When it comes to replacing boilers, remember, age is just a number. There’s a misconception that when a boiler reaches a certain milestone you need to get rid of it and and have a new one installed. This really isn’t the case. With a few tweaks and regular servicing your boiler can live well into old age. However, in some situations, there’s no alternative to “out with the old in with the new”.

Take a look at this list of boiler-on-the-blink signs. Understanding them will help you work out whether your boiler may need repairing or replacing.

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• Frequent Breakdowns

If you’re having to call out a Gas Safe Engineer more than once a year, it’s worth considering whether the sum of repairs and call-outs is greater than the cost of a new boiler.

Treating your existing boiler to regular servicing should keep it ticking over smoothly all year, so a replacement is really only needed if your boiler still struggles afterwards.

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• Your Bills are Creeping up without Explanation

You’ve probably heard about the “efficiently rating” of boilers, but you may not know what it means for your household bills.

Simply put, a less efficient boiler costs you more money to run. Modern boilers are A-rated and operate at more than 90% efficiency, while G-rated models run at 70% or less.  So upgrading you boiler from a G to an A rated could save you money.

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• Noisy Boiler or Radiators

Central heating systems make all sorts of sounds, most of which are completely harmless. But it’s worth noting any changes in noise type and volume.

Tapping sounds on pipes or radiators could be a sign of sludge build up in your system. This is easy to fix with a powerflush. But if you hear humming, vibrating or banging, a bigger fault may exist within the boiler or central heating system.

Give us a call if you hear any unusual boiler or central heating noises.

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• The Blue Flame is now Yellow

The boiler flame should burn bright blue. If it’s changed to a yellow or orange colour, your boiler needs an immediate service from a Gas Safe Engineer. They’ll be able to tell you how serious the problem is, and the best way to solve it.

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• Your Boiler Smells Odd when it’s on

If you smell a sulphurous, eggy odour when you use your boiler, there’s probably a gas leak. Immediately turn off the boiler and call the National Grid then get in touch with a registered Gas Safe Engineer. Do this if you ever detect any unusual odours emitting from your boiler. In this situation, your boiler may well need replacing. Consider the advice of your engineer carefully.

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• Leaking Boiler

Your boiler shouldn’t ever leak water. If it does, an internal component – such as a valve or seal – may have broken. Leaving a problem such as this unfixed could lead to an electrical short-circuit, and even structural damage to your home. So switch your boiler off and have it professionally checked. Hopefully, it’ll be possible to restore it to full working order, without the need to replace it.

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• Replacement parts are hard to find

If your boiler is in it’s golden years it might be hard to find spare parts when a repair is needed. This doesn’t mean that you need to rush out and buy a new boiler, but it does mean that some carefully research on the cost and availability of spares is worth doing.

If it’s expensive to replace obsolete parts, consider how often you need to do this. A real workhorse of an old boiler might hardly ever have issues, in which case, it’s probably worth repairing. If you Gas Safe Engineer needs to scour the internet for new parts on a regular basis, the mounting cost of repairs could mean it’s more economical for you to replace the boiler instead.

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• It’s not working like it used to

If you decide that new boiler is the right option for you, you us a call today on 01727 730590 for a free no obligation quote.