Spring Cleaning Your Home Heating System is a valuable exercise. As one of Cork’s leading Home Heating Oil Suppliers, we love to see a home heating system that is being well maintained. We also know that there are both economic and environmental benefits. After the long winter months, your home heating system has been working hard to keep your home warm and cosy. So once the warmer temperatures arrive, it’s a good opportunity to give your home heating system some much needed care. From the oil tank outside to your radiators indoors – it’s important to check out each element. We have over 30 years of experience in heating homes across Cork so we are happy to share some of our handy tips for Giving Your Home Heating System a Spring Clean.
1. CHECK YOUR HOME HEATING OIL TANK
During the Winter, your home heating oil tank is exposed to the harsh elements of the wind, rain, snow and frost. Once the weather has started improving, take the time to check out the condition of your oil tank. You should look out for any debris that may have built up around the tank, as well as any new dents or scratches that may have been caused by fallen branches for example. Have a look for any damp patches on the ground around the tank that may indicate an oil leak.
It could also be a good time to consider adding a Home Heating Oil Additive to your tank. As we start to see some warmer spells on the horizon, this means that the demand for oil is lower. In order to prevent sludge building up in your tank, an additive will help keep the oil clear of any impurities in the tank. This in turn will mean that your home heating oil system continues to run efficiently. Although you may not be using as much home heating oil in Spring, you should still check your oil levels regularly. You will always need hot water so make sure you don’t run out of fuel. You can read some handy tips on checking your Home Heating Oil Levels here.
2. GET YOUR BOILER SERVICED
Your boiler should be serviced at least one a year. Your boiler has been working hard to keep your home heated throughout the long winter months. So once spring arrives it’s a good opportunity to get your boiler serviced to ensure it is running smoothly and efficiently. One important element of a boiler service is to ensure that your air filter is changed. There is also the option of flushing out the system in order to clear any sludge or build up in your system. A professional plumber is the best person for this job. It’s worth noting that plumbers tend to be in higher demand coming up to autumn. The task entails flushing water at high speed through the system while keeping it at low pressure to prevent any damage.
3. CLEAR OUT YOUR HOT PRESS
Spring cleaning your home heating system can help you in spring cleaning your house too. In most homes, the hot water cylinder is kept in the hot press. This is usually a handy storage area for towels, spare duvets, bed linen. Grabbing towels or an extra blanket in a hurry can often result in items falling down the side of the cylinder. It’s good practice to clear out your hot press and ensure that the area around the cylinder is kept free of any towels or blankets that could be dangerous or damage the pipes into the tank. Check the condition of the insulated lagging jacket. If it needs replacing, then it’s a good time of year to invest in a new lagging jacket. As a bonus they may well be found at a good bargain price.
4. REPROGRAM YOUR TIMER ON YOUR HOME HEATING SYSTEM
Once we start to experience warmer temperatures, it’s a chance to take a look at your heating schedule. You should readjust the timer so that your home remains at a comfortable temperature. You may find that hot water settings will stay the same. However, having the upstairs heated before bed time could lead to an uncomfortably stuffy bedroom. You should also look at your setback temperature and make the necessary adjustment. By reducing your temperature by just one degree, you can save 10% on your home heating bill. It’s always good to share ways in which we can save energy. Why not read our Top Ten Tips for Saving On Your Energy Bills?
5. BLEED YOUR RADIATORS
Over time, air gets trapped in your radiators which means that they get blocked and heat is omitted unevenly. This results in cold spots and one sign of this is where radiators do not heat up or take much longer to heat than usual. Another sign that you may have a blockage is when the radiator is hot at the top but not at the base. You should take the time to walk into every room in the house. Make note of cold spots and identify which radiators need to be bled. Radiators that have not been in use for a prolonged period of time tend to be prone to blockages. So you should start with any that have been turned off for the winter.
HOW TO BLEED A RADIATOR
- Turn off the Heating
- Use the radiator key to release the valve usually located at the top of the radiator.
- You should be able to hear the sound of air escaping.
- When the noise stops, close the valve in time before water gets a chance to escape
- You should have a draining tray and cloth to hand just in case of water spillage.
- After all radiators are done, check the pressure on your boiler.
6. CONSIDER MONTHLY PLANS FOR YOUR HOME HEATING SYSTEM
While you are giving your home heating system a good Spring Clean, it may be time to conduct a Spring Clean of your budget. There’s no doubt that during the winter months, heating bills tend to be much higher than the summertime due to higher usage. Monthly Payment Plans are a good way to plan and spread out the cost of your heating for the year into regular amounts each month. This means you avoid having much higher costs during the winter as you have saved for them during the summer. If you would like to know more about our Monthly Payment Plans, you can read about them here.
Of course, with all this Spring cleaning, you must not forget to top up your oil tank so be sure to give us a call on 022-4222011. You can also email info@cityoil.ie to arrange a refill. Unsure of which fuel to choose? Check out the full range of home heating oil fuels available on our website www.cityoil.ie or you can also see our parent company www.tria.ie. We are one of Cork’s leading Home Heating Oil Suppliers with over 30 years of experience and happy to manage your home heating needs.