These heating systems use pipes to distribute hot water to radiators located in various rooms of the house. Modern hot water systems use an electric pump to circulate the water. Valves control the amount of heat that is distributed to each zone. The heating cycle is completed as the water gives up its heat in the radiator and returns to the boiler. Each of the components listed below requires periodic maintenance for peak performance.

Boiler
At the start of each heating season, it’s smart to draw a bucket or two of water out of the boiler to remove sludge.
Make sure the system is turned off and cooled down before you start.
Close the valve that feeds water to the boiler; place a bucket underneath the drain valve that’s located near the bottom of the boiler; and open the valve. After you’ve drained a bucket or two from the boiler, close the drain valve and re-open the water feed valve.
If there is a lot of sludge present, flush the entire system.

Expansion tank
Boilers are fitted with an expansion tank (typically mounted above the boiler) that lets the water in the system safely expand and contract. Modern expansion tanks come equipped with a special diaphragm that prevents water and air from mixing. These don’t need to be drained. Older style expansion tanks have a drain valve on the bottom. Drain once a year.

Radiators
Clean your radiators periodically for best performance. Use a soft brush or vacuum with a brush attachment. On some baseboard radiators you may have to remove the top or front plate to clean between the fins.
Leave a few inches of clearance between radiators and any nearby drapes, rugs, furniture, or electrical cords. This eliminates any chance of fire and lets the radiator work better by letting room air flow freely up through the fins.
At least once each heating season, bleed the air out of each radiator. Hold a container under the radiator valve and open it with a radiator key. (You can pick one up at a hardware store.) When only water comes out, close the valve.

Pipes
To prevent wasteful heat loss, consider insulating the pipes leading from your boiler to the radiators with wrap-around tubes of foam or compressed fiberglass. These are available at hardware stores and home centers for 30 to 80 cents a foot. Some types are self-sticking; others are taped or glued in place. To prevent condensation and dripping, you can wrap the return pipes, which bring water from the radiators back to the boiler. Wipe the pipes clean before you insulate them.
Never place the insulation near pumps, valves, pressure relief devices, or vents.

Safety
If you find a white, cloth-like sheathing wrapped around your pipes or boiler, it could be asbestos. Don’t attempt to patch or remove it. Call your heating contractor immediately. If asbestos is disturbed, it will disperse microscopic particles into the air, a potential respiratory hazard.
Check the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for additional safety instructions.

Money-saving tips
During periods of relatively mild weather in the fall and spring, you can save money on your fuel bill by lowering the setting on your aquastat (the boiler’s control device) to 140°F on the high limit and 120°F on the low. (The typical settings for cold winter weather might be 180°F and 160°F, respectively.) If you don’t know where the aquastat is, consult your owner’s manual or ask your heating contractor.

On some older style boilers, the motor and pump assembly need to be oiled periodically. (Newer models are self-lubricating.) Consult your owner’s manual to see if oiling is required.

Oil-fired boilers should be professionally cleaned and tuned once a year. Gas-fired equipment needs to be checked once every other year.

If your boiler has a tankless coil inside that supplies your house with hot water, you can enjoy substantial summertime savings by installing an indirect tank or conventional water heater to replace the coil. Ask your heating contractor for details.

One way to increase your comfort, and possibly save money, is to install thermostatically controlled heating valves on your radiators. These enable you to adjust the heat in each room or area of your home individually, or to turn the heat off entirely. This is not a do-it-yourself project. Ask your heating contractor about the comfort and cost advantages that thermostatically controlled radiator valves might offer you.

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