
- Close oil shutoff valve between fuel tank and filter.
- Unscrew bottom or cup of filter housing, and remove filter.
- If filter is disposable, insert new one of same size and type. ...
- Replace old filter gaskets with new ones.
- Screw in bottom of housing, and open oil shutoff valve.
Full Answer
How much does it cost to replace a boiler furnace?
Cost to replace a boiler with a furnace Replacing a boiler with a furnace costs $10,000 to $30,000 on average. Replacement includes removing the old boiler, radiators, and piping, installing a new furnace and ducts, and refinishing the walls and floors.
Does my furnace need repair?
The best way to take care of your furnace is to have a furnace repair company perform seasonal maintenance twice a year. The tough part about having your furnace maintained is that you need it to be working during the winter. This is why experts recommend having your furnace serviced during the offseason, specifically spring and fall.
Is a boiler better than a furnace?
Natural gas furnaces also run the risk of valve leaks, which can cause serious health issues. In contrast, the radiant heat from a boiler system is much more comfortable than forced air from a furnace. These units are also less noisy, more energy efficient, and create better air quality inside your home. No ductwork is required.
Why is my furnace not heating?
Why is My Furnace Running But Not Heating?
- Thermostat Issues. As we saw earlier, heating officially commences when the thermostat calls for heat. ...
- Ignitor/Pilot Light Issues. Next, check the ignitor and pilot light. ...
- Issues with the Gas Valve. ...
- The burner is Clogged. ...
- A bad Flame Sensor. ...
- A bad Blower Fan. ...
- Blocked or Missing Filter. ...
- Condensate Line/Pan Issues. ...
- Leaky/Blocked Ducts. ...
- Limit Switch and Lockout. ...

How do I fix my boiler?
1:245:19HOW TO REPAIR YOUR BOILER - Tips & Tricks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you need to check that your controls are calling for heat. So try and find your timer. There'sMoreThen you need to check that your controls are calling for heat. So try and find your timer. There's all different types of timers.
Is it worth repairing a boiler?
In Summary. In many cases, simply repairing your boiler is the most cost effective and efficient way of getting your heating back up and running. If you have a newer boiler that's usually reliable then it's unlikely that your boiler will need replacing.
What is the life expectancy of a boiler furnace?
15 to 20 yearsThe average furnace life expectancy is 15 to 20 years. Boilers can last up to 30 years, letting a whole generation grow up in a house with the same heating system. But it isn't enough to simply know a boiler lasts longer.
How do I fix my boiler not working?
Solution: Sometimes a simple reset is all that's needed - the boiler reset button should be somewhere on the front control panel. If you can't find it, check your boiler manual and follow the instructions on how to reset the system. If this doesn't work you could try switching the boiler off and then on again.
Is it worth repairing a 20 year old boiler?
In general, standard boilers last between 10 and 15 years in a usable state with minimum maintenance, although sometimes they might last 20 years. Beyond that, though, it's certainly worth upgrading.
At what age should a boiler be replaced?
10 to 15 yearsAlthough your boiler might be functioning as usual, after 10 to 15 years of use, it's time you consider a replacement. The reason for this is that older appliances are usually less efficient than newer, more eco-friendly options.
Should I replace my 30 year old boiler?
The industry standard advice is to replace your boiler every 10 years, however some people still have boilers working that are over 30 years old.
Should I replace a 50 year old boiler?
Cast iron boilers, on the other hand, should be considered for replacement if they have been operating for more than 20 or 30 years. Some of these boilers can last even up to 50 years or longer, but even with decent annual maintenance, their efficiencies are much lower than today's cast iron boilers.
What's the difference between a furnace and a boiler?
A furnace heats air that is distributed throughout the house via a blower motor and the home's duct system. The boiler uses hot water to heat your home. Hot water boilers distribute heat through small hot water pipes using a pump to heat baseboard, cast iron radiators, or radiant flooring systems.
Why is boiler not firing up?
A boiler might not ignite due to various possible reasons – insufficient pressure, blockage in the burner, faulty valves, frozen pipes etc. Sometimes, you can fix the problem on your own. In other cases, you don't have any choice but to call an engineer.
Why is my boiler not kicking on?
Boiler won't turn on (no power) If your boiler is turning on but keeps going off, the pressure could be low or there could be a blockage that is inhibiting the system. Check your system's pressure gauge and repressurise the boiler if it is set below 1. Alternatively, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Why has my boiler suddenly stopped working?
There are a variety of reasons why your boiler may not be working; common examples include the boiler pressure being too low or too high, a power cut, gas supply issues, a faulty pilot light, a frozen condensate pipe, faulty internal components or a more complex issue.
Is it better to repair or replace a boiler?
If you have a newer boiler that has previously been reliable, a simple repair is the most cost-effective and efficient way of getting your heating back up and running. However, if your boiler is old, out of warranty, or there's even the possibility of it being dangerous, you should consider replacing it pronto.
Can a boiler be fixed?
It's not always necessary to call out an engineer to fix your boiler problems. Sometimes a boiler scare can be solved with a quick DIY fix.
Can a crack in boiler be fixed?
Depending on the source of a boiler crack, replacing specific components may be a possible solution. Faulty valves and cracked tubes are relatively simple to replace. Cracks in a boiler's tank are more complicated, however. They require welding so that the tank can withstand the pressure of normal operation.
How efficient is a 35 year old boiler?
Modern condensing boilers are labelled between 92-94% efficient ErP, aka A-rated. Boilers over 25 years old can be as little as 60% efficient, or G-rated. But it is not as simple as swapping out an old boiler for a new boiler to reduce your fuel bills by 30%. Condensing boilers are not A-rated out of the box.
Why isn't my boiler producing heat?
If your boiler isn't producing any heat at all, check for these common causes: The boiler doesn't have power: The circuit breaker or fuse controlling the furnace may have tripped or blown. Reset the tripped circuit breaker or replace a blown fuse.
What causes water to leak in boiler?
Water Leaks Around the Boiler. If you find a leak around your boiler, then you may have one of the following: Faulty circulator (pump): Most repairs to the circulator require a service technician. Leaking circulator: It may be possible to replace the pump seal.
What is a hydronic boiler?
Back to Top. Modern boiler systems for home heating are hydronic systems, meaning the boiler heats water to circulate through the house. Although they are closely related to older steam boiler systems, hydronic systems are made of pipes that carry hot water that radiates heat through either steel radiators or baseboard connectors, ...
How to fix a thermostat that is not working?
The thermostat is malfunctioning : Check that thermostat is in heat mode and is set to the appropriate temperature. Try moving the thermostat setting for the temperature up or down a few degrees. If this does not work, troubleshoot the thermostat.
How much pressure should a boiler water level be?
The boiler's automatic filling system, controlled by the pressure-reducing valve, should maintain the proper water level at 12 to 15 psi of pressure.
Why is my radiator not heating?
Some Radiators Don't Heat. Common reasons for your radiator not heating include: Air is trapped in lines or in the radiator: Bleed air from a cool radiator by opening the radiator bleed valve at top of the radiator. When water squirts from the radiator, close the valve.
How to fix water trapped in return lines?
Water is trapped in return lines: Check to make sure the pitch of the return lines slopes back toward the boiler. Adjust pitch with new pipe hangers, if necessary. You may also need to adjust the pitch of the radiator with a shim so that it slopes back toward the return pipe.
What to do if your furnace is clogging up?
If you have a furnace that vents out the side of the house, make sure nothing is blocking the intake or exhaust. If either of the pipes is covered with screen mesh (like window screen), replace it with 1/2-in.-mesh hardware cloth. If ice is clogging one of the pipes, you have a bigger problem somewhere in the system. Clear it off and call a technician to find out why it's happening.
Why is my gas furnace not blowing hot air?
Gas furnace not blowing hot air? Just as with switches, someone may have turned off a gas valve and then forgotten to turn it back on. Trace the gas line back from the furnace to the meter, and if you see a handle that's perpendicular to the gas pipe, turn it so it's parallel. Gas furnace repair is depends on how old your furnace is. If you have an old furnace or boiler, you may have a pilot light. Remove the front panel and the burner cover and check to make sure it's lit.
Why does my furnace shut off?
Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up.
How much water does a furnace drain?
High-efficiency furnaces can drain off several gallons of water a day in heating season. If the drain lines become restricted by sediment or mold growth, the furnace will shut down. If the drain hose looks dirty, remove the hose, fill it with a mixture of bleach and water (25 percent bleach), then flush it after several minutes.
How to clean a thermostat that is not loose?
Open the thermostat and gently blow out any dust or debris. Make sure it's level and firmly attached on the wall, and that none of the wires coming into it are loose.
How to check for a break in thermostat wire?
If you find a break in one of the thin wires, splice the line back together and wrap it with electrical tape. Replace the battery.
How to check if a furnace kicks on?
Compare the temperature setting to the room temperature. Set the temperature five degrees higher than the room temperature and see if the furnace kicks on.
How to access pilot burner on a furnace?
To gain access to the pilot burner, pull the door out of the furnace housing. On other units, remove the panel that covers the pilot and gas burners. The pilot light controls, reset buttons, gas valves, and thermocouple are usually contained in an assembly at the front of the furnace.
What are the problems with natural gas furnaces?
Most natural gas furnaces have few operational difficulties. Problems typically. involve the pilot light, the thermocouple, or some part of the electrical system. On some gas furnaces and heaters, a plug-type door covers the pilot light assembly. To gain access to the pilot burner, pull the door out of the furnace housing.
How high should the pilot flame be on a gas stove?
To adjust the height of the pilot flame, turn the flame adjustment screw until the flame is from 11/2 to 2 inches high.
How far apart should you set the pointer for gas leaks?
The pointers should be set about 25 degrees apart. Set the upper pointer at about 115 degrees Fahrenheit and the lower one at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you smell gas while performing these repairs, you'll want to get that leak taken care of right away. Learn how to find gas leaks on the next page.
How to replace a thermocouple?
Step 1: Unscrew copper lead and connection nut inside threaded connection to gas line. Under mounting bracket at thermocouple tube, unscrew bracket nut that holds tube in place. Step 2: Insert new thermocouple into hole in bracket.
Why won't my furnace stay lit?
If it won't stay lit after several attempts, you may have faulty thermocouple. If pilot flame still won't stay lit, call professional service person. Some furnaces have an electrical system to ignite the gas; in these systems there is no pilot light. Instead, an electric element heats up and ignites the burners.
Why does my pilot light go out on my furnace?
The pilot light on a gas furnace can go out because of drafts. To relight the pilot, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly; they are usually fastened to the furnace. If instructions for relighting the pilot are not provided, follow this general procedure: Step 1: Find pilot light assembly.
What is the difference between a furnace and a boiler?
In general, a "heating boiler" heats the building using hot water. A "furnace" heats a building using hot air or "warm air". Don't confuse the two since their means of making and distributing heat, their controls, and their equipment are mostly different.
How does a steam boiler work?
A "steam boiler" delivers heat to the occupied space in the form of steam: the boiler literally "boils" water and sends steam rising up through steam riser pipes and through steam radiators in the occupied space.
What is a Hydronic or "hot water" Heating System?
An oil-fired forced hot water or "hydronic" heating system is a collection of components which heats a building by heating and then circulating hot water through heat-radiating devices located in the occupied space.
How to add antifreeze to boiler water?
The basic procedure is to use a pony pump to add antifreeze (buy at your local heating supplier) to the water mix in the boiler until our test gauge shows that we've got enough antifreeze in the system to protect down to at least a bit below the lowest expected temperature.
How to inspect heating system?
How to Inspect a Heating System using Physical Location of Components 1 Heating components: Identify the heating system components in each building area. 2 Heating fuel & fuel delivery: At the heating boiler or furnace, identify the fuel source and follow fuel supply piping to its source (an oil tank, LP gas tank, or gas meter, for example). 3 Heat distribution: At the boiler or furnace, identify the heat distribution method and follow the delivery of heat (warm air or hot water) leaving the furnace or boiler, and returning to it. Failure to consider this whole path logically risks failing to notice potential problems such as return air taken at a furnace itself or the absence of adequate return air. 4 Heating controls: At the boiler or furnace identify each of the controls and safety devices and observe their condition. Those devices that are intended for normal operation by the home owner are usually also operated and tested by the inspector. Other devices such as temperature/pressure relief valves are not normally operated but are visually inspected for evidence of a problem.
What does AFUE mean in boilers?
Each model of heating boiler is assigned an AFUE number. AFUE is an abbreviation for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. In short, the AFUE tells you, for each dollar you spend on energy for heating by gas, oil, or another fuel, just how much of your dollar shows up inside the occupied space of your building as heat.
What is hot water heating?
Hot Water or Steam Heating Systems - Boilers: If the heat in your building is provided by warm or hot metal radiators, heating baseboards containing finned copper tubing, or wall convectors that look like a radiator but contain finned copper tubing, or if heat is provided by flexible rubber, plastic, or metal tubing run in building floors or ceilings, then the warm or hot water circulating in those devices is probably being delivered by piping circulating water heated by a heating boiler, or possibly by a steam boiler or a heat pump or geothermal system.
What to do if a furnace circuit is blown?
If the circuit has blown or tripped, reset the circuit breaker by flipping it all the way off and then on again. Or replace the fuse. If the circuit blows again, there is probably a short in the electrical system providing power to the furnace. For this, you may need to call an electrical contractor.
How to reset an electronic furnace?
On an electronic-ignition furnace, turn down the thermostat or turn the power switch off and then on again to reset the ignition control module. Listen for the sound of the spark or watch for the hot surface ignitor to glow (see your owner’s manual).
Why does my furnace blower run continuously?
Two things can cause a blower to run continuously: the room thermostat or the limit switch located on the furnace just below the plenum (the box that distributes heated air to all the ducts). The limit switch shuts off the furnace if the air in the plenum gets too hot.
Why does my heat pump turn off and on?
When an electric-resistance furnace or heat pump turns off and on too frequently, the problem may be that the unit is overheating because of a clogged filter or a blower that is malfunctioning. First try cleaning or replacing the filter.
How to check if furnace fan is on?
Check the thermostat to see if the Fan switch has been turned on. If it has, turn it to Off or to Auto. If it is set to Off or Auto, the furnace’s limit switch must be adjusted.
How to adjust heat anticipator?
Just set it one calibration mark closer to the “longer” setting if the furnace goes off and on too frequently or one mark away if the furnace allows room temperature to rise too high or drop too low before going on or off. It may take several hours for the thermostat to stabilize at this setting, so wait a while and then adjust it again if necessary.
Why is my furnace blower not moving air?
If your furnace’s motor runs but the blower doesn’t move air, the belt that connects the two probably has broken. Replacing it is an easy fix.
