Things That Can Go Wrong With a Furnace or Boiler
Many homeowners want to know what some of the warning signs are which could indicate that there is a possible problem with their furnace or boiler. Take a look at the two lists below to learn more.
Common Furnace Problems
- Issues with the igniter or thermocouple: The igniter’s main job is to light the natural gas that will fuel the furnace’s burners, and the thermocouple is responsible for controlling the flow of the natural gas. If a problem occurs, the thermocouple will stop the flow of the natural gas completely. If your natural gas furnace isn’t coming on at all, it could indicate a problem with one of these two devices.
- Fan problems: When the fan in the furnace isn’t working like it should, it will not be able to blow air inside, and this can lead to severely reduced air flow. It will take longer for the rooms and various levels of your home to heat up, even with the temperature set high on the thermostat.
- Dirty and dusty burners: When the burners are clogged, this can cause the device to work much harder than it should, thus leading to premature wear and tear on the heating system. If the furnace isn’t coming on at all, the problem could also be caused from a clogged burner that is full of dust.
Common Boiler Problems
- Leaks in the system: When there are leaks, it can result in a loss of pressure inside of the boiler. In turn, this can also lead to problems with the pressure release valve and the expansion vessel – all components that need to be working properly to provide your home’s radiators with warm, reliable heat.
- Limescale build-up: This can result in a problem known as “kettling.” The limescale often will be seen building up on the heat exchanger. You will know that your boiler may be suffering from this problem if it makes loud noises when running.
- Blocked or clogged piping: When the radiators are clogged full of dust or are blocked in some way, this can prevent them from warming up like normal.
More Information
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