Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Boiler Repair’

Why Don’t I feel Enough Heat from My Boiler?

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Boilers tend to be very efficient heating systems. No system is perfect, however, and boilers are just as susceptible to heating issues as any other system. A rare, though quite frustrating, problem is that of the boiler not producing enough heat. Let’s look at the possible causes behind this issue.

Thermostat Issues

It is quite possible that your problem doesn’t rest with the boiler at all, but with the thermostat. The thermostat is the central control for your entire heating system. If it malfunctions it can easily prevent your boiler from providing enough heat, even if the boiler is in perfect condition. Check the display to make sure that everything is set properly. If the display is correct, but the heat is still not turning on, the sensors may be off. An HVAC technician will need to check in order to make a definite diagnosis.

Low Water Level

Though rare, leaks can happen in hydronic radiant heating systems. When this occurs, the lower water supply cannot carry enough heat to effectively warm the house. As usual, a professional will need to examine your system to know for certain whether this is the case. One way to tell, though, is if you notice water pooling on your floor or dripping from your ceiling when your heating is on. It is also possible that the pipes are clogged, which will produce a similar effect.

Burner Issues

The burner is comprised of several flames that serve to keep the boiler lit during use. Over time, however, one or more of these burners may malfunction or become dirty. If this happens, those burners may stop working all together. Your boiler will still provide heat, but it will be less heat than usual because it only has a few burners to heat the water.

If your boiler seems to be underperforming, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Our expert technicians conduct boiler repair throughout the Arlington area.

Don’t wait for your boiler to stop working altogether. Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating today, and we’ll have your boiler back to normal in no time.

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Signs Your Boiler Needs Repairs

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Boilers are an old and reliable form of heating technology that continues to be popular today.  They tend to be more efficient than gas heaters and don’t suffer from problems like drafts or cold spots. But like any piece of equipment, they still need repairs from time to time. The sooner you can spot signs your boiler needs repairs, the sooner you can call in a qualified Alexandria VA boiler technician to help, and the more quickly your heating system can get back up to strength.

Odd noises are the most obvious sign of a boiler in need of assistance. Kettling – a build-up of sediment in the heat exchange – can lead to rumbling noises, while low water pressure and similar problems can create bubbling or whistling noises in the system. Keep in mind that sound may travel through the system far from its source, and sounds in one part may actually indicate a problem in another part.

Leaks sometimes spring up in boiler systems, and can sometimes be spotted by puddles or moisture nearby. Keep in mind that not every leak creates puddles, however. Hot water and small leaks may combine to evaporate the leaking water, making it tougher to spot.

Problems with the thermocouple may prevent the heater from turning on, while faulty valves and build up may create low water pressure that prevents certain parts of the house from being heated properly. Any situation where a radiator doesn’t appear to work, where the heating isn’t being applied at all. And of course, any situation where the heater fails to turn on entirely is a sign that you need to call in a repair service.

Luckily, in Alexandria VA, boiler systems can be repaired by the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.  Our trained experts know how to spot signs your boiler needs repairs and correct it with speed and efficiency. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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Causes of Boiler Problems in Washington DC

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Our Washington, DC boiler experts can take care of all your boiler repair and maintenance needs. If you need any type of service for your boiler, or if you simply have questions, give us a call. While you should call a repair technician as soon as you notice an issue, it is important to understand the causes of some of the more common boiler problems so that you can prevent them from occurring.

In this post, we explore some of the potential causes of problems with many types of boilers. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or need to schedule service.

Not Enough Heat

Are you not getting enough heat from your boiler? There are a few potential reasons for this. One of the more common causes is that something has happened to throw off the hot water levels inside the tank. The hot water should be on the top, so when you feel the tank, it should feel warmer near the top. If this is reversed, there’s a problem, and it could be causing your heating problem. Often water levels are off because of sediment buildup, but another potential cause is a faulty pressure valve.

Leaky Boiler Tank

If you have a leaky boiler tank, this can cause any number of problems, including low heat output and low water pressure in hot water systems. Look for signs of rust or water leaking near the tank. If you notice any of these warning signs, call a Washington DC repair technician. A leak can cause water damage and also damage your boiler system.

Many homes in the Washington DC area use boilers for heat and hot water. At Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., we can solve all your boiler problems, from sediment build-up, to faulty pressure gauges and broken thermostats. Call us for fast and reliable boiler repair and comprehensive boiler maintenance services.

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Causes of Common Boiler Sounds: Washington, DC Boiler Repair Guide

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Boilers are one of the most common heating systems in the country. They provide comfortable and efficient heat and only require regular maintenance to work reliably. At Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer complete boiler repairs and installation in Washington, DC. One of the most common calls for service that we get is boiler noises. All boiler repairs should be done by a professional contractor. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the most common causes of boiler noises so that our customers would know when to call us.

Boiler Knocking and What It Means

Perhaps the most common boiler noise that people in Washington, DC call us about is a knocking sound. There are several causes for this sound and you should always consult a professional plumber if you start to hear that noise.

  • Air in the pipes – Over time, air bubbles can start to build up in your boiler pipes. Unless your boiler lines get regularly bled, the air moving through your pipes can create a knocking sound. This is usually fixed by a heating technician who can open the pressure release vale to let the air out.
  • Oversized boiler – If your boiler is too large for your home it can cause boiling in your water lines which can cause a knocking.
  • Sediment – If you have hard water at your home the excess minerals can start to build up on the bottom of your boiler tank. When the burner kicks on to heat up the water, the sediment crust will block the heat and cause rapid heating of the water underneath the crust to heat up quickly and form steam.
  • Expansion tank – The expansion tank for your boiler allows for it to accommodate the physical properties of water that make it expand when heated. If your expansion tank isn’t working right it could cause the knocking sound as well.

If you need boiler repairs in Washington, DC, just call the experts at Polar Bear.

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How Ignoring Heating Repairs in Your Washington, D.C. Home Can Cost You Money

Monday, January 7th, 2013

It is perfectly understandable that you may not want to waste your money calling for maintenance or repair services every time you have some little issue with your heater. Unfortunately, even seeming small issues with your heater can lead to big problems. That is why you need to call in a professional from a quality service provider such as Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating to inspect any issues with your heater. Take it from us, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your comfort in Washington D.C..

One major reason that it is always best to enlist the help of a home heating expert when you experience problems with your heater is the fact that these problems are not always immediately identifiable. That means that by the time you notice a problem with your heater, that problem has most likely been developing for some time. Choosing to ignore it further will only allow more damage to be done to your system. This will require more extensive, costly repairs. The sooner any problem is handled by a qualified service technician the less it is likely to cost you.

Even if your home heating system does not break down, you have to remember that an operational system is not necessarily an efficient system. Your heater does not have to stop working altogether in order to cost you money. If your heater’s operation has been compromised it will lose efficiency, meaning that it will work harder and consume more energy to keep up with the demand that you put on it. The harder your system has to work and the more energy it consumes the more expensive it is to operate. Making even “minor” repairs, in other words, can result in savings that are anything but.

If you have any unanswered questions about why you must not ignore your heater’s repair needs, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating. We will be happy to discuss the benefits of high quality repair services with you. Contact us today for more information about heating repair services in Washington D.C.. Remember, ignoring heating problems now will only result in more serious issues further along.

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Do You Own a Boiler in Washington DC? Here are 3 Common Repairs to Watch For

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Boilers are one of the most popular heating systems in the United States and here in Washington DC. They are typically used with radiant heat systems like hot water radiators or floor and wall radiant heat systems. But like all things, they eventually break down and need repair. That’s why we thought it would be helpful for our customers in Washington DC to know about 3 of the most common boiler repairs that we see.

No Heat

Surprisingly, one of the most common boiler repairs that we get called for in Washington DC is no heat. The main job of your boiler is to create heat so this is obviously a very big concern. If your boiler is gas-fired, check to make sure the pilot light is lit; if it’s electric, check the power cord. Another reason for this is that the pipes to your home are clogged or blocked. This is a problem that a professional heating technician will have to fix.

Not Enough Heat

Another problem that many people experience is not enough heat. This can happen when the thermostat in your home is malfunctioning. Its job is to tell the boiler when to start heating the home and when the home has reached the desired temperature. When the thermostat isn’t working well, it won’t tell the boiler to turn on and the home will receive insufficient heat. Another reason for low heat is that the burner might be dirty. It could also be that the pipes are clogged or blocked and the hot water simply can’t reach your home.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are another huge problem that some homeowners in Washington DC experience. These sometimes start out small but can quickly grow into a major issue. Check the pressure gauge on your boiler regularly. It should read between 1 and 1.5 when there is enough pressure in the pipes. As the water leaks out of the pipes, the pressure gauge will show a loss in pressure. You don’t want the pressure to dip below .5. This type of repair should always be performed by a professional heating technician.

If you’re having any problems with your boiler in your home in Washington DC, call Polar Bear today. One of our trained professionals can come to your home, inspect your boiler and diagnose the problem. We offer a full range of boiler repair services in Washington DC. Call us today!

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No Heat From Your Washington DC Home’s Boiler: Causes and Solutions

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Boiler-driven hot water heating systems are popular in Washington DC because of their reliability and efficiency. But breakdowns do occur, especially as units age, and they can happen for many reasons. The first step is to make sure you’re actually dealing with a breakdown and not something much more simple. If you’ve lost heat from your boiler, check to make sure there’s fuel in your oil or gas tank before making a service call. Also keep in mind that part of the heating system is electrical. A recent power outage or short circuit in the house could have tripped the circuit breaker for the boiler.

Next, check the emergency shut off switch. It looks like a typical wall light switch but with a red cover and bold lettering indicating the off and on positions. It’s usually placed in a convenient spot in the basement. In many Washington DC homes it’s located at the top of the basement stairs. Sometimes the switch is turned off accidentally, but if a repairman or someone else in you house turned it off for a reason, you need to find out why.

If the emergency switch is on and all the circuit breakers are on and there’s plenty of fuel, the next step in diagnosing the problem is checking the boiler. First, understand that most heating appliances automatically shut down when a critical component stops functioning properly. Don’t put yourself or your family at risk. Don’t attempt to restart or repair the boiler yourself. But you can help your technician help your Washington DC heating technician by checking a few simple things before making the call.

A puddle on the floor usually means a pipe or valve is leaking. A drop in the water level inside the boiler could have triggered the shut down. But leaks in joints can also occur when something else shuts the boiler down and the metal plumbing shrinks. Is the puddle getting larger or is it stagnant?

If all the pipes are cold, carefully touch the metal panels covering the boiler. They usually warm up a bit when the boiler is operating normally. Listen for the faint hissing sound of the pilot light. If the  boiler is cold and completely silent, the pilot light may have gone out, triggering a shut down. Don’t attempt to relight the pilot. Keep in mind that many new boilers in the Washington DC area have pilotless electronic ignitions.

If the pilot is lit but the pipes and boiler are cold, and boiler uses fuel oil, the burner motor may have stopped working. Restarting a malfunctioning unit may cause further damage, so call a technician if you suspect this is the problem. Oil burner motors can stop working for many reasons, including soot blocking the air supply, blocked fuel line, dirty electrodes inside the motor, or seized up bearings. Only a licensed Washington DC heating technician can correctly diagnose and fix such problems.

Call Polar Bear today if you need boiler repairs in the Washington D.C. area!

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