Your household boiler is one of the most important appliances in your home, providing you with hot water and enabling you to keep your rooms at a comfortable temperature during the colder months. That’s why it’s so important to keep it in good condition; however, it’s not always easy to spot faults or know when it’s time to upgrade. For example, a common piece of advice is that you should replace your boiler when it reaches ten years old, but the reality isn’t as simple as that. A reliable boiler could serve you for more than ten years, while the following signs could indicate that it’s time to replace yours even if it’s not that old yet.
The boiler needs frequent repairs or is hard to get parts for
If you find yourself constantly needing the services of a trustworthy Heating Engineer to fix your boiler, it might be more cost-effective to simply replace it with a new one. You should definitely make sure your boiler is regularly serviced, but if you’re noticing problems every few months, then it might be time to upgrade. This is also true if sourcing replacement parts is difficult or expensive, as again, the overall cost of this could end up being more than the cost of buying a modern boiler.
Your energy bills are getting more expensive
Having a more efficient boiler will keep your energy bills down. If you notice that you’re starting to spend more money on your heating and hot water even though your usage hasn’t increased, this could be a sign that your boiler is becoming less efficient and therefore costing more to run. It’s a good idea to compare the increase in your bills to the cost of a new boiler and work out whether upgrading could save you money in the long run. Having a more efficient boiler installed will be better for the environment too.
The boiler is making strange noises or smells odd
If you notice strange noises, bangs, or vibrations coming from your boiler, this could indicate that there’s a fault in need of fixing. Call out an engineer if you’re worried, and depending on their recommendation, it could well be time for a new boiler. Other warning signs to be aware of include leaks and unusual smells – a boiler should never emit any odor, and if yours is then, it could indicate there’s a potentially dangerous gas leak.
You’ve noticed a loss of efficiency
One clear way to see that you need a new boiler is that your current one isn’t doing its job properly. If you’re experiencing fluctuations in water temperature, having to wait longer for the water to heat up, or if your radiators are taking more time to get warm, these are all signs that you might need to replace your boiler – or at least have your current one serviced. Call in an engineer and see what they recommend. After all, no one likes to shiver in a cold house or have to wait ages just to take a hot shower!
