It’s never a good time of year for your oil boiler to start acting up—especially with winter on the way.
Modern oil boilers are one of the most reliable ways to heat your home. But after months of little to no use throughout the summer, it’s common for boilers to struggle a bit as cold weather creeps in and we fire them up again.
It can be tricky to know what to do when your boiler gives you trouble. But don’t panic! Many oil boiler issues are easier to fix than you think.
In this blog, we’ll go through the 4 most common oil boiler problems, how to fix them, and when to call in a professional to keep your home cosy all year round.
- Your oil boiler won’t fire up
If your boiler won’t start, or it’s cutting out soon after starting, you may be facing “oil boiler lockout”.
Sounds bad, right? But before you pile on the woolly jumpers to keep warm through the winter, there are a few things you can check to pinpoint the problem with your boiler.
What is oil boiler lockout?
This means that the boiler has shut down due to a fault. This lockout mode prevents further damage and keeps your boiler from becoming a safety risk.
Your boiler may show an error or fault code on the display panel, or a green- or red-coloured flashing light, letting you know it’s shut down. If you’re not sure what the fault code means, check your boiler manual. It should have explanations for any codes or lights that appear.
Solution: There are a few things you can do to help your boiler in this situation:
- Check that you haven’t run out of heating oil: It may seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. Always keep your oil supply sufficiently topped up—if there’s only a small amount of oil in your tank, it might not be enough to get your boiler going. If you have plenty of oil, have a look at your oil tank gauges for any issues.
- Check your boiler pressure: If the oil boiler pressure is too high or too low, it can cause your central heating system to lockout. You’ll need to adjust this pressure before you can try resetting the boiler. Oil boiler pressure should be between 1-3 bar. If you’re dealing with low boiler pressure, you’ll need to use the boiler pressure gauge to increase it. If the pressure is too high, you might need to bleed your radiators. A faulty air pressure switch could also be the culprit.
- Frozen pipes: As frosty weather sets in, frozen pipes become an issue, possibly causing your oil boiler to shut down. The condensate pipe could be blocked with ice, but this can usually be remedied by pouring warm—but never boiling!—water on the pipe.
- Your boiler is making strange noises
If you’ve noticed that your boiler is making noises outside of the ordinary, it can be natural to worry, but it’s not usually a cause for concern. With the oil boiler lockout system, your boiler will shut down before anything can become dangerous.
There are a few different reasons for your boiler making odd noises. These could range from faulty fans, to a worn-out pump, or a damaged burner. These noises are more likely to appear in older boilers that have some wear and tear.
Solution: If it’s a gurgling noise, it could be air trapped in the system. Try bleeding your radiators and see if that helps. If the noise persists or it’s another kind of unusual sound, it’s best to give an oil service engineer a call.
- Your oil boiler is producing soot or smoke
Often a messy issue, a sooty or smoky boiler is usually caused by a blocked flue pipe or a cracked heat exchanger.
Solution: As soon as you notice any soot or smoke from your boiler, you should isolate the appliance and contact an oil service engineer. They’ll know what to do and you won’t have to risk more damage being done to your boiler with a DIY fix.
- Your boiler is starting but you’re getting insufficient heat
If your oil boiler is firing properly but you’re not getting as much heat as you should be, there are a few things you can try before calling a professional.
Solution:
- Check that your thermostats are set correctly.
- Bleed your radiators to release any trapped air that could affect heat distribution.
- Turn off the boiler power supply, wait 60 seconds or so, and turn it back on.
When in doubt, call in the professionals
Many oil boiler issues can be avoided or fixed with regular maintenance and servicing. Your boiler should be serviced annually by an OFTEC registered heating engineer to keep it in tip-top shape.
A yearly service will prevent small things from becoming bigger, more expensive issues. Also, your heating engineer can make sure your boiler is running at maximum efficiency to keep your heating bills low and your home warm, year after year.
When it comes to boiler troubleshooting, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. If you’re not sure how to proceed, give the professionals a call.
Schedule your next oil boiler service now, and our team of experienced engineers will help you keep your home cosy and comfortable all through the winter.
