It’s good when heating equipment provides uninterrupted heating throughout the winter. You don’t have to interfere with your work, all you have to do is enjoy the warmth and comfort. But it happens that during the coldest period the heating stops. Why does the gas boiler turn off? The reason may be a malfunction of one of the nodes, causing the automation to block its operation. You have two options: call a specialist or help yourself. Since the wait for a specialist may be lengthy, use our recommendations.
Reasons for clocking
Clocking indicates the frequency of switching on of the device that provides heating of the thermal fluid. In the absence of external control devices connected to the equipment, most often the time interval between turning on the boiler does not exceed 10 minutes, and by default such indicators are only three minutes. Frequent switching on and off is not a recommended mode for operating a gas boiler.
In order to maximize the economical consumption of blue fuel, it is advisable to choose the option of continuous operation of equipment with compensation for heat losses. Among the main problems that provoke the clocking of the unit, the following can be noted:
- overheating of the device under high power conditions;
- insufficient gas supply pressure;
- incorrect installation of the thermostat;
- various pump breakdowns;
- filter clogging.
In small rooms, excessive gas consumption is common, so when choosing equipment it is very important to correctly calculate its technical indicators and basic operational characteristics. Among other things, the configuration parameters of different models often differ significantly, which requires a mandatory and very careful study of the instructions before configuring the equipment.
Let's look at the main reasons for the boiler constantly turning on and off.
What to do when a malfunction occurs?
Gas consumers should understand that they do not have the right, but the obligation, to repair their home or apartment equipment. Moreover, in a timely manner and with high quality.
And since frequent shutdown of the boiler is potentially a malfunction, this legal requirement cannot be ignored. Since for this, according to Art. 9.23 of the Administrative Code faces a fine.
Repairing any gas equipment is a responsible procedure, as it significantly affects safety. Therefore, you should not overestimate your capabilities or try to save money, risking the lives and health of people nearby, including relatives and friends.
The size is 1-2 thousand rubles. And, if suddenly the situation, through the fault of the user, becomes dangerous to the life and health of people or an accident occurs, then you will have to part with 10-30 thousand rubles (Article 9.23 of the Administrative Code).
It is easier and more reliable to contact the gas company with which the contract has been signed. And all the risks will fall on their shoulders. As well as responsibility for the timeliness and quality of repairs. And for violations the company will be held liable in accordance with Art. 9.23 Code of Administrative Offences. Where is it said that penalties can reach an impressive 200 thousand rubles
You should also remember that you should not take responsibility for yourself by trying to eliminate the cause of switching on/off yourself. Especially against the backdrop of the fact that problems with equipment inoperability must be resolved by specialists from companies with which the gas consumer has signed an agreement. And for ignoring such a rule, additional sanctions in the amount of 1-2 thousand rubles are threatened - this is also stated in Art. 9.23 Code of Administrative Offences.
Any repeated violation of the above norms will be the reason for punishment in the form of a fine, the amount of which will be 2-5 thousand. The basis for this is the corresponding norm in the above article of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
High boiler power
Operating a gas boiler at maximum power levels causes rapid heating, as well as pulsed operation of the unit. The heating level is determined by the modulation of the gas burner. When receiving a heated return, the boiler goes into standby mode, and as the return cools down, the boiler turns on again. Due to the high starting power of the boiler in the off-season, the problem of turning the gas boiler on and off occurs most often.
A room thermostat can solve the problem. In this case, regulation is carried out automatically. If the room temperature is reached, the thermostat will signal the boiler to turn off. The heating system cools down faster than the air temperature. Therefore, the boiler will turn on less often and work longer.
It is of no small importance to determine the optimal power of the equipment, taking into account the region of residence, the total area of the heated room and the degree of insulation of the building. Currently, condensing boilers used in low-temperature heating systems have proven themselves to be the best. This reliable option is characterized by heating the coolant in the return circuit within 60°C.
You asked, we answer
There are many nuances associated with the operation of boilers, and therefore many users ask questions regarding their correct operation.
Among them:
- Which brand is best? – some of the best models are Vaillant, Protherm devices, Bosch gaz 6000W double-circuit boilers. They are distinguished by high productivity, long service life, efficient heating of rooms up to 200 m², and can withstand power surges well;
- Which heat exchanger is better to install? – the cast iron heat exchanger is considered the most durable;
- Why does a wall-mounted gas boiler often turn off? – the cycle is provoked by incorrect installation;
- Does the boiler make noise during operation? – heating systems operate almost silently;
- How to calculate power? – power is considered 1 kW per 10 m2, + 20%. If a double-circuit boiler is selected, add 5 kW per tap, 10 kW per bathroom, 7 kW per shower to the calculation;
- Why is a floor-standing boiler more expensive than a wall-mounted one? – simple floor-standing units have a thick cast-iron heat exchanger, which itself is quite expensive. However, its advantage is the possible partial replacement of a separate section, which is much cheaper than replacing the entire heat exchanger.
Should a gas boiler turn off during normal operation?
The boilers are equipped with electronics. After connection, the temperature is set. Upon reaching the set point, the boiler turns off and lights up again when the system cools down. This is an absolutely normal process. You can only suspect something is wrong if it happens too often. In this case, you need to look for the problem or call a specialist to determine the reasons why the gas boiler constantly turns on and off.
Why does a gas boiler often turn on and off in heating mode?
A situation where a gas boiler gains temperature and quickly turns off will indicate a problem with the equipment. If it was just purchased, then there may be several reasons - factory defects, installation errors, improper operation.
In the first case, the breakdown is detected immediately after installation. The second and third options are discovered only during use. Then you notice the gas boiler turning on frequently. A lot depends on the design of the heating system. A well-installed boiler will provide warmth, coziness and comfort in the home.
Weak gas pressure
The level of fuel pressure in the gas line undergoes significant changes at different times of the year. With the onset of winter, as a rule, the maximum number of users is connected to the centralized gas pipeline, so the pressure in the system decreases to a minimum. In this case, the burner without modulation continues to function, but the operation of the device is noticeably reduced. Today, various flame modulation options are used:
- hydraulic type - direct relationship between flow and constant temperature;
- electronic type – indirect relationship based on a temperature sensor;
- ionization type - current in a closed circuit with a signal to the control unit.
At low gas pressure, the boiler may turn off and turn on again due to the fact that the system is not warmed up. But most often today, gas boilers simply go into error states and do not work until you reset it.
Incorrectly installed thermostat
In practice, two types of thermostats are used: built-in and remote type. The first option does not involve transfer. Remote models require proper installation. The installation should be carried out in the fastest cooling room, which allows the heating system to operate normally. Installation prohibited:
- in basements;
- near window and door openings;
- next to household appliances;
- very close to the surface of the ceiling, floor;
- under direct exposure to sunlight.
- Installation in kitchens is not recommended
Particular attention is paid to proper connection in accordance with the circuits recommended by the manufacturers, in accordance with the technical characteristics of the device.
The filter is clogged
When the filter system is clogged, the filling of the system with coolant decreases, resulting in too rapid heating of the small volume of water inside the boiler. The boiler turns off and waits for the system to cool down. Then it turns on again, realizing that the return line is still cool. The thermal fluid supplied to the heating system through public pipelines is capable of carrying a huge amount of dirt and all kinds of impurities. Therefore, a water strainer must be installed in front of the circulation pump.
This mesh-type device most effectively retains various mechanical contaminants. The lack of complete protection causes contaminants to enter the pump and cause rotor failure. Filters must be cleaned periodically. For this purpose, the valves that are located in front of the filter and behind it are closed, after which the plug above the liner is unscrewed using a key. The filter mesh is washed with running water and carefully installed in its original place.
Narrowing of pipe diameters
As a rule, blockages cause narrowing of the lumen in the pipeline system. When the riser is clogged, there is an increase in the resistance of sections of the heating system and a reduction in the flow rate of the circulating coolant. After identifying the blockage, hydraulic, pneumatic flushing or cleaning is used to narrow the diameter of the pipes.
Before performing this procedure, leaks are checked, disassembled and cleaned. Hydraulic flushing involves creating a high flow rate of water through the pipeline system. The used liquid with contaminants is discharged into the drain. In order to increase speed, pumping equipment of network, circulation or other types is used.
Pipeline cleaning is carried out in cases where it is impossible to remove the blockage using standard flushing. For this purpose, the clogged narrowed section of the pipeline is turned off, after which the coolant is drained. To clean disconnected pipes, a thick and fairly elastic wire with a fixed brush is used. At the final stage of getting rid of pipes from narrowings, the heating system is assembled in the reverse order.
The pump is not working well
Users of gas boilers sometimes encounter various problems with the operation of the pumping unit. Such equipment stops pumping water if the rotor fails or a significant amount of air has accumulated in the internal part. To prevent such a breakdown, it is necessary to unscrew the nut from the unit and drain the water, after which the axle is forced to rotate using a flat screwdriver.
Pump in a gas boiler
Free-standing equipment requires compliance with installation rules. It is advisable to install the pump before the gas boiler, which will extend the life of the heating system. This rule is due to the presence of high temperature conditions at the boiler outlet, which can cause damage to the device. Of course, the design characteristics of the circulation pump must also be taken into account, as well as the need to mount a filter or sump directly in front of the pump.
Prevention measures
Breakdowns of gas equipment happen to everyone; it is impossible to insure against this.
However, there are a number of ways to reduce the risk of breakdowns:
- Scheduled diagnostics of gas equipment before the start of the heating season - a specialist will conduct an inspection, do a test run and tell you about all the nuances of this boiler.
- Selection of the correct operating mode of the boiler and pump.
- Periodic cleaning of all combustion chamber elements is carried out only by a specialist.
Expert opinion
Grebnev Vadim Savelievich
Heating system installer
You should always pay attention to whether the boiler is easy to ignite and whether it can always be done the first time. If there is any suspicion of a malfunction, it is better to call a technician and carry out an unscheduled diagnosis.
Drawing conclusions
The frequency of turning on and off the burner of a gas heating boiler is a very variable and very individual value, directly dependent on a large number of factors. Manufacturers guarantee that the boiler will provide the specified temperature range, regardless of whether the burner is turned on or off. At the same time, the intensity of fuel combustion helps prevent its overconsumption due to clocking.
The operating mode of the gas boiler is selected strictly in accordance with the time of year and the required thermal index in the room. To avoid very frequent switching on and off of equipment, you need to determine the correct location for installing the thermostat, stabilize temperature intervals, as well as adjust the gas burner and resolve the issue with the thermal capacity of the heating circuit.
Reasons for the attenuation of turbocharged gas boilers with a closed combustion chamber
Turbocharged models of gas boilers have additional equipment, so in addition to the above-mentioned problems, there may be other difficulties with them:
- ice formation inside and outside the chimney;
- malfunction of the built-in air blower.
Despite the fact that such devices have a complex design, all manipulations with checking traction, pressure, contacts, etc. are still relevant.
Icing of the cap or chimney pipes
If a gas boiler goes out mainly in cold weather, then perhaps its chimney opening is blocked by an ice mass. This happens for two reasons:
- accumulation of condensate on the walls of the air duct;
- snow sticking to the outside of the chimney.
The first situation is typical for convection boilers, usually with a coaxial chimney. In them, hot exhaust gases, when cooled outside, form condensate, which settles in the pipes. Therefore, when the thermostat turns off the heating after reaching the set temperature, all this moisture freezes. Over time, plugs form, blocking access to air.
As a rule, the problem can be determined visually: the surface of the pipe begins to get wet, and the wall at the level of the ice becomes covered with frost on the outside.
It’s not always possible to simply knock off the ice, so it’s worth buying a disposable construction torch with a can in advance so that you can use it to defrost the air duct. When it warms up, the boiler will be ready for operation again, but to prevent this from happening again, it is recommended to insulate the pipes.
The second situation arises when installing a coaxial pipe or cornice-type caps: the desire to protect the chimney from precipitation is understandable, but using them for gas equipment, as mentioned earlier, is extremely undesirable. Instead, it is recommended to use open tapering attachments on the headband.
It is impossible to knock off the ice crust from the top or remove it like ice - it tightly covers the entire structure. Therefore, the outer part of the chimney will have to be dismantled and placed in hot water until completely defrosted. The boiler can function without this part, but it must be monitored at all times.
Fan or turbine malfunction
When the igniter suddenly goes out in a unit with a built-in supercharger, you should listen to its operation: the turbocharging system or fan should emit a measured hum, so if extraneous noise appears (creaking, crackling, whistling) or the sound comes out intermittently, you should think about their malfunction.
If they stop making any sounds, the breakdown is obvious: the automation does not allow the safety valve to open and the igniter does not light up at all.
You can try to repair broken equipment, but, as practice shows, it is difficult to repair. In any case, the work should only be performed by specialists, because without the necessary skills, all manipulations with the supercharger are associated with a high risk of carbon monoxide entering the room.
