The winter season is over. We are entering a time of rest for our heating systems. During the cold seasons, radiators and underfloor loops are running at full steam. However, they should not be forgotten during the warm months. Spring and summer are a good time to refresh buildings and heating system components in homes, schools, and workplaces.
From this text you will learn:
It is a good habit to regularly check the usage of all equipment working in your home/apartment/office. Prevention allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises like sudden failures and high costs of immediate repairs, when something is needed „right away”. When it comes to the heating system, checking the efficiency of the devices which are in use for a large part of the year seems to be especially necessary.
Here are 4 important points that should not be overlooked.
Inspection of the installation
Periodic technical evaluation of the heating system is a matter of both heating efficiency and your safety. Irregularities can increase the operating costs, as well as threaten the health and life of residents/employees (e.g. cases of carbon monoxide poisoning). When deciding on the inspection, it is necessary to check not only the chimney (in case of solid fuel boilers) and the boiler, but the whole installation – the tightness of central heating and hot water circulation, the condition of pipes, the condition of the underfloor heating manifold.
When inspecting the condition of the chimney, it is necessary to check the patency and tightness of the chimney ducts, as well as to make sure that the smoke, fumes, and ventilation ducts are cleaned. This service can be provided only by persons with the title of a master chimney sweep or with an appropriate building license.
When inspecting a boiler, it is important to reliably assess the efficiency of its automation – motors, pump, fan, valves – and to evaluate the combustion efficiency. What is the purpose of flue gas analysis? Proper setting of boiler operating parameters. It involves measuring O2, CO, CO2, and NOx, as well as determining values such as efficiency, chimney loss, excess air factor, draught, etc. It is worth remembering that as a result of worse combustion, soot settles on the heat exchanger, which increases the consumption of heating fuel – gas, fuel oil.
According to the applicable regulations, the inspection of the heating system elements should be made once a year, which is confirmed by an appropriate protocol.
Routinely performed:
– cleaning of components – especially the combustion part
– inspection of ignition and ionization electrodes
– inspection of safety devices/sensors (chimney draught, overheating, gas outflow)
– inspection of wiring, electrical and hydraulic connections
– replacement of worn-out elements: filters, gaskets
– diagnostics of possible defects in the equipment (cavities, cracks, etc.)
– adjustment
– trial start-up (checking for possible air aeration).
It is also worth taking care the inspection of home electrical and gas installations. The inspection should include electric shock protection measurements, evaluation of electric switchboard protections, and checking ventilation in rooms where gas-powered devices are used.
Before running traditional radiator heating for the first time in the season, it is important to clean the radiators of dirt. During the summer, when they were not used, dirt formed on their surface and inside. If we do not remove it, after a few days of even not very intensive heating, an unpleasant smell of burnt dust will rise in the air. This is unhealthy for the human respiratory system and dangerous for allergy sufferers.
To wipe the radiators, use brushes with fine bristles and soft cloths that will not damage the painted surface. Internal cleaning is best done with a brush attached to a long wire with a handle. This will allow you to better reach all nooks and crannies. To get between the radiator panels more easily, you can remove the top radiator cover (the so-called grill) and the side covers.
Sometimes we hear water bubbling, hissing or whistling in radiators during the first start-up. These are signs of aeration. Water with air bubbles has accumulated inside the radiators, making it impossible to distribute heat. Therefore, vent the radiators, equalize the pressure in them and refill the water level.
Venting can be done by yourself. For this purpose you need to unscrew the valve (usually located in the upper part of the radiator) with a special key. Air will flow out of the valve, then air and water, and then water will flow out – then we are sure that the radiator has been vented. You can turn off the valve, equalize the pressure and water level in the system. The pressure will be read from the pressure gauge located on the furnace. This is usually between 1 and 2 bar. If it is lower, water should be let into the system through the valve located on the furnace. In order for the radiator heating to work effectively throughout the season, it may be necessary to repeat this operation after some time.
Temperature thermostats are effective in saving energy (and money) because they prevent rooms from overheating. The optimum temperature inside the house is about 19-24 degrees Celsius (depending on individual preferences). For the thermal comfort of household members, it is good to make sure that the temperature in the rooms is not accidental and always maintained at the right level. It is also worth remembering to turn off the heating when ventilating and lower the temperature by 3-4 degrees when no one is home.
By installing modern building automation. Thanks to SALUS Controls control devices – we are talking about e.g. Quantum SQ610 thermostat – temperature in your house will return to comfortable settings just before your family members return. Thanks to Smart Home products – we are talking about e.g. an opening sensor – heating will be automatically turned off in a ventilated room.
If you want your heating to work optimally, which means the best it can, take care to check the condition of your heated building during the spring season. If necessary, have it repaired. Especially important are:
Spring days do not encourage us to think about the cold. In June it seems that November is a long way off, so we will surely manage to take care of our heating devices. Nothing more misleading. Warmth outside the window puts our alertness to sleep and winter „surprises” us every year. Therefore, at the beginning of spring it is worth modernizing the boiler room and prepare the installation for another busy season.
A distributor of SALUS Controls brand:
QL CONTROLS Sp. z o.o., Sp. k.
4 Rolna, 43-262 Kobielice
Poland
NIP: 638 180 68 25,
KRS: 0000440955,
office: +48 32 700 74 53,
service: +48 32 750 65 05,
fax: +48 32 790 44 85,
Monday - Friday, 8:00-16:00
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