How to fix a timer on a boiler?

Getting on grips to your boiler controls would definitely pay you back by keeping you cozy and making it easier to control your energy costs. To make sure you have a good hold on the topic we have presented a brief guide to using the timer on the boiler and how to fix a timer on a boiler.

How a boiler timer works?

You might not find all the boiler timers to be same. However the basic role of timers or programmers is to allow you to determine the times at which your heating and hot water switches on and off, their functions can definitely vary on the type and model of appliance you have. Having a timer means that you can set your heating to settle with the needs of your household in order to maximize comfort and cost effectiveness.

Most of the modern timers and programmers are made to be digital that feature a small screen as an interface while on the other hand, the older systems are mechanical that are made to be controlled using a dial.

The mechanical timers are designed to cater you with 3 basic options when it comes to control your heating. They let you switch your boiler off, put it on a continuous setting or program it to turn on and off at set times each day.

While in contrast the modern timers are made to serve you with a number features that allow you to set different heating patterns for different days of the week in order to cater you with the maximum control over the temperature of your home.

What do the different settings on my timer mean?

On the basis of the timer or programmer you are running, you might see a number of settings or options displayed and you cannot be sure every time about what each of them means. We have mentioned a few common displays that you would find on almost all the boilers.

• 24hrs/On – Your heating will remain on constantly until you turn it off.
• Off – Your heating will stay off until you switch it back on.
• Auto/Twice – Your heating will turn on and off during each 24-hour period according to the times you have set.
• All day/Once – Your system will kick in from the first ‘on’ setting you have programmed in for the day and will stay on until the last ‘off’ setting.
• +1hr/Boost – Your heating will come on for a boost of warmth lasting one hour.
• Advance – This moves the timer to the next ‘on’ or ‘off’ setting in the programmed daily cycle.

How to set boiler timer pins?

The mechanical timers feature small pins there around the edge of the dial that can be moved in or out. Each pin is made to represent a 15 minute time period. To begin using the system, you first need to make sure that you set the correct time by turning the dial until the hands show the right time of the day. Now simply slide the pins in at the times you want your heating to come on and leave them out when you want your boiler to be off.

How to set the digital timer on your boiler?

Exactly like the mechanical timer, you first need to make sure that the clock is showing the correct current time while setting a digital timer. While most of the modern panels are made to set the time automatically but if in case yours doesn’t then you would have to adjust it yourself on the basis of the instructions served.

How to turn off a timer on a boiler?

You are catered with a switch to turn your boiler on or off on the continuous setting, which means it would stay on until you decide to put it off. In case of a modern boiler with thermostatic controls, you can also set the appliance to heat your home to a particular temperature, rather than programming it to turn on and off at particular times of the day. 

How to fix a timer on a boiler?

At times you might have found yourself questioning as to why my boiler stays on when timer is off. Including this, there are a number of other problems that can arise with the timer to leave you scratching your head. While each of these are much easier to fix. For instance, if the clock on your timer isn’t set to the right current time, this means that heating comes on earlier or turns off later than you expect it to. This particularly can be an issue when we switch to and from the British Summer Time. Although some timer clocks change automatically, not all do. Therefore, to address this particular issue, you simply need to reset the current time.

In other case, if there’s been a power outage to your boiler that probably might have affected the clock. Many boilers automatically reset to midnight, which can lead to these appliances switching on at random times. Again, the fix for this is to reset the current time.

If your timer seems to have stopped working altogether then you could try resetting it to see if this helps. If not, you are recommended to consult a professional help regarding the same.