Oil boiler losing pressure - what does it mean?

Your oil boiler is one of the most important devices in your home, and after the car, one of the most important investments most homeowners will make - and often taken for granted as long it does its job. On the rare occasion that you do experience problems, it is worth understanding what may be causing the fault and what solutions are available. If you are experiencing loss of pressure in your oil boiler, read on to find out more.

Common oil boiler problems

Because your boiler is available on demand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a year, it is natural that over time issues may arise. One of the most common problems is boiler lockout, where the boiler refuses to fire. You can find some useful information about this in our related article Why won’t my oil boiler fire?

How do I check my oil boiler pressure?

If the boiler pressure is too low or too high then the boiler may lockout and you will need to adjust the pressure before you reset the boiler. Oil boiler pressure should usually be around 1.3 bar depending on the model, but generally all boilers should be between 1-3 bar. If the pressure is too high, you may need to bleed water from the radiator bleed valve or the drain cock. If it’s too low, you will need to use the boiler pressure gauge to increase it.

You should usually find your oil boiler pressure gauge on the front of your boiler. It will usually have a green section that indicates a healthy pressure, and red zones either side that indicate that the pressure is too low or too high.

My oil boiler pressure keeps dropping - what should I do?

If you find that your oil boiler pressure keeps dropping, it is important to get your boiler examined by an OFTEC registered service engineer. In some cases, it is possible that you may have a leak in your system which should be remedied as soon as possible to eliminate any risk and prevent damage to areas surrounding the leak.

However, if the problem persists, it is likely that your water jacket or expansion vessel has failed. In this case, it is likely that you will need to replace your oil boiler. This will be confirmed by your engineer.

Can I get finance for a new oil boiler?

If your oil boiler does need replacing, don’t panic. We can help you to spread the cost with affordable Worcester Bosch oil boiler finance. With zero deposit and affordable monthly repayments to suit your needs, we can tailor the right package to suit your budget and financial circumstances. Our packages include Interest-Free Boiler Finance, Buy Now Pay Later packages and the option to spread the cost of your new boiler over up to ten years. As a responsible installer, we pride ourselves on our honest and transparent approach to finance. Speak to us today to find out more.

Benefit from oil condensing technology

If you are still using an old, non-condensing oil boiler, then thanks to modern condensing technology you could save money straight away with a new oil boiler. Worcester Bosch oil boilers feature modern oil condensing technology as standard, meaning you can enjoy an exceptional level of efficiency - over 90%. As a result, you can expect to save a minimum of 30% per year on your home heating bills compared to an older non-condensing boiler, leaving you with more money in your pocket from the outset.

Outdoor installation

If you would like to eliminate boiler noise and free up precious indoor space, you may wish to consider having your new boiler installed outside. We recommend the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II external boiler, which comes complete with an integrated all-weather housing and is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners with oil-based heating. We don’t just remove your old boiler, fittings and pipework, we also carefully make good any related brick or stonework. Benefits of the Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II external boiler include:

• Precise heating and hot water control
• Green powder coated cabinet blends in with your garden and protects the boiler from the elements
• A range of models to meet the needs of smaller homes as well as two bathroom homes
• Compatible with a range of optional controls for greater efficiency and comfort
• Works with water heated by green sources such as solar energy and wood-fired boilers for increased efficiency
• Eco hot water mode saves energy
• Controls concealed in a drawer
• Inbuilt frost protection
• Free up precious indoor space
• Eliminate boiler noise

Looking for a trusted oil boiler installer in North Wales? Call D.R. Plumbing & Heating today on 01978 291 923 / 01352 620 125 for a free, no-obligation quotation.