Boiler Repair Guide
In choosing to go with a boiler to heat your home, versus using a forced-air system such as a gas furnace, boilers use hydronic power to circulate heat. How? Hydronic power is in other words the power of water, which is used to circulate heat to radiators and baseboard heaters that in turn, send out clean, dust-free warmth into rooms. In doing this, boilers tend to perform more efficiently on average than furnaces.
Why do Boilers last so long?
Another benefit to having a boiler in your home is that in the long run, homeowners tend to have minimal maintenance and repair needs as they such small mechanical parts. This allows boilers to last twice as long as furnaces, as they require less maintenance and offer more stability and efficiency in the long run. While boilers might not be completely free of moving parts, the circulator pump is an essential component of a boiler sometimes requires repairs to keep the boiler running.
The Circulator Pump: What is it & why is it Important?
To put it simply, the hot water in a boiler would have trouble moving through the pipes to the terminal points to send out heat, if not for the circulator pump. Convection current caused by heat move the water along the pipes, however only at a fraction of the power. It is the circulator pump that contains an electric-powered impeller motor that removes hot water from the tank, bringing it to circulate through the pipes to the baseboard heaters or radiators. While doing this, the circulator pump also draws in cold water, which in turn, starts the heating cycle.
An important thing to notate, specifically with the circulator pump, is that should it wear down, it can begin to cause serious problems. One being it can cause circuit breakers to trip, which is an early sign that not only is the pump overworked, but that it is in dire needs of repairs. Should there be any broken components and valves on the inside of the pump, can cause it to abruptly stop working. Leaks are another common key component that can contribute to the breakdown of the circulator pump. If the pump develops leaks, this often times causes the water pressure inside the tank to drop and reduce the heating that is used to heat the house. Often times when leaks occur, this is an indication that there is corrosion. Should you find that you have a leaking pump or one that has interior damage, these are both indications that a full replacement of the circulator pump is inevitable.
Should you find that there are any noises coming from the circulator pump in your boiler, you should be sure to give Advanced Boilers * Hydronic Heating a call. Circulator pumps operate in a ghost like manner, in which they exhibit almost no noise as all, so with most things, no news is good news, however with news of noise coming from your circulator pump, is bad news. If noise is coming from your circulator pump, often means that there is a large amount of air that has been trapped inside the pump, or rather a bearing that is loose. One thing to notate about this is that it is indeed trapped air that is inside the pump, this is something small that a trained professional is able to restore, however if it is the prior, (meaning loose bearings), this means that the pump is well beyond repair and will require a new pump.
Whatever problems you may encounter when it comes to your circulator pump, rest assured that Advanced Boilers & Hydronic Heating will be there for you, ready to assist, service, and replace if need be, to get your boiler back up and running. We understand how important it is to have access to heat, to have a reliable, durable, and efficient circulator pump, and in turn, your boiler. We want to make your boiler repair service as easy, affordable, and painless as possible. Give us a call today!