The last thing that anyone wants is for their heating system to start acting up when it’s cold outside. The good news is that you don’t have to be a professional to try out a few boiler troubleshooting tips. By learning how to look for the source of the problem, you may be able to resolve the issue or provide information that will help your HVAC technician get your system up and running faster.

Here are a few of the most common boiler problems and their possible causes:

No heat or hot water – If your boiler stops producing heat, your first move should be to check the thermostat settings. If everything looks fine there, your boiler could be having problems due to inadequate water levels. Check the system’s water level and look for any leaks if it’s low. From here, it’s best to have an HVAC expert diagnose the source, as it could be a range of issues, from broken diaphragms and airlocks to a failure of motorized valves.

Strange noises – When your boiler starts making banging, whistling, or gurgling sounds, you should take a look at your water pressure level, as it may be too low. Another cause of strange sounds is kettling. This occurs when lime scale builds up on a boiler’s heat exchange. In this case, you should call your HVAC contractor for boiler maintenance.

Loss of pressure – Your best bet for boiler troubleshooting in the event of pressure loss is to search for any water leaks in the system. If you are unable to locate a leak, you may need a professional to replace your boiler’s pressure relief valve and recharge the expansion tank with air.

Heat turning on/off on its own – Your old thermostat could be causing your heat to turn on or off when it’s not supposed to. While it can be recalibrated, your best move is to invest in a newer, more efficient thermostat.

For more tips and tricks on boiler troubleshooting or to schedule a technician to diagnose your problem, contact the professionals at Pipe Works Services. We’re proud to serve northern New Jersey homeowners. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chatham, NJ, and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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