Learning About Commercial HVAC Systems
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Learning About Commercial HVAC Systems

Hello, my name is Jacob. I would like to talk about proper installation and repair of the HVAC system in your commercial building. Full scale HVAC systems for commercial buildings require ongoing maintenance and repairs to keep every floor and room at a comfortable temperature. These temperature control systems also control the air quality in the building by sending the airflow through filter elements. My site will cover all aspects of the upkeep needed for these systems. I will also talk about the benefits of keeping your air quality and temperatures at desirable levels. Thanks for coming to visit my website.

Learning About Commercial HVAC Systems

What Should You Check When Your Boiler Pressure Is Too High?

Isaiah Chapman

Although modern hydronic heating systems use circulator pumps to move water between radiators, they still rely on adequate pressure to keep the system filled. Overpressure can cause excessive wear on your plumbing, even if the system continues to function. You may also find that the relief valve triggers fairly often, leading to a mess on the floor near your boiler.

Checking the pressure gauge on your boiler is a good habit to ensure the system remains in good repair. If you notice the needle climbing into the red zone, you may have a problem that requires attention. Fortunately, you can check a few common areas in and around your boiler to determine why your system might be overpressurized.

The Common Causes of High Boiler Pressure

Overpressure conditions with a boiler system always occur because of either too much water or too much heat. Boilers contain numerous safety components that prevent them from overheating, so the problem is typically due to too much water in the system. You can check this by observing the level in your boiler's sight glass.

If your boiler is overheating, the most likely culprit is the circulator pump. If the circulator pump fails, it can't move hot water away from the boiler and through the system. Since the water can't release its heat at the radiators, its temperature may increase too much. In most cases, your boiler's aquastat will detect this condition and shut down to prevent damage.

For high pressure caused by overfilling, you can try bleeding your radiators. You can also attempt to drain water from the filter if your system has one. If the pressure remains high, or you notice your pressure relief valve venting a significant amount of water or steam, there's likely an underlying failure causing your issues. Residential boiler repair may be needed.

Fixing Persistent Boiler Pressure Problems

Persistent high pressure with your boiler usually doesn't mean an internal problem with the boiler. If you've ruled out the circulator pump, the problem may be the expansion tank or the relief valve. The expansion tank helps deal with normal fluctuations in pressure due to temperature changes, and a faulty tank can cause your boiler pressure to increase as it heats the water.

Likewise, a faulty relief valve will prevent the boiler from reducing its pressure. Relief valves typically fail in the open position, causing them to drip continuously. A valve that's stuck closed can be a dangerous problem and may cause your boiler to shut down if the pressure increases too much. Even if your boiler still runs, you should never leave a failing relief valve in place.

You don't need to worry about catastrophic failures with modern boilers, but that doesn't mean you should ignore high-pressure conditions. If your boiler consistently runs with pressure above the normal range, contact an HVAC contractor immediately to help you diagnose and repair the problem.


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