Homeowners can sometimes be unaware of how their radiant heating system works. For example, they may not know that the heat is provided by a water boiler rather than by a furnace. The water is heated by the boiler and then circulated through tubing to disperse the heat to the different rooms of the home. When it is properly maintained, a boiler can keep a home comfortable all winter long. While no amount of maintenance can keep a piece of equipment running indefinitely over its entire lifespan, it is important to understand the problems that homeowners may face by neglecting their boilers. The issues below tend to only show up in poorly maintained boilers, so be sure to schedule regular maintenance with your local Albuquerque HVAC—Thompson Heating & Air Conditioning!
Circulator Pump Failure
A boiler’s circulator pump is mechanical, which means that it is prone to a decline in performance over time. As its name implies, this pump is what sends the water through the heating system’s pipes. If this pump fails, the boiler will not be able to do its job.
Broken Expansion Tank
The water tank of a boiler has a small cylindrical tank attached to it that is equipped with a pressure gauge. In older systems, this tank may be separate from the water tank and may be located in separate area, such as the attic. This is the expansion tank and its purpose is to maintain water pressure within the boiler. The ideal amount of pressure is 12 psi. Water cannot be compressed, so the expansion tank absorbs the pressure of expanding water by compressing the air within the expansion tank. As a result, the boiler can heat and cool without excess pressure being built up. If the expansion tank is broken and you don’t get it fixed by a professional, the excess pressure from the boiler could result in an explosion.
Sediment Buildup
Hard water can cause limescale to accumulate in your boiler’s water tank. This can cause your boiler to get too hot or corrode.
Leaks
As with any equipment connected to your home’s plumbing, you will have to be on the lookout for leaks. Leaks can be caused by loose valves or broken seals. If your system is more than a few years old, leaks may also be caused by rust.
To avoid these issues, you must take care of your boiler and have it regularly serviced. If your Radiant boiler has any of the issues listed above, contact us at Thompson Heating and Air Conditioning today. We have been providing Albuquerque homeowners with quality HVAC servicing and repair since 1963! We offer 24-hour emergency service, so give us a call today!