Glow-worm Short Cycling / Oversized Boiler or Poor Control

Boiler frequently short cycles (turns on and off rapidly) during heating

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Possible Causes

Boiler output too high for system, Incorrect control settings, Blocked or undersized bypass, Poor system balancing

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: No immediate safety risk, but short cycling reduces efficiency and component life.

  • Check room thermostat location: Ensure it is not near a heat source or in a draught, which can cause rapid on/off cycling.
  • Open more radiators: Ensure enough radiators are open to absorb the boiler's minimum output.
  • Check bypass: If a bypass valve is fitted, ensure it is not fully closed.
  • Engineer tasks:
    • Adjust boiler maximum CH output via settings if supported.
    • Balance radiators to improve heat distribution.
    • Install or adjust an automatic bypass valve if required.

Optimising controls and balancing can significantly improve comfort and efficiency.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Automatic Bypass Valve
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