When an older boiler breaks down, the big question is whether to fix it again or replace it. There is no single age at which a boiler must go. A well-looked-after boiler can keep running for years, and a neglected one can be on its way out much sooner.
Here are the signs to watch for, the questions worth asking and what replacing a boiler actually involves.
Signs a boiler may be reaching the end
- It has broken down more than once in the last year or two
- Parts are getting hard to find, or are no longer made for your model
- It is a non-condensing boiler, which is far less efficient than a modern one
- It struggles to keep the house warm, or hot water is unreliable
- It makes new noises such as banging or kettling
- There are signs of leaking or corrosion inside the case
Any one of these on its own does not mean replacement. Several together usually do.
Questions to ask before you decide
Is it a one-off fault?
Parts wear out on every boiler. A failed pump or fan on an otherwise sound boiler is often well worth repairing. If the engineer is finding a new fault every few months, the repairs start to add up.
Can the parts be found?
Manufacturers do not keep making parts for old models forever. If a part is obsolete, a repair can mean a long wait without heating, or no repair at all.
Is it condensing?
The Energy Saving Trust says your boiler is a condensing boiler if it has a plastic flue, a plastic pipe running to a drain, or is a gas boiler installed after 2005. If yours has a metal flue and no condensate pipe, it is very likely an older non-condensing model, and a modern boiler should use less gas to heat the same home.
Does it suit the way you live now?
A boiler fitted for one household may not suit the next. A family that has added a second bathroom, or a couple whose children have moved out, may be better off with a different type of boiler. Our guide to boiler servicing is worth reading too, because a boiler that has missed services is more likely to be suffering.
What does a new boiler cost?
Gary does not quote prices online because every home is different. The pipework, flue position, controls and any system cleaning all affect the price. As a national guide, the Energy Saving Trust lists a typical cost of around £3,500 to replace a G-rated gas boiler with an A-rated one in Great Britain. It also recommends getting at least three quotes and making sure the installer is Gas Safe registered.
Gary gives free quotes, and he will tell you straight if a boiler is worth repairing rather than pushing a replacement you do not need.
The rules when a boiler is replaced
Replacing a boiler is notifiable building work. Government guidance says a new or replacement boiler must be notified to Building Control, but a Gas Safe registered installer can do this for you through the scheme. You should then receive a certificate confirming the work complies with Building Regulations. The guidance says that if you have not received it within 30 days of the work being finished, you should contact the scheme operator.
In England, new replacement combi boilers also have to meet the Boiler Plus rules. They must be at least 92% efficient (ErP) and be fitted with one of the following: a smart control, a load compensation control, a weather compensation control or a flue gas heat recovery unit.
What a replacement involves
When Gary replaces a boiler, he starts by looking at what you have: your gas supply, radiators, hot water use and budget. Then he recommends a make and model that suits the home rather than whatever is easiest to fit.
On the day, the old boiler comes out and is disposed of, the new one goes in, and the pipework, flue and controls are checked. The system is flushed where needed and everything is tested before he leaves.
Talk it through
If your boiler keeps letting you down, Gary can look at it and give you an honest view. See boiler breakdowns and repairs if it has stopped, or boiler installations and replacements if you are ready for a new one.
He covers Gloucester, Cheltenham and the surrounding area, with free quotes and no call-out charge. Call 07454 117678 or get in touch.