Any issues with shutting heat off over summer

[Ryland]

I have a forced hot water heating system. Will I have any issues if I turn all of my thermostats off during the summer?

 

[Mike007]

No..

 

[Ryland]

I didnt really think there would be but wasnt sure about bacteria or anything else building up in the pipes since the water would be stagnant.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

No there isn't.

And YES there is to not turning it off.

At the gas company we get AT LEAST one high bill complaint per year tied back to the fact they are running a boiler to heat with, don't turn it off in the summer, and set the A/C low enough that the boiler's t-stat calls for heat. For like a month.

I'm curious if they complain to the power company as well about how expensive it is to run the A/C in a home that has a 100,000 + BTU boiler "giving it all she's got".

I'm personally a big fan of turning off all gas heating equipment in the summer, especially if it has a pilot or FOR SURE in a tank style boiler application where it is going to want to keep the tank hot all summer. It's a hassle to light it all back up in the fall, but think of the money you save on gas.

Phil

 

[Ryland]

Mine is oil fired but still the same concept. I had a few nights where our room would drop down into the low 60's that would kick the heat on when I really didnt want that happening.

 

[badgerboiler]

A proper hydronic heating system is "closed" and oxygen free. Little will grow is such a system save some rare iron eating bacteria.

 

[6768rogues]

I also agree with turning the system off. The only caveat is that if you have a standing pilot light and your furnace is in an old damp (perhaps dirt floor) cellar, the pilot will reduce moisture induced deterioration in the boiler.

 

[Jackfre]

I'd recommend getting the burner, filters serviced at the end of the heating season, then shut it down. That way you have no residue etc sitting in a cool humid environment thru the summer months