What are the signs that it’s time for a new boiler?

Last updated on January 1st, 2025 at 08:34 pm

In many ways, boilers are a central part of the modern home. They’re the way that we keep our living spaces warm and dry, and allow us to enjoy the luxury (or modern necessity) of hot water on demand, whether for washing ourselves, our clothes or our dishes.

However, boilers aren’t magic, and they don’t work forever. At some point, you’ll need to invest in a new model, and working out when that should happen can be pretty tricky. Here, we go through some of the key signs that it could be time for you to install a new boiler in your home.

Water not heating up quickly

A practical sign that it’s time for a new boiler is if your hot water isn’t heating up quickly enough. If winter comes around and you find that your radiators just aren’t getting up to temperature in time, or if your showers are stuck at an uncomfortable lukewarm, it’s worth at least getting your boiler checked by a plumber from somewhere like Able Plumbing Solutions.

It’s possible that a part will have worn out that can be replaced, or that the settings need to be adjusted. However, in some cases, it’ll be more efficient and cost-effective in the long run to just fork out for a new unit.

Rising energy costs

It’s no secret that the price of gas has shot up in recent years, but that might not be the only reason why your energy costs are rising. As boilers get older, they get less and less efficient, often long before they completely fail. 

Even if your boiler isn’t getting much less efficient, you could still likely get a model that’s far more efficient if you upgraded to an option that uses modern technology. If you’re unsure whether your boiler is functioning at its best, you can always get a boiler technician to come and take a look at it for you.

Your existing boiler is getting old

If your existing boiler is around 15-25 years old, then it’s definitely worth having it looked at regardless of any inefficiencies or faults you may have noticed. Boilers can last a long time if they’re serviced properly, but they won’t last indefinitely. 

Eventually, it will fail you, potentially in a pretty big way. It’s best to replace it on your own terms at a time that’s convenient for you, rather than waiting for your hand to be forced at the whim of an ageing machine.

It’s important to check whether you should pursue other options before simply replacing a boiler, no matter what the issue is. There will be cases where it’s appropriate to repair or slightly alter your existing model, and it could save you time and money to do so. However, in many cases, you’ll simply have to bite the bullet and go for a new boiler. They’re not cheap, but if you have it properly installed and make sure that you service it regularly, it should last you for years to come.

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