Date: January 6, 2025
When customers come to us about issues with their home heating equipment, the fix is often something that they can handle on their own. Yet, the root cause might seem mysterious, especially if you’re dealing with a boiler system.
Boiler systems — also known as hydronic heating — have been popular in the Great Boston area for as long as Cubby Oil & Energy has been in business (over 70 years!). Still, homeowners often don’t know how, precisely, they generate heat. Once you know the heating process for a boiler, you’ll see there are many issues that you can troubleshoot.
A boiler system heats up water to create heat for your home. Steam boilers heat water to generate steam, which the system distributes through pipes to radiators, baseboards or radiant floor systems. Modern boilers tend to produce and distribute hot water instead of steam. Hydronic heating is a closed-loop system. As the steam or hot water condenses and cools down, it cycles back to the boiler to be reheated.
Here are some common issues that our customers experience with boilers and ways to address them.
Perhaps the most common issue for a boiler is called “kettling.” This happens when limescale and sludge accumulate inside the system. Kettling results in restricted water flow and can cause your boiler to rumble. It also speeds up wear and tear on the equipment.
How to address boiler kettling: Flush your boiler at least once a year. You can do this by shutting down the boiler, opening the drain valve and discharging water (along with sediment and sludge) into a bucket. Once the water runs clear, you can close the valve and refill the boiler to its correct water levels.
If you’re hearing gurgling or popping while your boiler is running, the issue might be air trapped in your pipes and radiators.
How to fix trapped air in your hydronic heating system: The best solution is to bleed your radiators. Turn off the heating and ensure the radiators are cool. Get a radiator key or screwdriver. Find the bleed valve and use the key or screwdriver to open the valve. Let the air escape (you’ll hear hissing) until water flows steadily, then close the valve. Check the boiler pressure, repressurize if needed, and repeat this for each radiator, starting with the lowest floor.
There are several reasons you could hear banging from your boiler. The issue could be what’s called a “water hammer,” where the water in your system is changing direction. This hammering may be the result of incorrectly-pitched pipes. You could also be looking at a problem with incorrect water pressure, a delayed ignition or an issue with your burner.
Addressing banging noises in a boiler: If the problem is water pressure, you can fix it by adjusting the pressure to your manufacturer’s recommended setting. However, the other issues listed above require a professional technician. Cubby’s furnace repair team is always on call to help
The best way to ensure your boiler is running smoothly and at peak efficiency is by arranging annual service from a licensed HVAC technician. The experts at Cubby Oil & Energy are available for tune-ups and any boiler repair needs you may need. With our experienced team as your home comfort partner, you can rest assured that your home heating is as reliable as possible.
Do you still need to have your boiler tuned up this winter? Contact Cubby Oil & Energy today to arrange service.