A boiler can heat your home efficiently during the winter. However, due to the pressurization and combustion processes that take place in it, it’s also a potentially dangerous system. For that reason, it’s critical that you learn how to use and take care of your boiler properly. Here’s some sound advice on how to maintain boiler safety.
Keep Clutter Away
Boilers require adequate ventilation to function correctly. They can also cause certain nearby items to melt or catch fire. And don’t forget the nearby clutter can get in the way of technicians as they try to access the boiler to perform maintenance or repairs. Make sure your system isn’t surrounded by furniture, lawn mowers, aerosol cans, cleaning products, boxes, paper, and any other clutter while it’s running. If you choose to have the boiler housed in a box, make sure the ventilation recommendations of the manufacturer are met.
Check the Boiler Pressure
Once the heating season begins, you should check your boiler’s pressure gauge. After that, keep checking the gauge once a month until the season ends. The manual should have the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels. If the pressure reading is lower than the recommended level, you can increase it yourself provided you do that with caution or call in a professional.
Have Your System Serviced Annually
Finally, it’s important that you hire an HVAC technician every year to inspect and service your boiler. The technician will check the status of safety controls like the limit switch and pressure controls, assess the unit for existing or potential leaks, and clean the accessible areas.
Taking the steps above will not only help ensure your boiler operates safely but also facilitate optimal performance, longer operation life, and lower operating expenses. For more boiler safety tips, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. For more than 30 years, Dayton homeowners have counted on us to solve all their boiler issues.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
