If you have experienced living in a home with a noisy central heating system, you can certainly attest to how annoying this is. Beyond just being a nuisance, noisy central heating systems waste more energy and do not heat up your home very efficiently. Installing a new combi boiler or more up-to-date central heating system will not only allow you to enjoy a cozy, warm home without all the ruckus, but it will also save you money on your energy bills.
However, it is important for you to either check on your own or bring in a professional to ensure your heating system was properly installed, especially if you are living in an older home. Many older homes are poorly insulated and are outfitted with poorly installed boilers. If you hear a faint humming, clanging, banging, or an odd clicking or tapping noise during the night, your boiler may not be fitted properly into your home.
Solutions for Noisy Central Heating
If you have finally had enough with your noisy central heating system, there are numerous steps you can take to correct this, but you must be patient, as this process cannot be resolved over night. One of the reasons it may take a bit longer than you’d like for a new central heating system to get installed is that it may be harder to pinpoint why your system is making such an annoying noise. Keep in mind the following tips for many of the most common noises that can be remedied:
Banging or Clanging Pipes – if you are often hearing noisy pipes coming from your central heating system than it is first of all a good idea to check the pipes and make sure they are fitted and tied down properly. Additionally, make sure they are not hanging loose or screwed too tightly, as these can both lead to a noisy system. If all your pipes appear to be in place you may just be able to fix it by draining the system and filling it up again. However, you may need to call in a contractor to widen the pipes to fit your new boiler.
Humming Boiler – if you notice your boiler is humming or vibrating this is usually an indicator that your heating elements are set at the wrong timing and/or pressure. In order to fix this, you should first check your thermostat. You may want to slow down the speed because leaving the pressure at too high of a setting can cause internal damage to the pipework.
Gurgling or Tapping Radiators – if your radiators are experiencing too much of an air buildup it may cause an odd tapping or gurgling noise. You can usually fix this by loosening the corner screw for a second – being sure to stop once water appears. Catch the water with a cloth so it does not spill onto the floor. Tapping within your radiator may also be a sign that there is a buildup of limescale or other contaminates, which may require a non-acidic cleaner or descaler to be poured into the tank. You may also need to have your radiator cleaned by a professional if none of these tips work.
It is imperative for you to keep in mind that if you do not have experience in working with boilers or radiators that you should call in a professional. A qualified contractor will not only be able to find the problem quicker, but they will ensure no further damage is caused. It is a good idea to call around to several different outfits before deciding upon one, as you want to make sure you are getting the best price and most qualified team of experts.