Biasi Boiler ER03 Fault Code
The Biasi fault code ER03 related to the pressure lockout which we include Q & A or require an engineer for an emergency boiler repair.
The Biasi Fault Code ER03 Error Common Q & A
Just below, we have a list of common questions relating to the ER03 fault code on the Biasi Boiler.
- What does the ER03 fault code mean on my Biasi boiler?
- Why has my boiler locked out?
- When my boiler locks out and shows the ER03 fault code, can I reset it to fix the problem?
- What is the most likely cause of a boiler lockout on my Biasi boiler?
- How could the fan contribute to the ER03 fault code being displayed on my Biasi boiler?
- My boiler repair company thinks the fan needs replacing, how much will this cost?
- What is the condensate pipe, and how can this cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed?
- How can I fix a frozen condensate pipe on my Biasi boiler?
- What does the air pressure switch do, and how could it cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed?
- If the air pressure switch on my boiler needs replacing, how much will it cost?
- How do I check my boiler pressure, and how can it cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed?
- My boiler’s pressure is extremely low, what can I do to fix it?
- Should I just top up my boiler pressure to fix the ER03 fault code?
- How could blockages cause problems with my Biasi boiler?
- If there are blockages in my heating system, how can they be removed?
What does the ER03 fault code mean on my Biasi boiler
If you’re seeing the ER03 fault code being displayed on your Biasi boiler, a general lockout has been initiated by the boiler’s printed circuit board (PCB).
Boilers need to be working within certain tolerances. Your boiler’s PCB will monitor things such as water pressure, gas pressure and even air pressure. If one of the readings that’s being fed back to the PCB isn’t within tolerance, the boiler will lockout.
Why has my boiler locked out
There are two reasons a boiler lockout occurs. The first, is to ensure that continued operation doesn’t damage internal boiler components. This might be the case if the pump was partially blocked and therefore, the circulation of water was being affected.
Continued operation could put strain on the pump, causing it to fail prematurely.
The second and most important reason a boiler will lockout, is when it has the potential to be unsafe. One instance this might occur is if the fan isn’t working. The fan helps to vent harmful gases out of the flue. If it’s not working, these gases will linger within the boiler, exposing people in the property to danger. Instead of continuing to operate, the boiler will shut down and display a fault code instead.
When my boiler locks out and shows the ER03 fault code, can I reset it to fix the problem
Due to a lockout meaning your boiler could be dangerous, you shouldn’t keep trying to reset your boiler. Instead, you should contact a Gas Safe emergency boiler repair company.
They’ll be able to determine what the fault is with your boiler, fix that fault and then reset your boiler which will clear the ER03 fault code from the display panel.
What is the most likely cause of a boiler lockout on my Biasi boiler
Most fault codes are more specific than the ER03 fault code. As an example, for the ER05 fault code, Biasi list the fault as a fan problem. That helps your boiler repair company narrow down the problem quickly. But, the ER03 fault code is generic; Biasi only list the fault as being a general lockout. And, that means there are lots of things that could have led to the boiler locking out in the first place.
Your boiler repair company will need to check the:
- Fan
- Condensate pipe
- Air pressure switch
- Boiler pressure
- Central heating system for blockages
How could the fan contribute to the ER03 fault code being displayed on my Biasi boiler
In terms of safety, the fan is one of the most important parts in your Biasi boiler. The second your boiler ignites, it’s going to be producing harmful gases. And, these gases need to be taken from the boiler, and out of your property.
The fan creates a draft that’s big enough to push these gases out of the flue. So, if the fan isn’t creating a big enough draft, is on the wrong speed setting, or is completely faulty, the boiler’s PCB is going to recognise that continued operation would be dangerous.
Your boiler repair company will need to determine what the problem is (faulty unit, wrong speed setting etc) and fix the problem. Once fixed, they’ll be able to reset the appliance to remove it from its locked out state.
My boiler repair company thinks the fan needs replacing, how much will this cost
Not all fan faults lead to replacements being needed. On some occasions, a simple case of damaged or worn wiring could be the problem; a quick repair is all that’s going to be needed in these instances.
If the fan needs replacing in your Biasi boiler, you should expect to pay around £250.
What is the condensate pipe, and how can this cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed
Whilst the flue is responsible for taking gases from your boiler to the exterior of your property, the condensate pipe is designed to carry condensed gases. It’s an exterior pipe and could be anything from 21.5mm to 32mm in diameter.
For pipes that are unprotected from the elements, they’re prone to freezing when temperatures drop below zero. Condensed gases are no longer to escape due to the frozen blockage and the boiler locks out as a safety precaution; this would lead to a lockout.
How can I fix a frozen condensate pipe on my Biasi boiler
The short term fix is an easy one; simply thaw out the pipe and reset your boiler. However, if this problem has occurred once, it’s likely to occur again. So, you need to install preventative measures.
If your exterior pipework isn’t protected, it will need to be lagged. Also, the larger the pipe and the closer to horizontal it is, the less likely it is to freeze over; you’ll want to discuss your options here with a Gas Safe boiler engineer.
What does the air pressure switch do, and how could it cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed
The air pressure switch monitors air pressure in your boiler. It helps to indicate to the PCB, exactly what the fan is doing. If the fan isn’t the culprit but the boiler keeps locking out, it could be that the air pressure switch is feeding back the wrong readings to the PCB, even when the fan is working.
Your boiler engineer will want to test the air pressure switch for smooth operation and if necessary, test its electrical integrity using a multi-meter.
If the air pressure switch on my boiler needs replacing, how much will it cost
Depending on the exact model of your Biasi boiler, expect a replacement air pressure switch to be in the region of £200-250; that’s the cost including parts and labour.
However, it’s unlikely the job will be completed on the initial call out of your emergency boiler repair company. They’ll have to order the part in from their local supplier, which could take a day or two to arrive.
How do I check my boiler pressure, and how can it cause the ER03 fault code to be displayed
For your boiler to work effectively, it needs to be set to the right pressure. The pressure in your boiler and central heating system is determined by the amount of water in it. To check the pressure of your boiler, look out for the pressure gauge either on or below the display panel. Typically, you’d expect a fully working boiler to be sitting around 1.3 bar when cold.
You may notice red sections on the gauge. Most boiler manufacturers will place the red sections of the gauge at above 3 bar and below 0.5 bar. This indicates the level of pressure that’s too high or low for the boiler to operate; it will lockout at this point.
My boiler’s pressure is extremely low, what can I do to fix it
Low pressure boilers are extremely common. If you’re seeing the pressure gauge at 0.5 bar or below, there’s a good chance that this is the reason your boiler locks out.
The cause of low boiler pressure is usually due to leaks. This could be from any part of the heating system; towel rails, radiators and even copper pipework for instance.
So, you’ll need to get your heating engineer to assess if there are leaks, and if they’ve caused damage. Assessment won’t just be limited to heating parts; the boiler needs to be checked too. If a component like the heating pump has been leaking, this could have caused damage to other components too.
Should I just top up my boiler pressure to fix the ER03 fault code
In this case, topping up boiler pressure using the external filling loop could fix the problem. However, this isn’t advisable until the leak has been found and fixed. A leak inside a boiler could cause damage to a range of electrical components, rendering the boiler scrap on some occasions.
We’d always speaking to a professional to offer their opinion and assistance.
How could blockages cause problems with my Biasi boiler
Finally, your boiler repair company will want to check your heating system for blockages. Blockages can be in anything from the heating pump through to radiators.
Your boiler has thermistors that are on the flow pipe (water leaving the boiler) and return pipe (water entering the boiler to be reheated). These are sensors that monitor resistance readings, which the boiler’s PCB then converts to a temperature reading.
If the readings here are too low or high, the boiler is going to lockout. For instance, if there’s a blockage in a radiator, it might mean that water takes too long to travel around the system, loses temperature and therefore, the flow temperature isn’t high enough.
Blockages tend to come from central heating sludge; a mixture of rust and minerals contained in the heating system.
If there are blockages in my heating system, how can they be removed
The easiest way to clear most of a blockage, is with a hot flush. This involves adding cleaning chemicals to the heating system, and then flushing the system. The system should then be topped up with central heating inhibitor.
This central heating inhibitor will break down heating sludge, and assuming a magnetic system filter has been fitted, it will catch these broken down particles.
Other Biasi boiler issues
For more boiler issues regarding the Biasi Boiler then please visit the Biasi Boiler Problems And Cures page.