Should I Replace My Old Boiler

When Should You Replace Your Boiler?

Boiler replacement is not a minor job and you should consider the following facts before deciding to undertake it.

1.Is your boiler too old?

While your boiler may be working ok, after 10 or more years usage it is certainly nearing time for replacement. An old appliance is always more efficient than a newer one,
If your system is pressurised , does it lose pressure over time? Any leaks under the boiler? When was the boiler last serviced?

Another key factor is what make is the boiler, some cheaper makes like Biasi or Alpha, Vokera, Pro Combi etc are not always easy to obtain parts for and do not age as well as higher tier brands like Worcester Bosch or Vaillant. Does your boiler need frequent repairs? Are you covered by a Boiler maintenance plan (if so is the provider getting annoyed with the frequency of repairs to your boiler?!)

2. The Boiler Leaks?

This can often be a deciding factor on replacing an older boiler. Does it have evidence of water leaks, pressure loss, rust stains at the bottom of it? This does not include the higher risk factors of CO (carbon monoxide) escape or incomplete combustion issue. You do have a CO detector next to the boiler don’t you? If not, its always a good idea to get one.
Water Leaks could be due to numerous issues like the central heating pump leaks, O’rings or fibre washers have failed somewhere in the boiler, Heat exchanger leaks, loose fittings, expansion vessel has split, plastic casting cracks etc

If your boiler is losing pressure a lot, and you keep having to top it up, Go and look on the outside wall to the boiler (where the flue comes out usually) and see a small discharge pipe (copper pipe) which should be turned back to the wall or pointing at the ground, use a tissue to see if the end of the pipe is wet or look for signs of drips. This would mean your PRV (Pressure relief valve) is passing central heating water and that is why you are losing pressure. The cause of this can be numerous but potentially could be 1. Split secondary heat exchanger causing the system to overpressure, the PRV releases at 3bar (14psi per bar so 42psi). 2. The expansion vessel in the boiler has failed (or lost pressure) and the boiler is over pressuring because of this. 3. The PRV itself is not sealing and is allowing a small amount of water to leak out.

3. Does it often require repairs?

If you are not on a boiler maintenance plan and are having to pay for regular repairs, this is a strong indicator that you should be looking to replace your boiler.

4. Strange noises or smells from the boiler?

If your boiler is overly noisy (or smelly) this is a big sign that it is running out of steam! Repair or replacement is on the cards, but repairing an old boiler can be a false economy as there is invariably a multitude of potential faults that can start to happen once you have had the main issue fixed (probably at a high cost). This would be what a heating engineer would consider BER (beyond economical repair)

5. The Boilers flame colour

With many boilers you will not be able to see the flame, but in older boilers that are permanent pilot (needs replacing if it is!) you can observe the burner flame through the pilot light window. If it is a yellow flame this is a sign that carbon monoxide is being created which is very dangerous. The flame should be a clean pale blue. Call a gas engineer if you have this.

6. Your water temperature goes hot and cold

If your hot tap suddenly goes cold, then hot, then cold (on a combi boiler) this is a bad sign. It could well be the diverter valve that is at fault, but it depends on the age and make of the boiler as to whether it is worth having it repaired or replaced with a new boiler.

7. You get stonkingly high gas bills

You could save up to £500 a year by replacing an old boiler with a modern condensing boiler. If you are getting ruinously high gas bills, it is probably time to get a new boiler.

8. Low energy efficiency rating

Simply put a G rated old Glow worm will cost you a lot more to run than a new Glow worm A rated boiler will. This is because it burns more gas in trying to heat your heat exchanger (less efficient gas valve, old burner design, old kludged up heat exchanger coils etc) and it is non condensing meaning that the heat that is created from the combustion process is not re used (like a turbo on a car with exhaust gas) which means you are throwing free heat away.

This is not only bad for the environment but also accounts for much bigger gas bills. Check out the energy efficiency ratings here to see the difference in costs.