Boiler Services Can Help Keep a Home Warmer This Season
With temperatures continuing to fall as the northern hemisphere rotates away from the sun and into the winter zone, home heating systems are now in the spotlight. It is of utmost importance, then, to know and understand how the home’s boiler works to keep it in the best condition and stay safe and warm indoors during the most brutally cold months of the year.
Understanding How Your Boiler Works
As its name implies, a boiler works by heating water to a boil or producing steam to heat homes. This is done by putting water in a closed container such as a large tank, then heating it as it passes through a heat exchanger to produce steam for distribution through pipes and out of steam radiators. This is very different from furnaces, which heat air and then distribute this heated air throughout the home via the ductwork.
Most boilers aren’t high up on the energy efficiency scale, especially older models that rely on older fossil fuels, as a lot of the heat that is generated escapes before it can fulfill its purpose of heating the home, but most boilers can be upgraded to a newer, more energy efficient system with a more modern boiler installation.
Common Boiler Issues and How To Solve Them
Most boilers are very reliable and rarely break down. Their relatively simple and sturdy design also means they do a great job of heating large spaces and can heat different rooms evenly. However, they aren’t completely problem-free. Most of the common issues with boilers include:
- Lack of heat or hot water- without heat or hot water, a boiler is no longer fulfilling its purpose, and there are usually a couple of things that could be causing this. These may be due to damaged airlocks or diaphragms, faulty motorized valves, or low pressure.
- Leaks - problems with an internal component such as a pressure valve or a pump seal usually cause these. It’s also possible for this to be caused by corrosion.
- Banging, whistling, or gurgling noises - odd sounds from the boiler, especially if they’re particularly loud and disturbing, can indicate a major problem.
- Overheating - this can be caused by low boiler pressure, likely due to air trapped in the radiators. This can easily be resolved by re-pressurizing the boiler or bleeding the radiators.
These issues can be resolved by checking the instruction manual for a recommended action. If it is beyond a homeowner’s capability to fix, a boiler technician must be called in to safely repair the boiler.
How To Keep Your Boiler Running In Peak Condition
While it’s important to understand how the boiler works and what to do when boiler repair becomes necessary, engaging in regular boiler maintenance is an even more beneficial task. Knowing what to do to keep the boiler in tip-top shape not only cuts down on the possibility of boiler repairs but also extends the life of the equipment so that one can prolong the inevitability of a boiler replacement.
Scheduling regular boiler maintenance conducted by a trusted professional is also one way to catch boiler problems early on before they can languish and develop into more serious issues that can become more complicated to manage and more expensive to resolve. Professionals know that boilers must be clean and debris-free by replacing the oil filter and cleaning the burner nozzle. Their temperature and pressure readings also need to be checked to ensure they are within normal limits. Aside from this, skilled technicians also test the boiler and its controls to ensure they are working properly and that there are no leaks or damages.
About Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating
Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating has been the trusted plumbing and heating solutions provider serving Nassau County for over 110 years. With over a century of heating experience, Charles Krull & Son has seen it all and is committed to providing timely service and quality workmanship for their customers. Their team of experts is both personable and professional, providing award-winning service with straightforward and flat-rate pricing. Call them today for boiler service in Malverne, NY.
