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No hot water AND no heat? In many cases, central heating problems occur after the boiler has been idle for some time - for instance, if you have been away from home or switched the heat off for summer. These issues occur on both conventional systems and combination boilers. In this post, we provide some simple checks that you can perform to identify the problem, but it’s best to contact a gas safe engineer like at Hoerner Heating & Plumbing to repair the issue or replace the boiler.
Causes of No Hot Water and No Heat
Some common causes of no hot water and no heat could include:
Low boiler pressure - Check the pressure gauge on your boiler. If the pressure is below 1, that would indicate a leak in the system, or an issue with your pressure relief valve.
Cold patches on radiators - When sludge builds up in radiators, it can lead to uneven heat distribution. A gas safe technician will have to bleed the system to repair it.
Strange sounds - It’s not uncommon for radiators to make gurgling, whistling or banging noises. Each sound has the potential to help a technician identify the cause of your no heat and no hot water challenges.
Frozen pipes - In winter, a small amount of waste gas is naturally produced. It turns to water that can freeze outside the condensate pipe, thus causing a blockage.
Pilot light - There’s a blue flame that always remains lit underneath your boiler. A faulty thermocouple can cause the flame to go out, thus preventing the gas supply from reaching the boiler. It’s less common for this problem to occur on newer boilers, and it is also harder to reignite the light.
Boiler turns off - Sometimes, if the boiler pressure is too low, it can cause the boiler to switch itself off. This could be caused by a blockage in the system, or a faulty pump.
Intermittent hot water and heat - These are typical signs of airlocks, low water levels, broken diaphragms, or faulty motorised valves.
Tripped Circuit Breaker: The first thing to do when you have no hot water is to check the circuit breaker box. It is possible that the water heater's circuit breaker has tripped.
Heating Element Issue: A failed heating element is one of the most common issues that occur with electric water heaters. It's a quick and easy repair, but it should be performed by a licensed plumber.
Thermostat Fault: When your no hot water problem is caused by a fault on the thermostat, it will require a thermostat replacement. The lower thermostat only controls the lower element, while the upper thermostat controls both the lower and upper elements. If your water is warm, but not hot, that is an indication of a failed thermostat.
Here at Hoerner Heating & Plumbing, we recommend regular home boiler & radiator cleaning and maintenance services. Hydronic home heating systems require annual maintenance check-ups, performed by a professional heating technician. If your system has not been checked in more than 6 months, now is the time to make that call. The best time for boiler cleaning is from May to June when we are able to do accurate combustion analysis and the weather is warmer (limiting heating downtime).
If your home is suddenly lacking heat and hot water, it could be a sign that your combination boiler is on the fritz. Our technicians have plenty experience with boiler installation, cleaning, maintenance and repair. As qualified hot water heating and hydronic heating technicians, our team specializes in hydronic heating and boiler installation.
Our technicians have more than 50 years of combined experience in boiler and hydronic heating. Call Hoerner Heating & Plumbing today 416-463-2573!
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay