- January 18, 2022
- Plumber
We’re all familiar with the central heating system. But, indeed, little do we know about its main component— the central heating pump. A central heating pump is the heart of your home’s heating system. It circulates hot water around your heating system and heats your radiators to keep your house warm.
This small mechanical tool pumps hot water around the house in a structured way. As this is an integral part of cosy rooms, we should know about its basic maintenance.
After all, you don’t know when it will go down causing hassles untold.
In this article, we will try to assert all the problems a central heating pump can face. We will also tell you how to change a central heating pump. So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How To Change A Central Heating Pump Risk-Free?
Central heating pumps can sometimes cause trouble and stop working. You might be wondering how to check if the central heating pump is working. Check if the radiators in the upstairs of the house are warm. Now check the downstairs. If there are heat differences, you will get your answers. Your pump needs replacement, no doubt. Now, let’s check how to change the pump without risking yourself and the property.
Process Of Replacing Central Heating Pump With A New One
Shut the electricity off
First, make sure your home’s electricity is shut off, and it will remain that way until your work is done. Never undertake any kind of electrical work while the electricity is running.
Locate the central heating pump in your house. It may sound obvious, but the pump is often placed in difficult-to-reach areas in some homes. Sometimes they are under the floor, in an airing cupboard.
Don’t forget to keep a note
Make a note, sketch, or better, take a photo of the electrical wiring on the old pump. It may be helpful to label the wires so you can be clear on what goes where and connect the new pump easily. Now disconnect the wires with a screwdriver.
Shut service valves off
Shut off the service valves by turning them clockwise with a suitable spanner. It will shut off the water supply to the pump body.
Please note: Drain down the system if there are no isolating valves.
Lay down towels to waterproof the area and avoid potential spills by placing a bucket or large bowl under the pump.
Remove the pump and install the new one
Locate the union nuts that hold the pump in place. Next, unscrew the union nuts. Turn them counter-clockwise. Finally, remove the old pump. You are almost halfway there knowing how to change a central heating pump.
Fit the new pump in position, ensure that it fits well. Ensure you include new washers in the union nuts for a watertight seal. Finger-tight the nuts and then finish the job with an adjustable spanner. This way, you can check for leaks by turning on the service valves or refilling the system.
You need to make sure the pump is bone-dry before connecting the wires again following the photo or sketch you took earlier.
Now, to test the new pump, turn on the electricity and let the heating system kick-start by turning up the thermostat.
Bleed the system
Finally, bleed the system to ensure no trapped air. Every pump has a bleed screw that you can turn anticlockwise until you hear the sound of air leaving the pump. You may bleed the radiators as well to ensure total system balance.
Also Read: 5 Ways to Fix Main Multipoint Water Heater Problems
Tools You Need To Replace Your Heating Pump
Here are the tools you may need while changing central heating pump —
- A new central heating water pump (If the old pump was longer than the new one, you might need adapters to fill the gaps. Take all the details and measurements of the old pump with you when you buy a replacement. Also, notice the pump type and the setting of its output regulator.)
- Pipe wrench or adjustable spanner
- A screwdriver
- A bowl and some towels
- Pen and paper or your phone
How To Check If Central Heating Pump Is Working
To check if your central heating pump is working, you can follow these steps given below:
- See whether your radiator or hot water coil is hot or not. If not, then your pump has failed.
- Use a sizable flat-bladed screwdriver. Press on the end of the pump body. Listen carefully and you will hear the pump moving. If not, then your pump has failed.
- If the pump shaft does not rotate, then it’s dead without a doubt. Remove the bleed screw and take a look at the shaft. The pump is in a dark airing cupboard? Carefully insert a small screwdriver into the pump shaft. It will shake or spin.
- It has failed if the pump does not receive any electrical supply. Test the connections on the pump and you will identify possible supply if there is any.
If you face all of the above, you need to change your central heating pump. Read above to know how to change a central heating pump.
Also Read: 5 Tips on How to Maintain Your Home Radiator
Why Is The Central Heating Pump Not Working And Their Solution?
If your central heating system is correctly installed and adequately maintained, you can expect it to last at least 10-20 years. But sometimes, it starts malfunctioning due to a decrease in the pump’s efficiency over time.
Some common reasons for central heating pump not working and their solution is given below:
1. Old Or Exhausted Central Heating Pump
The most common cause of the central heating pump not working is age or exhaustion. Though a central heating pump is supposed to run 10-20 years at a stretch, in some cases, the time decreases significantly if it’s placed in a limescale-prone area. You can avoid limescale by servicing your pump annually. Or you can replace the pump if it’s too worn out.
2. Ingrained Dirt Or Air Causing Problems
Sometimes, dirt, air, or grime can jam your pump. It is one of the most common problems of central heating pumps. If the pipes are installed too closely, a collision occurs after they expand with hot water flowing through them. It can displace the deposit or create air bubbles that stream through the propeller and other components and cause damage. When the pump doesn’t work, the radiators get hot and cold in patches and do not work correctly. To solve this problem, you need a central heating repair company to come in and flush the system; you can try and do this yourself. Airlocks can be dealt with by unscrewing the head screw of the pump system and releasing the air.
3. Incorrect Installation, Wiring, And Plumbing Problems
Incorrect installation, wiring, and plumbing can cause various kinds of problems. For instance, an incorrectly wired pump could become a fire risk by causing sparks. It’s better to take professional help if one of these problems occurs.
Incorrect Installation: This is relatively uncommon, but if the original installer installed the pump incorrectly, it could cause a problem. If the pump needs to be refitted, you must drain the system before switching it around.
Incorrect Wiring: The wiring problem usually starts with the fuse that leads to the pump blowing. Also, if the pump has no power or doesn’t start, it’s more likely a wiring issue. Check if the fuse has blown. On some occasions, small leaks can ruin the wiring on the pump. So check that there are no leaks. If there is, have an engineer come and check the wiring.
Incorrect Plumbing: Faulty plumbing can cause noise from the pipes, travelling all around the house through the radiator. Contact a professional to solve this problem.
Conclusion
Now you know how to change a central heating pump. Now apply this learning into action and change your central heating pump yourself. Or you can take professional help too. Hope this article benefited you. Thank you for reading.