Is it time for a new boiler installation?
In the past, older, non-condensing boilers have been known to last twenty, maybe even thirty years. But now, due to modern boilers having a lower water content, more safety devices and controls, they generally do not last as long as older boilers.
If you are reading this article, it is possible that you are already experiencing issues with your boiler. Some issues can be repaired and rectified, but others may mean that it may be time to for a new boiler installation. This article will explore the signs and issues you may be experiencing that may mean that it is time for a new boiler installation.
1. Your boiler has broken down
As with other household appliances, your boiler is likely to breakdown from time-to-time and require a qualified gas engineer to visit your property and diagnose the fault. After an engineer has carried out an investigation into your boiler fault, it could be possible that they are able to carry out a repair. Whether or not a new boiler installation is required, really comes down to weighing up the cost of the repair, versus the cost of a new boiler and the likelihood of something else being faulty with your boiler in the near future. If your boiler is older, depending on the condition of the boiler, it may make more economic sense to replace the boiler rather than repairing it. As long as you use a qualified and trusted gas engineer, they will be able to guide you as to the costs of each course of action, allowing you to make an informed decision as to whether to replace your current boiler or not.
2. Your boiler is more than ten years old
As boilers get older, they aren’t able to deliver the same level of reliability and efficiency that they once did, meaning that the less reliable and costly it becomes to repair them will eventually lead you to replacing your boiler. When exactly it is time to replace your boiler, will largely depend on it’s condition and how well it has been serviced and maintained. Heating systems that have been allowed to build up sludge in them and boilers which have barely been serviced, tend to have shortly life expectancy than heating systems that have magnetic and lime-scale filters and have been regularly serviced. A general guide for a combi boiler, for example, in and around London is about ten years.
At Avenue Heating, have different types of customers; firstly, we have customers who do not want to risk their boiler breaking down in the depths of winter and want to plan and have a pre-emptive new boiler installed. Our other type of customer, will call is in the middle of winter (sometimes on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve!) and need an urgent, emergency new boiler installation. The benefits of planning a new boiler installation, is that you are able to make changes and enhancements to your system on your own terms, at a time that suits you. If you are stuck with getting an emergency boiler installation, you may be limited with what type of boiler you can have, be inconvenienced with potentially having no heating or hot water for a period of time and also may end up paying more for your installation if you are forced to have a new boiler of the Christmas period, for example.
3. You existing boiler is getting noisy
85-90% of all boiler breakdowns are due to poor water quality in your heating system and a noisy boiler could be a sign that your system is beginning to block up with sludge. It could be that a power-flush of your heating system could cure the noise and help your heating system continue on for longer. That said, we have flushed many systems when a boiler has been “kettling” (literally sounding like a kettle boiling!) but unfortunately the system flush has been carried out too late to save the boiler. For an idea of the kind of process that flushing your system could take, please see further information here. Always ensure that you have your heating flushed by a qualified heating engineer, who has experience in effectively flushing heating systems.
4. Your energy bills are rising
If your tariff hasn’t increased, but your heating bills are rising, is could be a sign that your boiler is becoming less efficient and is requiring more gas to provide your home with hot water and to heat your central heating system. A new boiler will be more efficient and will help to reduce your energy bills.
You may also consider pairing your new boiler with smart controls, such as having Nest Smart Thermostat installed, or another brand of your choice. These can further help your heating system to become more efficient and can even learn your habits to help heat your system in the most efficient way as possible.
5. Water is leaking from your boiler
Although not always the case, water leaking from your boiler may be sign that a component in the boiler has split of a seal has gone, which could mean you require a new boiler installation. If a leak has gone unnoticed for any period of time, it can cause severe rusting to your boiler and also can cause electrical components to fail. If a leak is severe enough, it may mean that you do require a new boiler installation. One of the most fatal boiler leaks, is when a heat exchanger splits and causes water to leak from your boiler. Your heat exchanger is one of the most important components in your boiler and also one of the most expensive. If your heat exchanger is split, it is likely that it wouldn’t be economically viable to repair your boiler and you would he be looking at a new boiler installation.
6. Engineers find it difficult to find parts for your boiler
When trying to repair your boiler, if it is an older boiler, it may be that parts have become obsolete or are difficult to source, meaning that either your boiler can’t be repaired or that you are left with a delay in being able to get your boiler up and running again. If parts are becoming harder to find or parts are obsolete, it is definitely worth looking at getting a new boiler installation scheduled.
7. There is an unusual smell coming from your boiler
Although carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, natural gas has a scent which has been added to it, to allow you to smell if there is a natural gas leak. If you do smell gas leaking from your boiler, you should turn off the supply to your gas meter and immediately call the Gas Emergency Provider on 0800 111 999.
Even if there is not a smell of gas coming from your boiler, but there is a smell of burning or a metallic smell, it could mean that there is a serious issue and you should contact a qualified gas engineer immediately.
8. Your boiler needs repairing regularly
If you are seemingly forever having to contact a gas engineer or heating company to come and repair your boiler, it may be that you weigh up these costs and the inconvenience of having to live without heating and hot water on a regular basis and decide that you want to book in a new boiler installation before your boiler breaks down completely is beyond repair!
We hope this article has been of help to you and if you would like to discuss the possibility of having a new boiler fitted in your home, please contact us for a free no obligation quote.
Telephone on local rate: 0207 137 3333 Email: hello@avenueheating.com
