9 Reasons Your Boiler Won’t Fire (and When to Call for Boiler Repair in Franklin, MA)

When the first cold snap hits, and your home suddenly has no heat—do you know what to do next? Our homeowner-friendly guide covers the most common causes, safety steps you can try, and when it’s time to call our pros at G&C Plumbing & Heating. Our licensed technicians provide rapid boiler services in Franklin, MA and the surrounding area, keeping your home warm and safe all winter long.

Call (508) 966-8919

Gas and Carbon Monoxide Safety Comes First

If you smell gas, hear a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, or notice heavy soot around the boiler, leave the home immediately and call for emergency services. No matter what you do, do not relight a pilot or restart power in a suspected gas or CO situation. Once you’re safe, contact G&C Plumbing & Heating for a professional boiler inspection.

Ideally, you should schedule annual boiler maintenance in Franklin before the heating season begins. You’ll prevent problems, save money, and keep everything running efficiently. 

Quick DIY Checks Before Calling for Boiler Service

A few simple checks can resolve many of our “no heat” calls. Before you pick up the phone, try these safe steps:

Thermostat: Make sure it’s set to Heat, the target temperature is above room temperature, the batteries are fresh, and no “Hold” or schedule conflict is preventing the call for heat.

Power and switches: Confirm the boiler’s service switch is ON, the breaker or fuse hasn’t tripped, and any emergency switch (often near basement stairs) is switched on.

If these quick fixes don’t restore your home’s heat, the issue may be one of the common problems below.

9 Reasons Your Boiler Isn’t Firing

We put together some of the most common reasons that boilers won’t fire.

1) Thermostat or Controls Aren’t Calling for Heat

Smart thermostats on the wrong schedule, low batteries, or loose wiring can block the call for heat. Restart the thermostat, confirm Heat mode, and temporarily raise the setpoint. If nothing changes, the problem may lie in the boiler’s control board; it’s time for a pro.

2) No Electrical Power

Even gas and oil boilers rely on electricity for controls and ignition. A tripped breaker, blown fuse, or off switch will shut everything down. Restore power and wait a few minutes for reset. If it trips again, call a technician to track down the fault.

3) Gas or Propane Supply Issues

A closed valve, empty propane tank, or utility outage means no ignition. Verify valves are open and tanks are filled. If you suspect a leak, evacuate immediately and call your utility. You should never troubleshoot a gas leak yourself.

4) Low System Pressure / Low Water Condition 

Hydronic boilers shut down if pressure is too low. Everything from small leaks to a faulty fill valve, or expansion tank problems can all be caused from pressure issues. Note the gauge reading, but leave refilling and venting to a licensed professional to avoid air locks or over-pressurizing.

5) Pilot Light Problems or Igniter Failure 

Older boilers use a standing pilot that can blow out without much difficuty,  but newer models use igniters that wear over a longer period of time. Because this process involves gas handling, relighting or replacing parts should be left to a pro.

6) Frozen Condensate Pipe (Common in MA Winters) 

High-efficiency boilers create condensate that must drain outside. In freezing weather, the line can ice over and trigger a lockout. Careful thawing may get you heat temporarily, but rerouting or insulating the pipe is the long-term fix.

7) Dirty or Faulty Flame Sensor 

A coated flame sensor can’t detect the flame and shuts the boiler down. Sometimes cleaning works; other times replacement is needed. This procedure is a fast, common repair during routine maintenance.

8) Safety Lockout / Error Codes

Modern boilers lock out to protect themselves when they detect problems such as failed ignition, overheating, or venting issues. Note any flashing codes on the display and share them with your technician to help accelerate the diagnosis process.

9) Circulator, Flow, or Air Problems 

If water isn’t circulating, safeties can trip. Common culprits include failed pumps, stuck zone valves, or air trapped in the lines. A technician will purge air, test components, and restore steady, quiet heat.

When to Call for Boiler Repair and Maintenance in Franklin, MA

Give us a call at G&C Plumbing & Heating if your quick checks don’t bring back heat, you see error codes, the boiler short-cycles, makes unusual noises, or repeatedly loses pressure. Our team provides fast diagnostics and clear explanations, upfront pricing before work begins, and repairs and maintenance that keep your system reliable all winter. Don’t get stuck without heat this season. Contact G&C Plumbing & Heating today for trusted Franklin boiler repair and boiler maintenance.

Call (508) 966-8919