Saving money on your energy bills can be achieved in part by ensuring you only use the hot water and central heating that you need, but this is primarily accomplished by having a working, efficient, modern boiler and ensuring it works at its optimal level for as long as possible.
The longer you keep a boiler functioning efficiently, the fewer repairs you will need and the more money you will save in the long run.
Here are some top tips for ensuring your boiler lasts as long as possible without costing you money in the long run.
Bleed Your Radiators
Many of the best ways to ensure your boiler lasts longer is to ensure there are no unnecessary strains on your heating system.
One of the most common is trapped air in radiators, which typically manifests as cold spots on your radiators. This causes a boiler to strain more to try and make up the difference, shortening its lifespan.
To get around this, carefully bleed your radiator using a radiator key.
Ensure Boiler Pressure Is Not Too High
There is an ideal water pressure level where a boiler will function properly without too much strain being put on the system.
If your boiler pressure is too low the heating system will not work at all, but if it is too high, it can cause potentially dangerous component failures.
Know how to add and remove water from the system safely, so you can avoid this. Most boilers will have safe and easy to use systems to allow you to do it yourself, but feel free to get in touch if you are unsure or have any concerns.
Use Your Boiler Regularly
Some people turn their boiler off entirely during the summer, but this can be counterproductive for its long-term health, as it can lead to corrosion, damaged seals and seized-up parts.
Combi boilers which provide both hot water and central heating never need to be turned off, as they can be controlled using a smart thermostat.
Frost protection systems should be used as well if you are away from your home during cold weather, as it ensures that the boiler starts working if the temperature dips below a certain point.
Reduce Heat Loss
The best way to reduce the strain on your boiler is ensuring it needs to work less to keep your warm hot, and part of this involves investing in effective loft and cavity wall insulation.
This stops the heat generated by your boiler and radiators from being lost and means your boiler can work less intensely to ensure that it keeps the house at a desired temperature.
In particular, ensure that your boiler itself is properly insulated, as some parts such as the condenser pipe are vulnerable to frost during the winter.
Invest In A Power Flush
Blockages are a major problem in a central heating system, can cause a boiler to strain itself and can even be potentially dangerous.
Investing in a power flush, which is where a professional will remove sludge, debris and rust from your heating system, will help improve its efficiency and ensure that your boiler lasts longer and needs fewer repairs.
