There is something really enjoyable about a nice hot shower after being out in the cold. Unfortunately a broken boiler can keep that from being a possibility. If you are having problems with your boiler, take a little time to diagnose the issue using these steps.
Diagnosing Your Boiler
First check to make sure that the boiler is even getting any power. Check the circuit breakers and make sure that the breaker the boiler is on isn’t tripped. Even though it sounds pretty simple it’s important to make sure that your pilot light is lit. Check underneath the boiler for the pilot light, and if it is not lit simply relight it.
If your boiler is getting much hotter than normal the water levels could be too low. The boiler should be staying about half full all the time, and an automatic filling boiler should make use of a pressure relief valve in order to do this. Check to make sure that the pressure relief valve is maintaining a water pressure of between 12 and 15 psi. If there is no pressure relief valve you might need to have one put on but should consult with a professional first.
If there are any water leaks around a non-working boiler there is a good chance that one of the main boiler components is broken. Double check the pump, the pressure relief valve and the pipe connection for any possible leaks that could be causing problems for you. Many leaks can be avoided by keeping up with regular boiler maintenance.
If you aren’t sure what the problem is after looking at all of these possible issues your best bet is to call in an experienced technician so that they can figure out what the problem is for you.
If you have any other questions about your boiler, or your hot water system please get in touch with us today. We have experts who are happy to answer any of your questions, and we have been the Calgary area for over 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about boilers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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