Boilers · 5 min read
Is it time to replace your boiler? Seven signs to look for
Boilers rarely die without warning. Here's what to watch for, and when a repair stops making sense.
1. It's over 10 to 15 years old
Older boilers are less efficient, cost more to run and break down more. Moving from a G-rated to an A-rated boiler can save a detached home up to £840 a year on energy.
2. Your bills are rising for no reason
Worn parts make an old boiler work harder for the same heat. If your usage hasn't changed but your bills have, the boiler is a likely suspect.
3. You keep calling out engineers
Two or three repairs in a couple of years usually cost more than the monthly payments on a new boiler.
4. Strange noises, leaks or rust
Banging, gurgling or kettling, or visible rust and drips, point to limescale, sludge or a failing part.
5. A yellow flame or soot marks
A healthy gas flame is crisp and blue. Yellow or orange flames and black marks can mean poor combustion. Get it checked straight away and make sure you have a working CO alarm.
6. Hot water that comes and goes
Temperature swings in the shower are a classic sign of a combi struggling with a worn diverter valve or a scaled heat exchanger.
7. Parts are hard to get
When manufacturers stop making parts for older models, repairs get slower and dearer.
If two or more of these sound familiar, run our quote tool. You'll see a fixed price in under a minute, with no obligation.
