How to Troubleshoot Trench Convectors
Any large window area in your home makes a room feel colder during the winter months. If the design of your home allows for an open space among the floorboards, your contractor may install a trench convector. These heaters work through convection, with heated water filling the coils as a fan pushes this heat out through the above grille. These heaters work in all types of spaces for additional heating. If you have a trench convector but it's not heating the room as expected, diagnose the problem to see whether you need to call a repair specialist. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
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Instructions
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Check the thermostat to see whether it is on the correct setting. Raise the temperature until it is above the ambient air temperature in the room. If the heater does not turn on, press the key that allows you to enter the thermostat's setting operation. Ensure that there is no pre-programmed setting that is not allowing the heater to turn on. Replace the batteries if the number indicators flicker or grow dim in the LCD screen.
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Inspect the heater. Remove the screws from the floor grille using the screwdriver. If the heater is not positioned correctly in the trench, check leveling brackets. Tighten loose screws. Note whether the unit is on but the fan is not turning to push the heated air into the room; in this case, something could be wrong with the fan motor, and it may need to be replaced.
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Go into the basement where the water line leads up to the trench. Search for any leaks from the pipe connections. Fix the leak using the best means possible, whether you must seal off leaking pipe connections, solder small pinhole leaks or entirely replace the pipe. If you notice moisture in the trench, immediately turn off the water line servicing the heater. Place the wrench on the pipe connection. Tighten until it stops leaking. Clean up the water in the trench.
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Tips & Warnings
Call in an electrician if you suspect that the problem is the wires leading from the thermostat to the trench heaters electrical controls. Never try to repair electrical lines yourself with the power turned on or with the circuit breaker still on.
