When should you replace your boiler?
The signs it is time for a new one, and when a repair is still the better choice.
The signs it is time for a new one, and when a repair is still the better choice.
Most boilers have the odd fault. If you are calling an engineer out several times a year, resetting it often, or the heating and hot water keep cutting out, parts inside are probably wearing out. A repair may sort it, but if the same problems keep coming back, a new boiler may give you more peace of mind.
Lots of things affect energy bills, but an older or less efficient boiler can play a part. As boilers age they can work harder to give the same heat. A new boiler, sized properly for your home and set up with good controls, can help. It does not need to be the most expensive one, just the right one for the house.
Banging, whistling, gurgling or vibration can come from trapped air, low pressure, sludge or worn parts. Some of these can be repaired, especially if they are caught early. If the boiler is noisy and the radiators are slow to warm up, rooms stay cold or hot water takes longer to come through, it is worth getting it looked at.
When parts for an older boiler are discontinued or expensive, one repair can cost a big share of what you could put towards a new boiler. And if fixing one part is followed by another failing, replacing it often becomes the more sensible choice.
A new boiler is not always about a fault. If you are extending, adding a bathroom, converting a loft or more people are living in the house, your old boiler may no longer keep up. The new one should be chosen for how the house is used now, not just swapped like for like.
Age on its own does not mean a boiler needs replacing. Plenty keep working well for years when they are serviced every year. As a boiler gets older, it is worth keeping an eye on how it is performing, how often it needs repairing and how much it costs to run. Look at the whole picture, not just the age.
If your boiler is reliable and just has one faulty part, a repair is usually the better choice. We will tell you honestly whether a repair is worth doing.
The right boiler depends on the size of the house, how many bathrooms you have, how many people live there and how you use hot water. A combi suits many homes, but some are better with a system or regular boiler. A boiler that is the wrong size can mean poor hot water flow and extra strain on the system.
Fitting a boiler is not a DIY job. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, for your safety and to keep the manufacturer’s guarantee. Once it is fitted, a yearly service keeps it running safely and keeps the guarantee valid.
Need a hand with any of this? Ring us on 07506 522550 or send the form.
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