Increase boiler efficiency with some simple steps.
Your boiler can be one of the biggest investments you make for your home. However, without the proper care and attention, you could be faced with numerous problems; a cold house and the possibility of paying out hundreds upon hundreds of pounds for new parts and repairs. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take to help make your boiler become more efficient and run much more smoothly for years to come, without running into problems.
A standard boiler can lose heat easily if it isn’t properly insulated. There’s also the possibility of your boiler components breaking down if you’re not taking care of your entire system. Here are a number of different ways you can increase boiler efficiency and get the most out of your system.
Evaluate your current boiler.
Before you settle on any decisions about how to make your boiler more efficient, it may be worth taking a look at your boiler and deciding whether it is still in a good condition. If your boiler is relatively new, then you’re in luck. If your boiler is getting old and is reaching the 10 year mark, then you should definitely look into replacing it with a more efficient model. This is typically the point where your boiler will run into problems and there’s really no point in chucking good money at bad.
Replacement parts can be much more costly over time than a brand new energy efficient boiler. Instead of waiting for the next component to break down, it’s always worth getting rid of your old, unreliable system and replacing it with a new one that is much more efficient with upgraded technology.
Lower your temperatures.
If you’re not ready for a new boiler just yet, then you can put a few simple tricks into practice. When it’s cold, the most obvious thing to do is to crank up the temperature on your thermostat and bask in the heat from your radiators. Of course, in doing so, you’ll be using an unnecessary amount of energy. Instead of doing this, you can simply make a few changes.
Turn down your thermostat a couple of degrees. Not only will this save energy that could be unnecessarily distributed, but you’ll actually not even be able to feel the difference. By turning down your thermostat as little as one degree, you can save money each month and prevent your system from using more energy than is needed.
Clean your system.
It’s a well-known fact that the pipes and components of a boiler can become clogged or eroded over time thanks to a build-up of a sludge-like substance, created from leftover debris and rust. As this continues to build, the effectiveness and efficiency of your boiler will start to decline.
To fix any internal boiler issues you can’t see, you should get a qualified engineer to perform a flush on your system to get rid of anything that could slow your boiler down or prevent it from working or heating up your home. It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t attempt to do anything like this yourself.
Set a schedule.
To prevent unnecessary use of energy, you should use your thermostat to set a schedule for your heating. Smart thermostats are great for this – they enable you to fit your heating around your lifestyle to make sure you only use energy as and when you need it.
Making sure your heating isn’t set to come on for hours at a time while you’re not at home will save much more energy. Instead, be smart with your scheduling, and only make sure your heating is set to kick in just before you’re due home, or before you get out of bed for around 20 minutes.
Organise a boiler service.
Always make sure your boiler efficiency levels are high by scheduling in your boiler’s service at least once per year. Not only will this keep your boiler warranty valid in some cases, but it can also prevent your boiler from becoming faulty or from breaking down in the future.
An engineer will be able to test your boiler for a number of issues and even identify the smaller problems before they become much bigger. They can replace parts or even advise that you purchase a brand new boiler if the repairs would be too extensive. You can also get a free service in some instances depending on the deal you chose when purchasing your boiler.
Boiler efficiency is important for a fully functioning system.
Looking after your boiler will not only make you more comfortable, but it will also save you money in the long run. From an annual service to properly planning your heating schedule, you’ll be doing your part to conserve energy and save more money on those heating bills.
If you have an old boiler, it’s worth looking into an upgrade. Look into your options and choose a system that is not only reliable, but one that will be kind to the environment too.
