How to Maintain Your Boiler During the Warmer Months

We are now heading towards the warmer months of the year, so you might think that you can forget about your boiler for the time being. However, this is a common mistake that many people make, leaving them with expensive repairs.

Neglecting your boiler can prevent it from working at full efficiency, which could cost you money next autumn and winter. Warmer weather maintenance tasks are simple and range from turning on your boiler every few weeks to cleaning its outside. Doing this can save you hundreds of pounds.

To give you a helping hand, Boiler Expert Joshua Houston has revealed five ways to maintain your boiler during spring and summer.

1: Turn on your boiler every few weeks

During the warmer months, you should turn your boiler on for a few moments every two to three weeks. This will help prevent internal components like your pumps and valves from seizing up by regularly lubricating them. Failing to do this can lead to problems when the colder months arrive again. The cost to repair a seized-up boiler can be anywhere between £100 and £500, depending on its extent and whether new parts are required.

2: Put your boiler in summer mode

Putting your boiler into summer mode not only saves energy but also money on your bills. It will allow you to have access to hot water but will ensure that your central heating system is turned off. You can do this by activating the ‘summer mode’ or ‘hot water only’ setting. Every boiler is different, so check the manual to discover its specific location and how to activate it. This has been known to reduce your monthly energy bill by over 10%.  

3: Ensure proper ventilation

Your boiler room should be properly ventilated throughout the year, but it is even more important during the warmer months. Not doing this could cause it to overheat, leading to serious damage and even a fire. It also prevents carbon monoxide build-up, which could be deadly without a way to get it out of your home. Your boiler room should have a minimum of two permanent air supply openings, allowing fresh cool air in, and unwanted gases out.

4: Clean the outside of your boiler

Over the warmer weather period, dust will start to build up on the outside of your boiler. This can interfere with its performance when it comes time to use it properly again, decreasing its efficiency and can cause overheating. Dusting each part of your boiler will help increase its lifespan, which can save you from buying a new one more regularly.

5: Schedule a professional service

The warmer months are a good time to schedule a professional service. This is due to engineers being less busy and, therefore more likely to accept a cheaper price. Engineers can check that your boiler is in full working order. However, if there are any problems, then you have more time before the colder months arrive to prepare and save money for repairs.

Joshua Houston, Boiler Expert at GreenMatch:

‘’Let's be honest, we all want to forget about our heating systems after a long winter. But doing this can be more harmful than good. Keep your boiler in mind to ensure that you don’t have any unexpected problems later in the year.

My advice won’t just save you money, but it will also save you the hassle of getting a boiler engineer to your home during their busiest periods. You could be left in a situation where you have to go weeks without heating.’’