The key to running an effective heating system is maintenance.
Apart from the legal requirement to service gas boilers, keeping them in prime condition means they burn fuel more efficiently. And given the typically high cost of running a commercial heating system, any advantage can make a significant difference.
Faulty boilers can also produce carbon monoxide – a gas you cannot see, smell or taste. Leaks are rare but the dangers are significant, as NHS figures show carbon monoxide poisoning causes around 50 deaths in the UK each year, with potentially thousands more people requiring hospital treatment.
To minimise risks, commercial boilers should be positioned in spacious areas, away from clutter to ensure good ventilation. Any leaks, cracks, unusual noises or black sooty marks should prompt a call to an experienced engineer. Along with checking for these signs, heat exchanger maintenance is an important part of a servicing visit, as faults here can lead to boiler failure or poisonous gas leaks.
Looking After Your System
Thorough maintenance significantly extends the life of a boiler, so use our tips to help you avoid any problems:
- Boilers can seize up if they are not in use. Schedule service visits for late summer or early autumn to ensure the system is ready for winter;
- Don’t wait until there’s a breakdown. With a good servicing contract in place you’ll only need to make one quick phone call in the event of a problem;
- Perform your own visual inspection occasionally, so you can spot any obvious signs of cracks or leaks;
- Use carbon monoxide detectors so harmful levels of gas don’t go unnoticed.
If your system is more than 15 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement. 361 Servicing maintains and upgrades heating systems for a wide range of commercial buildings, so speak to one of our engineers about what’s best for your system, or get in touch with the team to arrange a site survey and fully guaranteed quote.
