How you care for your gas boiler greatly determines the health of the equipment, its longevity, and the headaches suffered on your part because of mechanical failures and broken parts. The most important rule in caring for your gas boiler is to take a proactive approach.

Don’t wait for the machinery to break down and require repair. Use consistent maintenance to help prevent failures of the equipment and catch liabilities early before they bring down the entire boiler. This isn’t just a means of getting the most out of your boiler — it’s also a way to save a good chunk of money.

Owners of gas boilers should have a strong base understanding of the maintenance requirements and potential repair work demanded by the equipment. But prospective buyers of a gas boiler should also read up on the ratings of specific gas boiler systems, as well as the prices involved when purchasing certain brands and features.

Gas boiler maintenance isn’t always a hands-on job. Various technological applications and operations systems can be installed to help technicians monitor readings and gauges on a gas boiler, saving time while improving efficiency. Technicians and operators can use past readings when comparing current results, making it easy to identify any irregularities or trends that might suggest issues requiring attention.

Gas boiler maintenance should be conducted every day. Most often, this consists of reviewing particular features on the boiler to make sure everything is in working order. A few features to check daily include:

-The boiler’s water level
-The blowdown boiler and blowdown water column
-Pressure and temperature in both the feedwater and the boiler itself
-Temperatures on the oil pressure, condensate and flue gas
-Gas pressure
-Feedwater pump operation

Any irregularities in any of these functions should be reacted to swiftly. In some cases, you may be able to prevent a larger problem by addressing minor concerns as they arise. Many repairs can be done on your own, particularly if you understand the mechanisms of the boiler. When you are unsure of how to approach fixing he boiler, you should contact a gas boiler specialist and put the repair work in the hands of a professional.

Boiler Repair

Gas boiler repair procedures can vary widely depending on the problem. Fortunately, some problems that arise can be easily fixed by some simple adjustments to the gas boiler system. The most common issue with gas boilers is when the boiler fails to produce any heat. This can happen for several reasons, such as when the boiler has no power, the water levels drop too low, the thermostat goes haywire or when the pilot light goes out. Fortunately, This problem is often easily remedied. For example, if the power is out, restoring power should help the gas boiler start producing heat — you may want to check the fuse box and replace any blown fuses. Similarly, relighting the pilot light may be the only repair work required. Increasing the water level in the boiler will help generate heat, and you may also want to check the thermostat to make sure the appropriate temperature setting is selected. If the boiler temperature is too low, try adjusting the thermostat and see if the boiler kicks into action.

Similarly, poor or irregular heating from your gas boiler can have two very different causes. One is a sudden change in the water level of the boiler, while the other is a slow, gradual buildup of mineral deposits in the boiler. This is a more complex problem that requires you to check the boiler’s Tridicator to confirm the low water pressure levels — levels below 12 psi are considered too low. Adjusting the boiler’s pressure relief valve may improve the water pressure, otherwise you may need to call a service technician to have the boiler repaired. This is very likely if the boiler is encumbered with mineral deposits.

Other problems requiring repair can include:

-Excessive water and/or low air levels in the expansion tank
-Excessive pipe noise
-Water leaks around the boiler

If you are experienced with your boiler and/or have a manual or other guide to help you make adjustments and repairs for these problems, go ahead and try to make the repairs on your own. If you are unsure of how to treat the problem, contact a service technician to have the boiler addressed by a professional. Calling in a technician also takes the liability out of your hands in the event that the repair fails to solve the problem entirely, or if it backfires and creates more problems.

Gas Furnace Ratings

Gas furnace ratings are most often broken down into two main categories: Furnace efficiency and furnace reliability.

Gas Furnace Efficiency

Efficiency is crucial when it comes to a gas furnace. The energy bill from a single gas furnace can really add up over the course of the cold winter months, and more efficient models can give owners huge savings — even if they have to pay more on the front-end to get a better furnace. Energy efficiency is also getting a big push from conservationists, and environmentally conscious individuals and families will prefer high-efficiency furnaces for this reason alone. The highest-rated high-efficiency furnaces will come with ENERGY STAR stickers on the units, signifying their status as a gas furnace that will cut down on heating costs for your home.

Gas Furnace Reliability

When you rely on a gas furnace to heat your home or property, breakdowns are a huge inconvenience. Every gas furnace is bound to have breakdowns and maintenance requirements, but highly rated units are those that have been reviewed by consumer advocacy groups and been determined to have excellent durability and reliability — two features many consumers are willing to pay extra for. Carrier and Trane gas furnaces have excellent reputations for their reliability, while Goodman and Ruud are more economical units that come with more problems. Ultimately, your regular maintenance plays a huge role in determining exactly how reliable your gas furnace is — the quality of construction is just a starting point.

Gas Boiler Prices

Gas boiler prices can vary greatly depending on the brand of the unit, its features and its perceived quality. In general, a new gas boiler can cost $2,000 to $3,000 or more. Used models can be acquired for less, but these are more likely to have chronic repair problems and aren’t nearly as likely to feature excellent reliability. ENERGY STAR-approved gas boilers may come at a higher initial cost, but the utilities savings of these units usually makes up for the extra up-front cost and saves you much more on top of that.