Year after year, boilers work tirelessly to keep you warm, but they eventually begin to wear down. Recognizing any changes in your boiler might indicate it needs repair is essential.

With energy costs predicted to rise this year, it’s even more important to notice any issues with your boiler. Here are the top signs it’s time for a boiler repair:

Unusual Smells

Unusual smells coming from your boiler can be a clear sign that something is wrong. If you have noticed a musty or burning odor, shut your boiler down and immediately call in an engineer. These are signs of a potential gas leak, which is extremely dangerous for your health and home.

Strong smells could also indicate that anaerobic bacteria, which release hydrogen sulfide gas into the system, contaminate your water. It’s essential to address the issue immediately with a boiler repair professional due to the odor, similar to rotten eggs.

Banging or whistling noises may be caused by trapped air, build-up of limescale, or problems with the pump. It is best to catch these problems early to minimize damage and reduce energy bills.

High Energy Bills

If your energy bills increase without changing your heating usage, something needs to be fixed with your boiler. The filters may need to be cleaned or replaced or indicate a severe problem with your heating system.

Excessive condensation or water pooling around your boiler is also a sign that it’s time to get it checked out. Water that pools around your boiler can cause corrosion and increase your home’s overall energy consumption.

Whistling

Unusual sounds from your boiler aren’t always a sign that the system is on the verge of bursting. They can also mean that trapped air is causing problems with your circulating pump, or there are mineral deposits in the heat exchanger. These issues aren’t usually a reason to panic, but they should be fixed immediately.

Banging noises can indicate that limescale is building up inside the heat exchanger, a condition known as kettling. It can be a noisy and dangerous problem requiring immediate professional attention.

Leaks

If you notice water puddles around your boiler, it is time to call in a technician. It is a clear sign that your boiler is leaking and can cause severe property damage if not fixed right away.

A foul smell from your boiler indicates that it needs repairs. It can mean a carbon monoxide leak, which can be very dangerous for your family or employees. It is especially true if the odor is accompanied by a yellow flame, which indicates that your boiler isn’t burning fuel properly.

Unusually high energy bills can also indicate that your boiler needs to be fixed. It could be due to airlocks, mineral deposits, a faulty circulation pump, or other problems that need to be addressed by an expert.

Increased Energy Consumption

Boilers consume a lot of energy to heat your building and produce hot water. If your energy bills steadily rise, it may be a sign that your boiler isn’t operating as efficiently.

You can also check the performance of your boiler by examining how much fuel it takes to create a steady amount of steam. If you see that your boiler is consuming more and more fuel but producing less and less steam, it’s likely that it’s in decline and needs to be updated.

It would help if you also looked for any signs of leaking, such as water stains in the carpet or discoloration on your ceilings. Leaking can lead to deterioration of the boiler, rust, corrosion, and rising energy costs.

Jane