Noisy central heating pump

🔒 Written by a Gas Safe registered engineer
May Need Pro💷 £0£2505–10 min
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Safety First
⚠️ Turn off the heating before touching the pump.

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Most likely cause & what to check

1

A gurgling or rushing sound is usually trapped air. Bleed all radiators and check the boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar — this often resolves it.

Step 1 illustration
2

Look at the pump (a silver or white cylindrical unit, usually near the boiler). If it has a dial showing speeds 1, 2, 3, try turning it to a lower setting.

3

If the pump is making a grinding or high-pitched squealing sound, it is failing and needs replacing. Call a heating engineer. Tell them: "My central heating pump is making a [describe] noise."

🛠 Tools & materials you may need

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