Today I am going to give you some tips on how to maintain your boiler this winter. Maintaining a boiler or central heating system is a very important part in your house maintenance . It will be a nightmare if a boiler or central heating system fails to work.

Maintaining Your Boiler System

Soot Functions as an insulator, and its presence reduces the efficiency in which fuel is burned. The slightest buildup of soot impedes the transfer of heat to the waterside of the boiler. When heat transfer is reduced by soot buildup, the burner is forced to fire more frequently, thereby wasting more fuel. Simply stated: the more soot in your system, the more fuel is burned and that means higher energy costs.

To increase heat transfer and the efficiency of the boiler’s operation, soot buildup in the boiler tubes and sections should be removed on a monthly basis. In addition, before and after the heating season, a complete major cleaning of the entire heating system should be performed.

Tip 1
Sign a maintenance contract with a reputable boiler cleaning and boiler repair company. With a maintenance contract, you will receive scheduled boiler cleanings and guidance in measuring the boiler’s efficiency. When a consistent relationship is developed with your boiler contractor, you will be assured that emergency repairs are handled promptly.

Tip 2
Keep the interior of your boilers clean. If tubes and sections are free of soot, the boiler fires less frequently, therefore using less oil. The more a burner fires, the more fuel is used.

Tip 3
Keep you heating systems and controls clean. As soot continues to build up in the tubes or sections, it inevitably spills out and invades controls and other sensitive equipment areas. Not only does this cause needless repairs and costs, but it often occurs at unpredictable times. Valves too, must be kept clean if they are to operate properly. As you prepare you boiler for the heating season, wipe down the burner parts and sweep the boiler room clean.

Tip 4
Always begin your annual maintenance check in the spring and summer seasons. These are the best times to complete needed welding and refractory repairs and replacements before the next heating season begins. Your inspection program should include:

* a check for leaks in goosenecks, mud legs, stay bolts, horizontal and vertical seams and tube replacements.
* a check for disintegrating refractory in the combustion chamber(s), repair or replacement of refractory may be needed.
* re gasket all front, rear and chamber doors to prevent leaks.
* replace all broken studs and bolts on all doors.

Tip 5
Overhaul the burners. Inspect regularly the color of the burner’s flame. It offers telling signs of oil and air mixture problems. If the boiler is giving off a dark orange or black smoke, there is too much oil and too little air. If the flame is very pale, then there is usually too much air and too little oil. Also conduct a combustion test to determine the fuel efficiency. Check belt motors and replace them if worn. Check the accuracy of your fuel oil gauge, and finally calibrate necessary controls.

Tip 6
Maintain a boiler log on a continuous basis. A log serves as the basis for assessing how your boiler is running and what is being done to keep it in good shape. The log should be maintained on a daily, weekly and monthly basis so that annual cost projections for fuel and maintenance costs may be accurately calculated. For an Official Robert L. Teitelbaum, Inc. Boiler Maintenance Log Please Email: LogReport @ Boilers-Compactors dot com

Tip 7

Make some final heating system checks:

* Record stack temperatures. Rising stack temperatures may indicate increased soot, poor efficiency and potential ignition or burner failure.
* Blow down the low water cut off and check the water feeder and gauge glass.
* Check out return lines, flush and clean out mud legs.
* Check the air vents on all the mains, risers and radiators in every room, office, apartment etc..