Tragically every year there are injuries and deaths caused by boilers. These can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, fire or explosion. Boiler Safety should be a priority for home and business owners
A properly maintained boiler (12 years old or less) is the BEST defense against the possibility of this happening to you or your loved ones.
If your boiler is 15 years or older you should be making plans to replace it. Increased maintenance and repair costs in addition to higher heating costs (due to older boiler’s inefficiency) should make the decision an easy one.
No matter what type of boiler you have, just like your car, it needs regular maintenance in order to perform well.
Boiler Safety: Repair or Replace?
Here are a few symptoms of an ailing boiler.
AGE: Most boilers can last 15 years with proper maintenance. If your boiler is 15 years or older and not giving you any of the problems we list below, great! We just recommend that you begin shopping for a replacement and maybe put it in your budget for next fall. It is SO much better to NOT have your old boiler suddenly fail in cold weather… and remember that newer models being more efficient will lower your utility bills.
COSTS: Do a quick audit of your winter energy bills over the last 3 years. If you are seeing a steady rise in your costs it could well be that your boiler is losing its efficiency. Schedule a boiler inspection with us and we will let you know if your best option is to repair or replace.
LEAKS: Once a boiler starts leaking it’s a good indication that the unit is weakening or damaged. Leaks will most likely increase and if not addressed could lead to a sudden failure.
REPAIRS: Older boilers (like cars) can increasingly need repairs. These may be minor and not be too expensive but can add up over time. Not all boilers are created equal. Some can provide years of service needing only minor repairs but eventually, they all need replacing.
THERMOSTAT: Has your heating been increasingly inconsistent? Are certain rooms too hot while others are too cold? Do you find that you have to get up often to adjust the temperature to stay comfortable? If so, you may need to simply replace your thermostat, or if your thermostat is fine you’ll need to have your boiler inspected.
YELLOW FLAME: Your boiler flames need to be BLUE. Any other color than Blue means the gas is not burning completely. That is not only inefficient but DANGEROUS as it means that carbon monoxide is being released into your home. In small amounts, this gas can cause dull headaches, laziness, nausea, shortness of breath, confusion and blurred vision. In larger amounts, this odorless, colorless gas becomes a Silent Killer which devastates families every year.
IF YOU HAVE YELLOW (ORANGE or GREEN) FLAMES ON ANY OF YOUR GAS APPLIANCES SHUT THEM OFF.
Call a certified plumber (if you are in the Baltimore MD area contact us!) and have the appliance inspected before continued usage. Please Don’t Risk harming yourself or your loved ones!
Schedule You Boiler Inspection Now
