3 Reasons Your Boiler Won't Ignite
If you rely on a boiler to heat your home and the boiler has problems with the ignition, you may have erratic heat or no heat at all. If your boiler isn't igniting, be sure to check the thermostat and adjust it if necessary to get the boiler to turn on. If the thermostat isn't the problem, call a boiler repair company for assistance. Here are some possible causes for ignition problems in a boiler.
1. Problems With The Gas Supply
If the gas supply is erratic, the boiler might work intermittently. If there is no gas supply, your boiler won't turn on at all. The repair professional might need to clean or repair a gas line, replace a valve, or work on the gas jets. It doesn't take much dirt to keep the pilot light from igniting, and sometimes cleaning is all that's needed.
2. Trouble With A Burner
If the burners and ignition area of the boiler haven't been cleaned in a long time, there might be dust and grime built up on the lines and burners. If buildup is the problem, the technician can clean the parts and the burners so gas flows efficiently and the burners ignite.
However, a bad burner is a more serious problem. If the burner won't ignite and burn, the boiler repair technician will probably need to replace it. A new burner should be more efficient, so you might notice an improvement in the performance of your boiler and maybe even a reduction in your power bill when the new burner is installed.
3. Issues With The Ignition
If you have a newer boiler, it may have an electronic ignition rather than a pilot flame that burns all the time. An electronic ignition conserves gas and is more efficient, but the parts can malfunction. The repair technician can test the ignition with a multimeter, and if it's bad, the technician can replace it.
Replacing the ignition is done by taking the panel off of the boiler and disconnecting the wiring to the old ignition. The old ignition is held in place with screws and a plate. When the plate is out of the way, the old ignition is pulled out and the new one installed and hooked up to the wiring.
A boiler that won't ignite is a major inconvenience. Plus, you'll want the boiler checked by a professional since gas is involved. The cost of boiler repairs varies according to the malfunction and model of the boiler. Parts for some boilers are more expensive than parts for different models. However, when it comes to heating your home, you can't put off repairs or you'll be left in the cold.