Worried your boiler is in need of replacement? A boiler that has started to age, or becomes ineffective over time, can have dramatic consequences on the household, leading to increased energy bills, poor air quality and issues with hot water, to name but a few. In this guide, we provide an in-depth overview of boiler replacement and repair, to help you determine which is appropriate and how to make the most of your current system.
Repair Or Replacement?
The first thing you need to make a decision on is whether your boiler needs a complete replacement or will instead be able to perform efficiently and effectively with minor repairs. Generally speaking, it’s likely that your engineer will recommend boiler repairs for the following:
● If your boiler is new, or less than five years old and is breaking down occasionally.
● Minor issues, such as inconsistent temperatures can be easily fixed or managed.
● Dirty filters or boiler parts can be cleaned to optimise performance.
Boiler replacement, however, can be the result of a number of different and potentially serious issues. Let’s take a closer look at the key signs your boiler needs replacing.
Key Signs Your Boiler Needs Replacing
In many instances, repairs can either be too costly to be considered worth investing in, when boiler replacement could offer an alternative that, despite costing a lot of money in itself, will ensure that you won’t have to continually fork out money for either minor or considerably repair work. Below, we outline the key signs your boiler needs replacing that you need to know:
Increased Electricity Bills
Over time and with extended use, your central heating system is naturally going to lose some of its power and efficiency, thus having to work much harder to produce the same outcome as a new system would do. This, in turn, will only lead to an increase in the cost of energy, as your system works harder, using a greater power capacity, impacting your electricity bills.
Unexpected Shutdowns
A particularly worrying sign that your current boiler is on the way out is if it has begun to switch itself off unexpectedly. Generally, this can be a result of low pressure, a faulty thermostat or a pump issue, but either way, this should always be inspected by a Gas Technician before a judgement is made. They will be able to inform you of a potential problem with a specific part of your boiler, or may even recommend replacing the boiler itself.
Excessive Condensation
If you have noticed a dramatic increase in moisture and condensation build-up, particularly on the inside of your windows, this could indicate an issue with your central heating system. Heating systems are designed to regulate moisture, at least to some degree and should categorically not produce moisture of its own, so, if you do begin to notice a high level of moisture and condensation on your windows and glass doors, you should contact a professional as soon as possible.
Inconsistent Temperatures
A key sign that there is an issue with your central heating system is inconsistent temperatures. In short, this essentially means that the conditions of one room are entirely different to another; for instance, your living room may resemble the temperature of the Sahara, whilst your master bedroom is more akin to the conditions of the arctic. An exaggeration, perhaps, but if your central heating system is no longer operating as it should, the changes in temperature will be stark, as it will no longer be able to correctly distribute warm air throughout your home.
Poor Air Quality
As the efficiency (not to mention cleanliness)of your central heating system fades over time, there will naturally follow a decline in the ability to clean and effectively moisturise the air around your home. This can often be a result of a number of different causes, such as filthy air ducts or an issue with the humidifier, but in most cases, it will typically result in dry, dusty and poor air conditions.
Constant Maintenance
If you constantly find yourself fixing issues with the boiler, facing problems or without hot water for extended periods of time, there is a serious problem with your central heating system that will likely require extensive maintenance and repair work, or, more likely, a complete replacement. Repairs for boilers and central heating systems are costly, and often only act as counter-measures for issues that will continue until an eventual breakdown happens, meaning it’s often recommended that you consider a boiler replacement instead to keep maintenance costs low. Not only this, but a replacement boiler without pre-existing issues will be far more efficient, helping to keep your energy bills manageable.
On a similar note; if your boiler is functioning well but replacement parts have either dramatically gone up in market value, or have been discontinued entirely, your current boiler may need to be replaced as it will either become too expensive to fix, or a worthless commodity waiting to break down.
Strange Noises
A functional and efficient boiler will always make a noise, but this should be something of a gentle hum, rather than anything particularly intrusive. However, a boiler that is making clunking, banging or whirring sounds is almost certainly in need of repair or replacement. Strange noises can be a result of a number of different causes, such as broken valves or pump issues, but are often attributed to age or general wear and tear. If at any point you do hear strange or unusual noises emanating from your boiler and central heating system you should contact a professional technician immediately so an engineer can inspect the system for issues. If these issues are resolvable, the engineer will handle them or make arrangements for replacement parts, but will also make recommendations for complete boiler replacement should this be necessary.
Reduced Pressure
Commonly due to a leak somewhere in your central heating system, or if any air is escaping through a valve, the pressure inside your boiler will drop. Reduced pressure can often be fixed easily with a leak sealer applied to wherever the issue may be originating from, but in more serious cases, you must have your boiler inspected in case of replacement.
Things To Consider
If you have found yourself in a position where you require a replacement boiler, there are a few key points that you will need to consider. Bellow, we outline three essential points to consider when purchasing a new boiler:
Brand
Always choose a trusted and proven brand with a high efficiency and safety rating when choosing a new boiler, as this will help guarantee you are installing a modern, reliable system for the long term.
Size
Ensure the size of your boiler is in line with the scale of your home, and how often you are likely to be using it. Before your purchase your boiler, consider your hot water requirements, demand for heating, the size of your household and then pick a boiler to match.
Installation
Always contact a professional installation company when installing a new boiler, as this will need to be performed by a Gas Safe engineer, who will perform an inspection to determine what installation is best for you.
Gastech - Efficient Boilers With A 12-Year Guarantee
Looking for boiler installation or repair across South Wales? Here at Gastech, we pride ourselves on being one of the most reliable heating and plumbing companies in South Wales and are incredibly proud to be a Worcester Bosch Accredited Installer. Reasonably priced, reliable and efficient, our Worcester Bosch boilers can keep your home warm without costing the earth.
All our Worcester Bosch Boilers are designed and manufactured to provide high levels of performance and operating efficiency. For a free, no-obligation assessment of your property and your requirements, contact us today.
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