Our tips for maintaining your heating system

Why maintain your heating?

The majority of a household’s energy consumption is devoted to heating. This is a substantial budget that you can control, particularly by maintaining your boiler.

Regular maintenance ensures the long-term performance of your heating system. By optimising the operation of your appliance, you consume less energy and therefore save on your energy bills.

This is good for your wallet and good for the planet! By reducing your consumption, you emit fewer pollutants into the environment and thus help to limit global warming.

A well-maintained boiler also ensures that it lasts longer and prevents malfunctions. With regular maintenance, you no longer have to worry about a breakdown in the middle of winter.

Some boiler manufacturers may require periodic maintenance. They are essential if you want to keep the commercial guarantee of your appliance.

In the event of a claim, your insurance company may also ask you to provide proof of this to absolve you of any liability.

Periodic inspection of your heating system, a legal obligation

In Luxembourg, heating installations must be inspected periodically by an approved installer who holds an inspection certificate.

The periodic inspection consists of verifying that the installation complies with the Grand Ducal regulation. Using measuring devices, the professional ensures that the heating system is operating in an environmentally friendly manner and that the installation is safe.

The periodic inspection must be carried out every 4 years for gas installations, every 2 years for solid or liquid fuel installations.

At the end of the inspection, the professional gives the user a report:

• the inspection is positive if the installation complies with all the provisions of the regulation;
• the inspection is positive but there are elements to be monitored;
• the inspection is negative, compliance must be achieved and will be the subject of a new inspection.

Regular maintenance of your heating system: a necessary step

The periodic inspection should not be confused with regular maintenance of your installation. The latter must be carried out every year by a professional.

During his visit, the installer will check the general condition of the boiler and clean it.

He can carry out maintenance work, as well as minor repairs. The specialist also makes adjustments to optimise the operation of your boiler. He evaluates the energy performance of the heating system, as well as its emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere.

The installer can also give you advice on how to use your heating system in order to better manage your consumption, or even recommend that you replace your boiler with a more efficient appliance.

Some do-it-yourself maintenance for your heating system

You too can take care of your heating system on a daily basis!

If you have an individual boiler, check the water pressure. It should generally be maintained between 1 and 1.5 bar. The values to be respected are indicated on a dial on the front of the boiler. If you find that the pressure varies too much, contact your heating engineer.

Also make sure that the room where the boiler is located is well ventilated. You can clean the ventilation grilles, for example.

Are your radiators making noises, such as hissing or gurgling? Are they hot at the bottom and cold at the top? This means that air is leaking into the pipes. To improve its performance and avoid wasting energy, your heating system needs to be purged.

As a general rule of thumb for the maintenance of your heating system, it is recommended to bleed your radiators once a year. Preferably before the beginning of autumn, i.e. before you start up your boiler again. If you bleed your radiators during the heating season, remember to switch off the heating and wait until the radiators are cold to avoid the risk of burning.

A little tip to make the most of the heat from your radiators: make room! Do not place furniture in front of them, avoid covering them with a shelf and do not dry clothes on them.

To optimise heat distribution, also consider dusting your radiators. As an added bonus, this will help to improve the air quality in your home.

Note that a poorly maintained heating system can consume up to 12% more energy. You know what you have to do to reduce your bills!