While many of us know the importance of a working heating system during the winter months, many people don’t know that keeping on top of system maintenance during the summer is just as important to keep everything working as it should year round. There are simple things you can do at home to make sure your heating system is working efficiently and prevent any long term issues from popping up.
At David Liddle Plumbing & Heating, we are reliable plumbers and heating technicians working out of Houghton-le-Spring and covering the wider areas of the North East and Tyne & Wear. Our team has put together this helpful article to guide you through the ways you can stay on top of your heating system maintenance even as the nights get lighter and the days get warmer.
Why is it Important to Check Your System During Summer?
There are many reasons why you should be staying on top of your boiler and heating system during the summer, but the main reason is fairly straightforward. If you have an issue pop up over summer that goes undetected, you may be left with a cold home when the colder months start creeping in, and may even need to arrange for an emergency repair which could be costly.
Even if your system is running less – or not at all – during the summer, faults can still happen, especially when dealing with electrical or combi boilers. By testing your boiler at least once a month by following some of the steps in the guide we have laid out below, you can avoid shivering when the cold spells start and save a costly bill for an emergency call out. Keep reading below to find out more:
Clean and Inspect the System
Since your central heating system will be getting used much less during the summer, it’s the perfect time to clean around the visible components and inspect for damages. This should include an in-depth examination of the boiler, checking for signs of corrosion, leakage, or any indication of unusual noises while being close to it.
The pressure gauge should also be within the recommended range but if it isn’t, it’s advisable to reach out to a local gas safe registered engineer like David Liddle Plumbing & Heating to top it up.
Following on from this, clean the radiators and – if you are able to do so – dismount them for a thorough clean and examination of the backside of the radiators. This will also allow you to check for corrosion or signs of leaking or water damage, and once again if issues are found, consult with a local plumber.
Maintain the Hot Water System
One of the main parts of your central heating system that should still be operating fairly regularly during summer will be your hot water. Whether it’s for washing the dishes, or enjoying your daily shower, your heating system is responsible for the hot water running through pipes.
If you have a separate tank or cylinder for hot water, you should take the time to check for leaks, corrosion, or other signs of damage and address any issues. A leaking hot water tank or cylinder can have a much bigger impact than just affecting your heating system, as water left to sit can damage wooden floorboards and structures around it.
It’s also important to ensure the insulation of your boiler and heating system is intact, and the best time to do this is when the pipes are cool. For combi boilers, the pressure gauge and temperature settings should be checked to ensure they are functioning as they should be, and check for water leaking outside from overflow pipes.
Turn down the Heating
Instead of turning the heating all the way off, if you are comfortable to do so – in terms of both financially and temperature wise – it is recommended to simply turn down the heating during summer. This means that your heating system remains running even in the hot months and any issues that arise should be more obvious.
Of course, this isn’t an option for every household. If you cannot keep the heat running, we recommend turning it on at least once a week and letting it heat up to check there are no issues, this can be done automatically with smart systems and allows your heating system to function.
No matter which you choose to do, it is important to check the heating in your home regularly to make sure the system is operating as it should be. By turning on or leaving the heating on over summer, things in the system get moving and reduce the risk of an issue popping up from being idle for long periods.
Bleed the Radiators
When winter is coming to an end and the warmer days are setting in, it’s a good time to bleed your radiators. While most homeowners do this at the very start of the cold weather returning, tackling it earlier in the year can actually reduce issues that may develop over the summer months.
After running heat for a long period of time, air can build up within the system which can lead to an uneven distribution of heat and reduce the overall efficiency which can lead to higher heating bills when you need to run the system again.
Bleeding a radiator is simple. Make sure the radiator is cold to the touch and use a radiator key to bleed the valve to release the air. A small amount of water may escape during this so keep a cloth at hand to clean it up. Once this has been done, you may need to top up the water pressure in your boiler.
Signs of Heating System Issues
Once summer is over and you’re running your heating system more often to warm up your home, it’s important to keep an eye on areas around the home to check your system hasn’t developed any faults over summer. Some key thing to watch out for include:
- Leaking or noisy radiators
- House slow to heat up
- Pipes remaining warm when radiators are cold
- Cold spots around the house
- Boiler requires regular restarts
- Radiators require regular bleeding
If you experience any of these issues, it’s important that you contact a gas safe registered engineer like David Liddle Plumbing & Heating. We offer a range of boiler services, including boiler repairs, installations, servicing, and though we operate out of Houghton le Spring, we can also provide services to Sunderland and other areas of the North East and Tyne & Wear.
For more information, contact David Liddle Plumbing & Heating now!
If you would like to know more, or to arrange our boiler services in Sunderland, Houghton le Spring, or any other areas within the North East and Tyne & Wear, get in touch with the experts at David Liddle Plumbing & Heating now! We’re only a phone call away and can’t wait to hear from you!