Your Boiler Won’t Turn On: Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks

While the Department of Energy suggests 68 degrees is the ideal temperature setting in the winter for optimal energy efficiency, Ohio winters can dip to minus 7 degrees, and what if your boiler will not turn on? Whether you have an oil or gas boiler, freezing temperatures can stress your system.

Below, we will explore tips and tricks to troubleshoot why your heater is not working.

Schedule a boiler tune-up in the Greater Cincinnati area by calling National Heating & Air Conditioning at (513) 621-4620.

Why Isn’t My Boiler Working?

A homeowner’s nightmare is their heat not working on a frigid winter night, but there are a few common boiler issues and reasons why it’s not functioning correctly. 

Common issues why a boiler is not working:

• No power: Check that your boiler has power and check the fuse for your furnace and the circuit breaker. You might have to replace a blown fuse or reset the circuit breaker if it tripped.
• Malfunctioning thermostat: Confirm your thermostat works properly and change the batteries.
• No gas: Ensure the gas meter works and note if the gas supply is on.  
• Low water: Confirm that the boiler water level capacity is half-full.

How To Troubleshoot

A high priority during cold weather is turning on your boiler to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting and to keep your home warm. With different solutions for boiler problems, try these tips before calling a technician for service.

Pilot lights

Your boiler will not work if there is no flame or the flame sensor malfunctions or is dirty. Clean it gently with a piece of sandpaper. If you’re uncomfortable with this task, our HVAC professionals can assist.

Thermostats

Make sure the thermostat is on the heating mode. Change the battery and confirm the thermostat has the correct date and time for smart or programmable thermostats.

Circuit panels

To ensure the power supply works, reset your circuit breaker panel if it tripped. If the circuit trips again, it might be a bad breaker or short circuit. Contact our professionals to diagnose it and make repairs.

When To Call a Professional

Call a professional HVAC company if you’re without heat during the winter or you’ve tried these tips and tricks without success. During our boiler maintenance service, we will inspect your system and make repairs, which extends its life span, as these complex systems can last 15 to 30 years with preventative service and repair work. Our Comfort Care maintenance plan is less than $1 a day to maximize the value of your home heating investment.

Schedule With National Today

If your heater does not power on, try our troubleshooting tips above, and if they do not work, contact us for boiler maintenance or a boiler replacement. We have repair discounts and heating rebates, and our Comfort Care Maintenance Plan provides 5% savings!  

Heating Ohio homes since 1931, National Heating and Air Conditioning provides top-rated HVAC solutions. Our insured, licensed, and NATE-certified technicians service all brands like gas boilers and hot water boilers, and we have transparent pricing and five-star reviews.

See the National Difference. Contact National at (513) 621-4620 to schedule boiler service in Southwest Ohio.