With the onset of cold weather, everyone takes care of the warmth in their home. Heating equipment helps to maintain a comfortable temperature. But many are concerned about the issue of fuel economy. Is it necessary to turn off the gas boiler during the holidays or the absence of the owners? Is it possible to consider such a shutdown as a reason to save money? And how to turn off the equipment if necessary? Let’s consider these questions in the article.
Is it possible to turn off the boiler
Do I need to turn off the heating equipment in the house for the summer? Is it right to leave idle equipment for the winter in the country? This seems cost-effective in terms of gas savings. But insignificant savings can turn into a boiler breakdown if you turn it on and off too often.
Starting after a long period of inactivity should be carried out gradually to avoid wear of the components.
The longer the unit is turned off, the more the liquid cools in the pipes. Think for yourself: with constant operation, the boiler simply maintains the set temperature; when it is turned off, it has to re-heat the entire system, which takes a much larger amount of fuel.
After a long period of inactivity, the heat exchanger cools down. The next time it is started, condensation settles on it, which leads to corrosion and the formation of fistulas.
When a heat exchanger leaks, it is not always possible to repair by soldering. Often the node is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.
The settling of condensate on the burner also leads to negative consequences and problems with ignition.
As you can see, the savings are questionable. If you use a double-circuit boiler “Lemax”, “AOGV” or another brand, then there is no need to turn it off: after all, you use hot water all year round. And there are other ways to reduce fuel consumption.
When choosing heating equipment, give preference to modulating burners. They make it possible to regulate the strength of the flame from 40 to 100%, and in condensing appliances – from 18 to 100%.
In modulating systems, there are different types of flame adjustment that will help reduce gas consumption:
- Hydraulic type – directly depends on the regulation of the gas valve. The stronger the gas supply, the more powerful the flame in the burner.
- Electronic – depends on the performance of the coolant temperature sensor. The ratio of fuel supply and water current in the system is in effect.
Units with conventional burners without modulation complete heating when thermostats and other automation are triggered. It includes various sensors that monitor the operation of all nodes.
If you turn off one of them, for example, a thrust sensor, an emergency may occur.
Boiler shutdown rules
If the heating unit is in the country, how often should it be turned off? Most often, shutdown occurs seasonally. But it is not enough just to pull the plug out of the socket. It is necessary to prepare the boiler for stopping work correctly. Below are the steps for equipment with one or another type of automation.
For EuroSit 630:
- Rotate the thermostat so that its “asterisk” is at the level of the “asterisk” on the body.
- Shut off the gas valve.
For MiniSit 710:
- Turn the thermostat clockwise to the end. Press the “Off” key
- Close the fuel cock.
For Kare:
- Turn the thermostat all the way to the left.
- Shut off the gas supply.
For Sit 820 NOVA mv:
- To stop the main burner, turn the knob to the star sign. The pilot wick will remain lit.
- For the final termination of work, turn the knob to the “white dot” mark.
It is not necessary for the sake of economy to often stop and start the operation of the boiler. It is better to perform the correct setting, choose economical modes. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in the instruction manual.