Gas-fired boilers and water heaters must be serviced regularly, at least once a year. Unattended equipment can increase energy consumption and cause accidents. Maintenance should be performed by a trusted and licensed service provider.
Users of gas installations are responsible for the equipment used and installed on their property. It is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Regulations No. 78 "Regulations Regarding the Trade and Use of Natural Gas", which stipulates that the installation, technical servicing, maintenance, repair and technical supervision of the natural gas supply system is performed by a specialist with appropriate qualifications who performs and documents all the works related to the technical servicing, maintenance, repair and technical supervision of the natural gas supply system in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations. The user of gas installations is obliged to ensure periodic inspection and cleaning of the ventilation system and smoke ducts of the gasified object, entrusting such technical work to a suitably qualified person.
Hiring certified personnel means greater security and a guarantee that the necessary work in the maintenance and repair of gas installations will be performed responsibly and with high quality. In addition, for each work performed, the handyman will draw up a special document – a deed. One copy of the deed remains with the customer, and the other – with the handyman, and it is a confirmation of the quality of all the work performed. The requirements for the elimination of technical problems identified by the handyman are included in the deed of work performed. There are two types of problems: those that allow the gas installation to continue to operate, or those that do not. If the handyman finds that the use of the gas installation cannot be continued without repair, the deed shall specify the period within which the problem must be remedied. If it is not done, the distribution system operator Gaso may suspend the supply of gas to the site.
If the purchase or replacement of a gas installation is planned, it is recommended to purchase the gas installation from a seller or representative of the manufacturer who ensures its installation and maintenance. Before operating the heating system, it is recommended to enter into a maintenance contract with a company that specialises in the maintenance of equipment from a particular manufacturer. This allows you to receive guaranteed assistance in the event of equipment failure quickly, as well as receive annual maintenance work. On the other hand, if the dealer of heating equipment does not offer maintenance services, you should contact another licensed maintenance company.
Before agreeing to purchase the equipment, please make sure that the equipment has the European quality mark ‘CE’. It indicates that the product has been assessed by the manufacturer and found to comply with the health and environmental safety requirements of the EU.
What to look for when servicing gas installations
During maintenance, the equipment is checked for safe and economical operation, that all parts are performing their functions and will not stop working soon and, if necessary, the parts will be adjusted, cleaned, or washed.
The following tests are performed on a gas-fired boiler:
- Gas-fired boilers are tested for operation, including heat exchanger inspection, heat exchanger cleaning, burner maintenance, inspection of the ignition and ionization electrode, siphon cleaning and maintenance of the expansion tank, as well as measurement of the combustion parameters;
- For the circulation pump – testing of the pump mode, electrical connections, water connections, and switch;
- For filters – cleaning of mud filters, inspection, and replacement of gas filters, if necessary;
- Gas supply – visual inspection, inspection of alarm devices, inspection of the condition of gas installations, inspection of the condition of measuring devices;
- Regulation, measuring and control devices – testing of power systems, cables, and connections.
Gas water heaters shall be subjected to the following tests:
- Performance test of a water heater;
- Heat exchanger inspection and cleaning;
- Burner inspection and cleaning;
- Water filter inspection;
- Cleaning of burner nozzles;
- Exhaust pipes;
- Visual inspection of gas supply, inspection of condition of gas installation, inspection of condition of measuring devices.