Residential Boilers Should Be Looked at Every Year
The truth of the matter is that "letting the boiler slide" without a proper checkup for months, or even for years, is fairly common practice, even among those trade professionals normally very attentive to proper HVAC maintenance. Why does this happen? In many instances, it is because going a long time without any maintenance is how the equipment was originally designed. This is especially true with atmospheric gas boilers earlier models.
Efficient Boiler Services
These days a licensed boiler service contractor should check all boilers at least once every year. This is specified by the National Boiler Codes. There is no doubt that this is a good start, but the fact of the matter is that with the many changes toward equipment of much higher efficiency, such as fully-modulating systems, burners and boilers may require annually two or more checks. Even better, to handle regular check-ups, and to be on call for anything that may come up, it is strongly suggested to employ a contractor to conduct those regular check-ups.
Having this arrangement where part of the deal is priority service, can be so advantageous. You never want to be in the position of waiting for hours to get service, with tenants constantly complaining about not getting hot water. And there is also no question that there are going to be those times when the heating contractor's quick response may literally save your hide!
To assist you on the boiler maintenance call, here are some helpful insights.
Get in place a maintenance plan, and record baseline conditions carefully, before even starting the boiler maintenance process. Keep a detailed record of all work that you do and all conditions prevalent. The information trail is often neglected, and this only extends the time needed to diagnose the system. Basic record-keeping is truly so vitally important.
The Burners are Vital
You want to make certain that all electrical connections are secure, at every step along the way of a boiler service call. For overheating, you want to check all wiring. A sign of a problem much more serious, like chambers firing too hot, might be melting or hardening of connections or wiring.
Removal of the burner itself, in a modulating-condensing boiler, on a routine inspection is the first thing to do. This way you will have the access to inspect the coils inside and the combustion chamber as well.
Examine the flu passages. Doing this will let you know whether or not the boiler is properly burning. The system might have insufficient combustion air, or be running rich, should there be any soot in the flu passage. Moisture in the vent pipe can mean the system is running too cool. You want to look for any white, powdery residue when you inspect the vent pipe, because condensation taking place in the vent may leave it behind. Condensate can eat through the vent pipe material, and it is extremely acidic as well. To prevent this, be certain to maintain temperatures above the minimums suggested by the manufacturers.
All flame-sensing rods should be checked. In addition, to ensure they are properly gapped, examine the spark rods. And to be certain there are no hairline fractures, always check the ceramic retainer that holds each of these.
When to Get the Maintenance Done
As you can see from the details above maintaining a boiler is not a simple matter. The boiler controls the hot water in your home and heats the place with either wall radiators or a radiant heating system in the floor. If your boiler fails during the winter chances are good that your local plumber will be busy and you'll have to wait, or hunt around to find someone. Getting a qualified heating technician in the winter months could be very difficult causing you to end up with some fly-by-night handyman.
Don't let this slide, get your boiler checked at least once a year. Better yet hire a company you like to schedule the maintenance when it i9s convenient for both of you. That way you can rest easy knowing your home will stay toasty warm when you need it.