Boiler maintenance: read our tips for the oncoming winter season

Many things can be done to limit consumption and heating costs in one’s home during the colder months. We suggest six ways here.

“Bollino blu” and safety certificate

For a boiler to obtain the “bollino blu” energy efficiency sticker, a qualified technician must carry out a flue gas inspection of the system. The law stipulates that this check must be carried out every two years in the case of installations of less than 35 kW powered by liquid or solid fuel; every four years in the case of LPG-fuelled installations of up to 100 kW. In addition to the bollino blu, periodic safety checks and servicing of the installation are recommended. This will make it possible to remove any oxidation, check for leaks of liquids or combustion materials, and make sure filters are leakproof.

Maintain an appropriate activation temperature

The operating temperature of the boiler is crucial for maintaining optimal consumption levels for rapid and instant condensing boilers. An excessive temperature (e.g. 45-50°C) may lead to an unnecessary waste of energy, since in order to be used for showering or other household needs, water heated to this temperature must then be mixed with cold water, making the heating system less efficient.

Avoid power surges with a constant temperature

We recommend that you keep your system running at all times, especially if it is a condensing boiler. In this way, the boiler components will be subject to less wear and tear, since less power will be required to operate them. Constantly turning the boiler on and off, causing repeated power peaks, would subject the system to excessive strain and wear in the long run.

Be careful to avoid limescale, sand and iron

Limescale, sand, iron and similar. These elements threaten the health of your boiler. Their excess presence may cause damage, malfunctioning, subsequent loss of efficiency and possibly the blockage of the boiler pump. To avoid this situation, regular cleaning using ad hoc products is recommended, with the use of a water softener in the presence of hard water or water very rich in iron elements.

Use a latest-generation boiler

All boilers, even the best maintained ones, have their own recommended life cycle, after which their performance gradually declines. In the case of domestic installations, this cycle is made to coincide with the 15-year life span. In order to encourage the replacement of installations that have reached or exceeded their efficient life cycle limit, numerous bonuses or tax deductions are available, depending on individual cases.

Make use of authorised professionals

A final important tip is to entrust the periodic maintenance of your home heating system only to authorised professionals with proven expertise.