Boilers, Regardless of their type or size can be dangerous and can lead to loss of life if they are not well maintained and serviced. Boiler maintenance can also translate to significant energy saving throughout time.
Maintaining and servicing boilers is complicated as each system has different configurations and settings, and thus should only be attempted by professionals who are preferably registered with professional bodies within their industry.
The cost of maintenance is dependent upon the preferred method of maintenance. Some homeowners prefer reactive maintenance, where they only service boilers after a breakdown. This method can be costly and dangerous as it generally involves replacement of entire systems after serious fault, which could cause health risks.
Proactive maintenance on the other hand uses scientific techniques to anticipate breakdowns and carry out repairs before they occur. This method is safer for the boiler users and is more cost effective in the long run.
In proactive maintenance programs, qualified experts analyze the room conditions of the boilers using available data. They go through fuel consumption readings and gas temperature recordings and compare them against manufacturer specifications to determine the working condition of the boilers and then advise on the proper servicing procedures.
Efficient boiler maintenance should target the safety features that make it efficient. For instance, safety valves require regular checking and replacement if they are faulty. Safety valves release all the pressure accumulating in the boiler if other systems are not in good condition. These valves are mostly affected by internal corrosion, which is brought about by small leaks.
A water gauge glass is another important safety feature that should be inspected regularly and maintained to keep the boiler in a good working condition. This is an important feature in observing the actual water level in steam boilers. The connection lines leading to the gauge glass can get clogged at times and may show normal water levels when it is insufficient. The piping therefore should be inspected, and faulty gauge glasses replaced in time. Considerable damage to your boiler will be the result of running a boiler that lacks an efficient gauge glass.
The fuel system of the boiler specifically the burner requires routine maintenance. Failure to regularly service and clean the burners may result in increased fuel costs and heat transfer losses. In extreme circumstances, it may cause boiler explosions, which could lead to severe injury and cost.
There are signs that you can look for, to determine problems in boiler operation so that you can call an expert before it breaks down. Warning lights and gas smells indicate that a boiler is not working well, and also undue sounds from pipes and burners which would indicate wear or poor combustion within the system.
Regular servicing and maintenance of boilers comes with a number of merits. The life of a boiler is prolonged if it is maintained in proper shape. Maintenance is cheaper than repair, servicing assures safety and peace of mind and overall boiler efficiency is noticeable.
Conclusively, proactive boiler maintenance and servicing is safer and more cost effective in comparison to reactive boiler maintenance and servicing which can be very costly and potentially a hazard to health and safety.