The weather is gradually cooling down. The boiler season is coming. Some people have already started using the boiler at home. So, what should we know about these devices? How should we take care of them? What important points should we consider before turning on the boiler?
Olke.az reports that the "Kaspi" newspaper has published an article on the topic.
Boilers with heat exchangers and copper pipes
Senan Maharramov, who is engaged in boiler sales, explained the points to pay attention to when buying these devices:
"People should pay attention to the heat exchanger when buying a boiler. It is better if the internal pipes are made of copper. Because sometimes the pipes are ordinary water pipes. When the pressure is very high, as the water heats up, the pipes expand and break down. Copper pipes, however, are more durable. Boilers with larger circulation motors save more gas. Because with faster circulation and a more powerful motor, the boiler operates with 35 degrees circulation at 55 degrees. But when the motor is small, water going out at 55 degrees returns at 25 degrees. As for the prices of boilers, there are offers on the market ranging from 650 to 2600 manats currently."
"Originals last 15 years, cheap ones work 5-6 years"
According to boiler technician Kamil Aliyev, the prices of boilers vary depending on their quality:
"There are people who use second-hand boilers. If new boilers cost 1100-1200 manats, second-hand boilers are half that price. It's possible to find a 1200 manat boiler for 400 manats. If all the parts of a second-hand boiler work normally, there is no danger. Cheap boilers are of lower quality. For example, there are original boilers that work problem-free for 15 years. But cheap ones start to break down after 5-6 years. It is said that cheap boilers consume less gas. But that is not true. Because all the parts and functions are the same. However, some boilers can operate under lower pressure."
In the technician's opinion, if a boiler frequently breaks down, it is more appropriate to replace it rather than repeatedly calling a technician:
"Every part has a usage life. It should be replaced once it is broken. It's hard to say ‘the boiler is repaired at this price’ exactly. Repair costs could be 30-40 manats or 200-300 manats. This largely depends on which part is broken. A boiler can work flawlessly for 10 years. But if it starts breaking down frequently, it is considered old. In that case, it is more advisable to buy a new one. Sometimes when buying a new boiler, they pour in 40-50 liters of antifreeze. This extends the boiler’s lifespan because it prevents rusting. But the system must be new."
"There are people who haven't cleaned their boiler for 10 years"
K. Aliyev stated that the boiler should be cleaned once a year:
"Because depending on the water hardness, scale may form. Cleaning in winter is not very convenient. After the boiler operates all winter, it should be cleaned using equipment and chemicals. After pumping the pressure, the system is prepared for the next winter season. But here, boilers aren't cleaned once a year. At best, they are cleaned once every three years. Then blockages occur, circulation in the radiator stops. The internal circulation pump gets blocked, water thickens, and dirt accumulates. There are even people who haven't cleaned their boilers for 10 years, and currently, the equipment doesn't work. It needs servicing to function. People cannot perform the cleaning process without equipment. They can only drain and refill the boiler’s water. The cleaning system is especially important for radiators. They contain at most three liters of water. Because the water conductors are very thin. When not cleaned for a long time, they get blocked. Thus, the radiator cannot heat properly."
The boiler is a smart device
The interviewee also spoke about the boiler’s storage conditions:
"The boiler should be stored in a cupboard on the balcony. Because these devices can be damaged by dust in the desert as well. When the boiler is off, if the weather is frosty, water inside freezes, and some parts can burst. Therefore, it is better to keep it in an enclosed place. The boiler’s location should be dry, not damp, and not exposed to rain."
According to the specialist, the boiler is safe to use:
"Because it is a smart device. When any problem arises, it automatically shuts down. Pipes are safe since they are located in the desert. If there is a lack of air or toxic gas inside the boiler, it automatically blocks itself. A boiler never lets gas leak. If there's a leak, it immediately turns off."
It should not be turned off frequently
According to K. Aliyev, sometimes people turn the boiler on and off every day. But this is not correct. The boiler should not be turned off frequently:
"You can only lower its temperature when you are not at home. People think this way they save. But in fact, reheating a cooled house requires more energy. They should let it run and maintain the temperature of the house constantly. The best option is to keep the boiler continuously on during winter. When turning on the boiler, only its pressure needs to be checked. The pressure should be between 1.5-2. If the pressure drops, the device automatically turns off."
"We want to warm the water, but it cools"
The technician clarified the issue citizens complain about the most regarding boilers:
"During summer mode, people turn off the boiler. When not using it, the radiator can be closed. Cutting circulation has no negative effect on the boiler. You just use it for hot and cold water. Sometimes people complain that the water cools quickly in summer mode. But they don’t know how it works. When hot water comes, they turn towards cold water. But in this case, pressure drops and boiling occurs inside the boiler. When boiling happens, the boiler automatically turns off and the water cools. To prevent this, the temperature should be adjusted on the boiler. It cannot be adjusted like on water heaters. The faucet should only operate in one direction."
