It’s amazing how much time, money and energy homeowners waste trying to find solutions to their boiler problems. But in reality, if you’ve reached a point where your boiler is making strange noises or doesn’t seem to be heating the house properly, then it’s usually time to consider replacing your boiler rather than repairing it. Here are five tell-tale signs that your boiler needs replacing:
1. Your boiler is over ten years old
Boiler systems are complex and need regular maintenance, so it’s important to invest in a new boiler every decade or so – technology moves quickly and older models won’t have the same efficiency and safety measures as newer ones. If your boiler is over 10 years old it is also likely that it is not A-rated and therefore not energy efficient which could be costing you extra money on your energy bills. Find out more about boiler energy ratings in our blog ‘What is an A-rated boiler and what’s the benefit?’.
2. Your Boiler isn’t heating the house properly
If your boiler is struggling to heat the house properly, it’s time for an upgrade. One of the most common signs you need a new boiler is when you have to turn the thermostat up higher than usual to get your home warm. If your radiator takes longer than usual to warm up or doesn’t get hot at all, this is also a sign that there is a problem with your heating system.
3. Your Boiler is noisy
If you hear strange noises coming from your boiler, it could be a sign that it needs replacing. Boilers are complicated pieces of machinery, and they require regular servicing to stay running smoothly. A dirty or blocked flue can make the boiler sound a bit like a jet engine – minerals from hard water can build up in pipes and parts of the system and create clunking noises as they are burnt off in operation.
4. There’s a leak or water around it
Leaks can be caused by faulty pipework, which is particularly common in older systems. The age of your system will make a difference in the likelihood of leaks. If your boiler is old or hasn’t been serviced regularly, it may be more likely that there has been some damage caused by freezing temperatures over winter or from your boiler being turned off for long periods of time during summer and then turned back on again. Leaks are often caused by rust or corrosion, if your pipes are corroded you may notice signs such as discolouration on your walls near the pipes, or visible rust on the pipes themselves.
5. Your boiler is giving off a bad smell
If your boiler is giving off a bad smell, this is an emergency and it should be addressed immediately. A boiler should never give off any kind of smell, and this could indicate a carbon monoxide leak. Although carbon monoxide is odourless, a leak could cause the boiler to not burn correctly which is what results in an odour.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous and a leak could be fatal. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, shortness of breath, nausea and unconsciousness. We always recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home as a precautionary measure.
It’s usually better to replace an older boiler than repair it
If you live in a home with an old boiler, then the cost of repairing it could well be higher than buying a new one. This is because most boilers have reached the end of their useful life and need replacing sooner or later.
A new boiler will last longer, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it again for many years and it will also be more efficient which can save you money on your energy bills too. And of course, it will come with peace of mind knowing that your family will have reliable hot water and heating for years to come.
If you are experiencing any of the above issues and think it’s time to replace your boiler give our knowledgeable friendly team a call to discuss your options. You can reach us on 0800 043 0440 (landline) or 01992 677 676 (mobile) or fill out our instant quote form here.
Who are Prime Time boilers?
Prime Time boilers are a local boiler installation company working across the southeast of England including Essex, Kent, Sussex and beyond. Our engineers have over 50 years of combined experience in installing boilers giving you the reassurance that the job will be done in an efficient and professional manner. Our work speaks for itself but if you would like to find out more, check out these testimonials from our customers.
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