Your AGA is almost a member of the family – on cold days you look forward to coming home to it, it dries your clothes, it cooks your meals and it envelopes the house in a steady, warm embrace.
In return for this tireless service, you should take great care of your AGA to make sure it continues to keep you cosy, well-nourished and well-turned out. Here’s some simple usage and maintenance tips to keep your AGA purring away all through the winter.
Get a regular service
Ideally you should have your AGA inspected and serviced – by a properly qualified engineer – twice a year. The best times are after the winter ends and just before the next one begins. You should turn off your AGA the day before the service so that it’s cooled down enough for the engineer to be able to inspect it fully.
Check your fuel levels
You need to keep an eye on your fuel levels because if they run too low, you risk air, water or sludge being drawn into the oil pipe. This can put the AGA out of action and it can be expensive to repair. There’s no need to have an empty tank ever; summer is the time to find out heating oil prices from Emooil are at their lowest so it’s the best time to make an order.
Take care of your insulation
You should always ask your engineer to check the seals on the doors and add more insulation if it’s starting to settle down inside the body of the AGA. If the insulation and seals aren’t performing at their best, then you’re going to lose excess heat into the room, which means the AGA will have to work harder to meet the thermostat’s demand and to maintain cooking temperatures.
Always use an oil additive that’s formulated for your AGA
Additives in your heating oil are always a good idea, but not all additives are made to the same formulation. Make sure your additive isformulated for use in AGA ranges before you invest in it. You can buy enough to treat 1,000 litres of oil for as little as £15.00 and once opened, the bottle can last for up to two years if stored in a cool, dark place.
Ask your engineer to check your oil tank
It’s not just about the AGA itself – you have to make sure that your oil tank is in good shape too. Ask your engineer to check over your tank and pipework at each inspection. Water and sludge can build up in tanks, which in turn can lead to blocked filters, spray nozzles and delayed ignition. If there is sludge or water in the tank, it’s easily dealt with, but if it gets into the internal mechanisms, it can be a bit more problematic.
Make sure your flue is never blocked
Your flue is there to vent the by-products of combustion, including carbon monoxide, which can be fatal if allowed to build up in enclosed spaces.
Only use AGA-approved cleaners
There are a few specialised cleaners that are suitable for the enamel areas on an AGA. You should never use a wire brush on the enamel parts, although it’s OK to use one on the cast iron parts, especially if there’s a build-up of burnt food deposits.
