It is not uncommon for heating bills to put in more of an appearance each winter without any change on your part. You may have noticed the boiler working longer and harder of late. One has to ask if some fall maintenance might be worth it for the savings.
We at Tony Marzano Plumbing & Heating have been putting those questions to rest for homeowners in Connecticut for 48 years now. As a family run business we have made sure homes in the Hartford area are warm for the duration of our long, cold winters, and have since 1978. Give us a ring at (860) 467-1891 to discuss your boiler.
There are few easier ways to reduce your outlay for heat than with a tune-up in the fall. In a state where oil and gas can get expensive in a hurry and the winter is protracted, you will want to make the most of those savings.
Why Boilers Are Not as Efficient as They Once Were
The day your boiler was put in it was at peak efficiency, but that does not last. Over time the system accumulates its share of dust, soot and scale from normal wear. The result is your boiler must consume more fuel for the same heat output. It is something you will see reflected in your bills by the end of the season even if it goes unremarked upon from one month to the next.
Regular maintenance will reverse much of that loss. A good tune-up removes the buildup and restores the performance of the system.
What to Expect from a Fall Tune-Up
We do not believe in a cursory inspection. A thorough service of your boiler will include:
- A cleaning of the burner and heat exchanger for complete combustion
- Pressure checks and adjustments to ensure safe operation
- An inspection of all controls, safety devices and valves
- Any leaks in or around the connections will be tested for
- Radiators and lines are bled of air so the heat is where it ought to be
- We will check the flue and venting for corrosion or any blockage
- Make certain the thermostat is doing its job of reading and signaling properly
All of this goes to having your boiler use less fuel in vain. It also nips in the bud the sort of small issues that would be an expensive breakdown come January.
Maintenance and What It Means for Your Bill
An efficient boiler will bring the water up to temperature and then shut down. A dirty one will just keep running and burning what you have paid for. And then there is the matter of even heat; if your radiators or baseboards have trapped air, you will find some rooms cold and the boiler running to make up for it. Bump up the thermostat to compensate and you are wasting energy. Get the air out and the home warms evenly.
Make the Fall of It
There is merit to getting your tune-up done in the fall. For one, you are ahead of the heaviest months and will be saving from the first cold weather. For another, you sidestep the rush. Put off your service until a hard freeze comes to Connecticut and you will find every heating and plumbing company in town has plenty to do. Too many homeowners let their boiler go until it quits, and then they are stuck with an emergency in the cold.
Oil to Gas?
Bills mounting on an oil fired home? Now is the time to inquire about a switch to gas. We do conversions and install gas and wall hung boilers for all of Greater Hartford. With a new system and the proper upkeep your annual costs will be quite different.
About Us
We are your licensed and insured contractor in Hartford and the towns around us like West Hartford, Glastonbury, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington, Cromwell, Farmington and Avon. Our credentials include Plumbing License #0288091-P1 and HVAC #0409703-S3 and we are PHCC members. We extend a senior discount where applicable and can finance larger work.
Tony Marzano himself is part of the day to day and you can see the care we put into things in our 4.9 stars from over 700 Google reviews. We are here 24/7, holidays included.
Do not wait for the cold to set in. To have your boiler in top form when the season starts, call Tony Marzano Plumbing & Heating at (860) 467-1891.
