Why Heating System Maintenance Matters

Regular maintenance of a heating system matters because a well-kept system works more reliably, lasts longer, wastes less energy and is safer - with a gas boiler especially because of the risk of carbon monoxide. What needs doing differs by heating type: boilers and heat pumps should be inspected by a professional, while with heating film it is worth checking the thermostat settings before the season.

When the weather turns cold, most people simply turn the heating up and only think about the system when something stops working. Below we go through why it pays to look after it in time. If you are looking for an autumn checklist you can follow point by point, you will find it in our article on autumn heating maintenance.

Why is maintenance important?

Longer service life, reliable operation

In a gas boiler, a radiator circuit or a heat pump, parts wear, filters clog, and dust and deposits build up inside the equipment. During regular inspection these smaller problems are still easy to deal with before they turn into serious failures. A maintained system is also more reliable, so you avoid being left without heating in the coldest weather.

Lower energy use, lower bills

A neglected system becomes less efficient: it uses more energy for the same amount of heat. Because of a clogged filter or a badly set thermostat, the heating has to work harder to reach the desired temperature. A system that has been put in order and set correctly runs optimally, and over the long term this shows on the heating bill too.

A safer home

It is especially important to have gas-fired systems checked regularly, because a gas leak or a faulty heat exchanger is a serious danger. One of the biggest risks is carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a boiler that is not working properly. Overheating or a short circuit can also occur with electric heating; if you notice signs of heating, a burning smell or a fuse that trips often, call an electrician. A professional recognises the source of danger and can step in in time, before an accident happens.

When and how should it be done?

Before the heating season

Maintenance is best done before the heating season, so that smaller faults that reduce performance come to light, and can be fixed, before the first cold days. For boilers and heat pumps, an inspection at least once a year is established practice; the exact requirement is in the appliance's documentation. Systems have different needs: gas boilers need more attention than electric heating.

What you can do yourself

Some tasks can be done without a professional. With radiator heating you can bleed the radiators regularly so that the system works evenly and no cold spots remain in the house. You can also review the programmes of your smart thermostat so that the heating only runs when it is needed - our step-by-step guide covers setting up smart control.

What happens if it is skipped?

A neglected system breaks down more often, which is especially costly and inconvenient in winter. Efficiency falls, so consumption and the heating bill rise, and as the condition of the system deteriorates, the safety risk grows too.

Heating film: what should you check?

With infrared heating, the heating film needs no separate maintenance, because it has no moving or wearing parts. The thermostats, however, are worth checking before the start of the season: if there has been a power cut since the last time the heating was used, the thermostat may have reset to factory settings, and these have to be set again. Points to check:

• Calibration: whether the thermostat shows the real temperature.
• The maximum value of the floor sensor: if it is set wrongly, it can cause frequent switching on and off (the controller clicks), or, worse, the floor sensor cuts the heating back too early and the room cannot warm up quickly. The procedure is shown in our video article on setting the floor sensor.

The user manuals for the thermostats (in Hungarian) are available among the downloads. We have collected our articles on the most common setting questions at the end of this article.

Summary

Maintaining the heating system matters for reliable operation, lower costs and safety. With a boiler or heat pump, arrange a professional visit in good time; with heating film, review the thermostat settings before the season - that way you do not need to worry about your heating during the cold months.

Related articles

• What should I do if the home is warm but the floor is cold with infrared underfloor heating?
• Calibrating heating film thermostats - setting the real temperature - B1000
• I have infrared ceiling heating but it is not warm enough. What should I do?