When it’s
freezing outside, keeping your home warm is extremely important for both your
health and comfort. Sudden drops in temperature can cause various health issues
including colds, viruses, joint pain and infections, which is why it is crucial
that you stay warm in your home during winter.
The boiler
is perhaps one of the most important utilities in your home; it ensures that
your radiators heat up your home on a frosty day and your showers are running
hot. Unfortunately, there does come a time when your boiler and central heating
system needs replacing or repairing. When your boiler breaks down, it can be a
stressful experience, particularly if it is very cold outside. This is why it
is important to catch the boiler breakdown warning signs early, so that your
gas central heating continues to run smoothly. Read on to find out what they
are.
Your gas boiler is giving off an unpleasant
smell
You may have
noticed some strange or unpleasant smells coming your boiler. If this is the
case, this is a sign your boiler needs replacing immediately. Working boilers
will not emit any smells; in fact, you should never really notice that it is
there. A strange or bad smell coming from your boiler could be a sign that
there is a carbon monoxide leak, which can be fatal and therefore requires
immediate attention. If you do happen to notice unpleasant smells coming from
your boiler, you should notify a professional immediately and take your family
out of the house. Carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous and can lead to
fatal poisoning.
There are
other signs that also signal a carbon monoxide leak. You should look out for
yellow and brown stains around your boiler or condensation in the room where
your boiler is installed. Another sign to look out for is if the pilot light
turns from blue to yellow. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact
a professional immediately.
Your boiler is leaking
If you
notice water leaking from your boiler, this is a tell-tale sign that your
boiler needs replacing. While it may be easy to ignore the odd leak or pool of
water, you should always pay attention to leaks; they can lead to serious
problems further down the line and can cause costly damage to your boiler and
your home. Boiler leaks can be caused by a number of factors. It can be
difficult to tell exactly what is causing your boiler to leak which is why you
should always contact a professional plumber to take a look, however below are
a few common reasons:
● As your boiler is constantly heating
up and then cooling down, the metal inside your boiler can contract and expand
as this happens, causing cracks and splits. These cracks can cause water to
leak out of your boiler.
● Your boiler may be leaking because of
an overworking valve, which occurs when the pressure release valve in your
boiler is working overtime. The purpose of the valve is to release any excess
water if the pressure rises too high. This valve can, sometimes, operate too
high which will be the reason you are experiencing leaks.
● Over time, the heat exchanger in your
boiler can corrode and eventually split, which may be why your boiler is
leaking. When your heat exchanger begins to corrode, this is a sign that it is
time for a new boiler as heat exchangers are expensive to replace alone.
You can hear strange noises coming from your
boiler
You may hear
strange, unusual noises coming from your boiler. If this is the case, it could
be another sign that you need to contact a professional for a new boiler
replacement. Your boiler may be whistling or sound like a kettle boiling, or
you may notice a scratching or tapping sound. Both sets of noises are a sign of
a different problem:
● A whistling sound, on the other hand,
can be caused by limescale build-up on the heat exchanger. Limescale, a white
substance that forms in layers, limits the movement of water and is caused by
minerals found in hard water. Limescale can build up on the heat exchanger (the
component that transfers heat into the water), which in turn traps water and
causes it to boil. This explains why you can hear whistling or kettle boiling
noises.
● If you can hear a tapping or
scratching sound, it could be an indication of sludge build-up, which is
essentially just dirty water. While this doesn’t sound too bad, the particles
from this dirty water then mix with iron oxide (rust) that forms and develops
inside your radiators and pipes. When the particles mix with iron oxide, a
gooey substance is formed; this substance passes through the heat exchanger and
deposits particles as it passes through. This restricts the flow of water and
causes the strange scratching noises that you can hear.
You’ve noticed an increase in energy bills
During the
colder months, we naturally use more energy heating up our homes. However, if
you have noticed a sudden increase in your energy bills that are much higher
than usual, this is another tell-tale sign that your boiler needs replacing. If
you have previous bills stored away, take a look at them and compare them to
how much you are currently spending on your energy bills. Tracking your monthly
gas bills is a good way to keep an eye on your spend and will highlight any
sudden spikes in your energy bill prices. Below are two factors that could be
causing the sudden increase in your energy bills:
● You may have an old gas boiler which,
inevitably, has an old pilot light. An old pilot light is a small burning gas
flame that burns 24 hours a day, used to ignite the main gas burner. As the
flame is constantly burning, a lot of gas is wasted which may be the reason you
are noticing an increase in your energy bills. Replacing your boiler with a
newer model will combat this as old pilot lights feature in old boilers.
● Similarly, if you have old boiler
then high energy bills could be caused by a faulty motorised valve. If the
motorised valve is faulty, your boiler may continue to run when it is not timed
to, explaining the sudden increase in your energy bills. The motorised valve in
your boiler may have jammed, which can cause a number of issues. You can detect
whether the motorised valve is faulty by looking out for the following signs:
lukewarm water running from your hot water tap, having to switch on your heating
to run hot water from taps and shower, and no general heating despite hot water
running from your taps.
Your last boiler installation was over 10 years
ago
If your
boiler is more than 10 years old, it is generally recommended that you replace
it. If your boiler takes a very long time to reach the correct temperature or
you have noticed that your home is simply not heating up like it used to (or
how it should), it may be time for a new boiler. If you do have an old boiler,
installing a newer model will ensure that your home is heated up properly and
cost effectively. Older boilers are far less efficient than newer models
currently on the market; manufacturers are constantly finding new and
innovative ways to make boilers as energy efficient as possible, so replacing
your old one with a new model is a wise move.
Aqua Gas: Boiler breakdown, repair and
installation services in Sheffield
At
Aqua
Gas, we understand the importance of a working boiler which
is why we offer a 24/7 emergency callout service. Our experienced and highly
trained team of fully qualified plumbers carry out high-quality boiler
installation, maintenance and central heating repair services to ensure that
your boiler is always functioning properly. We work with all makes and models
of boiler, and will always offer you the most cost-effective solution for you
in the long run, whether that be a simple repair or a brand new boiler. To find
out more about our
boiler
services
and what else we offer,
get in touch
with us today.
