Eight Indicators that you Need a New Boiler

Did you know that the average cost of a new boiler is around £2,500? You might have discovered this if you’re considering getting your old one replaced. This cost is likely to come as a bit of a shock and it might be putting you off getting the upgrade done. But installing a new boiler has many advantages, including making your home warmer and reducing your energy bills. It can also be safer than sticking with your old boiler.

As it’s such as big cost, it’s not a decision you’re going to make lightly. However, there are some key signs you can look out for.

Here’s eight indicators that you need a new boiler.

1- The Age of Your Boiler

The age of your boiler is one of the first things to consider when you’re trying to work out whether it needs replacing. If it’s more than ten years old then it’s unlikely to be as efficient as newer boilers and the parts inside will be starting to suffer from wear and tear. Boiler guarantees don’t tend to last longer than 10 years either. So, the older your boiler is the more worthwhile it is to replace it.

2- How Well it’s Functioning

Of course, despite its age, your boiler could be functioning perfectly well. So, it’s not a given that it needs replacing. However, if you’re also finding that you’re getting inconsistent heating and hot water or your radiators are taking a long time to heat up, then it might be time to look at a boiler upgrade.

3- Your Boiler’s Frequently Breaking Down

A boiler that breaks down a lot is costly to keep running. Callout fees and parts can be expensive. So, it doesn’t take long to rack up huge repair costs. And this can work out just as pricey as a new boiler. Plus, you need to consider the inconvenience it causes. Do you really want to deal with multiple breakdowns over winter? This is especially problematic for young children and vulnerable family members.

4- It Needs a New Heat Exchanger

Should your boiler break down and you find you need a new heat exchanger, it might be worth investing in a new boiler rather than just this one part. A heat exchanger typically costs around £500 but it can be more. Plus, there’ll be labour costs for fitting it. This means that unless you have a warranty or boiler breakdown cover, it might not be worth repairing – especially if the boiler is old and has other problems.

5- Parts are Hard to Find

It’s not just the cost of fitting new parts that can determine whether you need a new boiler, it can be their availability. If your heating engineer is finding it hard to source new parts for an aging boiler then that’s obviously an issue. You could be waiting without a boiler while parts are on order or it simply may not be possible to find critical parts, meaning your boiler can’t be repaired.

6- The Boiler’s Noisy

You might also be finding that your boiler is noisier than it used to be. This can be down to a sludge build-up in the system or simply down to wear and tear. But aside from the noise being more disruptive, it does indicate that your boiler needs some attention. So, it’s worth discussing this with your heating engineer to see whether repairing or replacing is the most cost-effective solution.

7- It’s Not Powerful Enough

Boilers come in different sizes, ranging between 10kW and 45kW. In general, the bigger the size, the more rooms they can heat and the more bathrooms they can provide hot water for. If you’ve had an extension done or you’re planning to have one, you may need to think about getting a more powerful boiler to ensure it’s capable of meeting the demands of your expanded home.

8- Safety is an Issue

Last but not least, you need to consider safety. If there are any indicators that your boiler isn’t operating safely, you should consider investing in a new one. For instance, older, non-condensing gas boilers aren’t sealed off from the room as they need the air inside your home for ventilation.

This means you’re more at risk from dangerous fumes and combustion than with a condensing boiler. More worryingly, if you can see black sooty marks around your boiler, it may be leaking carbon monoxide. Along with getting your boiler serviced annually and using a carbon monoxide alarm, you should get a new boiler if there are any safety concerns.

Finding a Heating Engineer

After reading this, you might now be thinking it’s time to replace your home’s boiler. That means you’ll need to find a heating engineer. Not only can they accurately assess whether your boiler needs replacing, but they can also ensure it’s installed correctly and safely.

Although there might be plenty of heating engineers in your area, it’s essential to find one that’s qualified and competent. If you’re replacing a gas boiler, you must make sure your heating engineer is Gas Safe registered. This ensures they’re qualified to safely carry out the work. Registered engineers should have a valid ID and licence number. You can also check online reviews and ask to see references from previous customers to help you hire the best person for the job.