Your boiler is the central piece of equipment that provides heat and hot water to your home. Most homes have a boiler as part of their heating system. If you own a property that has a boiler, then you must know what can happen to them over time and how this affects their performance and efficiency levels. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a faulty boiler will help you to catch problems early, which can prevent major equipment issues and expensive breakdowns.
When the weather is cold and snowy, having a boiler failure may be dreadfully stressful. This is especially true if you're not sure whether your boiler can be fixed or needs to be replaced completely. There are several scenarios in which a broken boiler might simply and swiftly be repaired, allowing you to enjoy a warm and comfortable home. However, in some cases, if your boiler is very old or damaged in some way, it may need to be replaced by an entirely new unit.
So how can you tell if repairing or replacing your boiler is the best option?
Always Prioritize Your Safety First and Foremost
Before contemplating any sort of boiler or heating system maintenance, you should always prioritize safety. A broken boiler can be a serious health hazard and need to be repaired immediately. A lot of problems boilers face can cause carbon monoxide emissions, which are an extremely dangerous gas that needs only one breath to do you in. So if your boiler isn't functioning and you can tell that there is a problem, contact your trusted HVAC service company immediately.
If your boiler is old, it may not meet current safety and operation requirements. The first thing you should always do is contact a professional to ensure that your boiler is safe and if it can be properly serviced. Even if an engineer can repair a fault with your boiler, it might still be potentially dangerous and prone to difficulties. In the worst case, you might not be able to repair your boiler completely and need to replace it altogether.
Is Your Boiler Already Energy-Efficient or Costing You More Money Instead?
Most old boilers used to be quite inefficient and required a lot of fuel to run. Modern boilers, however, use much less fuel and as such may not give you the same amount of heat output as your old boiler. Even if your old boiler can be fixed, a new boiler may be considerably more energy-efficient. You might even be able to save money in the long run by installing a more efficient boiler. A more efficient boiler can heat rooms faster and keep you warm throughout the winter.
If you are unsure whether your boiler is too inefficient, one good way to find out is by looking at your utility bills. Some people fear that replacing their boiler will result in higher heating costs. But this might not be the case. If your new energy-efficient boiler is more efficient, it may lower your costs in the long run. If your boiler is already a modern, energy-efficient type, having it serviced by a qualified specialist may be the quickest method to get it operating again quickly.
How Often Does Your Boiler Break Down?
If your boiler has frequent problems, it may be time for a replacement. A faulty boiler will usually need to be repaired on an annual or bi-annual basis. Many issues can happen to boilers that should only occur every few years, such as being unable to fire up properly or producing little heat output. If your boiler is constantly experiencing such problems, it may be time to start looking for a replacement.
If your boiler only fails down rarely and is a modern model, repairing it is generally the best option since chronic failures are rare. Boiler repairs are usually very cheap and relatively easy to accomplish compared to boiler replacements. If your boiler is still under warranty or you have a reliable service company that you trust, repairing will be much easier than replacement.
How Much Money Have You Spent For Boiler Repair?
If you have spent a lot of money on boiler repairs and your boiler is still not working properly, it may be time for a replacement. If you spend too much on boiler repairs in the long run, when compared to the costs of installing a new, energy-efficient model, it may be cheaper to replace the unit quickly rather than continue to fix it. A new boiler will most likely be cheaper to purchase and install, even if it is more energy-efficient than continuing to pay for annual repairs on the one you already have.
If the cost of repairing your boiler is low, or if the fix is simple, this may be the most affordable option for you. Not only that but in many situations, many more recent boilers will still be covered by a warranty. This can cover the cost of replacement parts as well as labour in certain circumstances.
In conclusion, If your boiler is leaking, the most cost-effective and efficient solution in many cases is simply to fix it. If you have a current boiler that typically performs well, there's little chance your boiler will need to be replaced. However, if your old boiler is broken, out of warranty, or potentially dangerous, you should consider replacing it with a new modern boiler.
Are you considering getting your boiler serviced soon?
RARE Heating and Plumbing Services also offers exclusive membership services for customers so they will get boiler services scheduled for them regularly. Get the most out of your heating and plumbing facilities at your home or business by having a reliable boiler company near you that can provide all of these services with little to no downtime. Contact us at 020 7458 4949 or click here to become our RARE member!
