If your boiler is working inefficiently you may benefit from an upgrade. We ask: is it worth repairing a boiler?
Is It Worth Repairing A Boiler?
Realising your old boiler or central heating system is on the fritz, with warm water a scarcity during the winter months, is concerning and a sign that your boiler needs replacing. You may believe you have done something wrong, but these are common issues to face.
Repair costs can be daunting, especially when some heating companies give you a fixed price. Replacement parts can be challenging to find, but your insurance will more than likely cover the repair from your boiler manufacturers.
You should consider getting a boiler repair service done on your existing boiler. Inefficient boilers will experience more frequent breakdowns, hot water issues, increasing energy bills and the risk of carbon monoxide being produced into the air.
In some cases, a replacement boiler will prove more cost-efficient than repairing and sourcing all replacement parts required for the existing boiler. A Gas Safe Engineer will need to inspect your boiler safety and boiler cover and assess the best option to repair or replace the unit.
If you find yourself struggling with higher utility bills, all your radiators stop heating or believe the central heating system is potentially unsafe, keep reading this article to discover whether you should repair or replace your boiler and then contact a Gas Safe Engineer.
Should I Repair Or Replace My Boiler?
While the money appeal of replacing individual parts in the boiler may be more attractive than investing in a replacement boiler, you should always consider safety first.
All gas appliances in your home must meet heating guidelines and laws, including modern boilers.
Ensuring you have an A-Rated Boiler and it is safe for your home and family is the first thing you should do. While a boiler repair can be helpful when lowering costs, you may find yourself investing in more repairs over time.
Buying a replacement boiler that is more energy-efficient and fully functional with modern technologies like a smart thermostat could save you costs in the long run.
Many newer boilers require much lower maintenance on a regular basis, prove quicker during installation and will be more reliable over time.
Before agreeing to an impulse decision of a modern boiler, you should start by assessing what type of boiler you currently have. In UK homes, there are four main types of boiler you will find:
These can be identified by the fact they are not connected to a hot water storage tank. Combi boilers are popular across the UK and work by heating water directly from the mains supply, proving more efficient when heating water.
There is less chance of wasted hot water than other boilers as you only heat what you use.
These are attached to a hot water storage tank, not a cold water storage tank. You will find hot water storage tanks in airing cupboards, while their cold counterparts can be found in attics or lofts.
Older properties will more than likely have system boilers inside, as the hot water tank can heat multiple bathrooms at once, thanks to the water stored in the tank.
Most standard boilers will feature a combination of hot and cold water storage units, which are designed to cater for the modern family across multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.
These water tanks will be found in their respected areas of loft and airing cupboard.
These are found behind electric gas fires and will predominantly feature a hot water storage tank and a cold water tank.
They are less efficient than any other form of boiler, and the combi boiler quickly became more popular, but they have been noted to last longer.
Is Boiler Repair Energy-Efficient?
There are many factors that can change the price of a boiler repair service. If you are working with a Worcester boiler that has frequent breakdowns, there could be more serious structural damage to repair. If you have never had a PowerFlush performed on your central heating system, the pipes can build up with sludge. This is common in homes where radiators have stopped working, or you're experiencing cold spots.
Annual service and inspections on a regular basis are your best friend here. A Gas Safe engineer will ensure all parts are covered and save you stress, time and money in the long run. They can also advise you on the working order of your boiler beyond what you can see, giving your central heating system a lot longer to live.
If you find yourself paying for more repairs over time, you will save more money by replacing the boiler altogether.
Are Boiler Breakdowns Becoming Frequent?
If your boiler is old, you may begin to notice more signs of a faulty system, and breakdowns are becoming more frequent. Any leaking from the boiler or issues with the pipework are a continuous sign that you could benefit from a new one before your current boiler puts you at risk of deadlier issues.
Boiler manufacturers will typically provide a boiler lifespan to you, which you should double-check when they appear broken or stop working.
A newer model will have greater efficiency and take pressure off the constant breakdown costs you're paying.
Many boiler systems have an improved heat exchanger and additional features to make the investment worthwhile.
For example, you can get many models with smart heating thermostats and better control overall, making a boiler replacement a viable option.
The age of your boiler will also bring about more breakdowns, as you can typically expect more signs to begin as they reach a certain age.
On a more severe scale, your boiler can start producing carbon monoxide and cause carbon monoxide poisoning to those in the house. A heating engineer will evaluate the unit and provide you with the most cost-effective solution and boiler type.
Signs That Your Boiler Needs Repairing Or Replacement
Many of the signs that boilers begin to produce as they need replacing or repairing can begin early on, which is why an annual service is crucial. All repairs should be carried out by an authorised engineer who can read the boiler controls and understand the boiler needs.
A large portion of boiler issues also begin with improper installation and fitting, so be sure to hire a company that can complete a professional job the first time.
If you have had your boiler installed recently in the last few months or years yet are experiencing problems, it's time for a boiler service from a professional.
Here are the signs you should look out for and our tips for dealing with them:
If you begin to notice a smell coming from your radiators, boiler or central heating system, this is a sign that there is dirt and sludge built up within the system, and you will need to clean out the pipework or replace an internal component.
Repair costs can vary for such work, but this job is essential.
A Power Flush can be conducted on your central heating system, which will wash out the pipes from sludge and prove cheaper than getting a replacement unit.
When you are experiencing cold spots on radiators, they can mean different things. Cold spots on the top of the radiator imply sludge within or trapped air, stopping the hot water from flowing evenly.
Over time this can cause your energy bills to increase as you attempt to heat your home using an inefficient system. Cold spots on the bottom of a radiator can sometimes be solved with the simple fix of a bleed.
Bleeding radiators can remove air trapped within and bring warmth back to that room.
Sounds in your pipes and overall central heating system are normal and aren't something to be concerned about. Banging, tapping, hissing should be noted, and if you believe there to be an unusual amount of noise even for peak times of the day, you will benefit from a formal assessment.
Many modern boilers still make noise throughout the day, but if you're hearing dripping or the smell of water and damp is beginning to spread, this should be reported immediately.
When you notice poor water pressure in your home, and it continues over time, you may want to bite the bullet and start switching to a new model, but there are perhaps some fixes. We understand that getting a new boiler is expensive, and you may be unsure of the change, but water pressure can be altered from home.
Of course, as with all of these fixes, if you're uncertain of what you're doing at any moment, contact a Gas Safe engineer, and they can complete any task for you. Pressure in most combination boilers will be maintained by a filling loop, which connects all the water pipes. Consistently low water pressure can signify a leak, or low pressure can be observed if you have recently bled radiators.
Most boilers have a gauge that indicates water pressure, giving you the flexibility to monitor it daily, and you should be sure to turn off the boiler before attempting to complete any work.
Checking the valves on both ends and ensuring that the filling loop is attached securely is the first place to start. The pressure gauge should read 1.5 bar when you have opened both valves. Be sure to note all details and fill in the engineer when they get there.
There are more signs to be wary of, but the decision as to repairing or replacing your boiler unit is entirely up to you. If you require further assistance or would like to enquire for a Gas Safe Engineer to visit your property for an inspection, please reach out to our friendly team today.
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