After months and months of bad weather the heat is finally here and consequently the long-awaited moment to turn off the heating.
But do you know that there are things you need to do or you risk problems, even big ones, when you turn the heating back on? Let’s see in detail what we need to do.
Let’s turn off the radiators but be careful
Fortunately, the cold season is coming to an end across almost all of our beautiful peninsula and our sights are firmly set on spring and then summer. We can already see the holidays in the background, let’s face it.
But what what should we do with our system of heating? Let’s start by saying that turning off the boiler completely when the heat arrives does not allow us to save money, in fact, quite the opposite. Then if we turn it back on when we need it, it exposes the system to mechanical failures and blocks that we can easily avoid.
The choice we must make, and it is the best, is to set the boiler in summer mode, almost all modern equipment has the sun or tap. In this way, we would have only the production of domestic hot water active, eliminating heating.
We don’t use gas unnecessarily but we always have hot water. It is very important to reduce this temperature below 45/48 degrees because with the heat, especially in summer, we can save up to 10/20% of consumption.
Obviously, be very careful if our boiler does not have an exclusive circuit because legionella can multiply. Well, we know it well radiators should be vented but how many do it now? It is very important because during the winter air bubbles may have formed which then oxidize in the pipes in the heat.
A check we need to do next is often that of the system temperature. The correct value should be between 1 and 1.5 bar. What do we do if we see it below 1 bar? Slowly open the drain valve and let the needle rise.
Let’s close carefully. And what if the pressure, on the contrary, is above 1.5 bar when it is cold? Let’s get it down by letting some water escape from the vents. And if the pressure drops or rises after a few days of our check, the intervention of a qualified technician is needed.
Last tip on thermostatic valves. They should never be left closed or at least The best option is the summer stop, or number 5. If the internal shut-off remains blocked for months it becomes an overlay and then when we need it the valve may not work.
Same for the circulation pumpshould not be disabled. Many boilers have an automatic anti-block function that activates it for 15/30 minutes a week.
As you see me very few tips and operations done at the right time can avoid problems with it water heater when you have to turn it back on in the fall!
