If your boiler is struggling to keep up with the winter weather, you’re likely asking yourself, “Just how long do boilers last, anyway?” As it turns out, the answer is “a good while,” assuming they’re well-maintained!
Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to ensure yours doesn’t give out on you when you need it most. It all starts with familiarizing yourself with the most common reasons why boilers break down in the first place, which are as follows:
Lack of Maintenance
If you don’t take good care of your boiler, you can’t expect it to take care of you through the rigorous winter. Just like anything else in your home, your boiler needs professional attention to ensure it has everything it needs to succeed. The alternative is a system that’s inefficient and likely blocked up with debris, which will eventually lead to a breakdown.
The best approach is to contact a certified technician to service your boiler every year, ideally before the winter starts. If you didn’t have a chance to book your appointment before winter, don’t fret; scheduling right now is the next best thing!
Frozen Pipes
Winter is a scary time for homeowners for various reasons, among them being the possibility of frozen pipes, which cause the water pressure in your system to build higher and higher. If it gets too high, it can cause your boiler to shut down or the pipe to outright burst, neither of which are easy situations to deal with in the dead of winter! Remember to insulate your pipes, and don’t turn your heat off throughout the season, even if you aren’t around.
Thermostat Problems
You can think of your thermostat as the brain of your heating system. If it fails to work or reads the wrong temperature, it could send incorrect signals to your boiler, causing it to malfunction.
That kind of miscommunication means uneven heating, higher energy bills, and an eventual breakdown. If you have an older thermostat, recurring issues could be your sign to upgrade to a newer model. But if yours is new, it’s good to consult a professional to determine whether it’s working properly.
Overworking Your Boiler
It’s normal to want to crank up the thermostat to get the chill out of the air. But running your boiler to the max can cause overheating and increased wear and tear. The harder you work your boiler, the more likely it is to give out on you.
Therefore, as opposed to hiking up the temps to near-tropical levels, try using a programmable thermostat to keep your home at a consistent, comfortable temperature during the day. Set it up so that when you aren’t there, the temperature drops a bit, preventing it from working too hard when it doesn’t need to.
Better Service for Heating Boilers With Endless Energy
If you’re in need of industry professionals who know how to handle all kinds of boilers for home comfort, Endless Energy is here for you! Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and we’ll diagnose and fix any issues right away!
