7 tips to keep your oil boiler in tip-top condition all year round
No one wants to be stuck without heating or hot water in the dead of winter. Here’s how to look after yours so you don’t face the dreaded oil boiler breakdown…
If you’re one of the 1.1 million1 households with an oil boiler, try our tips for oil boiler maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition – and your home toasty warm.
1. Never run out of oil
It sounds obvious, but always keep an eye on your oil levels to make sure that you never get caught short. It’s best to check once a week or so. Your boiler may have a gauge so you can see what you have left, or you could install a monitor to track levels. If you haven’t signed up for auto top-ups from your heating oil provider, then you should aim to re-order when you have about a quarter of a tank left.
It’s not a quick fix if you run out – you’ll need to bleed the line to remove air and sludge, and you may have to wait a while for a delivery - and that could mean facing a few days without heating. Brrr!
2. Always have an annual service
An oil boiler service is recommended to keep your oil boiler working as efficiently as possible, and more importantly to check that it’s running safely too. Oil boilers, like any other appliance that burns fuel, can produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.
It is suggested to use engineers who are registered with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) to maintain your oil boiler. They carry out their work in accordance with the building regulations and approved industry standards 2.
Having an OFTEC registered oil boiler engineer to give your oil boiler a once over every year will give you peace of mind. They’ll check for water leaks, damage and wear and tear too, which will help stop minor issues becoming major problems.
3. Get HomeCare oil boiler cover
A great way to make sure that there are no nasty surprises when it comes to the upkeep of your boiler is to take out specialist oil boiler insurance cover. Did you know that British Gas now offers Oil Boiler Cover? From just £17 per month, we’ll send an OFTEC registered oil boiler engineer to give your system a thorough check over. We’ll then cover any repairs, including all parts and labour, and you’ll get unlimited call outs. All work is guaranteed for a year too.
It’s just part of our HomeCare range, which offers different levels of cover for your home so you can pick what’s right for you for the ultimate peace of mind. Alongside cover for boilers, heating, and hot water, we can also cover your plumbing, drains and home electrics.
4. Look out for oil leaks
Leaks can spring up in the system, so be vigilant. As well as keeping an eye out for tell-tale spills either indoors or outdoors, you should also check for leaks if your fuel levels drop unexpectedly. Outdoor leaks can be toxic to wildlife and damaging for the environment, while indoor leaks could be a fire risk. It’s best to call for professional help for oil boiler repair if you discover a leak, given that they can be dangerous.
5. Monitor your system’s water pressure
Know what the pressure should be for the size of your property – it should be 0.7 bar for a bungalow or 1.2 bar for a two-storey house 3. Get into the habit of checking it regularly to make sure it’s in the right range. If it’s too high, you can bleed water and air from the system to get it back to where it should be. If it’s too low, then it could be a sign that the boiler is leaking so you should get professional advice.
6. Avoid corrosion and debris
Corrosion can cause debris, and if this builds up it can cause blockages, which lead to other issues like the system not heating up properly. Water in the oil tank can cause problems too. Fitting a filter or power flushing the system can help reduce and remove debris, but it’s worth getting it professionally cleaned regularly.
7. Upgrade to a greener alternative
While following our oil boiler maintenance tips will help keep it at its best, issues are inevitable as your oil boiler gets older. Instead of replacing like for like, consider switching to LPG. It’s a cleaner, greener alternative to oil that’s ideal if you aren’t connected to the gas grid. Air source heat pumps are another great low carbon heating option to replace an old oil boiler.