Boiler or Radiator Heat Not Working: Safe Checks and How to Hire a Heating Technician

Your Safety Comes First

Your personal safety is the most important step if your heat is not working. Do not try to find the cause of a problem if you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide.

If you smell natural gas: The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says to leave the area immediately. Once you are safely outdoors and away from the building, call your local gas utility’s emergency number or 911. Do not hesitate to report a gas leak, as gas can spread and build up quickly. Do not use cell phones, lights, appliances, cars, flames, or anything that can create a spark near a suspected gas leak, as these can ignite the gas. Natural gas has a smell added to help you detect leaks; some people describe it as rotten eggs, sulfur, or garlic. You might also hear a hissing sound near a gas appliance, meter, or pipeline.

If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds: The CPSC says never to ignore a CO alarm. If it sounds, do not try to find the source of the carbon monoxide. Instead, immediately move outside to fresh air. Call your emergency services, fire department, or 911. Make sure everyone is accounted for. Do not go back inside until emergency responders tell you it is safe. If a malfunctioning appliance caused the alarm, do not use that appliance again until trained personnel have properly serviced it. If you are allowed back home and the alarm sounds again within 24 hours, follow these steps again and call a qualified appliance technician to check all fuel-burning equipment and appliances.

How Boiler Heating Systems Work

Boiler heating systems use a boiler to heat water. This water can become steam or hot water. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) explains that pipes then carry this heated water or steam to different heat emitters in your home. These emitters can be upright radiators, baseboard convectors, or tubing hidden in your floors for radiant heat.

For your system to work well, these heat emitters need to be clear. The DOE suggests cleaning warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes. For hot-water radiators, the DOE also suggests removing trapped air once or twice a season. However, if you are unsure how to do this, the DOE advises contacting a professional. The Minnesota Department of Commerce also notes that bleeding air from radiators is one of the services a qualified service technician performs during a yearly boiler inspection.

Many parts of a boiler system require specialized knowledge and tools. The water pressure gauge, the pressure tank, the burner, gas or oil lines, venting, and electrical wiring are all jobs for a qualified service technician. The CPSC warns that you should never service fuel-burning appliances yourself without the proper knowledge, skill, and tools.

Simple Checks You Can Do

Before calling a professional, you can perform a few simple safety checks and visual inspections. These steps do not involve working on the boiler itself, which should only be done by a qualified technician.

• Check for gas odors: If you smell natural gas, follow the safety steps from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin immediately. Leave the area and call for help from a safe distance.
• Listen for your carbon monoxide alarm: If your CO alarm is sounding, follow the CPSC’s safety steps immediately. Move to fresh air and call for emergency services.
• Inspect radiators and baseboard heaters: Look at your radiators and baseboard convectors. Make sure they are clean and free of dust or debris that could block heat. The DOE recommends cleaning them as needed.
• Clear blockages around heaters: Check that no furniture, carpeting, or drapes are blocking your radiators or baseboard convectors. These items can prevent heat from circulating properly in your room. The DOE advises keeping them unblocked.
• Consider trapped air (hot-water radiators only): If you have hot-water radiators, trapped air can sometimes prevent them from heating fully. The DOE suggests eliminating trapped air once or twice a season. If you are not sure how to do this, contact a professional. Do not attempt this if you have a steam heating system.

Hiring a Qualified Heating Technician

If your boiler or radiators are still not working after checking for safety issues and clearing blockages, it is time to call a qualified heating technician. The CPSC recommends having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced every year. This inspection should also include checking chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, and loose or disconnected parts.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce states that boilers should be inspected yearly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications for efficiency and safety. During this annual service, a qualified technician should:

• Check the combustion chamber for cracks.
• Test for carbon monoxide levels in the flue.
• Check and adjust the water pressure gauge setting.
• Test the high-limit control.
• Lubricate circulator pumps.
• Inspect the pressure tank and drain it if needed.
• Bleed air from radiators and baseboard convectors.
• Remove dirt, soot, or corrosion from the boiler.
• Vacuum and clean the fin-tube convectors and radiators.

If Boiler Replacement Comes Up

If your technician suggests replacing your boiler, the Minnesota Department of Commerce recommends doing research beforehand. Consider your boiler’s age, whether it has had expensive repairs, and its energy efficiency. Be cautious if you are offered a boiler that is much larger than your old one. Oversized boilers can cycle on and off more often, which causes extra wear and can reduce comfort. A smaller unit might be better, especially if your home has been insulated or air-sealed. In Minnesota, the building code requires a heat-loss calculation for new systems; insist on seeing a heat-loss calculation worksheet as part of any contract.

The DOE says a contractor should provide you with information on:

• The safety and cost-effectiveness of repairing your current system versus replacing it.
• Different heating system options and fuel types.
• Required permits and building code compliance.
• Calculations for properly sizing a new system for your home.
• Other home efficiency improvements you might consider.

Finding a Contractor

ENERGY STAR offers tips for hiring a heating and cooling contractor:

• Find out your state’s license and insurance requirements for contractors.
• Before you call, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Note any rooms that are uncomfortably cold.
• Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for referrals.
• Ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about their installation or service performance and whether the job was finished on time and within budget.

When This Advice May Not Fit

This advice is for homeowners dealing with a non-heating boiler or radiator system. If you rent your home, contact your landlord or property management company, as they are responsible for repairs. If you suspect an emergency like a gas leak or carbon monoxide, always prioritize safety by evacuating and calling emergency services, as outlined by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and the CPSC. If you are uncomfortable performing any of the visual checks or are unsure about any part of your heating system, it is always best to contact a qualified heating professional.