Signs That Your Boiler Is Struggling | Sound Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

Boilers are an essential part of any home, being integral to how its spaces are heated. With a simple design and straightforward function, they’re also relatively dependable and have a long lifespan. However, despite their ability to last a long time, you shouldn’t assume that your boiler will always be without problems.

Boilers can be susceptible to a range of issues, many of which can impede their functioning and capacity to heat your home. This is why it’s important to understand your boilers, the problems they can develop, and how you can best manage them.

In this article, we’ll review some of the most common signs that your boiler is struggling.

Leaks

Boilers are designed to be a closed-loop system and you should never see water escape it. If you see water leak from or puddle around your tank, you have reason to be concerned about its integrity.

Leaks can mean a multitude of problems for boilers, and when left untreated can worsen and threaten the functioning of the entire system. Don’t just wipe it up, contact experts so that the leaks can be sealed and the system’s water replenished.

Foul Smells

Foul smells are never a good sign when it comes to the health of your boiler. They often indicate operational problems or faults, and can usually be identified based on their scent. For example, acrid smells similar to that of burning metal or plastic generally suggest problems with the system’s circuits.

Scents of rotten eggs, on the other hand, tend to indicate a potential gas issue or leak. This is an important differentiation to be aware of, as gas leaks from boilers can be serious and even dangerous if disregarded.

Decline In Performance

Most homeowners are familiar with their boilers and how long it takes them to heat up their spaces. In this regard, a pretty straightforward way to assess the health of your boiler is to compare these running times. If your boiler is taking significantly longer to heat up your home than before, it may be a sign of a circulation issue. This can also indicate a potential need to replace your system if it’s over 15 years old. Regardless, it’s best to have your boiler assessed by a technician if you’re noticing performance decreases in this manner.

High Energy Bills

When it comes to home heating, higher bills with the same energy usage almost always equate to system inefficiency. This is because as systems begin to fail, they become less productive in getting their work done, and as such, require more time and energy. If you’ve ruled out other potential causes for higher energy usage in your home, it’s likely that your boiler is to blame.

If any of the above issues are occurring with your boiler, it’s important not to ignore them. Many boiler problems will only worsen over time, and addressing them fast is key to preventing bigger and more costly problems in the future.