Common Signs That Your Boiler Needs Replacing

Boilers are a long-term asset, and they don’t break down easily, but eventually, they will stop providing you with the service they have been built for, or they will become so inefficient that it would be better to replace them. Boilers can break down for several reasons, and at times it is a minor fault.

If it’s a major one that requires significant repairs or parts replacement, you are better off buying a new one. So how do you know if your boiler still has life, or is it time to get a new one? Let us look at ten signs that your boiler will show when it is time to replace it.

Inefficient Radiators

An efficient boiler will heat the radiators quickly. It may take more time if you have bled your radiators, but if your radiators take hours to reach the desired temperature, there is something wrong with your heating system. One reason could be that you have not carried out your annual servicing. If, after the yearly servicing, there is no improvement in your radiators, it is probably time for you to consider replacing your boiler. Suppose you are looking for Boiler Replacement in Leicester or elsewhere in the United Kingdom. In that case, you will find numerous companies offering top-performing boiler brands, so selecting a new boiler should not be a problem.

Yellow flame

Your boiler should give a blue flame when running at full efficiency. A yellow flame signifies a boiler problem and could be a sign of carbon monoxide leakage. If your boiler has a CO detector and alarm system, it will alert you in case of a leakage.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. Without CO detectors, it is impossible to detect leakage. CO exposure has many symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. If you feel these symptoms, you should switch off your boiler and call a boiler engineer. The gas engineer should be able to repair your boiler, but if the leakage cannot be stopped, he might suggest getting a new boiler.

Unusual smell

Ideally, a boiler should never give off any smell. If, however, you are constantly experiencing an unusual smell, a gas-safe engineer should inspect your boiler. Unusual smells can be an indication of carbon monoxide leakage.

The gas itself is odourless, but inefficient burning will release a faint smell. The smell may also indicate the burning out of one of the boiler components. If these parts can be replaced, the gas engineer should be able to do it. However, if the parts cannot be replaced, it is time for you to select a new boiler.

Constant rise in gas bills

Rising gas bills without any change in gas rates show inefficiency. Natural gas leakage could be one reason, but if that checks out, the inefficiency could be because your boiler is too old. The ERP rating of boilers is a measure of efficiency. A-rated boilers are considered the most efficient, while G-rated boilers have an efficiency of only 70%.

G-rated boilers that have been used for 15 years or more will consume much more energy than new ones. Replacing your G-rated boiler with an A-rated boiler is highly recommended to reduce energy costs.

Frequent breakdowns

Boiler breakdowns do not always indicate a worn-out boiler, and the issue might be easily resolved. However, frequent breakdowns may require frequent repairs, increasing your running cost. If your boiler is experiencing regular breakdowns and the repairs are not making it any better, it is time for you to change your boiler.

Reduced pressure

Blockage and build-up in your reservoirs and piping can reduce the hot water pressure. Leakage can be another reason for reduced pressure. Reduced pressure will not allow you to heat your home or use hot water for personal hygiene. If the gas engineer points out that none of these issues is the cause of reduced pressure and the inspection reveals that your boiler life is complete, you have a vast range of new boilers to choose from.

Discontinued models

If your boiler is considerably old, but the models have been discontinued, then parts replacement can be a serious issue. If the parts of new boilers cannot fit your old boiler, then you have no choice other than to replace your boiler.

Unusual noises

The humming sound you hear from your boiler is perfectly normal, but if you hear kettling, whirring, or clunking noises, you need a boiler inspection. These noises could be for several reasons, such as broken parts, blockage, faulty pumps, or others. Kettling occurs when the build of scaling restricts the flow of water, and sludge gathers around the boiler’s heat exchanger. This is common in homes with a hard water supply, and it reduces the life of your boiler. A certified engineer should be able to advise you if your boiler can keep on working or requires replacement.

If your boiler is still under warranty, you should call the service company that provided the installation. For example, if you have a Worcester Bosch boiler, you should contact engineers who are certified by Bosch to provide Worcester Boiler Service in Derby.