Is it normal for boiler pressure to fluctuate?

Don’t get straight on the phone to your engineer if you see your pressure changing temporarily as this is completely normal. Combi boiler pressure increases when the heating is on as your boiler uses fuel (gas, oil etc) to heat the water – this increase in pressure is natural.

How do I rebalance boiler pressure?





Top tip!

  1. Switch off and allow your boiler to cool.
  2. Double-check that both ends of the filling loop are securely attached.
  3. Open both valves, to allow cold mains water into the system (you should hear it)
  4. Wait for the pressure gauge to read 1.5 bar.
  5. Close both valves, one after the other.

Why does my boiler pressure keep going up and down?

This happens because the water in the heating system expands when hot and contracts when cold so on a sealed system or combi an expansion vessel is fitted the pipework in the boiler or outside the boiler. The expansion vessel is made in two halves and joined together in the middle with a rubber diaphragm.

When should I worry about boiler pressure?

Symptoms of boiler pressure loss

There’s no heating or hot water. Your radiators aren’t warming up properly. The dial on the pressure gauge has fallen.

Why does my boiler pressure keep rising?





If the valve is stuck partially open (or hasn’t been closed fully), that’s going to constantly leak small amounts of water into the system. When this is the case, the boiler pressure will rise constantly, even when hot water and heating aren’t currently on.

Is 2 bar too high for a boiler?

The sweet spot for your boiler pressure is 1.5bar, this is in the middle of the ideal range of between 1-2 bar. Most boiler manufacturers recommend an optimal pressure of 1.3bar, but don’t worry if it’s not quite exact, as long as it’s within the working range you won’t have a problem.

How do you find a filling loop?

An external filling loop can be located anywhere on the central heating circuit which gives it great location flexibility. In many instances the filling loop will be located on the pipework within 1 meter of the boiler.

Is 3 bar too high in boiler?

High boiler pressure isn’t dangerous, even if it’s showing as three bar on the pressure gauge. In most cases, the boiler will turn itself off if the pressure goes about a certain level and a working PRV should successfully control the pressure, preventing it from getting too high.

How do I get the pressure down on my boiler?



How to reduce your boiler pressure

  1. Switch off your boiler and wait for the heating system to cool.
  2. Identify and check the boiler pressure gauge.
  3. If it’s above 2 bars, you’ll need to reduce the pressure.
  4. Ensure the filling loop or relief valve is tightly closed.

Is 2.5 bar too high for a boiler?

Your boiler should be running between the 1 bar and the 1.5 bar, which will be in the green section of the boiler pressure gauge. If the bar is hitting over 2.5 bars, then the pressure from the water in the system is too high, and anything below 1 bar is too low.

Should boiler pressure rise when heating is on?

When you turn the heating on the water in the pipes and radiators heats up and expands. This water expansion causes the pressure to increase in the whole system. So, when the heating is on you should notice the boiler pressure on the gauge to increase slightly but not above 2 bar.

Can a dripping tap cause boiler pressure to drop?



This is the most common cause when looking at boiler pressure loss. The smallest of leaks can cause your system to lose pressure. A small weep on a radiator valve is enough to cause pressure loss on your boiler..

Why does my combi keep losing pressure?

Your combi boiler can be losing pressure for a number of reasons. Pressure loss may be caused from a leak in the pressure relief valve, an issue in the expansion vessel, air in your system, or a leak in the heating pipework itself.

How often should I need to top up the pressure in the heating system?

once or twice a year

The pressure in the system will usually require topping up once or twice a year. If you are having to repressurise your heating system much more frequently, please contact your installer.

Do boilers lose pressure over time?



If you’ve woken up this morning and found your boiler has lost pressure for the first time, don’t panic. It’s a very common occurrence. Over time, or even overnight, your boiler can lose water and therefore pressure. All that’s necessary is to top up the boiler or, in other words, to repressurise the system.

Why does my boiler lose pressure after the heating has been on?

Majority of the time, pressure loss is due to a leak in the boiler itself or somewhere in the heating system. Unless the dial sits at 0 even when topped up (which could indicate a faulty pressure gauge), it’s likely a leak is the culprit — even if you can’t pinpoint it!

Does boiler pressure drop in winter?

Falling temperatures can put additional pressure on your boiler and heating system. Especially if it’s used a lot suddenly after not being used all summer. As winter approaches, the pressure on the boiler is just going to increase.

What pressure should boiler be cold?

between 1 and 1.5 bar



What pressure should my boiler be when it’s cold? The normal boiler pressure when the central heating system has cold water should be between 1 and 1.5 bar. Most manufacturers recommend an optimal system pressure of 1.3 bar .

Why does my boiler lose pressure when it’s cold?

Damaged Expansion Valve

A faulty expansion vessel/valve, may also be the cause of a boiler losing pressure when cold. When cold water heats up inside a boiler or any heating system at all, the molecules move around so rapidly that they expand.