Our boiler is an integral part of our home. In fact, it’s so integral to our way of life that we don’t often recognise when our boilers are letting us down. Some signs are obvious, others less so.
Why should I replace my old boiler?
The fact is, your boiler should be working at optimum efficiency. This means heating your water and radiators quickly and quietly, with minimum energy wasted. These days, A-rated boilers aren’t like the ones we dealt with back in the day. So what are the signs we might be due for an upgrade?
Read on and see if any of these indicators might be familiar to you. Speak to Residential Energy Services to see if we can help you secure funding towards your next boiler upgrade.
1. You are paying too much on energy bills
The money you are spending on heating your home directly correlates with the efficiency of the appliances you’re using. Older, inefficient appliances like boilers have to do twice the work to heat your radiators and hot water, keeping up with the demands of your family.
Newer boilers are more efficient because they can achieve more results while exerting less effort than their older counterparts, we’ve spoken about the cheapest way to run a boiler in more detail.
2. Your boiler takes too long to heat up
Boilers working at optimum efficiency should be able to get your home to the desired temperature within minutes. If you are finding that it can take hours to get comfortable, it could be a sign that your boiler is no longer fit for purpose. You may also find that some rooms take longer to heat than others; another potential sign that your boiler is struggling to keep up with demand.
Try bleeding your radiators to see if this speeds up the process. If this does not help, consider looking into upgrading to a newer, more efficient boiler.
3. Your boiler is unusually noisy
An overly noisy boiler or an unusual sound coming from the main unit can often mean that one or more of its components are worn out or faulty. If these noises persist, even following a boiler service from a gas-safe engineer, it could be time to upgrade to a modern boiler.
4. Your boiler is made of old, dated components
Most boilers are designed for 10-15 years’ reliable service life. There are a number of challenges in owning a boiler that has exceeded this time period. First, it is highly unlikely your boiler is operating at the level of efficiency most affordable boilers are capable of today. Alternatively, if you find you are having issues with your boiler, you might find that replacement parts are discontinued or extremely difficult to source.
The cost of maintaining an old boiler can often exceed the costs of running a modern, efficient boiler. If your boiler is over 10 years old, it is absolutely worth exploring the possibility of an upgrade.
5. Your boiler emits an unusual smell
An unusual smell in the space around your boiler could be the result of a burnt out component, or leakage of carbon monoxide, which must be taken extremely seriously.
Signs of carbon monoxide leakage also include a yellow flame inside the boiler, or a failure to burn properly. It is absolutely essential to have a carbon monoxide detector installed near your boiler.
Need a new, energy efficient boiler?
Government funding is available for eligible households to upgrade to a modern, A-rated boiler. Boiler efficiency leads to lower bills and a lower carbon footprint, helping to achieve a lower overall energy efficiency rating for your home.
Check your eligibility for ECO funding; you could be entitled to free funding towards an energy-efficient boiler.
