Your house will be overflowing with friends and family throughout the holiday season. You want to ensure that your home is warm, cozy, and inviting. This won’t happen without a fully functional heating system. If you have a boiler, there are a few steps you’ll want to take before the holidays arrive to avoid complications.

Regularly Test Your Boiler

The first freezing days usually arrive at the same time as the holidays. Don’t wait until the temperature drops to find out if the boiler is working. It’s much better to test it during the fall. Run the system for about 15 minutes to make sure it’s working.. This keeps the internal parts, like the valves and pumps, from seizing up during the off-season due to inactivity. Furthermore, catching a problem early will give you plenty of time to have a professional fix it before you need it full-time.

Preparing Your Boiler

Check your boiler’s pressure. It should be between 1 and 1.5. If it is low, it needs to be topped off. You can contact your local heating specialist for help with this. They can also bleed your radiators if they feel colder at the bottom. Bleeding them will remove any trapped air. This allows the boiler to heat your home properly.

You’ll also want to insulate your pipes. This prevents freezing, especially if you go away during the holidays. Insulate any exposed pipes, as well as the external condensate pipes.

Installing a carbon monoxide detector is crucial for safety at this time of year. Test yours regularly. You can also have a professional check your boiler at least once a year to ensure it’s gas safe.

Inspect the Space Around Your Boiler

Your boiler will run safely and efficiently if the area around it is clean. Remove any clutter to ensure proper ventilation. Make sure there are no flammable materials nearby.

Do a visual inspection too. Check the boiler, pipes, and vents for corrosion, rust, or water leaks. If you have a gas boiler, you also need to check the flame. It should be a strong blue color. If it’s a weak yellow or orange color, there’s a good chance that there’s a problem. If you notice anything unusual about your boiler, contact a professional immediately.

By checking all of these steps off your list, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with an effective and efficient heating system. To schedule boiler service before the holidays begin, call Charlton & Hill in Lethbridge, Alberta, today.