Is Your Boiler Ready for Chillier Weather?
Boiler Services Can Help Keep a Home Warmer This Season
With winter weather in full swing, homeowners should keep their homes warm and safe. That means it’s time to schedule boiler maintenance services. These routine services, which Anchorage, AK heating contractors recommend performing at least once a year, keep boilers working correctly so they can keep homes comfortable all winter.
Technicians explain why maintenance is essential, and common problems boilers can encounter.
Boiler Basics
While many homeowners may be more familiar with central heating systems like heaters or furnaces, boilers are a great option for larger homes, as they excel at heating large spaces. These systems heat water using a fuel source like gas, oil, or coal. This water turns into steam (or may be left in liquid form) and is sent through radiators throughout the house.
While these systems heat homes differently than other heating systems, they offer a lot of benefits, including:
- They are more energy efficient than forced-air systems
- They offer zoned heating options, allowing homeowners to control the temperature in different areas of the house
- They are quieter than forced-air systems
- They offer better air quality
- They last longer than other systems
After a boiler installation, homeowners must watch for signs that boiler repairs or maintenance services are needed.
Keep an Eye Out for Common Boiler Problems
Like all heating systems, boilers occasionally encounter issues that require professional repairs. Identifying these problems as soon as possible is essential to restore comfort to a house. Some common problems heating contractors often encounter with boilers include:
- A lack of heat coming from the system.
- Strange noises coming from the unit.
- Leaks in the system. These often occur near the pressure relief valve, pump, or pipes.
- Low boiler pressure, causing a loss of heat.
- A malfunctioning pilot light.
- A broken thermostat.
- A malfunctioning pump that cannot move hot water from the boiler to the radiators.
- A malfunctioning ignition system, preventing the boiler from starting.
Boilers can also encounter dangerous issues that must be repaired immediately, like a cracked heat exchanger. If this occurs, homeowners must schedule emergency repairs or a boiler replacement.
Tips to Keep a Boiler Running More Efficiently
To ensure boilers can operate correctly all winter, heating contractors recommend that homeowners schedule yearly maintenance and tune-up services on it. These services keep boilers running efficiently – keeping homes warm and reducing energy bills.
During professional maintenance services, heating contractors will clean, inspect, and tune up the components to ensure they work correctly. They will also check the boiler pressure, bleed the radiators to release excess air, check the boiler temperature, add insulation to the pipes, look for leaks, and check the water quality.
In addition, technicians will check a home’s thermostat and ensure it’s working correctly. They might also recommend installing a programmable thermostat to improve a system’s efficiency.
About Discount Mechanical Heating & Plumbing
Since 2004, Discount Mechanical Heating & Plumbing has provided quality heating and cooling services to their neighbors in Anchorage. A family-owned and operated company, they offer 24-hour emergency services and flat-rate pricing. Call them today for boiler services in Anchorage, AK.