Keeping the Boiler Running All Summer
Posted on September 18, 2006 – 2:56 pm by admin
When we first moved into our house, the boiler was turned off. We had no idea why. The home inspector told us that it was turned off during inspection, so therefore he could not comment on the operation of it. What a great inspector! I guess it was too far of a reach for him to lean over on the wall and flick the little red switch on. Oh well…the boiler was only 3 years old, so we gave it the benefit of the doubt.
The first day we moved in, I went downstairs and turned the red switch to the “On” position. In about 5 seconds, I heard it kick on and start right up. The thing worked great, but that is not what this post is about. This is a helpful post to all those poor innocent souls who have been told that they should keep their boilers on all summer long to avoid rust on the inside. Let me explain.
Once I turned the boiler on in the middle of August, I questioned the operation of it during the hottest months of the summer. It only provided heat for the house, since we are using an electric hot water heater for everything else. I asked a few people if I needed to keep the boiler running all summer and I got the same response: “Yes, it will rust if you don’t.” I didn’t ask too many questions because this same response came from a few different sources. Well, today, Paul and I were having a conversation about how I already spent $150 this summer from just keeping the boiler warm. He said, “Well, that’s from heating up your water to use upstairs.” I told him that we have an electric hot water heater for that. He asked why I don’t just shut off the boiler then. He gave me a small chuckle, the way only Paul knows how to do, and explained that the boiler won’t rust unless…well something about oxygen in the lines. He said it would be fine. I didn’t believe him, so I called my oil company, Porco Energy. A woman answered the phone and I explained to her my concern. She then told me the exact thing Paul just told me, that I could turn the boiler off during the summer!
Guess what I am doing when I get home tonight. I really wish someone told me this in May.
2 Responses to “Keeping the Boiler Running All Summer”
By Paul on Sep 18, 2006 | Reply
Hi Jay, the term rust means oxidation. In order to oxidize, the material must have contact with oxygen such as what is in air. If it is full of water, it will have minimum contact with oxygen, therefore the possibility of rust is small. Cooler temperatures will actually inhibit oxidation.
When in operation, the boiler must maintain a minimum temperature to prevent condensation of the flue gases. Usually the return water from your heating loop should be not cooler than 140 deg F. (or whatever your boiler manufacture recommends). That may be where the confusion is. Hope that helps.
By admin on Sep 18, 2006 | Reply
This whole thing makes me wonder what my sources were referring to when they said a part of the boiler would rust. I now wonder if they meant the flu pipe or another part.