Top Ten Tips for a Tip Top Summer Boiler

Summer is nearly here (it really is, promise!) and one of the first things most homeowners do is turn their boiler off with glee and gusto, happy not to have it running and costing money over the summer months. However, doing this may actually cost some of you a lot more money in the long-run. Having the boiler turned off for an extended period of time could lead to all sorts of trouble and will have you pulling your hair out in the winter months.

Read our top ten summer gas boiler tips for keeping your boiler in tip top condition:

1) Rather than turning your boiler off completely, why not adjust the water and heating controls. Turning the hot water down (you shouldn’t need it as high in the summer compared to winter, as the pipes won’t be freezing) will help reduce your energy bills. You could also adjust the heating controls to have the heating on low for an hour on a chilly night.
2) Turn the heating off but keep the boiler on for hot water. Many people like to completely turn their boiler off in an attempt to be more economical, but leaving your hot water on low in your boiler can be more economical than using an immersion heater or an electric shower, dependant on how old your boiler is. This will also help keep your boiler in good working order ready for the winter.

3) Arrange a boiler service. Many people arrange their boiler service in winter when plumbers and gas engineers are at their busiest. Beat the queue and have your boiler serviced in the summer, ready for the coming winter. The good news is, that boiler services are generally cheaper in the summer months too!

4) If you do decide to arrange a summer gas boiler service, choose a gas engineer you can trust. All of our gas engineers at Gas Services Limited are RGI certified, meaning they are qualified to work safely on gas boilers and appliances.

5) If you do turn your boiler off completely, turn it on every few weeks to check that it’s still working. A dormant boiler can suffer from a build-up of dirt and debris in the pipes if left for long periods. Better to find out in the warmer weather than when the frost kicks in! Run your boiler for at least five minutes at a high temperature to test it properly.

6) Check your boiler regularly. Checking it once over a period of three months could lead to unwanted and expensive emergency boiler repairs in the winter.

7) Arrange for a boiler replacement. If you have an ancient boiler that isn’t very energy efficient, summer is the perfect time to arrange a replacement with an energy efficient boiler as it won’t cause that much upheaval to your life. Winter without a boiler is no fun for anyone, even if it’s just for a day.

8) Always follow manufacturers’ instructions on your boiler when turning it off or on and adjusting the thermostats.

9) Keep an eye on the weather! We all know that the weather can change in the blink of an eye, so keep an eye on the forecast, ready to turn your boiler back on for some much- needed warmth and comfort if the cold weather rears its head again. If you’ve been regularly checking your boiler, this should happen without a hitch!

10) Put all thoughts of boilers and pipes aside and enjoy your summer!

If you have any questions regarding boilers, services and repairs, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call!