Next to the fridge and stove, the hot water boiler is one of the most essential appliances in your home, responsible for maintaining daily water and room temperatures. Regular maintenance, proper boiler installations and servicing are necessary to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Is It Time to Replace Your Boiler?
The average boiler lasts 15 years. The size of the boiler, the home, and what the boiler heats can impact the boiler’s life. Regular maintenance and servicing will help ensure your boiler lasts as long as possible.
Despite regular servicing, consider replacing boilers nearing 15 years of age who have a decreased efficiency. Modern boiler installation is often easier since many types are smaller and lighter.
Several things, aside from age, indicate whether replacement is necessary.
1.Frequent Repairs
Schedule regular services yearly once your boiler reaches middle age, somewhere past seven years old. Consider a replacement if your boiler requires more frequent repairs despite annual servicing. More than one repair each year should be a concern.
2.Difficulty in Finding Parts
In the average 15-year life of a boiler, newer, and more efficient boilers enter the market. With the introduction of newer boilers, older boilers and the parts needed to maintain them become harder to find and cost more to purchase, resulting in expensive repairs and boiler installations.
If it is increasingly more difficult for you or your technician to find the right parts, consider upgrading to a newer model.
3.Increased Energy Bills
Because of our daily reliance on boilers, they account for 60% of monthly energy bills. Rising energy price caps are in place.
It is essential to save energy costs wherever possible. If your bills are rising, check the boiler.
A service is necessary if the boiler or storage tank is leaking, rattling, or otherwise showing signs of malfunction. Often tightening loose nuts and bolts or replacing seals at the point of a leak is enough to get it up and running with improved efficiency. If minor repairs are becoming frequent or not solving the problem, consider a replacement.
4.Bad Smells and Yellow Flames
Boilers function using carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas, making it difficult to notice a gas leak. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t get any smell indicators.
Although the carbon monoxide itself is odourless, other chemicals and mechanics working with it could give off sour-smelling odours. It is vital to turn off the boiler and call emergency gas services immediately when this occurs.
Additionally, as a part of the burning process, your boiler produces a blue flame. If the flame goes out or is yellow, call a technician immediately for an inspection.
What Are the Problems if a Boiler Is Not Replaced?
Not replacing the boiler could lead to several problems, including:
● Increased energy costs
● Decreased water and room temperatures
● Taking longer to heat the water
● The boiler not working at all
● Leaks causing structural damage
● A potential for gas leaks
Benefits of a New Boiler
There could be any number of reasons that your boiler is working less effectively or requiring more repairs. In either case, a poorly functioning boiler is costly to maintain.
Many modern boiler types are cheaper and easier to maintain while operating more efficiently. Additionally, modern boilers have increased smart technology to control your boiler from anywhere, using a tablet, computer, or smartphone. Added control means that you can increase efficiency and reduce costs.
If you are experiencing any boiler problems, speak directly to a qualified gas safe registered technician at Videtta Heating & Plumbing. Serving the Herts, Beds and Bucks areas, contact the experts at Videtta Heating & Plumbing today at 07821 301287 to fix your boiler problems.
