With the country in the grip of a cost of living crisis, many Wirral homeowners are looking at ways in which they can extend the life of their boilers to avoid facing expensive replacement costs. The good news is that there are plenty of steps you can take to extend the life of your Wirral boiler and keep it running smoothly for years to come.
Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Get Your Boiler Serviced Regularly
While it may seem counterintuitive to spend money when trying to save, getting your boiler serviced regularly is actually one of the best ways to prolong its life and avoid a potentially costly boiler replacement.
A service will identify any potential problems before they cause serious damage and will also ensure that your boiler is running as efficiently as possible.
2. Add Inhibitor and a Magnetic Filter
Over the years, your central heating will start to accumulate sludge and debris from limescale and corrosion. If left unchecked, this can cause serious damage to your boiler and pipes.
A good way of protecting your system is by adding what is known as central heating inhibitor. It’s a chemical solution which is added to the water in a central heating system. The chemicals in the inhibitor work together, and the chemical reaction breaks down the sludge in your central heating system and protects it from building up again.
Likewise, a magnetic filter can also help to prolong the life of your boiler and protect it from damage. Because the sludge that builds up in the system is predominantly rust from the insides of pipes and radiators, a magnetic filter is an effective way of attracting those metallic elements from the system and filtering them out. You should speak to a professional to learn more about how to add one or preferably both of these elements to your central heating system.
3. Bleed Your Radiators Regularly
When air gets trapped in your radiators, it can put undue stress on your boiler as it has to work harder to heat them up to temperature. This can lead to premature wear and tear if you don’t keep on top of it.
To avoid this outcome, you should bleed your radiators regularly. This is a simple process that anyone can do, and all you need is a radiator key. Simply insert the key into the bleed valve at the top of the radiator and turn it anti-clockwise until you hear the hiss of air escaping. Once the air has been released, close the valve again by turning it clockwise, and your radiator will be good as new.
4. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
While upgrading to a smart thermostat will come with an initial investment, it can actually save you money in the long run as it will help to make your boiler more efficient and thus protect its longevity.
One of the biggest contributing factors for boilers breaking down earlier than they should is when they work harder than they need to. Smart thermostats learn your heating habits, including which rooms you spend the most time in and when, and will only heat your home when necessary. This can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills and help to reduce wear and tear on your boiler.
5. Keep an Eye on the Pressure Gauge
One of the most important things you can do to prolong the life of your Wirral boiler is to keep an eye on the pressure gauge. Most boilers have a green zone which indicates that the pressure is where it should be.
If the needle drops into the red zone, this means that your boiler has lost pressure and is hurting the efficiency of your boiler. You can usually top up the pressure yourself by following the instructions in your boiler’s manual, or, if you’re not sure you want to tackle it yourself, you can call a plumber.
Contact Wirral Plumbers Today To Keep Your Wirral Boiler Costs Down
By following these simple tips, you can be sure that your boiler will provide years of trouble-free service. If you would like to book in a boiler service, or need other boiler-prolonging services such as power flushing, please contact Wirral Plumbers today.
Our team of experienced engineers are on hand to provide you with expert advice and guidance and can carry out any work quickly and efficiently at a price that’s right for you. We’re Wirral’s leading boiler experts and can help you get the most out of your boiler, no matter what.
So, contact us today and let us help you keep your Wirral boiler running like new for years to come. We are available on 0758 0395 493 or via email at mike@wirralplumbers.com.
