The lifespan of a boiler will vary depending on a number of factors including how regularly it has been serviced, any maintenance or repairs that have been carried out over the years, and sheer dumb luck.
Waiting too long to have your boiler replaced with a brand new boiler can have serious repercussions, increasing the risk of a breakdown at the worst possible time and potentially putting the safety of those nearby under threat.
Identifying the perfect moment to replace your boiler could save you a huge amount of stress, time, and money, so here are 10 signs that your boiler is reaching the end of its life and it’s time to begin searching for an expert new boiler Glasgow installer.
10 signs you need a new boiler
1) You have had your boiler for over a decade
No matter how well maintained your boiler has been, even the best gas boilers will only last around 10-15 years and if the one heating your property is older than this, the time has come to start searching for a replacement.
Even if there isn’t anything majorly wrong with your boiler at the current time, these older style boilers are far less energy efficient than their modern counterparts and putting off new boiler installation will undoubtedly result in inflated energy bills.
2) It keeps breaking down
Perhaps the most obvious sign that your boiler is no longer fit for purpose. If your boiler is frequently failing to meet the heating requirements of your home, due to a lack of pressure, or you have had to have it repaired by a gas safe engineer several times in the last few years, you are probably best of simply getting a new one.
You might think that you are saving money by having your boiler repaired instead of replaced but regular call-outs begin to add up pretty quickly, especially if your warranty has expired, and new boiler installation may well be the most cost-effective long term choice.
3) Your heating bills are larger than they should be
If your heating bills are rising at a disproportionate rate compared to similar properties of your size, no matter which energy supplier you use, your boiler may well be at fault.
As boilers age, their energy efficiency naturally falls slightly, but a major decrease indicates a more serious underlying issue, and can end up costing you hundreds of pounds during the winter months.
4) The boiler flame is yellow
Gas boilers working properly will burn with a blue flame and many people are surprised to learn that a yellow or orange flame can actually be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak.
Carbon monoxide leaks are extremely dangerous and can be fatal if exposure is too great so it is vital you contact an emergency gas engineer if you suspect a leak. If the leak cannot be easily resolved, a new boiler may be the only option.
5) Your boiler has a poor energy efficiency rating
In order to keep energy bills to a minimum, it is important that your boiler is A-rated, meaning it has an energy efficiency rating of at least 90%. The less energy efficient your boiler is, the more energy and money will be wasted, with E, F, and G rated boilers all wasting a minimum of 20p for every £1 you spend on heating.
6) Your boiler is excessively noisy
That clunking and gurgling noise you hear every time your boiler fires up. Not a sign of perfect boiler operation. Loud boilers are a sign that there is an underlying issue that will undoubtedly be effecting the efficiency of the unit.
7) You can smell gas
Never a good sign. Carbon monoxide itself may be odourless, but as a safety measure, gas companies add a sulphur smell to alert homeowners to a leak and if you do smell gas in your home, you should evacuate immediately, and call for help.
8) Your warranty has expired
Most boiler manufacturers will offer warranties of around 7-12 years meaning any repairs or replacement parts will be covered at no additional cost. If your warranty has expired, this not only exposes you to the risk of emergency breakdowns but also indicates that your boiler is probably quite outdated and an upgrade is needed.
9) It takes an age to heat your home
One of the biggest benefits of gas central heating is the efficiency at which they provide heat. If your home takes far longer to heat up than it should, or you would like, a new, energy efficient replacement may well be required.
10) You have noticed a leak
A water leak from your boiler indicates serious damage to your plumbing system and can lead to further issues such as damp, mould, and mildew growth.
