One of the most common heating systems for commercial buildings is the boiler. This system works in a very efficient way to produce hot water or steam to distribute to various areas in your property. If you have a commercial boiler, there are some key indicators that you’ll want to be on the lookout for that will signal it’s time to get professional service to avoid a costly breakdown.
Weird Noises
One pretty obvious indicator that your boiler needs to be serviced is if you hear weird noises coming from it. While it’s perfectly normal for your commercial boiler to make some noise while in operation, anything out of the norm should be a real cause for concern. Some examples of odd sounds that a malfunctioning boiler may produce include pulsating, screeching, and howling alongside excessive vibrations.
Typically, these problems indicate that something is awry with your combustion settings. For example, there could be an issue with the fuel-air delivery components or the burner head. It’s vital to immediately shut down your boiler when this type of problem arises. Let one of our HVAC professionals further assess the issue before restarting your system for everyone’s safety.
Leakage
At no point should your boiler be leaking water. If you notice water drops or even water pooling on the ground underneath your boiler unit, it’s a real problem. The issue could lie in several areas with some of the most common being faulty seals and gaskets. In more severe cases, there could be a crack in the heat exchanger that will require extensive system repair work.
Corrosion
All metal is susceptible to corrosion in the right conditions. While all metal boiler components are treated with a rust-resistant exterior coating, it can wear out over time. Eventually, corrosion can develop on these metal pieces, which can lead to weak spots and eventual leaks. If you notice any rust on your system, even if it hasn’t eaten the whole way through the component, it needs to be addressed by one of our technicians. Fixing corrosion when it first starts will help you avoid a very costly system breakdown later on.
Frequent Alerts
Commercial boilers are packed full of many electronic safety devices. When a component of the boiler malfunctions, it may trigger an alert to let you know that there’s something amiss. While some alerts may be handled in-house with simple maintenance, others may require professional assistance. If your boiler is regularly producing frequent alerts, it’s necessary to have it undergo service sooner rather than later.
Inadequate Heating
A properly sized boiler will have no problem providing adequate heat to the various areas of your commercial building. However, if you notice that your system simply doesn’t seem to be meeting your heating demands anymore, it’s a clear sign that there’s an issue. It could be something as simple as scaling that’s preventing adequate fuel energy transfer, or it could be something more serious. One of our HVAC technicians will be able to further assess the inefficient heating problem and repair it swiftly.
Foul Odors
One particularly alarming sign that something could be wrong with your boiler is that it’s producing foul odors. The particular odor that your system is emitting can give you some insight into where the underlying problem may lie. For example, a rotten eggs smell means that you have a natural gas leak. Be sure to shut your system off right away and air out the boiler room to disperse any excess gas that’s built up.
Tripping Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Another reason to call in one of our HVAC technicians for assistance is that your commercial boiler seems to be tripping your carbon monoxide detectors. This toxic fume can seep out of loose joints in your boiler piping and construction. If levels get too high, they can be highly dangerous to anyone in the boiler room. It’s best to shut down your boiler and let our technician repair the problem before continuing to run it.
Overly High Utility Costs
One really irritating indicator you may experience is overly high utility bills. It’s pretty easy to get a decent idea of what your commercial boiler costs to run throughout the different months of the year. If your bill for the last month has starkly increased, it could be due to a problem with your boiler. Some likely culprits include incorrect settings, lack of insulation, and inefficient system operation.
Not Starting Up
One particularly alarming indicator that your boiler needs professional service is that it won’t start up. This could be the result of numerous issues. Some of the most common are low water pressure, a faulty thermostat, and inadequate power supply. It’s important to call right away if you experience this issue so that we can repair it quickly to get your system back up and running.
Irregular Heating Patterns
A great commercial boiler system will be able to evenly heat all areas of your facility as necessary. If you start to notice that your heating system isn’t heating certain areas up to your desired temperature, it’s a sign of a problem. This uneven heating could be caused by many different things that ultimately affect the heating capacity of your boiler. Some of the most common include sensor issues, a faulty circulator pump, and even excessive limescale buildup.
Longer-Than-Normal Warming Times
It isn’t uncommon to lower the temperature setting during your building’s off hours to save money on your energy bills. However, if you’ve started to notice that your system is taking much longer to get back up to temperature in the morning than it once did, it’s an indication of an underlying system problem. This could be due to an aging system or inefficient internal components.
Fluctuating Pressure Readings
All boilers have pressure meters that showcase what their internal pressure is. This way, you can easily check to ensure that your system’s pressure is within the desired limits. If the pressure reading goes above or below the suggested gauge markings, it’s an indication of a serious issue. Some common problems include malfunctioning pressure relief valves, water leaks, unwanted air entering your boiler system, and even excess sediment buildup.
The Importance of Regular Servicing
Most commercial boilers have an estimated life span of between 10 and 15 years. Over this time, it’s necessary to get your boiler professionally serviced to extend its overall longevity and reduce your risk of experiencing a major system breakdown. Ideally, you should aim for servicing at least once a year. However, more complex boiler setups may need to be serviced more often. It’s best to go with the servicing schedule recommendation provided to you by our HVAC technicians.
Professional Commercial Boiler Service
Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. offers commercial boiler service to the Nashville, TN community. We can also assist with all your heating, cooling, planned service program, new construction, high velocity HVAC, Wi-Fi thermostat, indoor air quality, oil-to-gas conversion, water heater, and tankless water heater needs. Call us today to book a heating appointment with one of our helpful HVAC technicians.
