The central heating pump is essential to your Big Bear Heating system. While the pump works independently from the boiler, it can be a hassle to the entire system if it develops a fault. In this article, we will teach you how to repair the central heating pump, but before we get to that, we will answer some helpful questions.
What is the Central Heating Pump to an HVAC System in Big Bear, CA
The central heating pump is the part of the HVAC system that pumps hot water throughout the system. Through the pump, you get hot water in your taps, shower, and other places around the home. The pump is also in charge of sending hot water to the radiators that heat the rooms. With the essential role the pump plays in the HVAC system, it is clear that any problem with it will affect the entire system.
The central heating pump is located on the outside of the boiler, and it mostly works without interfering with other parts of the system. However, it is still a part of the system and must be treated. Therefore, whenever the central heating pump breaks down, it is better to repair the pump immediately or replace it entirely. That way, you can avoid a costlier repair or unnecessary expenses with a faulty central heating pump.
How Can You Tell if Your Big Bear Heating Pump is Broken?
The central heating pump is part of your HVAC system, so when this part is broken, you can know by paying attention to your HVAC system. To check the status of your central heating pump, you can follow the steps below to check how well the pump is working.
Locate The Pump
The location of the pump in your HVAC system depends on the type of boiler you have. For a regular boiler, the central heating pump is located next to the boiler. Combi boilers do not have an external boiler. Instead, there is an integrated pump that circulates water through the radiators. A pump is usually cylindrical.
Look at The Outer Part of it For Any Sign of Damage
Once you find the pump, check thoroughly for any sign of damage. You can touch the pump lightly to check if it vibrates. Central heating pumps usually vibrate gently when working. If your pump is not vibrating or not warm to the touch, it has a problem. Knowing this, you can move on to the next step.
Turn Off The Power Supply If Your Pump is Not Working,
Now that you know that your pump is not working, you should turn off the power supply. This will allow you to look over the pump and see if the problem can be easily solved.
Open The Pump If You Have The Right Tools and Knowledge
Now that you have the power off, you can open the pump and see if the problem is something you can fix. You don’t need many tools to do this. A screwdriver should work fine. You can also get a cloth to touch it if the pump is still warm.
Remove The Silver Plate
There is a silver plate with a slot in the center of the pump. Use the screwdriver to loosen this plate and remove it. You should be careful while doing this as the water from the pump may be hot. If the pump was working before you turned off the power supply, you should notice a hiss as the air escapes and some water drips when you remove the silver plate.
Check The Pump Shaft
Behind the silver plate that you have just removed is the pump shaft. Turn the small slot within it with the screwdriver and see if it opens. If it does, you are a step closer to knowing the problem and finding a solution to it. If the pump shaft does not open, there is a problem with it, and you should replace it.
You can fix some minor problems by yourself if you are adept at mechanics, but if not, you should consult a technician on the right course of action.
What Are the Common Central Heating Pump Problems in Big Bear?
If you are not an HVAC professional, you may not know what is wrong with your pump. You may not even know the problem with the pump if you are not familiar with HVAC systems. To help you overcome this challenge, we have curated some of the most common central heating pump problems and how to fix them.
Water Not Pumping
One of the most common ways to know when your central heating pump has developed a problem is if the water stops pumping through the system. You can go outside to where the pump is and see if it is working. If the pump is vibrating, but water is not pumping, there is a problem with either the shaft or the propeller.
The problem can also be with the pump motor. If you leave your heating system without use for a long time, the pump motor may develop a problem. You will know that this is the problem if your pump is hot to touch. Pumps are usually warm when working but should not be too hot to touch. If it is, there is a problem with it.
How to Fix
You can fix this problem once you know the particular part of the pump responsible for the problem. Clean up the propeller or tap the shaft gently to get it working again. If it fails to work after this or happens frequently, you should change the pump entirely.
Blocked Pump
Over the years that your HVAC system has been in use, the pump accumulates dirt and particles from the parts around it. This common occurrence blocks the pump and may cause other parts of the boiler to fail. One of the major signs you notice when this happens is that the heating system slows down, and your home doesn’t heat well.
You can easily note this problem if you do a routine checkup of your pump and other parts of the HVAC system.
How to Fix
A blocked pump is one of the easiest to fix. All you need to do is open the pump and clean it. To clean the pump, you can flush it with chemicals. You can do this yourself or employ engineers to do it for you. If you are in Bear Valley, you can reach out to Big Bear to help you with it.
You can also fit a magnetic system filter into your central heating pump to catch debris prevent future blockage. This preventive measure will save you some dollar cost in repairs along the line.
Airlock
Another reason your pump may malfunction is if air builds up in it. This situation is called an airlock, and it prevents the pump from working properly. The most obvious sign of this problem is that your central heating pump makes unusual noises such as constant humming.
How to Fix
This problem is also easy to fix once you know where the pump is. The central heating pump comes with a bleed screw specifically designed for this purpose. So, to fix airlocks, open the bleed screw slightly and allow the air within to leave. Once the air is all out and water starts dripping, you should close the screw. This should fix the problem. If it doesn’t, call an engineer to take a look.
Faulty Installation
If your pump is not correctly installed, it will not work properly. When setting up your HVAC system, ensure that you only hire a professional to prevent this type of occurrence. The same goes for when you need to repair any part of the system or perform annual maintenance.
How to Fix
If a faulty installation is the cause of your central heating pump not working, the problem should be solved once you reinstall the system properly. It may be better to invite an expert to look if you are not knowledgeable in the area. After reinstalling the pump, you need to fill the system with the filling loop on the boiler.
Incorrect Speed or Flow Setting
Some models of pumps have speed and flow settings, and they must be correctly set for the pump to function properly. If the pump speed is incorrect, you will notice signs such as the temperature not being right and the radiator not getting hot. In most instances, the flow setting is too low. This problem is very easy to fix.
How to Fix
To fix an incorrect speed or flow setting, you need to go to the pump and check the flow rate. If the flow rate is set to 1 or 2, you should switch it to 3 and see if that solves the problem. You should also consider consulting an expert as the setting may be placed low for a reason. If you turn it higher than regulation, it may damage the boiler.
Leaking Pump
Your pump should not leak for any reason. Therefore, if you notice a leak around your central heating pump, you should fix it quickly. A leaking pump will affect the boiler and might even affect more of the HVAC system. The problem can be traced to incorrect installation, incorrect speed or flow setting, loose pump, or any other anomaly.
How to Fix
Fixing a leaking pump depends on the cause of the leak. If it is due to a loose pump, tightening the pump should fix the problem. If not, you should move on to other likely causes, such as the fittings and the joint. It is possible that the leak can be solved by replacing the seal, or you may have to replace the entire pump.
Wiring Issues
Before you call the repair team when your central heating has a problem, you should check the power connections on the pump and the boiler. If there is no power on either when your building has power, it may be some wiring problems. The wiring problems may be from incorrect installation or leaking parts.
How to Fix
Check for any problem with the fuse and the wirings to the pump. If the fuse is blown, you should change it. If the pump is old, you should consider replacing it.
Worn-Out Pump
Finally, the central heating pump will not work if it is worn out. The pump can last well over a decade but will finally succumb to age after a while. If your pump has been working for over two or more decades, the problem may be that the unit is worn out.
How to Fix
The solution to this is simple. You should buy a new pump and hire a professional to install it into the HVAC system.
Contact Our Big Bear Heating Experts Today
Big Bear Plumbing & Heating offers professional Heating Repair and Installation Services in Big Bear to individuals and businesses. Visit our website to know more about the services we offer and how to contact us. You can also request an urgent service as our experts are available all-day or request an appointment for a later date.
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Air Conditioning Repair & Maintenance
