You Can Hear Odd Noises Coming From Your Boiler
It’s not uncommon for boilers and heating systems to make noises. After all, they do send water around the property through long copper pipes. But if your boiler is starting to make humming, vibrating or banging sounds, your boiler needs assessing and potentially replacing. Before rushing ahead with a boiler replacement, it is advisable to ask a plumber to take a look at your full heating system.
Whilst noises can be related to boiler faults, they can also be caused by sludge build-up in the pipes which can be easily fixed by power flushing the system. If you are concerned by any sounds coming from your heating system, contact a plumber for advice immediately. We are around boilers and radiators most of our lives, so if your gut feeling tells you something is wrong with your heating, you’re most likely right.
Boiler Regularly Breaks Down And Often Requires Repairs
If your boiler regularly breaks down and requires repairs, then it is a pretty clear sign that you may need a boiler replacement. Ideally, a boiler should only require one service call out a year, so if you are contacting your plumber to inspect your boiler more than once a year, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
Whilst the price of a new boiler may seem like a lot at first, over the years you will feel the benefits in comfort and will also avoid costly callout fees for any repairs that your old boiler required. Plus modern boilers are designed to be more efficient and offer you the potential to save on your heating bills. A good plumbing service will be able to offer you finance options on your new boiler to help you make easy monthly payments, rather than struggling with a one-off expense.
Your Radiators Take A Long Time To Heat Up
If your radiators are taking a long time to heat up, it could be a sign that your boiler is running inefficiently. Whilst there are numerous reasons your radiators could be struggling to heat up, it is not uncommon for the issue to be the boiler itself. Before installing a replacement boiler, ask for a plumbers opinion. It could simply be a case of bleeding the radiators or performing a power flush. But if it is your boiler, a plumber will be able to recognise the signs.
Your Current Boiler is Over 25 Years Old
If your boiler is over 25 years old it is likely you require a replacement. Most boilers that are over 25 years old are now viewed as being inefficient compared to modern alternatives. Old boilers are more likely to be affected by common breakdown issues and will most likely have greater difficulty getting water to a high enough temperature to heat your home effectively. If your old boiler still works efficiently and you do not suffer from breakdowns, it is ok to continue using it so long as you service your boiler annually. But if your old boiler breaks down regularly, it’s time to consider a boiler replacement.
Your Gas Bill is Starting to Increase
If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are starting to creep up, it could be because your boiler is running inefficiently. Before rushing ahead to install a replacement boiler, we recommend that you consider all options before assuming it is the boiler. There could be many different reasons why your energy bill has increased, including an increase on your energy tariff or more demand from your boiler due to the winter being colder than previous years. But if you have considered all possibilities and still feel your bills are high, contact a plumber to discuss a new boiler.
Your Boiler Has A Yellow Flame
One of the more alarming reasons to opt for a boiler replacement is because your boiler’s flame is appearing yellow. Your boilers flame should be burning blue, and if it is yellow it could be a sign of a carbon monoxide problem. This is a serious issue that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if the issue is not dealt with immediately. If you do see a yellow flame coming from your boiler, contact a plumber immediately.
It is essential that any homeowner that uses a fuel boiler has a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in their home. This will detect if there is a risk of carbon monoxide in the building. As carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas, it cannot be detected by human senses alone. If you currently heat your home using fuel-powered central heating and do not have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted, please arrange to install one straight the way.
Your Boiler Is Affected By Water Leaks
If your boiler starts to leak, it is a clear sign there is an overall issue with the system. At this stage, you want to initially contact a plumber to assess if the boiler leak can be repaired. Leaving a boiler leaking is extremely dangerous and can cause significant damage to your home. And if you leave a boiler leaking for too long, you risk affecting other areas of the boiler which could render the system unable to work. If you have had your boiler assessed and repaired by a plumber and the leak reappears, it could be time to replace your boiler.
Your Boiler Has A Low-Efficiency Rating
If your boiler has a low-efficiency rating, you could be spending more on your heating and hot water than you need to. Most modern boilers carry an ERP label to showcase their efficiency level. An efficient boiler will provide you with the potential to save annually on your heating. It will also be more effective at producing heat for your home. A bonus factor of installing a high rated ERP boiler is the environmental factors. Whilst gas, LPG and oil boilers still use fossil fuels, it is better to use fossil fuels more efficiently to reduce wastage.
We install A rated boilers to ensure all of our customers benefit from an efficient heating system.
Ready to Upgrade your Boiler?
If you feel your boiler needs replacing and would like to speak to an expert before rushing ahead with the installation of a new boiler, contact us today. We are an honest, trustworthy home energy company that treats each customer with respect. Unlike many boiler installers that will pressure you into buying a new boiler (even if you do not really require a new boiler), we will assess your current boiler and advise on whether it is a worthwhile investment to upgrade your heating at this current stage.
