Boiler overheating is an emergency that requires a heating engineer to resolve. Modern units can detect when the temperature is too high and activate a safety function that turns off the boiler. Unfortunately, older boilers do not provide the same level of comfort and, if not repaired promptly, can explode. This article is meant to explain why your boiler may be overheating and is not a complete instruction manual. This is because there is a risk that a boiler will overheat. As soon as you notice your boiler is too hot or suspect it is overheating, contact Green Home Grants installer. If you know how to turn your boiler off or lower your thermostats, turn off the water supply to the boiler. You can also get a new boiler installation grant schedule with our licensed professionals in the UK.
How can I know if my boiler is overheating?
The simplest approach to determine if your boiler is overheating is to look for trouble warnings on the display.
They’re frequently provided as code, so look up what it means in your handbook. If you can’t find it, Google the name of your boiler and the phrase “error messages,” and you’ll get an answer. Some older boilers do not have digital displays; look for lights that turn on or flash, as this could indicate a problem. The boiler should also trip out. You may also see water leaking from the pressure relief valve outdoors. If any of this happens, turn it off.
In the absence of error warnings or tripping out, a telltale symptom could be that the radiators or hot taps are not fully warming up, even if the boiler is plainly on. Where is the heat going? It’s probably accumulating in the boiler.
Probable causes of boiler overheating:
A variety of technological and physical factors can cause overheating. Here are several probable causes.
- Failed thermistor
The thermistor is a boiler component that measures water temperature and adjusts the flow of hot water to the heat exchanger.
It’s comparable to the thermostat that controls your radiators. However, the thermostat has a simple on/off button, whereas the thermistor gradually adjusts flow to obtain the desired temperature. If the thermistor fails, the boiler may receive incorrect information that the water is too cool, causing it never to stop heating.
- Blockages
If the flow of circulating water is restricted, the flame will heat slow-moving water far more than necessary, resulting in overheating.
Blockages can occur anywhere and are typically caused by the accumulation of sludge, rust, or limescale in the piping. The heat exchanger, however, is the most vulnerable component since the water passes through much narrower channels that are easier to block.
- Failed pump
If the pump fails, the water in the system will not be transported, but it will continue to heat up, resulting in overheating. Even a functional pump on its final legs can produce the same result.
- Electronic failure
The final possible reason is a problem with the boiler’s electronics, which could be a digital system or a physical electronic component failure. This could result in incorrect signals being sent from the system to the pump, causing the boiler to overheat.
Do you need help with an overheating boiler?
At Green Home Grants, we have Gas Safe Registered engineers who work throughout Scotland, England, and Wales. If you live in the area and want an engineer to assess your boiler, please get in touch with us. An ordinary householder can fix none of the difficulties mentioned above; they all require the immediate attention of a professional boiler expert. In general, the risk is relatively minimal since working electronic and physical devices, such as power tripping and relief valves, should step in to prevent pressure buildup. However, in very rare cases, overheating might cause boiler damage or even an explosion. If your boiler is overheating, depending on its age, it may be time to replace your old boiler with an old boiler replacement grant. Our installers can properly diagnose the problem and make recommendations on free boiler replacement grants.