If you depend on a boiler to heat your water or your home, it is important to know when your boiler requires repairs. Your boiler will provide you with some clear signs when it needs to be repaired; you just need to know what they are so that you can watch out for them.
Important Sign #1: Big Heating Bill
You should have a pretty solid idea of your heating bill from one month to the next, year to year. The amount you are charged may change, but your energy should be relatively consistent. If you suddenly notice that you are using more energy to heat your home, the most likely culprit is that something is wrong with your boiler, and it isn't operating as effectively as it should. If your heating bill is a shock, get a technician to look at your boiler right away. It may need to be repaired. Or if it is old enough, it may just need to be replaced.
Important Sign #2: Unpleasant Smells
Your boiler shouldn't really have a smell to it. Most boilers run on gas or carbon monoxide, which is a highly effective fuel source when it is working correctly. However, if carbon monoxide leaks out of your boiler, it can seriously affect your health.
A smell is added to carbon monoxide to help people smell when it leaks. If you notice that there is a strange, foul odor around your boiler, more than likely, you have a leak that you need to address.
If you notice that the blue flame at the bottom of your boiler looks yellow instead of blue, that is another sign that your boiler is leaking out gas and that you need to address the issue right away. Turn off your boiler and get out of the building. Leaks are not something to take lightly or something to wait on.
Important Sign #3: Odd Sounds
Boilers are far from silent machines. They make dependable sounds. If your boiler has started making strange sounds, don't ignore this important warning sign. Strange sounds from your boiler are generally an indication that something is wrong.
A whistling sound, for example, means that the pressure inside is too low. If you hear a banging sound, the fan or pump is damaged. Each sound means something, so don't ignore it.
If your boiler starts to run up your heating bill, or if it starts to make unpleasant sounds or smells, call in a technician who understands this complex piece of machinery to complete a boiler repair.