On those cold, frosty midwinter mornings, everyone wants to wake up in a well-heated home.
Imagine the scene. For the last two months, the heating has clicked on daily at 6 a.m. You have jumped out of bed into a warm, cozy room. Then, one morning, things are different: the room is chilly, and your old boiler, which used to be a bit noisy, is eerily quiet.
It is an experience most of us have had at one time or another. Of course, you will want to get it working again as soon as possible, and you will probably call a qualified engineer hoping that the problem can be fixed without a huge financial outlay. But perhaps you should really be thinking of replacing the boiler with a new one. Wouldn’t that be more cost-effective in the long term?
Even if the boiler is producing heat, it may be making worrying noises. The temperature may seem too low. Your bills may have gone up beyond what you expected due to loss of efficiency. You may even notice a leak, or some unpleasant smells coming from the boiler area. These are all good reasons to get the boiler checked out, even if it is still doing the basic job.
Boilers do sometimes develop faults, and many of these can be fixed quickly by a qualified engineer. It may be something quite straightforward that doesn’t cost too much to put right. Sometimes, though, the cost of repair can be quite daunting.
There are situations in which replacing the boiler is the most cost-effective solution. While each individual repair job might not be expensive, if you are having to fork out every few months when yet another thing goes wrong, it may be time to look for a replacement.
Boilers over 10 years old are likely to be past the prime of their lives, and spending money on repairing them is probably not worth it. They may be working fairly well, with the odd problem now and then. As the boiler ages, though, problems are likely to only get worse, not better. Older boilers gradually lose efficiency and will cost you more on your energy bills. They are also likely to need more frequent repairs as components wear out or become damaged.
If the boiler is still more or less doing its job, and you are not ready to invest in a new one, repair might seem a good option. Get a qualified engineer in to identify the problem and give you a quote. An engineer can assess how serious the problem is, whether it may recur and can identify the underlying causes of the issue. The component that needs replacing may have sustained damage due to other problems in the boiler: these may need addressing to prevent a recurrence.
Common repairs to boilers include replacing corroded pipes, resetting or replacing a faulty thermostat, replacing the fan and changing a pressure relief valve. Sometimes flushing out the system and getting rid of airlocks can improve the boiler’s performance.
Engineers can give you an appraisal of the overall health of the boiler. It may be fairly new, but has one faulty component that needs replacing. If that component is a major one, like the PCB or heat exchanger, it is going to cost quite a bit to replace and it may not be worth it.
Weigh up the cost of repair and the likelihood of further problems against the cost of a replacement boiler. Don’t forget to consider the greater efficiency of new boilers which will save money on your energy bills.
The most important thing is to get in touch with a qualified engineer who can advise you on your best course of action. If you are without heating, you may need a quick fix as soon as possible, but you should consider the long term too. Are more problems likely, and is forking out for repairs a good long-term strategy? In many cases, probably not. With the right advice, you can make the best choice and keep your home warm and welcoming for years to come. If you think you need a new boiler, you can take a look at your installation options here.
Xgas engineers have the expertise to give you the advice you need. They can look at the problems your boiler is having and explain to you the options available and the likely costs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you considering getting your boiler repaired, go to the repairs page for more information.
