezes, so if the temperatures get below freezing the standing water in the plumbing system can freeze and expand. This can burst the pipes, which can cause the boiler to stop working. Insulating the pipes and maintaining a consistent temperature is the best way to avoid freezing pipes and to help keep the water in the pipes flowing properly, with minimal heat loss. Not only will insulating the pipes prevent unexpected boiler repairs, but it will also keep your energy bills low.

Check the Boiler Pressure

Over time the pressure of the boiler can change, which can affect its efficiency. A drop in boiler pressure is one of the most common causes for heat loss, so it's important to check the pressure before winter arrives. Although it depends on the make and model of your boiler, most have a pressure gauge that has a green area that is between 1 and 1.5. It is important to make sure your boiler pressure is within this zone. If it is dropping, there is most likely a reduced supply of hot water going to the system. However, it could be due to a variety of reasons, so it's best to contact a professional boiler repair company to inspect the boiler before you turn it on in the winter.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector 

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to boilers is that if they aren't operating correctly, it can produce carbon monoxide. This clear, odorless and tasteless gas can cause fatal injuries, so it is vital that you install a carbon monoxide detector with an alarm. The detector should be installed in the boiler room and tested each month to make sure it is working.

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