How to Troubleshoot Cold Radiators

There’s nothing worse than experiencing issues with your heating system on a cold day, but unfortunately these problems sometimes do occur. If you come home from work to find that every radiator in your home is ice cold, there’s a chance that the issue is with your boiler or heat pump. To help you fix the problem and warm up faster, here’s how to troubleshoot common boiler system and heating issues.

Check the thermostat. It may seem silly, but there’s always a chance that something has gone awry with your programmable thermostat. Make sure that temperatures haven’t been misadjusted, and that your hot water and central heating systems are both activated.

Examine the boiler. Just like your thermostat, your boiler dial might have been misaligned. Make sure that the temperature is turned up. If your boiler still won’t kick on, it’s best to give your HVAC technician a call.

Inspect the pump. If you don’t hear your pump working, there’s a good chance it has become clogged by dust particles and debris. If you’re up for some DIY-style fixing, open up the pump try to get it moving again by prodding the movement with a screwdriver.

While these are all common issues that homeowners come across with their heating system, more times than not a chilly radiator can be fixed with an even quicker solution. If you notice that your radiator is warm at the bottom, but cold at the top, that means it needs to be bled. This lets the cold air up top out so the radiator can fill with hot water. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

1. Purchase a bleed key from your local hardware store.
2. Using the key, turn the valve counterclockwise until you hear a hissing sound.
3. Be ready to catch any water that escapes as it rises to the top and seal the valve after.

Having issues with your heating system? If you live in Fairfield County, New Haven County or the surrounding area, Tyler Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration LLC is the company to call.

To learn more about our heating and cooling services, visit our website or give us a call at 203-378-4700.