Boiler Services in Westfield, MA

What is a Boiler?

Most people immediately think of furnaces when opting to heat their homes. However, boilers provide a highly effective heat option, have a long life, can reach high heating efficiencies, and some types require little or no pumping energy. Boilers are an important part of a central heating system. They’re a continuous closed loop of pipes carrying heated water (or steam) throughout your home. As the water runs through the pipes, running through radiators, the hot water cools on its path as it gives off its heat, heating your rooms, then returns back to the boiler to be reheated again. The boiler keeps firing, to continuously reheat the returned cool water, and then sends it on its way again throughout your home.

How Does a Boiler Work?

The boiler is controlled/turned on with an electric switch, which when turned on, opens a valve where the gas enters a combustion chamber. There is a continuous stream of natural gas via a pipe attached to the home’s gas main, usually from the street, that feeds a fire inside this chamber. Its electric ignition system is what lights these small jets of gas. The gas jets fire onto a heat exchanger connected to the water pipe carrying the cold water. The heat exchanger takes the gas-generated heat and heats the water, typically to around 140ºF (60ºC). The now-hot water is pushed throughout the home. An electric pump inside or very near the boiler keeps the water flowing through the loop of pipes and radiators.

Boilers are crucial for maintaining warmth and hot water in your home, so when something goes wrong, it’s important to catch it early. Here are some warning signs that indicate you might need boiler repairs:

• No Heat or Hot Water: If your boiler isn’t providing heat or hot water, it's a clear sign of trouble. Common causes include thermostat issues, a broken pump, or an issue with the gas supply.
• Strange Noises: Unusual sounds like banging, gurgling, or whistling could indicate trapped air, a buildup of limescale, or a failing component inside the boiler.
• Low Pressure: If your boiler’s pressure gauge is below 1 bar, this usually means there’s a leak somewhere in the system or a problem with the pressure valve.
• Pilot Light Goes Out: If the pilot light keeps going out, it may be due to a faulty thermocouple, a blocked flue, or a gas supply issue.
• Water Leaks: Any sign of water pooling around your boiler or pipes could indicate a leak, which could be caused by a damaged valve, seal, or pipework.

Regular servicing can also help prevent some of these issues from occurring in the first place.