6 Signs Your Boiler is Ready to Be Replaced
Boilers don’t have expiry dates, but many homeowners learn that their boiler can often just refuse to work anymore with no warning at all. However, there are some tell-tale signs to keep an eye out for, which can give you some hints as to when it’s time to start thinking about replacing your boiler. If any of the below resonate with you, it might be time to start seriously thinking about getting a new boiler fitted in your home.
Your Boiler is Getting On
Boilers only last for about ten years, and after that amount of time is usually when they start playing up and giving you problems. If your boiler is over ten years old, it’s definitely worth starting to look around for a replacement even if your boiler doesn’t seem to be having any major issues or faults. Even if your boiler appears to still be working perfectly fine, it’s worth considering an upgrade since technology has moved on a lot in the last decade and there are plenty more safety features and smart control options available, not to mention better energy efficiency, which brings us to our next point:
Your Boiler Doesn’t Meet Energy Efficiency Standards
Some boilers just aren’t up to standard in terms of energy efficiency. A boiler that is rated ‘A’ will have an energy efficiency of at least 90%; compare this to a ‘G’ rated boiler, which is only 70% energy efficient at the most. As a result, for every £1 you spend on your gas bill, you are going to be losing 30p in lost energy. Replacing your boiler with a more energy-efficient alternative is a great way to save money in the long term; you could save up to £300 a year on your utility bills as a result.
It’s Always Breaking Down
If your boiler always seems to have something going wrong with it and barely gives you a week’s peace and quiet after being repaired before throwing another problem at you, then it’s definitely time to change it. If there’s constantly something wrong with your hot water or heating, or you’re having to re-pressurise your boiler all the time, it’s not going to get any better and it could even wind up being quite dangerous for your household too. And, don’t forget that the money you’re spending on repairs and new parts is probably best put towards getting a new boiler that you can rely on installed. You can find some of the best combi boilers on the market through the guide on Boiler Central; they have a wide range of modern boiler options whether you’re looking for something simple and reliable or a range of flashy smart controls.
Your Energy Bills are Going Up
If your gas and electric bills seem to be getting higher and higher even though you’re not doing anything differently in terms of your energy consumption at home, it could be your boiler that is the culprit. Boilers that are becoming increasingly inefficient can end up costing you a huge amount in energy bills; extra money that you’d probably be much better off putting towards getting a new boiler instead.
Noisy Boiler and Radiators
You might have gotten used to the kettling, gurgling and knocking sounds coming from your radiator or boilers, but the truth is that these are not great sounds to hear. In fact, they’re a major signal that something has gone wrong and if they’re only getting worse every time you run the hot tap or turn your central heating on, it’s probably worth thinking about switching your boiler out for a new one. If you leave these sounds ignored, they can lead to even more damage over time or even cause your boiler to break down completely.
Yellow Flame
Last but not least, keep an eye out for the colour of your boiler’s flame. A healthy boiler that is working well should burn with a blue flame, however, if the flame is yellow, this could be a sign of a serious carbon monoxide problem. If you have carbon monoxide alarms in your home, they might have already indicated to you that there is a carbon monoxide issue with your boiler. This should be dealt with immediately; carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas that can cause you to become seriously ill or even worse, kill you if exposure levels are high enough. Nausea, headaches, fatigue and dizziness are all symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning so if your boiler has a yellow flame and anybody in your family has experienced these symptoms, you should get medical attention straight away and have your boiler replaced as a matter of urgency.
Most modern boilers are reliable and designed to last quite a long time. But they don’t last forever, and there are some sure signs to look out for that mean a boiler replacement is in order.
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