Fixing a Commercial Boiler That’s Not Heating

masthead-logo-icon
Fixing a Commercial Boiler That's Not Heating

Is your commercial/industrial boiler not heating properly? Whether the boiler is not heating at all, or its hot water is not reaching your desired temperature, it can be a substantial headache. The lack of heat can impede productivity, make living spaces inhabitable, and result in unnecessarily high energy and water costs.

Boiler Thermostat Controller & Power

Your boilers’ thermostat/controller regulates the temperature of your boiler. Ensure it is set high enough, has power, and is not malfunctioning. It needs to be in the heat setting as well. Is there an issue with the connection between it and your boiler?

In addition to this, check your boiler’s power source. Check all the electrical connections and fuses if they do not turn on properly. If it still does not power on, make sure its control panel is operating correctly as well.

Waterside Boiler Heating Issues

Checking for Boiler Leaks: Pressure Valve (look for gas bubbles) Find Cracks/Abrasions Inspect for Faulty Pump
  • Leak- Leaking is a common issue for commercial boilers. To check for this issue, inspect the pressure release valve. A leak can stem from boiler cracks, corrosive pitting, or other damage to the surface materials. Additionally, pump or valve issues can cause leaks. Leaks would let out some of the heat, and hot water, causing your boiler to not heat at the same temperature it had before the issue.
  • Scaling- Scale accumulates over time due to hard water containing calcium carbonate. This water forms a ring that gets thicker. It can reduce water flow by tightening the area the water can flow through in the pipes. One of the biggest issues with scale in a boiler is how it impedes heat transfer. On heat exchangers it insulates the heat, making it so you must use more energy to transfer the same amount of heat over.

The common waterside problems that occur in a commercial boiler can be prevented by regular chemical water treatment. Scale and corrosion inhibitors, pH balancers, and anti-foaming agents are all important chemicals to utilize on a regular basis. Additionally, boilers should be set up with the right automated controllers, headwater meters, coupon racks, probes, chemical pumps, bleed valves, and other situational equipment. To get a free quality check and inquire about boiler water treatment services, reach out to Chardon Labs at (380) 224-7395 or leave us a message and we’ll get back to you the same business day.

Fireside Boiler Heating Issues

Low Boiler Pressure
Steam leaking
Malfunctioning Feed Pump
Malfunctioning Steam Traps
  • Low Pressure- A lack of pressure makes it so heat can transfer adequately across the distance of your system. Steam leaking is a common cause of this. Some other causes are feed pumps and steam traps not operating properly.
  • Ignition- If the pilot flame is not powerful enough or is not starting and supply fuse/ignition spark issues that could cause a problem with the first step of the boiler heating process. Also, burners should be cleaned periodically to remove soot.

Commercial Boiler Sizing & Heat Load

The size of your facility and heating processing tasks will determine your heat load. For large medium-sized facilities, high-pressure boilers are usually more effective, and low-pressure boilers are more efficient in small facilities. For industrial applications, the calculations and formulas can become complicated, and it is recommended to get qualified HVAC personnel to work on the design. Oversized boilers result in decreased boiler efficiency and thermal fatigue. Undersized causes heating demands not to be met for comfortable living area temperatures and industrial process heating needs. When sizing a boiler, it is important to consider operation hours, fuel input, redundancy, pressure, and load (average, minimum, and maximum).

Waterside Boiler Maintenance

Commercial Boiler
Treatment Services
(380) 224-7395
sales@chardonlabs.com

Chardon Labs offers chemical water treatment maintenance for the waterside of your commercial boilers. With over 60 years of successfully diagnosing, treating, testing, and maintaining systems, we have seen it all. Increase your boilers’ heat transfer efficiency and prevent costly issues. Schedule a completely free commercial boiler survey today with a quick contact form or by calling (380) 224-7395. We currently service Delaware, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

Avatar photo

Matt Welsh

Matt Welsh is the Vice President and Water Consultant at Chardon Labs. He helps consult a wide range of customers utilizing various methods of water treatment, from chemical to chemical-free approaches, large and small applications, and across a wide range of geographical influences. With 20 years of water treatment experience, including a wide range of troubleshooting and service in potable water and non-potable HVAC and industrial applications, he is an expert in water treatment chemistry for cooling towers, boilers, and closed-loop systems.

Previous ArticleControlling Aluminum Part Corrosion in Cooling Towers