How to know when it is time to replace your old boiler

Boilers are the heartbeat of your home when it comes to day to day functioning for hot water and comfort. When its not functioning it really is one of those inconveniences, we could do without and the older it gets the more problematic this could become.

When those problems do start to arise, a replacement combi may well be the best option. About 15 years is the time when replacing your boiler is going to be a better option than spending too much money on keeping an old gas guzzling boiler going for another 12 months before the inevitable happens.

Is the Cost of a replacement boiler a Better Option?

Since 2005 all new gas boilers have become highly efficient machines and are A-rated for performance. According to the Energy saving trust, replacing an old G-rated boiler could save you up years so not a bad investment. Add to that the lengthy warranties that would now save you money on any type of boiler protection plans and the numbers really do start make sense.

Having said that replacing your boiler is always going to be a bitter pill to swallow, especially if its an unplanned replacement forced on you by a failure of your old one. Unfortunately the most common failures are normally caused by a lack of general maintenance and regular servicing leading to premature failure, quite often less than 10 years old with no boiler engineer looking at the boiler from the day it was installed to day it completely failed.

I do find this a little surprising as 100% we use it every day like our cars but neglect to have them checked on annual basis, not to mention the safety aspect of just hoping its OK. So many breakdowns I see could have been avoided if serviced with preventative maintenance in min00.

Do I need a new gas boiler?

Well if your gas boiler is breaking down regularly, or starts to get a bit noisy when operating or struggles to heat your radiators or water, and is costing money and energy to keep it going then you probably will need a new gas boiler.

It was not that long ago that water heating on demand were not the norm but nowadays these are accepted as the minimum requirements. It still seems like the end of the world when boilers break down and often it is during the winter months this is more likely to occur, adding to the misery.

Can I get help with replacing my gas water boiler?

Absolutely! Here at Smart Boiler Company, we are committed to helping you find the perfect efficient affordable modern boiler for your home and in a timely manner, with the option of a free home survey or an online survey its never been easier to qualify for a price for a new boiler with a great efficiency rating and savings.

Boiler replacements for all budgets are available, from 0% finance to buy now pay later, there has never been a better time to get that new boiler with a long warranty for that peace of mind.

How long does it take to replace a boiler?

There are several factors to consider,such as the appliance location, type of appliance and system, does the boiler need a new gas supply? Is the flue going out the roof? Does the boiler need to be relocated? If the answer to the above is no, then 1 day will be enough time to swap a boiler like for like.

If you are upgrading from an old type system to a combination boiler then 2-3 days is the standard time frame.

If you have no heating whatsoever and having full central heating fitted, 2-4 days would cover most installations.

Your heating engineer will give you a time frame once the job has been surveyed so you know the process and what to expect.

How often should a boiler be replaced?

When it comes to replacing your boiler there are no set rules, old boilers used to last 30 years with truly little problem. The recommendation now is about 15-20, factors such as usage and maintenance will be major factors.

You might be keen to put off having that new boiler for as long as possible, but don’t delay too long or it could end up costing you with higher repair and energy bills, as well as the inconvenience of having the boiler out of action for a bit.

With the ever-increasing costs of energy as well as the improvements in technology and overall boiler performance, planning to replace your boiler before its forced on you is the smart choice.

How much does a new boiler cost?

The cost of new boiler can vary dramatically depending on make and model, type, and location. As a guide a straightforward swap will start from around the £1800 mark to £3000. Obviously, it is a big dent in your bank account, but we really cannot live without one. Could you potentially get a new boiler and fit it yourself? Well yes is the simple answer if you have a basic knowledge of plumbing, but fitting a new boiler is no job for DIYer, especially from a safety point of view. The horrors I have come across should put anyone off. Put simply if you do not know what you are doing fully then you could end up putting your family and friends at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or even death.

What type of boiler do I need?

There are a few variations out there, but the main ones fall in to 3 categories. A combi boiler swap is the most common, this boiler gives you heating and hot water from one place and are mainly found in kitchens and airing cupboards. A conventional boiler or a heat only boiler is normally used to heat a store of hot water in a cylinder and will also have tanks in the loft that feed the heating and hot water systems. These systems work off gravity from above deliver hot water to your taps. A system boiler is a mix of both of the above, it supplies a cylinder and heating with the difference being the pump and expansion vessel are located in the boiler so there is no need to have tanks in the loft just a mains pressure cylinder and a heating system that is sealed and under pressure.

Does my home insurance cover a boiler replacement?

There are insurance policies that help with boiler replacement, but it would have to have been outlined in your policy beforehand and will only cover so much of the cost plus an excess charge. However, you may be eligible for a free boiler under the Energy Companies (ECO) Scheme. This is designed to help tenants and homeowners who are either on low incomes or claim certain types of benefits.

The basic criteria are you need to be earning less than £20,000 per annum and receiving one of the qualifying benefits. Additionally, you must have permission from your landlord if you are a tenant. Other factors such as the carbon savings plus energy bills will be calculated to make sure it is a benefit to upgrade your old boiler and heating system.

Why replace my boiler in the summer?

It’s the old adage of, “replace my boiler in the summer I don’t really use it” but soon enough the cold weather comes back and boom it breaks down and when all engineers are really busy you are going to have to form a que or take your chances with any old company, not your regular engineer(who advised you in the summer to change it). Not only that but most boiler installation companies have special offers in the summer as naturally it is quieter so will target the planned replacement customer who will keep them ticking over from June to August. The other obvious benefit is flexibility and choices. You will have your pick of dates; you will have time to make the right choice on the boiler you want and the company you want to install it.

What savings could I make with a new boiler?

With condensing boilers being in excess of 92% efficient basically means that for every £1 you spend on energy only 8p is wasted compared to say a boiler that is 70% efficient and loses 30p for every pound, so if you spend about £1200 per year on energy usage you potentially could save over £300 and that’s not to be sniffed at.