Why Is My Boiler Giving Me Hot Water But No Heating?

Do you have access to hot water but no heating on your property? Your electric water boiler appears to be in working order, but you can't figure out why no heat is transferring to the radiators? You've checked everything, but you can't figure out what's wrong?

Don't worry, this is a common issue many property owners face, and with some troubleshooting, you can pinpoint the exact reason your system isn't generating heat and solve the problem - this article is your step-by-step guide on how to do it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting Your Boiler

Step 1: Check The Boiler's Control Panel

The first order of business is checking the system's control panel and ensuring all the central heating settings are set correctly. This being the source of the problem might seem unlikely at first glance, but whether it is due to a malfunction or someone accidentally touching the control panel, quite often, many of a heating system's problems can be traced back to incorrect settings.

So, before any more laborious and intensive troubleshooting, check the control panels and make sure the heating settings, the temperature ranges, and the instructions are all correct.

Step 2: Check the Timer and the Thermostats

After checking the boiler settings, it is time to check the thermostats and the timers. The thermostats are responsible for measuring temperatures in each room and then transferring that information to the central heating system, so it knows whether a certain room requires heating or not.

If the thermostat is malfunctioning or erroneously set up, it might give the system the wrong input, which would explain the lack of heating. This is a particularly common issue if the lack of heating is localised to a certain room or quarter.

If this is the issue, either replacing or fixing the room thermostats should get the radiators back online. Sadly, fixing thermostats isn't exactly an easy DIY task and requires specialised knowledge. The silver lining, this might be an excellent time to invest in a smart thermostat, which makes adjusting and controlling room temperatures an incredibly simple task!

Step 3: Check the Boiler Pressure

The heating system needs a certain level of water pressure throughout the system to be able to properly circulate hot water to every subsystem. This is commonly referred to as the "boiler pressure." Low boiler pressure results in a lack of or uneven heating, and if not addressed, can even prevent access to hot water. If the boiler pressure is too high, it is likely because parts of the pipe network hs been clogged up!

If the thermostats are okay, checking the pressure gauge should be the next order of business. Are they in a normal range or not? If the pressure gauge is showing low pressure, you need to adjust the gauge and increase the water pressure in the system.

Sadly adjusting the pressure of the heating system is very different depending on the type of boiler(s) installed. This is why we can't provide further details, but by checking the boiler's manual, you should be able to find detailed instructions on how to adjust the system's pressure.

Step 4: Ensure the Radiators Are Working Properly

Another common cause of the lack of or inefficient heating is radiator issues. This could be for many reasons, including a faulty component, pockets of air being trapped in the radiator, or clogged pipes due to sludge or other impurities.

Here are some common signs that point to the radiator(s) being the core cause of heating issues on your property:

Is the problem localised to one or several rooms?
Does the radiator feel cold on the bottom and the sides but hot on top?
Do you hear noises from the radiator when you turn on heating?

If these signs are consistent with the heating problems you are experiencing on your property, the radiators are likely the cause of the issue. Thankfully, bleeding the radiators often fixes the problem

With time, pockets of air and grime will accumulate in radiators, which hampers the flow of hot water, creating cold spots and reducing the overall efficiency of your heating system. This often results in cold radiators that operate well below desired temperatures. Most modern radiators, however, are thankfully equipped with a bleeding valve that you can adjust to bleed the radiator and eliminate any pockets of air that might be trapped inside. Just make sure the heating system is turned off before you begin the process.

Step 5: Checking for Miscellaneous Boiler Issues

The thermostats, radiators, and pressure gauges are the primary causes of hot water but no central heating on the property. They aren't the only causes, however, and there are several miscellaneous parts and equipment that might be the source of the problem, and it is worth checking them out.

Broken diverter valve: The diverter valve is responsible for diverting hot water between central heating and primary faucets in a combi boiler system. If it is broken or otherwise in operational, it might lead to a lack of access to heating or hot water.
Faulty pumps: Faulty pumps not only contribute to low and high pressure in the system, but they can cause a myriad of other issues. Checking if the pumps throughout your system are working properly and the flow of water is unimpeded is important.

Step 6: What If the Problem Still Persists?

If after thoroughly inspecting every part of the heating system, the problem persists, it likely means that the issue is due to a faulty component or circuitry, which can't be fixed DIY. This is why we recommend contacting a professional heating engineer to visit the premises in person and inspect your property's heating system.

Local heating engineers are both readily available and affordable, so don't be afraid to contact a boiler service if you can't solve the issue yourself. If there is a problem with the boiler components, the sooner it is addressed and fixed, the easier and cheaper it will be as the problem won't have time to spread and cause damage to the boiler.

Tips to Maintain Your Central Heating System

When property owners suffer issues with their heating system (like lack of access to heating), the realisation of just how utterly indispensable and valuable the heating system is to a property sets in.

Thankfully, maintaining a central heating system is not difficult, and by following these tips, you can ensure no issues arise:

Perform Regular Inspections

One of the best ways to maintain your heating system is through regular, and preferably scheduled, inspections. Does the room thermostat function properly? Do I hear any noises from the radiators? Have the energy consumption from the boilers remained consistent in the past 6 months? Is the water supply to the heating system reliable and clean?

By asking these questions, you'll be able to check the health of your heating system and identify problems quickly. This allows you to fix the problems before issues with your property's hot water or heating arise.

Install Filters

A build up of sludge and impurities can damage your radiators, clog up your heat exchanger, or impede the flow of water circulating through your heating system's pipe network. In other word, it is one of the primary factors affecting the durability and longevity of your boiler! By installing reliable and high-quality filters, you can prevent the build up of sludge, dust, and minerals in the boiler system. Here at Culm Store, you can find a range of quality, easy-to-install filters for your boiler!