My Heating System Isn’t Switching Off!

Issues with turning your heating off can lead to unnecessarily high energy bills and an uncomfortable home. This guide explores why you might be experiencing this issue. 

 

It’s common to assume that the worst issue you can face with your heating system is one that won’t turn on. Particularly, if it’s the middle of winter. However, a heating system that won’t turn off can be just as detrimental, if not more so. If your heating won’t turn off, you are probably wasting a lot of energy and this could lead to a nasty shock when your heating bill arrives. As well as this, if your heating is stuck on, then it’s possible that your home is going to feel uncomfortable and humid. 

 

There are a few reasons why you might be struggling to turn off your central heating system. 

 

 

Issues With The Thermostat

 

It’s possible that the reason why your heating won’t turn off is because of an issue with the thermostat. Usually, these can be repaired and it may be due to a:

 

• Broken heating sensor
• Faulty wiring
• Broken switch

 

A professional can assess your heating system and complete the right repair. If it’s not possible to repair the thermostat, then you should be able to replace it. There are various thermostats on the market that provide higher levels of control when heating your home. 

 

Before you check for faults, make sure that your thermostat is set up correctly. If it uses batteries check these don’t need replacing. If the batteries are fine, turn the settings on your thermostat off. Wait a few minutes before assuming that the system is not working. If this doesn’t work, cut the power to the heating system. You can usually do this with a switch that can be found on your boiler or furnace. If you can’t find it, call in a pro to help. 

 

If your thermostat doesn’t have an off switch, adjust the heating a few degrees below room temperature. This should turn the system off. If it doesn’t then there might be a problem with the device or another aspect of your central heating system. 

 

Pump Isn’t Turning Off 

 

It’s possible that your pump isn’t turning off for several hours after you adjust the thermostat. If this is the case, then the pump will continue to cycle and remain red hot despite the fact that the heating is technically turned off. This could cost you a fortune in extra energy bills. While you can switch off the system at the mains, this is only a temporary workaround. 

 

Ultimately, you might need to replace your pump. You could use this to get an upgrade such as a mini-split heat pump. Ductless mini-split heat pumps are far more energy-efficient and cost-effective as a heating solution. They are also universal which means that they can be used with most heating systems. As such, this could be a smart way to improve your heating system and see the greatest benefits of a more eco-friendly home heating setup. 

 

What About An Electrical Heater?

 

Similar to your central heating system, there are a couple of main reasons why your electrical heater won’t turn off. If it doesn’t turn off once it reaches a certain heat, it’s likely that the temperature sensor has burnt out. You will need to replace this. Another problem that can cause an electrical heater to remain on would be a faulty power switch. You can test this by using a voltage meter to check whether the electrical current is running between the power switch and the circuit board. Electrical heaters can be quite complicated so it’s recommended to get professional support if you do notice an issue where the system isn’t turning off. 

 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key reasons why your heating system won’t turn off and the right steps that you can take. By fixing the problem you can ensure that you keep your energy bills under control and avoid your home starting to feel like an oven.

 

Remember, if your heating is having issues and isn’t turning off then this might be the right time to consider an upgrade. Whether you upgrade the entire system or just switch to a modern mini-split heat pump, you will see tremendous benefits including a greener, more cost-friendly solution. An option like this will be more reliable and save you a fortune in the long term.