Winter is upon us, and there’s nothing better than snuggling up with a good book or your favourite TV show while your trusty boiler keeps your home warm and cosy. But what happens when your boiler refuses to fire up, leaving you stranded in the cold? Don’t panic just yet! We’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of boiler troubleshooting to help you understand why your boiler isn’t firing up. We’ll share tips and tricks to help you get your boiler up and running again and save you some cash by avoiding expensive repair bills. Let’s get started in no time!
Boiler Is Firing Up on Its Own
Before understanding the potential causes and solutions of a boiler firing up on its own, it’s essential to deeply go through what exactly is the issue. Well, you would know that a boiler has an internal thermostat to track the temperature. If the thermostat detects that water is cooling even if there is no difference in the home’s temperature.
In such a case, the boiler fires up to reheat the water. But since only a small amount of water needs to be heated, the boiler won’t take much time and will be turned off after the water is heated. If this process keeps repeating, the boiler will keep turning on and off on its own. What are the causes? How to fix this issue? Let’s uncover here!
Causes of a boiler firing up on its own
A boiler can fire up on its own due to the following reasons.
- A Malfunctioning Thermostat
- A Faulty Pressure Release Valve
- Too High or Too Low Boiler Pressure
- Frozen Condensate Pipe
- Faulty Water Pump
It’s important to address the issue promptly to prevent potential hazards and further damage to the boiler.
Solutions for a boiler firing randomly
In all solutions for the reason given above, there is the need to make some changes to the boiler, a few of its parts, or settings to fix the issue. For example, the pressure issues will be resolved by either filling the water to increase or bleeding it to decrease the pressure. Only a professional engineer has the necessary knowledge to adjust it effectively.
Moreover, if there are some issues with the internal boiler’s components, like a thermostat, water pump, or condensation pipe, calling a gas engineer is the best option. A well-trained engineer has the necessary expertise to troubleshoot and fix the issue. Read the guide section at the end of this article to get help in finding a good engineer.
Boiler is Not Firing Up at All
Cause for A Boiler to Not Fire Up
Several reasons your boiler may fail to fire up, ranging from minor issues to more complex problems. Here are some of the most common causes:
- No credit for pre-paid meter: This could be the first reason a boiler has no fire if you haven’t paid the pre-paid charges.
- Tripped fuse box: There are some chances that the main box might be tripped due to power fluctuation.
- Lack of power: Your boiler requires electricity to function. If there’s a power outage or a blown fuse, your boiler won’t fire up.
- Low water pressure: A boiler needs a certain level of water pressure to function correctly. If the pressure is too low, it won’t be able to heat your home.
- Insufficient gas pressure: Sometimes, there is insufficient gas in the boiler, which causes the boiler to not fire up properly as required.
- Faulty gas valve: The gas valve controls the gas flow and heat that will affect the boiler’s performance.
- Faulty thermostat: If your thermostat isn’t working correctly, your boiler won’t know when to turn it on or off.
- Pilot light issues: The pilot light may have gone out, preventing the boiler from firing up if you have a gas boiler.
- Blocked condensate pipe: If your boiler has a condensate pipe, it can become blocked with debris, preventing the boiler from firing up.
- Faulty ignition: If your boiler has an electronic ignition system, it may be faulty, preventing the boiler from starting up.
- Faulty fan: A boiler has a fan to push harmful gases away from the boiler. It may be faulty or blocked, preventing it from firing.
Solutions for A Boiler to Not Fire Up
Different solutions are used for different boiler-related issues if it’s not firing up. You must try each according to the relevant cause mentioned in the previous section. The following are a few fixes:
Check the basic
If your boiler is not firing up due to a lack of credit on your pre-paid meter, the solution is straightforward; top up your pre-paid meter with sufficient credit to meet the boiler’s power requirements. Once you have done this, the boiler should fire up and function as expected.
Reset the circuit.
Try resetting the circuit breaker that controls the boiler if it’s tripped or there is no power in the boiler. You can follow these steps to do this.
- Locate the circuit breaker responsible for the boiler, switch it off, and switch it back on after a few seconds. This should reset the circuit and enable the boiler to fire up again.
- If the circuit breaker trips again, it may indicate a more significant electrical problem and will require the services of a qualified electrician to diagnose and fix the issue.
Restore the power
There may be an issue with the electrical circuits or fuse if the boiler has no power, even after turning it on. Follow these steps to check the electrical wiring and replace the fuse.
Note: Before replacing the blown fuse, turn off the power supply to your boiler. Locate the circuit breaker or switch that controls the power supply and turn it off.
Check the wiring
- Check the wiring leading to your boiler to ensure no loose or damaged connections.
- Call a qualified electrician to repair or replace the wiring if you find any damaged circuits or connections.
Replace the fuse
- Locate the blown fuse in your boiler’s electrical system. The fuse may be in the boiler control panel or a separate electrical box.
- Carefully remove the blown fuse from the fuse holder using a pair of pliers or a fuse puller. Be sure to hold the fuse by the edges to avoid damaging it.
- Obtain a new fuse that has the same rating as the old fuse. Carefully insert the new fuse into the holder, ensuring it is seated securely.
Note: Once you have checked the electrical wiring or replaced the fuse, turn the power supply back on to the boiler. Test the boiler to ensure that it is functioning correctly.
Reprogram the boiler
If there had been no power for a while in a boiler, the time settings would have changed. Reprogramming the boiler is essential to get it into a working state. Follow these steps:
- Locate the control panel and button; the control panel of your boiler should have the display and the programming buttons.
- Press and hold a specific button or combination to enter the programming mode. Refer to the user manual for the exact instructions for your boiler.
- Once in the programming mode, navigate to the time settings using the up and down arrows or the dial. Once you’ve reached the time setting, use the arrow or dial to adjust the time to the correct time.
- Save the settings by pressing the save button or following the instructions on display after you’ve set the correct time.
- Exit the programming mode by pressing the exit button or following the instructions on display.
Check Insufficient Gas Pressure
- First, ensure that the gas supply to the boiler is on and there are no issues with the gas line.
- Check that the gas meter works correctly and the gas pressure is sufficient.
Note: The ideal boiler pressure is mostly 1 – 2 bars for most boilers; you can search it for your boiler to double-check yours.
- If the gas pressure is low, it may indicate a gas leak or another gas-related issue that requires the attention of a Gas Safe engineer.
Clear Blocked Condensate pipe
- Check the user manual to locate the condensate pipe.
- Check the pipe for blockages such as debris or ice; the pipe must be clear for a boiler to work properly.
- If there is a blockage, use a suitable tool to clear it or call a qualified heating.
Restore Faulty Gas Valve
- Ensure that the gas valve is in the correct position and that there are no visible signs of damage or wear.
- If the gas valve is faulty, you should call a Gas Safe engineer to repair or replace it.
Replace the Thermostat
- Ensure that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature and that the programming is correct. (it should not be less than 21 degrees.
- If the temperature is less than 21 degrees, increase it and check the heating. If there is still an issue, try replacing the batteries.
- Call an expert heating engineer to repair or replace it if the thermostat is still not working.
Check pilot Light Issues
- Check the user manual to locate the pilot light and ensure it’s not damaged or worn out.
- If it has gone out, follow the instructions in the user manual to relight it.
- Call a qualified heating engineer for assistance if the pilot light won’t stay lit or relight.
Call a Gas Safe Registered Engineer
A boiler is a complex home appliance; if it’s not igniting or facing some issues, it needs to be treated professionally by an expert. Although you can try the fixes discussed earlier in this blog, calling a Gas Safe Registered Engineer is the best decision if the boiler faces one of the following issues.
Pressure Issues
Inappropriate pressure could be an issue if the boiler is not firing up as usual. For your information, there are many pressure-related issues that a boiler face; those are given as follow:
- Low Water Pressure
- High Water Pressure
- Air Pressure Switch Issues
- Blocked Flue
- Faulty Pressure Relief Valve
If there are any of the symptoms with your boiler or you are unable to fix the issues, it is a good idea to call a professional and expert engineer to do this job.
Water Leaks
Water leaks can cause a boiler to not start by lowering the water pressure in the system, which can trigger safety mechanisms that prevent the boiler from starting up. Additionally, water leaks can damage the electrical components of the boiler, causing it to fail to start.
Fixing water leaks without the proper knowledge and tools can lead to additional problems and potentially dangerous situations. Therefore, it’s essential to call a professional engineer for water leaks because they have the expertise to locate and repair the source of the leak, preventing further damage to the boiler and the heating system.
No Power at All
Suppose there is no power in a boiler, and you have tried resetting and restoring the power but to no avail. In such a case, your boiler may have serious power-related issues. The circuit board may be gone down, or the electrical wiring is facing some issues.
Therefore, there are chances that you won’t be able to fix this issue by yourself. In such a case, it’s suggested to call a professional engineer and let them troubleshoot the issue. They have the necessary tools and expertise to deal with power and power-related issues.
Tips to Choose the Right Engineer
Once you know you need to call a professional engineer to fix the boiler, the next step is to choose one and book their boiler repair services. But finding one isn’t easy if you’re doing it for the first time. Don’t worry. Here are the tips that will help you locate a professional engineer.
- Look for Experience and Qualifications: Check the engineer’s credentials, certifications, and experience to ensure they have the required skills and expertise for the job.
- Check Reviews and References: Look for online reviews and ask the people you know for references to get an idea of the engineer’s track record and reputation.
- Verify Insurance and Licenses: Ensure the engineer is properly insured and licensed to provide services in your area.
- Compare Quotes and Pricing: Get multiple quotes and compare pricing to ensure a fair deal for the services provided.
- Consider Communication and Availability: Choose an engineer who is responsive, communicative, and available to address any questions or concerns you may have throughout the process.