Boiler silencer how does it work

A boiler silencer is a device that is especially designed in order to reduce the boiler noise or kettling that has lately been the most visible symptom of a scaled system. It comes being compatible with not only all types of boilers but also with all the metals and materials that are commonly used in systems including aluminum. These devices are designed to operate in order to reduce the boiler noise and improve the efficiency level of the heat being transferred to the system. A silencer is a muzzle device that functions to reduce the sound intensity.

You probably cannot count on boilers to be in the list of quietest heating appliances so far, but some sounds from your system can ensure you on the existence of a problem in your unit and that is when you need to learn on why your boiler is making noise when heating is on. However there can be different reasons as to why your boiler is producing different sounds. These noises can include a loud humming noise, banging noise, whistling noise, or the sound of gurgling, all of which are not a normal boiler sound produced during the operation of a healthy boiler. While there could be different reasons for the production of these sounds. We have mentioned some of the main reasons to this:-

1)    Loose components:

One of the most common reasons of your boiler making noise while operating could be any of the components of your system might have made its way to loosen. A component when silently vibrates against the other parts, produces a loud humming sound that needs to be fixed. Though the fix is simple, yet delaying the repair could cause your boiler to get even more damaged. Once you are sure about the issue, stat looking for:

1. Loose brackets- You can try fixing the loosen bracket area with a screw or screwdriver.
2. Vibration of the unit itself- It is highly recommended to go for a professional help in case you find your system to be vibrating in order to stop the unit from making certain noise.
3. Open panel/compartments- An open panel or compartment in the system can also be a cause of the sound being produced. While for this, you need to make sure that all the compartments, panels, and openings are well closed.

2)    High pressure:

• If your boiler is making a really loud noise then you need to look out for the water pressure of your system. A system operating on a higher pressure can be a cause, contributing to the loud sound that is being produced.
• A considerable point in this case is that a normal healthy boiler would never exceed the pressure limit of 12-15 psi (pounds per square inch). So if your boiler is operating at a pressure over 15 psi then this could be the reason for your system to produce that sound.
• Although, this is not felt to be like an emergency case, as the modern systems are made with the pressure relief valves to handle such problems for you. But if the problem continues for a longer time then you could try turning the water and heating off, which is believed to help you put the pressure back to the normal levels. For other high pressure issues it is highly recommended to consider a professional help.

3)    Circulating pump set too fast:

• The circulating pump operates to circulate the heated water from the boiler to radiator and then back to the boiler. If the circulating pump somehow gets set at a faster speed, then you would witness vibrations and a loud noise.
• If that is the case then you need to look for the circulating pump of your system, and check the speed settings. Reduce the speed of the system and see if that stops the noise.
• If the sound stops, then leave your system to operate at a lower speed but if this doesn’t solves the problem or causes any hot water discomfort to your family then you are highly recommended to consider a professional help in that case.
• Delayed Ignition- The problem of delayed ignition is quite commonly found in gas boilers that use pilot lights in contrast to the electronic ignition systems. When a gas boiler receives the call for heat, the gas valve opens and releases a small amount of gas into a sealed combustion chamber through small “jets”. This gas then gets ignited by the pilot light and the jet flames heat up the heat exchanger. Delayed ignition occurs when the gas that is sent into the combustion chamber doesn’t immediately ignite. And when that happens, the gas builds and builds inside the combustion chamber until bang, creating a mini explosion.
• Kettling- While on the other hand, kettling is something which occurs as a result of the lime scale buildup in the system that eventually creates bubbles and leads to the occurrence of ‘hot spots’.  These hot spots are what causes loud noise and needs to be treated with a solution in order to clear the lime scale blockage. However there are a number of other reasons as well that can cause kettling.
• Gurgling Noise- If you find your system pressure to be too high then releasing some of the air out of the system would likely solve the problem of the gurgling sound for you and put the pressure down to a required level.
• The hot water circulates between the radiator and the boiler through pipes. Over the time, the air seeps into the pipes, creating air bubbles which then interfere with the distribution of water in the pipe and the vessel, thus reducing the efficiency level of your system and generating huge energy waste which certainly increases your energy bills. 
• Bleeding the system would, therefore, allow a good circulation of hot water in the pipe lines, and would eventually result into uniform heat diffusion along with a cut down on your energy bills.

Each of these problems might have a different solution, there are a couple of things you could do to eliminate these sounds including bleeding, and re-pressurizing of your system.

Bleeding you boiler system

1. Depending on the type of bleed valve in your system, you need to undo it using a radiator bleed key or a flat screwdriver.
2. Now put the boiler system off in order to allow the air to rise to the top of the radiator and prevent it from interfering during the process.
3. Use a pair of grips to ensure that the valves at the bottom of your radiator are open in order to allow the water to flow into the radiator.
4. Now loosen the radiator’s bleed valve with a radiator key or a flathead screwdriver.
5. As soon as you loosen the bleed valve, you will be able to hear hissing sound of the air escaping.
6. Once the water begins to come out, you know that all the air has been released from the radiator. Now tighten the bleed valve back.
7. It is recommended to keep a cloth ready for any droplets that would come out of the system as soon as the air escapes.
8. Now go around each of the radiators in the house, repeating the process if required.

Re-pressurizing your system

1. Close all the vents

Before getting start with re pressurizing your boiler, check all the bleed valves on radiators and towel rails to be fully closed.

• Search for the filling loop

In most of the boilers, they have the external filling loop that is used to top up the boiler with water and hence increases the pressure.

• Open the filling loop

As soon as you open the filling loop, you will get to see a pressure rise. You can take a l     ook of what is the exact pressure your boiler needs. Commonly the boilers operate with 1.5 bars.

• Close the filling loop

Make sure that the filling loop is completely closed. However if it is not closed it will slowly leak additional water into the boiler. This will increase the pressure and the boiler will lockout.

You might be wondering about the boiler silencer how does it work. Let’s have a look to understand the same.

Boiler silencer how does it works

A boiler silencer goes down and puts a full stop on the formation of the large bubbles which therefore results into the elimination of any noise coming from the system, thus enhancing the efficiency level of the heat being transferred to the system.