Why you should turn on your boiler this summer
Building experts are urging Brits to turn their boilers on this summer, in an effort to help them save thousands of pounds in the winter months.
While it may seem like an odd choice to switch the heating on during summer, Giles Fallan, CEO at Buildsafe says it’s the only way to know if there’s a problem that needs to be dealt with.
He said: “There's a misconception among many homeowners that as soon as the weather gets warmer, the boiler should be switched off to conserve energy and money, but this is not the case at all.
“What happens when you turn your boiler off for an extended period is that you'll often find that it's much harder to get your boiler to come back to life completely, especially for older boilers.
"Turning off the boiler completely can then end up causing more harm than good, which is why it is important to turn your heating on now and again periodically. This will prevent boilers from seizing up and protect all of the internal workings of the boiler.
“For example, if you were to turn your boiler off at the beginning of May completely and didn't turn the central heating on again until September, when autumn begins, you could end up with trouble getting your boiler to work in the same way it did when you first turned it off.
"In turn, this will affect appliances that rely on the boiler such as your central heating, hot water for your shower, and some washing machines that can take hot water from the boiler.
“The bottom line, or worst-case scenario, is that your boiler would need parts replacing which costs you time and money; and if you own an older boiler, then you may face higher charges due to needing a specialist in."
Should I turn my boiler off during summer?
There isn't anything wrong with turning off your boiler when the weather gets warmer. It's leaving it off for too long that can cause problems.
The best approach would be to turn it on every few weeks. It doesn't need to be for long, an hour or so at a time, but enough for it to be fully functional. By doing this, there is less chance for parts to seize up, your radiators to stop working and being stuck cold throughout the colder months.
The cost of repairing a broken boiler could leave you shelling out hundreds of pounds, and if you need a new one installed, it could be over £1,000.
It's important to consider that if your boiler supplies your water usage, then combi boilers can be left on throughout the summer and not need to use any gas apart from for hot water. This is a setting that should be checked though, so make sure your boiler is set to 'Provide Hot Water' and you can put it on a timer to just work for a certain period of time.
Does your boiler have a ‘summer mode’ to help save you money?
Some boilers, mostly combi boilers, have a summer or winter mode. The ‘summer mode’ typically lowers fuel wastage by heating your water only a handful of times throughout the day, as opposed to having to turn the boiler completely off. This can help to keep the cost of your energy bills down and help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Should I get my boiler serviced in summer?
Just as cars require regular maintenance, boilers do too. This is especially true if you have an older boiler and one you rely on for hot water.
If you leave your boiler on the sidelines for an extended period throughout the hotter months, when it’s a little too toasty for central heating, you could risk ruining the pipes through corrosion and lack of use.
Getting your boiler serviced in the warmer months, therefore, makes perfect sense. For best results, book servicing between July and early September.
These insights were provided by Buildsafe, an independent provider of Structural Warranties (Latent Defects Insurance). They are a client-led team of experts who take the stress out of searching for building warranty products by offering an independent, clear view on the market.
