Category: Boilers

Winter Boiler Maintenance

It’s winter in Edmonton officially making it your boiler’s busiest time of the year. Boilers offer many heating advantages. They are energy efficient, they can last up to 25 years, and they heat the house more evenly (than a traditional furnace). The downside to having a boiler is that they can be very costly to replace. The good news is that, with proper maintenance, a boiler can last up to twice as long as other heating systems. This winter, use these winter boiler maintenance tips to increase your boiler’s efficiency and extend its life.

  • Check and clean boiler filters monthly.

Boiler air filters should be free of anything that can block the heat. Make sure no dirt or dust has built up in the filter, causing the system to overwork and become inefficient.

  • Each month, check for a blue flame.

If your boiler has a yellow flame, or no flame, it indicates a possible problem. Call a professional immediately to avoid losing heat or bigger boiler problems.

  • Insulate your pipes.

Insulating your pipes will not only prevent them from freezing, but it will reduce the risk of your boiler’s condensate pipes freezing as well. Once your boiler’s condensate pipes have frozen they can be difficult to thaw and lead to boilers breaking down.

  • Learn how your boiler works.

Become familiar with your boiler’s owner’s manual. Knowing how it works will help you spot the warning signs of a problem. Understanding a brief history of boilers and how they work can also be of value.

  • Regularly check for cracks, holes, or other signs of water leaks.

If you notice any signs of leaks or water coming from your boiler, contact a professional to have it repaired immediately.

  • Check the pressure gauge.

Consult the owner’s manual for the proper pressure gauge and check when your boiler is at operating temperature. If the pressure is too high, turn off the boiler and contact a professional immediately. Too much internal pressure can cause the boiler to rupture or explode.

Having your boiler out of operation in the winter in Edmonton is not an option. If you suspect your boiler is not working properly, always call a professional for a diagnosis first. At Always Plumbing & Heating, we provide affordable maintenance and repair services to help extend the lifespan of your boiler. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Warning Signs Your Boiler is About to Fail

Reliable heat is essential in the winter here in Edmonton. Having your boiler fail in sub-zero temperatures can be disastrous. When your boiler fails unexpectedly it can leave you without heat for long periods of time and lead to further damage in your home. Look for these warning signs that your boiler is about to fail. Catching the problem before it leads to failure can save you from expensive repairs or needing to replace your boiler prematurely.

  1. Your thermostat needs constant adjusting or doesn’t seem to work.

If your heating is inconsistent throughout your home or it feels like your heat isn’t working as well as it used to, then your boiler may already be failing. Call a professional to diagnose the problem and get your home back to a comfortable temperature.

  1. Your heating bills are unexplainably higher than ever before.

If your heating bills are slowly rising each month but your usage is not increasing, it may be a sign that your boiler needs to be repaired or needs servicing. If your boiler is needing more and more frequent servicing, then it has most likely become inefficient and it may be more cost efficient to replace it.

  1. Your boiler is making loud, unusual noises.

Generally, your boiler should be quiet. If it starts making a hissing, gurgling, thumping, or banging sound, then it is an indication that your boiler needs a professional service or will fail soon without one.

  1. Age and frequent repairs.

If your boiler is over 20 years old and you are performing frequent repairs every year, then it might be time to replace your boiler. Newer boilers are significantly more energy-efficient. Often times, the energy savings alone are enough to offset the cost of a new boiler.

  1. Yellow flame on gas burners or black soot on oil boilers.

This is an indication that the fuel is not burning properly and is creating carbon monoxide. If your unit is producing excess carbon monoxide, it is a danger to you and your family. Check your carbon monoxide detector frequently and call a professional to assess the situation.

  1. Unusual odor.

There are two odors that may come from your boiler that are a cause for concern; natural gas and fuel oil. Natural gas is odorless, but utility companies add Mercaptan, a foul-smelling chemical, to make leaks noticeable. If you smell gas, it is an immediate emergency. Leave your home and call the gas company immediately.

Fuel oil has a sharp odor that you will notice if you check on your boiler. Fuel oil leaks waste money and can lead to chronic health problems. Bottom line, any unusual smell from your boiler needs a professional investigation.

  1. Leaks

Your boiler can leak three things: water, hydronic fluid, and oil. All leaks need professional attention. As boiler leaks progress they can cause significant damage to your home and become unrepairable. To spot a leak, look for rust-colored puddles of water, dark oily patches from fuel oil, and spatter marks from pressurized hydronic fluid spray.

Chances are, if your boiler is already showing any of these signs then it needs immediate action to repair. The experts at Always Heating and Plumbing are here to help you make the best decision for your budget and needs. We always try to repair when we can and fit your home for the right-sized and efficient boiler when it needs replacing.

Losing heat in the harsh Edmonton winter is not an option! If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait, call Always Heating and Plumbing at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) today!

A (Brief) History of Boilers

Central heating boilers are a popular alternative to furnaces in Edmonton households. Modern boilers are available in a variety of designs depending on the budget and a home’s heating and hot water options. You can also choose from electric, oil and the more conventional gas units. Some people prefer them over more common hot air furnaces as they are generally more efficient, quieter to operate and generate more consistent heat. How much do you know about the boiler that provides heat to your home? Residential boilers have a long and storied history, with the steam-generating designs dating back to late 1700s. Always Plumbing & Heating has complied a brief history of this simple yet ingenious invention that has withstood the test of time.

  • Late 1700s – early 1800s: The development of the kettle-type boiler; a simple design that featured water placed above a fire box that was boiled into steam.
  • 1867: The invention of the convection boiler, which ushered in the steam-generating industry.
  • 1867: George Babcock and Steven Wilcox were the first people to patent a boiler design. Their version consisted of tubes inside a firebrick-walled structure to create steam.
  • 1891: The Babcock and Wilcox Company was founded in New York City. It manufactured small boilers that used lump coal and were fired by hand.
  • 1891:C. Barber opens the Stirling Boiler Company in Barberton, Ohio. The boilers manufactured at Stirling were much larger than the Babcock and Wilcox designs. They used three drums to circulate the water and steam flow.
  • 1907: Babcock and Wilcox merged their company with Stirling. Their new boiler design, named the H-Type Stirling and able to produce 50,000 pounds of steam an hour, became one of the best-selling boilers of the time.
  • 1912: Other companies had been manufacturing boilers in the late 1800s, but on a smaller scale. Two of them, the Grieve Grate Company and the American Stoker Company, combined to form the Combustion Engineering Company.
  • Early 1920s: The “tube and tile” boiler design was created. Unlike the original boiler designs, which had firebrick walls requiring no insulation, the tube and tile version added insulation over the fire box for better efficiency.
  • Late 20s – early 30s: The invention of the flat studded tube and the loose wall constructed boilers led to the development of higher-capacity boilers – including the radiant boiler.
  • Late 50s – early 60s: The development of the membrane tube wall eliminated the need for refractory (using the fire inside the fire box). This reduced construction costs and speeded up manufacturing. The radiant boiler designs could now produce up to 4,000,000 pounds of steam an hour.
  • Late 70s – early 80s: Major developments in alternative-burning boilers. The installation of residential units expands, allowing more homeowners an opportunity to use the time-tested technology.

Types of Residential Boilers

Find Energy Star Boilers in Canada

Always Plumbing & Heating is Edmonton’s most trusted resource for boiler installation and maintenance. Contact us when you need professional service assistance or help with a brand new unit. Call 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

A Brief History of Plumbing

Fall Sump Pump Maintenance

Reasons to Schedule Heater Maintenance

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