Do boilers struggle in cold weather?
It seems reasonable to expect boilers to function normally in cold weather, after all, the system is designed to provide heat. However, it comes to pass that many people report central heating and hot water issues when the weather starts to get colder. In the worst case scenario, the boiler stops working all together and your home is without heat. Even seemingly minor issues can end up being extremely costly.
Below you’ll find explanations for the difficulties many boilers encounter during periods of cold weather, along with advice on how you can resolve them.
What counts as cold weather for boilers?
When it comes to boiler maintenance, it always pays to be prepared. This means first being aware of the temperature where problems may start to develop within your boiler. Usually, temperatures around freezing (0°C) will affect the minimum temperature needed for the heating system to run properly. A modern combi boiler can have its flow temperature set at 50-55°C during warm periods, compared to its recommended temperature of 60-70°C. Of course, these are rough guidelines and certain brands and models may have different ideal temperature ranges.
Most homes’ heating bills will go up during periods of cold weather as heat supply systems are relied on more heavily. However, boiler system problems can cause costs to rise due to inefficient heating. It’s therefore important for homeowners to fix any boiler faults so they aren’t paying heating bills for systems that aren’t performing their intended function.
Boiler problems that can be caused by cold weather
Extreme cold weather has the potential to cause a range of boiler problems, most of which are unique to the winter months. As such, if your boiler is no longer heating your home effectively, you should start by investigating the problems below.
Frozen boiler pipes
The pipes that supply the boiler with water can freeze due to cold weather. This prevents the water from reaching the system altogether, resulting in a total loss of heating. While frozen pipes cause an issue in themselves, they can also cause the water within the pipes to expand and create gaps for leaks. As a result, repairs will have to be made even after the frozen pipes have been thawed.
Frozen condensate pipe
Condensing boilers get their name in part from the condensate pipe that allows water vapour to leave the system. This pipe can be more prone to freezing than other boiler pipes as part of it usually leads outside. When it’s blocked, the condensing pipe boiler will display an error message that prevents it from being turned on. A frozen condensate pipe can typically be identified audibly by a gurgling sound.
Pilot light goes out
A boiler pilot light is an essential part of the system which more likely to go out in winter due to prolonged use. This could in turn be evidence of a more deep-seated problem, such as an ignition system failure or a build up of gas due to a blockage.
Loss of radiator heat
Colder weather can impact how effective central heating measures are when they are fixed to external walls. This may not necessarily be a boiler problem, although it is worth checking by adjusting the radiator temperature or, if you have a combi boiler, the flow temperature.
Wear and tear
As mentioned, cold weather places greater stress on boilers and boiler parts. The result is that vital components are more likely to develop faults and in turn cause problems. These issues can be more significant depending on the part in question. For instance, a defective boiler heat exchanger will cause the property to lose central heating and hot water completely. Heat exchangers are just one of the boiler parts that we supply, each available for use in a variety of brands.
How to keep your boiler working in winter
Oftentimes, the above problems arise when people leave their boilers largely inactive during the summer only to then discover they don’t work. We recommend using your heating for short periods of time before the weather gets cold enough to cause freezing. This will check for any maintenance needs ahead of time, whilst also instilling some residual heat to the pipes. When pipes do need to be thawed, do not use boiling water. Instead, warm water will solve the problem without the risk of cracking.
However, the best course of action you can take is to find a reliable source for quality new and refurbished boiler spares. Leaving your boiler idle during a cold period is sometimes unavoidable due to holidays or other personal reasons. A responsive and professional boiler repair service provider will see to it that your home has heat during periods of cold weather.
Boiler spare parts for winter repairs
So yes, low temperatures put additional stress on home boiler systems which can lead to heating difficulties or complete heat loss. At National Boiler Spares, it’s our goal to support homeowners all year round with dynamic heating solutions. To this end, you’ll benefit from a team of experienced engineers, technical heat experts, and friendly customer service representatives all committed to meeting your needs. Contact us today and we’ll be happy to provide specific advice on the components to improve boiler efficiency in your property. We can then have them delivered and installed the very next day.