With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, people tend to forget their heating in the summer, but with only the need for hot water, it’s undoubtedly the best time for servicing and repairs to boilers, radiators and your central heating pumps.
Standard Boilers
Conventional boilers don’t have a summer mode. Some have an immersion heater attached to the cylinder so that you can heat the water with the boiler off, but it’s not particularly efficient and quite an expensive drain on electricity.
The heating and hot water aren’t independent, so the boiler will still come on when hot water is needed. A cylinder thermostat and valves control the hot water, so these are things you should consider checking.
Up in the loft, you’ll find the cold water storage and expansion tanks. Summer is a great time to check these as well. Check the overflow, and make sure the ball valves are shutting off correctly. If they’re not already insulated, cover and lag your tanks. This will decrease the time it takes to reheat the water in your cylinder.
Central Heating Pump
It is advisable to check your central heating pump as well, although you will need to ensure your heating is on for this. Make sure the radiators warm up thoroughly as expected and that the pump isn’t making any grinding or rattling noises. Other common central heating problems explained here.
Combination Boilers
Unlike conventional boilers, many combination boilers have a summer setting which provides hot water only. Combi boilers don’t store the water, either, which is great on the pocket as you’re only heating what you need.
It’s advisable to clean your system once a year. Flush it through with industry cleanser, and when filling it back up, add in an inhibitor to prevent the metal in your system from rusting.
Equally, if removing or replacing radiators, make sure you re-dose the system with inhibitor to avoid leaking radiators and corrosion.
As the cold water is effectively warmer in the summer, it may also be a good idea to adjust the hot water temperature setting. This will give a better blend of cold and hot water. This may also work for showers – a slightly cooler shower may be more preferable in the summer.
Radiators
With new designs of radiators being introduced over the past few years, many people are looking to upgrade in order to improve the look of their home. Summer is undoubtedly a great time for replacing radiators and for essential radiator maintenance.
Room thermostats and thermostatic valves make the running of your heating system more efficient, so the summer months are a great time to get these fitted. You won’t regret it in the winter when you’re saving money on your heating bills.
Always make sure to drain the system of any air introduced by maintenance, repairs or replacements and to make up for the water you have lost. Be sure to add a small amount of inhibitor too.
Doing the work in the summer not only prepares you for the coming winter months, but also means you’re less likely to go without central heating when you need it the most. See our full range of central heating pumps.
