Gas-fired boilers are incredibly reliable for indoor heating. Gas heats water faster than electricity; thus, the home heats up fast to attain the pre-set thermostat temperature. However, if you don't service your gas boiler regularly, it will be inefficient and unreliable. Therefore, as you schedule an annual service, here are four key components you should check to ensure efficient heating.

Boiler thermostats

Faulty thermostats can fail to sense temperature changes in the home. As a result, your boiler won't turn on when you need it to heat the house. Faulty thermostats can also send false readings, leading to extreme temperature changes. Therefore, test your thermostats during your annual boiler service. Repair or replace faulty thermostats so you can accurately regulate temperatures in the home.

Pilot light 

Gas-fired boilers rely on a pilot light to light the gas and facilitate water heating. If your boiler has a pilot light, check it for colour changes. If the pilot light has changed from blue to yellow, your system is experiencing incomplete combustion due to a lack of oxygen. Clean the pilot tube tip to get rid of the debris obstructing the air. 

The pilot light can also turn yellow if your air intake pipe is blocked by leaves or debris. Clean the blocked intake to allow airflow to the boiler. Also, if the pipe is too close to the ground, you may need to elevate it to keep out debris.

Boiler tank

Combi boilers have a tank that stores hot water for indoor heating and residential use. During water heating, minerals and limescale get deposited on the walls of the tank. Over time, the minerals and lime can build up inside the tank and cause overheating and tank corrosion. The buildup can also restrict water flow and cause whistling and banging noises inside the boiler. Flush and clean the boiler yearly to clear the buildup, prevent overheating and extend the lifespan of the hot water tank.

Heat exchanger

The heat exchanger transfers heat from the burning fuel to cold water inside the boiler tank. Heat exchangers can develop faults due to limescale and mineral buildup. The buildup can block heat from effectively reaching the cold water. As a result, your boiler will produce lukewarm water and fail to heat the home adequately.

Mineral buildup can also corrode the heat exchanger, causing it to crack. Consequently, exhaust gases from the burning gas leak into the home, causing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Flush and clean your boiler annually to prevent minerals from corroding the heat exchanger. If you have a leaking heat exchanger, replace it to prevent exhaust gases from leaking into your home.

Contact a professional to learn more about boiler servicing. 

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