After the summer, to prevent the cold from catching us by surprise, we must check the gas and heating installations to verify that everything works correctly. Verifying the proper functioning of the heating and radiators will improve their efficiency and will mean considerable savings on the energy bill. To do this, do not miss this guide with practical tips for tuning the heating.
Proper maintenance of the boiler, radiators and other heating systems that we have is an essential requirement to start winter off on the right foot. In this sense, there are several aspects that we must take into account:
- Conveniently insulate ducts, chimneys and connection pipes
- Installing a smart thermostat for greater efficiency and energy savings
- purge the radiators
- Check boiler pressure
- Review the condition of the vents
- Reduce heat loss at home
insulate ducts
A correct insulation of ducts, chimney trims and joints with pipes It will ensure the proper functioning of our heating system. Danosa’s SELF-DAN self-adhesive tape is waterproof and has an aluminum sheet on the outside and an asphalt elastomer bitumen sheet on the inside. Thanks to this weather resistant tape it is possible to seal, waterproof and protect against ultraviolet rays.
To install it, the following steps must be followed:
- Cut the tape according to the diameter of the chimney or pipe
- Remove the protective plastic
- Adhere to the surface. Being very flexible, it adapts perfectly to angular and irregular surfaces.
Installing a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat regulates the temperature of the house remotely. In other words, it allows you to control and adjust the heating from your mobile phone or tablet even if you are not at home. In this way, you can raise or lower the temperature depending on whether the day is more or less sunny, or connect it earlier if you are going to get home earlier than expected. In addition, it is estimated that the savings on the energy bill resulting from the installation of a smart thermostat can be up to 40%.
To do this, it will be necessary to connect the hub or boiler relay and the wireless thermostat as indicated in the following video tutorial:
In general, the steps to follow are:
- Connect the hub to the boiler cables according to the diagram or instructions. For this, the Wolfcraft 13-in-1 multi-tool is very practical, since it includes pin pliers, combination pliers, wire cutter, knife blade and Phillips screwdriver, among others.
- Download the application and connect the hub with the mobile phone and with the smart thermostat, following the instructions that will appear on the screen.
- Configure the account and the air conditioning options.
purge radiators
When the radiators have been inactive for several months and the water circuit is refilled, it is common for air pockets to be created that must be expelled through the radiator bleeding. To do this, the following steps will be followed with all the radiators in the home, starting with those closest to the boiler:
- Check that the boiler is on and in heating/winter position
- Loosen the radiator valve and put a container under it to collect the water
- Keep it open until all the air is expelled and close it when only water comes out
On the other hand, do not forget to clean the outside of the radiator frequently to keep it free of dust and in perfect condition.
Check boiler pressure
The boiler pressure it must be between 1 and 1.5 bar depending on the model. All boilers have a pressure gauge to control the pressure, but it must be borne in mind that this measurement must be carried out with the boiler cold. If, after taking the measurement, the pressure is below 1, the filler valve must be activated and closed when the appropriate pressure is reached.
On the other hand, it is also important to know that modifications to gas installations or appliances must be carried out by a professional or by authorized companies.
Check the vents
The vents They must be in perfect condition and without any object or furniture obstructing the air circulation, hindering its operation. In addition, they should be cleaned to remove excess dust using one of the following methods:
- With a lint-free cloth or feather duster
- Vacuuming with the vacuum cleaner’s dust attachment
- Using a compressed air blower
If necessary, the grid can be removed for a more thorough cleaning.
Locate and reduce heat losses
A house usually loses heat through windows and doors, as well as through small cracks. For this reason, it is worth check and locate these leaks to maintain the heat generated by the heating inside our home for much longer. An easy way to check is to wet your hands and place them in front of these areas. If we notice cold, it is that outside air is entering and, therefore, there is a leak.
To solve this problem it is recommended:
- Install weather stripping on windows and bottoms of doors
- Seal the joints of the shutter boxes and window frames
- Repair cracks and seal electrical outlets and boxes
- Insulate the ceiling and floor, if necessary
I hope these tips for tuning the heating help you improve the comfort of your home and reduce your energy bill. You can find more guides and tricks on DIY and decoration at
Project carried out in collaboration with Mi Hogar Mejor
