Heating System Maintenance Guide

Regular maintenance of the heating system is absolutely crucial for its proper functioning. Yet, most people still underestimate it. If you take proper care of your heating, you can save a significant amount of money and avoid worries.

Maintenance of the heating system ensures economical and worry-free operation

What problems can neglected maintenance of the heating system cause you?

Increased operating costs: Since neglected maintenance leads to clogging of the heating system and poor distribution of the operating fluid, expect increased energy costs for heating.
Poor heating performance: Despite higher energy consumption, a clogged or unvented heating system does not have the desired performance, heating elements heat poorly or unevenly, causing thermal discomfort, humidity, mould, etc.
More frequent malfunctions of the heating system and components: Clogging naturally also causes more frequent failures of individual components of the heating system, especially pumps are very susceptible to seizing due to mechanical impurities in the operating fluid.
Safety risk: Neglected maintenance of a gas boiler poses a high safety risk due to the possible escape of deadly carbon monoxide. This gas is colourless and odourless, so it can only be detected using a detector. There is also a risk to your health and property from a heating system failure due to undetected faults.
Shorter lifespan of the heating system: In an unmaintained heating system, corrosion spreads, which gradually leads to irreversible damage and the need for a demanding and costly replacement of the entire system.
Noise of the heating system: Last but not least, it is worth mentioning that an unmaintained heating system is noisy, which significantly reduces the overall comfort in the household. Noise also worsens sleep and concentration.

Therefore, use the summer months for checking and maintaining your heating. Your heating system will be ready to operate efficiently and economically at the start of the heating season. Find out how to do it.

Heat cheaply and efficiently too.

Bleeding the Heating System

Air enters the heating system in the operating fluid through pumps and other components or through various joints. It is therefore a natural part of the water in the heating and cannot be completely removed. However, oxygen causes corrosion of the internal walls of the heating system. An air-locked heating system also inefficiently distributes the operating fluid and is noisy. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the amount of air in the radiators by bleeding.

The heating system must be bled every time it is filled, i.e., at the start of the heating season. However, you can bleed the heating at any time during the heating season if you notice any of the following problems:

radiators heat insufficiently even when the control valves are fully open,
the heating element is not evenly warm.

Bleeding radiators in modern heating systems is done easily using a bleed valve. There are various methods for bleeding. It is generally recommended to bleed the heating at maximum operating temperature and water pressure in the heating, with the circulation pump turned off. Proceed from the lowest positioned radiators to the highest ones.

Bleeding the heating can also be done completely automatically using air separators, which are permanently installed in the system. This way, you don't have to think about bleeding at all or intervene in the process in any way.

Cleaning the Magnetic Filter on the Heating

Nowadays, magnetic filters for heating are a common part of heating systems. If you don't have one yet, don't hesitate to install it. It is the most effective protection against damage from mechanical impurities. If you already have a magnetic filter, don't forget its maintenance.

A magnetic filter works on a simple principle – using a magnet, it captures metal fragments, magnetite, rust, etc., from the operating fluid, which clog and damage components of the heating system, especially pumps, and settle on the walls of radiators, reducing their thermal performance.

Particles captured on the magnet need to be removed from the filter about once a year – and just before the start of the heating season is the ideal time. However, when using a magnetic filter for the first time, clean it after a few days, as the filter will suddenly capture impurities accumulated in the heating system during its entire operation.

The procedure for cleaning the magnetic filter on the heating is always determined by the manufacturer, so follow the instructions in the manual. In any case, you can manage it yourself in a few minutes – in the case of modern magnetic filters, you simply remove the magnet and let the released particles flow out with the water from the filter tank into a prepared container.

Air and impurity separator with Flamco magnet.

Gas Boiler Inspection

An annual inspection of the gas boiler by a service technician is the foundation of safe operation of the heating system. Proper cleaning, adjustment, and pressure checking of the gas boiler not only increases its operational efficiency but also significantly reduces the risk of dangerous exhaust leaks, especially deadly carbon monoxide.

In the case of an electric boiler, the safety risks are not as severe, as there is no risk of exhaust leaks. However, regular inspections are important – they can reveal hidden faults that lead to reduced boiler performance, increased operating costs, and shortened lifespan.

Check After Filling and Ongoing Checks of the Heating System

After filling and starting up the heating system, carefully check for any water leaks. Ideally, repeat the check after a few days, as a minor leak may only become apparent after a longer period. If you find any leaks, contact professional heating engineers, never attempt to repair these faults yourself.

An important step is also adjusting the control elements and checking the operating pressure. The pressure in the heating system should ideally be checked regularly throughout the heating season – its fluctuation indicates a serious fault in the heating system, which can cause a breakdown.

According to the manufacturer's instructions, also regularly check other components of the heating system, such as pumps and expansion tanks. Your heating system will reward you with trouble-free and cost-effective operation and a long lifespan.