Central Heating Boiler Problems
Homes that use boilers depend on them for a number of important tasks, mostly air and water heating. Boilers can suffer from a number of mechanical problems, and while some are simple to diagnose others can be more problematic. Because boilers deal with electricity and gas supply lines, they should be investigated very carefully, with help or by a professional. Does this Spark an idea?
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Boilers in Central Heating
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Boilers usually refer to the heat tanks that hold water where it waits to be heated and dispersed throughout the house, as hot water or as thermal energy transferred over to the air. The term "boiler" and its use are more common in the United Kingdom than in the United States, but the basic application remains the same. There are several different kinds of boilers, defined by how the heat is transferred. Electric boilers use electricity and a heating element, while gas boilers use a controlled flame to heat the water.
Power Supplies
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If a problem occurs in the boiler, the first thing that should be checked are the power supplies. In boilers that use flames, the pilot light can sometimes go out, and needs to be reignited to work properly. Electrical lines should be checked to make sure there are no faulty wires. Gas supply lines should be checked to ensure gas is flowing properly, since sometimes blockages or leaks can form. Sometimes, power has simply been turned off in the wrong places.
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Trapped Air
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Sometimes the top of the boiler can become "cool" and unresponsive, leading to an overall decrease in the amount and quality of heat. This occurs when air--usually entering from water pipes--becomes trapped in the boiler. It rises to the top of the system and impedes the water heating process. Most boilers have an air release valve to help solve this problem.
Rust and Scale
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Sometimes the bottom of the boiler can experience similar heating problems. This is caused by the buildup of rust and scale. Rust is caused by the metal of the boiler oxidizing and building up deposits of leftover materials inside the boiler. Scale, on the other hand, is caused by minute mineral particles in hard water supplies that attach themselves to the boiler. Loud cracks and bangs from the boiler are often caused by this scale build-up. Sometimes thicker build-up can occur when water brings in extra sediment.
Device Failure
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Boilers depend on several different electrical devices to work properly, and if these devices fail, then the boiler's process will be compromised. Older thermostats can lose track of temperature, programmable timers and switches might become faulty, and circuit boards might be ruined by a surge of power.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Les Chatfield
