Maintenance Checklist for Central Heating Systems

Keeping your heating system well-maintained can reduce your outgoings, as well as keeping you warm in lower temperatures. As well as avoiding costly repairs, maintaining your heating system will help it to run more efficiently. This reduces your fuel usage and helps to minimize your energy bills.

To find out how to get the best out of your heating system, take a look at our essential maintenance checklist…

1. Test your thermostat

Testing your thermostat will give you a good indication of whether your heating is working or not. When you turn your thermostat on or increase the temperature, you should hear your furnace or heating system start to work. If it doesn’t, you know something’s wrong.

If the heating system powers up when you adjust the thermostat but shuts down pretty quickly, it could be indicative of an issue with either the furnace or the thermostat. If the thermostat is faulty, it may need to be replaced or recalibrated. Alternatively, if it’s the furnace that’s not working properly, it may be shutting down to prevent safety issues arising. In this case, it’s important to contact a professional to address the issue.

2. Check the boiler or furnace

If the heating system kicks in when you test the thermostat, you should feel your home begin to warm up. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your heating system maintenance is complete. Take a look at the pilot light in your boiler or furnace and see what color it is.

Typically, the light should be solid blue in color and a tight oval shape. This indicates that your system is working well. If the flame has elements of yellow in it or is flickering, it may signify that the air/fuel mix isn’t quite correct. If so, a professional engineer can rectify this and prevent subsequent issues from occurring.

3. Change the oil filter

Most engineers recommend that the oil filter in your furnace is changed at least once a year, although you may need to do this more often is your system requires it. Before you can change the oil filter, you’ll need to ensure that your fuel supply is completely switched off. While many filters can simply be unscrewed and replaced, this depends on the specific model in your home. If you’re unsure how to replace the filter, don’t risk damaging the furnace. Instead, contact a professional so that they can complete the task for you.

Choosing professional heating system maintenance

There are many jobs that keen homeowners or DIY enthusiasts can carry out in their properties. When it comes to heating system maintenance, however, it may be something you want to leave to the professionals. Furnaces and boilers can be extremely dangerous when they’re not working properly and even making a slight change to the settings could inadvertently pose a safety risk.

To ensure the safety of your property and your family, why not book a professional heating system check? To find out more about the benefits of professional heating maintenance, contact T.H. Malloy Energy now on 401-333-0665.