Making sure that our central heating systems are functioning safely are obviously of utmost importance to all of us.
Therefore, in this article we'll deal with some important points to help you keep your central heating system running smoothly and safely.
Radiators don't leak carbon monoxide
The dangerous, headline-grabbing gas that is associated with faulty central heating systems is carbon monoxide, which does have the potential to fatally poison us. However, radiators cannot leak carbon monoxide.
Standard central heating systems work by a gas-powered boiler heating up water and sending it around our homes through a network of pipes.
These pipes are connected to radiators, hot water flows through them into the radiator and the rad emits heat into the room.
Rads only leak water
Occasionally, old radiators or valves can develop leaks and drip a bit of water onto the floor. However, water is all they can leak and they will not leak any gas.
Equally, bleeding a radiator is a process that lets harmless air out of your heating system, enabling your radiators to heat up properly. You will not be releasing any poisonous gases by bleeding your radiators.
Faulty boilers leak carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide can be released by old, faulty and poorly maintained boilers. If your boiler isn't igniting and burning gas correctly, if there's a leak in the boiler or if the flue that routes waste gases outside is blocked, then there is the potential for a boiler to be leaking carbon monoxide.
A good quality carbon monoxide detector should be installed in your home and it will alert you if CO levels get too high.
Annual boiler maintenance
The best way to ensure your boiler's components are safe and running correctly is to have a Gas Safe Registered heating engineer perform maintenance checks on your boiler and heating system every 12 months.
A boiler gets a massive amount of use, especially in winter months and it's components can wear out just like on a car. In fact, annual heating maintenance should be viewed in a similar way to a service on your car. It's a sensible way of keeping things safe and nipping any issues in the bud.
If you are in any doubt about the safety of your boiler then you must call a professional immediately. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious matter and unfortunately claims the lives of many people every year, so it is not something to delay.
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