Your gas heating system is an essential part of keeping your home warm and comfortable, especially during the winter months. However, like anything else that is used on a regular basis, they will sometimes encounter issues that affect their efficiency or cause them to break down completely. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the problems we see most often with gas heating systems in Glasgow and help you understand how to identify them quickly so that you can save time, money, and stress when it comes to getting them fixed.
We do not encourage you to attempt to fix any issues with your gas heating system on your own, always consult a Gas Safe certified professional engineer.
Common Problems
No Heating or Hot Water
If your gas heating system isn’t producing any heat or hot water, this could be caused by several factors. While some of these are minor issues, we always recommend consulting a Gas Safe certified engineer who is fully qualified to give advice and rectify the issue for you.
- Thermostat Issues: Your thermostat may be set incorrectly or malfunctioning. Make sure it’s set to the desired temperature and check if the display is showing the correct readings. If the display is showing incorrect readings, then you may need to have the thermostat repaired or replaced.
- Pilot Light Going Out: The pilot light is a small gas flame that is kept lit in certain appliances such as a furnace, water heater, or fireplace. If the pilot light goes out, your system will not ignite. Trying to relight the pilot light by yourself is not only dangerous, but against the law, please contact a Gas Safe engineer to relight your pilot light if you think it may have gone out.
- Gas Supply Problems: If your gas meter is displaying ‘ON’ but you cannot get any gas to power your appliances such as your radiator, shower, or sink, there may be an issue with your gas supply. Do not attempt to turn your meter off and back on again and immediately contact your gas supplier or gas emergency phone number for your area.
Uneven Heating
If it feels like some rooms in your home are warm while others remain cold, it is possible that your system may not be working efficiently and there are issues with certain areas of the system. Potential causes include:
- Clogged Filters: Over time, your system’s filters can become dirty or clogged with debris, restricting the flow and leading to uneven heating within your home. If this is the case, your system may benefit from power flushing which can be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer.
- Air in the System: If your system has air trapped in the pipes, it can prevent warm air from circulating evenly throughout the system. A gas engineer can bleed your radiators or pipes to remove the trapped air and restore the heat flow.
- Incorrect Thermostat Placement: Gas engineers will always aim to place your thermostat in the most suitable area of your home for optimal readings. However, if you have an older thermostat, there is the chance it may have been placed in an area with a draft or next to a heat source which can result in incorrect readings and uneven heating.
Strange Noises
If your boiler, radiators, or pipes are making strange noises such as banging, whistling, or gurgling, then it’s a sign that something is not working correctly. Common causes for strange noises include:
- Loose Parts: If you hear a rattling or clunking sound, this could indicate that some components of your heating system have come loose. If this happens, you must contact a Gas Safe engineer who will professionally inspect your system and re-secure or replace the parts if necessary.
- Sediment Build Up: It is possible for sediment to build up in your heating system over time which can lead to banging sounds when the water is heated. To remove the sediment, an engineer will need to perform a power flush of the system.
- Boiler Kettling: If your boiler is making a whistling sound, this may mean that the water is being boiled inside your boiler as if it were a kettle, hence the name of the issue. The main cause of this issue is leak within the system or a faulty thermostat giving the wrong reading to the boiler.
Low Water Pressure
Low pressure can lead to inefficient heating and no hot water in some or all of your appliances. This could be caused by:
- Broken Diverter Valve: This valve is responsible for switching between heating and hot water, so if it’s broken, your boiler may fail to provide heating or hot water when needed. An example of a broken diverter valve may be having hot showers, but your radiators do not heat up. If you are experiencing something similar to this, contact a professional who will fix your diverter valve.
- Leaks in the System: A water leak can cause pressure loss. Common signs of a leak are unusual smells, water staining or patches, dripping sounds, or signs of mould. You need to contact a certified gas engineer to fix the leak to retain your water pressure.
- Air Escaping: Air may be escaping through your radiator pipes and causing low water pressure. You can recognise this through a hissing noise from your pipes. You will need to contact a gas engineer to examine where the air is escaping from and repair.
The best way to prevent common problems with your heating system is to have your boiler serviced on an annual basis to ensure the system is working efficiently and safely. Boiler servicing also provides the opportunity for early detection of issues before they become costly repairs.
Why Choose GMC Gas Services?
When it comes to the maintenance of your gas heating system, GMC Gas Services are reliable, experienced, and committed to customer satisfaction. We are a trusted name in Glasgow and the surrounding areas, offering expert gas heating solutions to meet your needs.
Are You Experiencing Any of the Above Problems?
By being proactive and identifying common gas heating problems early, you can ensure that you get these repaired and your system returns to working efficiently to keep your home safe and warm. Don’t wait until it’s too late, contact our team at GMC Gas Services today to discuss your requirements and one of our professional Gas Safe certified engineers will be happy to help you.