Boiler Season’s Coming: A Few Easy Maintenance Steps (That Can Actually Save You Money)
If you’ve got a boiler heating your home, you already know how quietly and reliably they do their job—until they don’t. And when a boiler goes out, it’s usually on a freezing day, at night, when nobody’s open.
So before winter rolls in, a little maintenance goes a long way—not just in peace of mind, but in your wallet too. Here’s how a few basic steps now can help you avoid bigger costs later.
1. Turn It On Before You Actually Need It
Why it matters: Waiting until the first cold snap is a gamble. If your boiler doesn’t turn on, now you’re paying for emergency service—often with an upcharge.
Cost comparison:
- Regular diagnostic call: ~$120
- Emergency call (evening/weekend): $250+
- Savings: $130+ just by testing ahead of time
2. Bleed Your Radiators (If you have them)
Some boiler systems use a series of radiators to deliver the heat to the room, while others use in-floor heating. If you have cast iron radiators, there is usually a little bleeder valve that can be slowly opened to let any trapped air out of the system.
Why it matters: Trapped air means poor heat output, which makes your boiler run longer to heat the same space. If there is a large bubble of air at the top of the radiator, the hot water isnt making direct contact with that section of the radiator.
Math behind it:
Let’s say you spend ~$800/year on gas for heating. If your system is running inefficiently due to air pockets in radiators and has to run 10–15% longer:
- Wasted cost: $800 × 0.10 = $80 per year lost
- Time to bleed radiators: 15 minutes, no tools needed
3. Check the Boiler Pressure
For this check, you’re looking for a pressure gauge attached to your boiler. Most residential hot water boiler operate below 20 PSI. If you see your pressure increase close to 30 PSI while the water is getting hotter, you should schedule a diagnosis soon.
Why it matters: Low or unstable pressure makes your boiler cycle on and off inefficiently—or stop working entirely. Fixing that now costs nothing if you catch it early. Waiting until something breaks? Different story.
Potential repair if ignored:
- Pressure relief valve replacement: ~$250
- Expansion tank failure: ~$300–$400
- Savings: Avoid $500+ in preventable repairs
4. Look for Leaks or Corrosion
Why it matters: A slow leak today can turn into a blown pump or corroded heat exchanger later—and those aren’t cheap.
Cost difference:
- Early leak fix (valve or connection): ~$100
- Heat exchanger replacement: $1,000+
- Savings: $900+ by catching early signs
5. Clear the Exhaust Flue
Why it matters: Blocked flue = boiler shutdown at best, carbon monoxide risk at worst. Keeping it clear ensures safe, reliable operation—and prevents a service call.
Typical cost if ignored:
- Flue blockage service call: ~$150
- CO detector trip panic + hotel stay: You don’t want to know
- Peace of mind: Free, 60-second walkaround
6. Check the Thermostat and Timers
Why it matters: A misconfigured thermostat can overwork your system or heat your house when nobody’s home.
Estimated waste:
- Heating an empty house for 8 hours/day = ~$1.50/day
- Over a 5-month season: ~$225 wasted
- Savings: Up to $200+ with a one-time setup
Bonus: Annual Service vs. Emergency Breakdown
A routine boiler tune-up costs around $150–$200 and can extend the system’s life by several years. Compare that to:
- Mid-season breakdown repair: $300–$1,000
- Full boiler replacement: $4,000–$7,000
- Not a hard choice.
Final Thoughts
Doing these steps might take a grand total of 30 minutes, maybe an hour tops. But here’s the kicker—combined, they could save you anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more over just one heating season by avoiding surprise repairs, wasted fuel, or emergency calls.
Not bad for a little preseason attention.
Premier Mechanical – www.claimyourcomfort.com – 720.207.6812