Many things in life are cyclical – they just keep on coming back around. The seasons, world cups, and having to replace your boiler. It’s something that you can certainly put off, but you can’t entirely avoid it; put it off for too long, in fact, and it will likely come and bite you later on. If you’re not sure if you need a new boiler in 2023, here are some signs that you’re probably due an upgrade.
The Age of the Boiler
All boilers have a limited lifespan. They tend to last between 10-15 years, beyond which the probability that they’ll fail on you increases massively. As a result, one of the most obvious signs that your boiler might be due for an upgrade is if it’s approaching the end of that timeframe. Even if your old boiler is still up and running, newer boilers tend to be more efficient, and with gas prices at their current heights, that’s definitely something to take into consideration.
Your Energy Bills are Spiking
Now obviously, in recent years there have been a number of reasons behind why energy bills might spike. As a result, simply seeing an increase in your monthly bills isn’t enough to show that you need a new boiler – first, you need to check if you had the heating on more, or if your provider put their rates up.
However, if neither of those factors seems to be the case, it’s possible that your boiler is getting less efficient, and it’s time to get a new one. It’s always best to have an expert round from somewhere like Able Plumbing Solutions to inspect your boiler first, to see if it’s just old or if there’s a fault that can be fixed.
Excessively frequent issues
While boilers can play up every now and then, when those issues become excessively frequent, it’s likely a sign that you need a new boiler. As a boiler get’s towards the end of its life, more and more of the parts start to wear out, meaning that it becomes less practical to fix it. If you have a good plumber, they should be able to suggest when it’s time to get a new boiler, based on the state of your existing one.
Strange Smells
If there are strange smells coming from your boiler, this could represent a significant issue that should not be overlooked. It’s crucial that you get an expert to inspect it as soon as possible. It’s potentially the case that there’s a fault that can be fixed, but it might also be the case that you need to get a new boiler.
Boilers will always need replacing at some point – it’s as simple as that. While you can squeeze a few months out, the risk of being left with a broken boiler in the winter months, potentially being left without heat, or even with water damage, simply isn’t worth it. It’s always best to replace it before the boiler actually breaks – exactly when it needs replacing will ultimately be something a plumber will have to tell you.
