How to Improve Boiler Efficiency During Winter Months

Boilers are a fairly common type of heating system that’s used throughout much of the colder regions of the country due to their reliability and affordability. One of the biggest concerns that most homeowners have throughout the winter months is their heating bills. By following the tips that we’re going to discuss below, we can help you improve the operating efficiency of your boiler and keep your utility bills in check this winter season.

Get Professional Maintenance Service

One of the best things you can do for overall efficiency is to get professional maintenance service. This service will give the internal components of your boiler the care they need to function optimally and will alert you to any potential problems with your system. This will allow you to fix these issues while they’re small so they don’t create bigger operating problems later on during the cold winter season.

Use a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are a great addition to any home to enhance the efficiency of the home’s heating system. This type of thermostat allows you to program in different temperature settings depending on the day and time. This means that you can turn down your temperature setting at times when you’re not at home and increase it back to a normal level just before you arrive home. This will prevent your heating system from overworking while allowing you to save money on your energy bills.

Invest in an Insulated Boiler Jacket

One thing that you may want to consider to enhance the efficiency of your boiler is an insulated boiler jacket. This works similarly to a person wearing a jacket. By covering the boiler with an insulated jacket, your boiler can keep more of the heat it produces inside instead of letting some of it disperse into the surrounding cold air. Just be sure to purchase an insulated boiler jacket that’s specifically designed for your particular boiler model to verify optimal functionality.

Insulate Your Piping

Some of the heat that your boiler produces can be lost through your piping on its way to the various radiators or baseboards throughout your home. This results in your boiler having to run longer and burn more fuel to heat your home. A great way to drastically minimize this heat loss is by insulating the pipes inside your home. A run of foam insulation is typically ideal for holding in heat and is fairly simple for the average homeowner to install.

Seal Up Air Leaks

As your home settles into the ground over the seasonal changes, air leaks can open up around the doors and windows of your home. This can easily allow cold outdoor air to seep into your home during the colder winter months. Instead of simply letting your boiler run continuously to combat this cold air seepage, opt for sealing up those air leaks. Using caulking or weatherstripping is typically enough. If you notice cold air coming out of the light switches or outlets on your exterior walls, then consider installing foam insert pads behind each cover plate to stop the free flow of cold air.

Get Your Radiators Bleed

Unfortunately, over time air can enter the piping and radiators for your boiler system. This excess air can restrict the efficiency of your boiler and even make some awful noises too. Having a professional bleed your radiators every year is a great way to remove this excess air buildup and allow your boiler system to work more efficiently.

Consider Upgrading Units

Residential boilers have a usable lifespan of around 20 years. As a boiler ages, its internal components wear out and its efficiency level slowly drops. If your existing boiler is 15 years or older, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new boiler. Newer boilers already come with a higher operating efficiency than boiler units sold just a couple of decades ago. Plus, you can enjoy the optimal efficiency that a new boiler will produce as compared to the subpar efficiency that your aged boiler produces.

Trustworthy Boiler Maintenance Service

Simmons Heating & Cooling offers trustworthy boiler maintenance service for the Chesapeake, VA community. We can also help with all your air conditioning, heating, generator, geothermal, indoor air quality, ductwork, radiant heating, water heater, and emergency repair service needs. Contact our office today to book your next consultation with one of our friendly technicians.