Boiler Keeps Turning Off? Troubleshooting Intermittent Shutdowns

Tips from Fredericks Fuel

The boiler that you have here in your Northern New Jersey home should be serviced by a professional on an annual basis. This will help ensure that it is working efficiently and is safe to keep using. These maintenance visits also help reduce wear and tear on your heating equipment, and they are the best way to catch small issues before they turn into large and expensive problems.

In between servicing appointments for your boiler, you may find yourself running into some challenges, although we certainly hope they are few and far between.

Some of these issues should be left alone until a professional can come see what’s going on. However, there are other challenges that a homeowner can try troubleshooting, one of which is if your boiler keeps turning off.

What Causes a Boiler to Shut Off?

A boiler that keeps shutting off unexpectedly or cycling on and off too frequently can lead to inefficiency, higher energy costs, and possibly even system damage. Therefore, it is important to address these intermittent shutdowns.

There are some common contributors to a boiler shutting off, including:

• A malfunctioning thermostat or control board: If something is off with either your thermostat or control board, this could cause your boiler to shut off.
• Fuel or fuel delivery issues: Trapped air in the fuel line of an oil-fired boiler can make a boiler turn off. Faulty gas valves, irregular gas supply pressure, and shut-off valves being partially closed in gas boilers can also cause shutdowns. Additionally, if you are low on fuel, your boiler is not going to be able to work effectively.
• Low water pressure: A boiler will turn off if its water pressure is too low. In fact, safety systems will automatically turn a boiler’s power off so that the heat exchanger and pump don’t get damaged.
• Faulty ignition components: If your heating system’s pilot light, spark igniter, or flame sensor is dirty, misaligned, or failing, your boiler might initiate ignition, then turn off if it senses that there is no flame.
• Venting issues: Your boiler’s exhaust needs to be able to vent properly through a flue, vent pipes, or a chimney. If air is restricted and something is preventing proper ventilation, sensors will detect unsafe combustion and turn the boiler off.

Contact a professional service provider such as Fredericks Fuel if the tips below don’t work, you smell gas, you suspect a fuel leak, or you can’t locate the source of the issue.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here is what you can do to try to fix a boiler that keeps shutting off:

• Before doing anything, shut off the power and fuel supply to your boiler.
• If you have an oil-fired system, check your fuel levels and the filters to see if they’re clean.
• If you can safely access them, inspect the flame sensor, pilot, or ignition components. If any of these parts appear damaged or worn, contact a professional for service.
• Make sure your vents, flues, and chimneys aren’t clogged.
• Double-check that your boiler’s pressure is in the correct range.
• If your boiler has diagnostic LEDs or a digital readout, check for any error codes.
• Check your thermostat to make sure its settings look right.

Fredericks Fuel Can Help with Your Home’s Boiler

Fredericks Fuel is here to help homeowners in the Northern New Jersey area with their boiler needs. We can help you upgrade to a new model or come service your current equipment.

Contact Fredericks Fuel today to hear more about the boiler services we provide throughout the area.