How Do I Know If I Need A Boiler Replacement
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- 15-02-2023
How do I know if I need a boiler replacement? If you are considering upgrading your boiler, we look at if it is worth repairing your current boiler or replacing it.
NPC Plumbing & Heating Ltd are trusted plumbing and heating contractors in Milton Keynes. We look at the signs you need a new boiler.
When should I replace my boiler?
Most of the time, your boiler will probably just whir away in the background of your home, making sure you and your family are warm, and you don't have to suffer through cold showers in the middle of winter. As long as everyone in the property is warm and comfortable, you likely don't give your boiler much of a second thought. But much like all appliances you have in your home, your boiler has a lifespan. Eventually, it will start to run less efficiently and break down.
This is a guide so you can figure out when the best time to get yourself a replacement boiler may be.
Signs you need a new boiler
Boilers are one of the household appliances which are used the most. Almost every day, in fact, especially when it's cold. Unfortunately, sometimes boilers can have minor faults which will go unnoticed until the entire heating in your home stops working, and you are left in the cold with no warm water.
Not only can a boiler breakdown be incredibly frustrating, but it can also be highly costly. Certain boiler failures can also pose a danger to you and your family if you are not paying close enough attention.
Below are some of the classic signs that will show that it might be time for you to invest in a new boiler.
Radiators Not Heating Up
Are your boilers taking hours to warm up? Do they only become lukewarm instead of red hot?
The majority of modern boilers will reach their top temperature very quickly, so if you find that your radiators are acting sluggishly when it comes to heating up, then it might mean that there is an issue with your system.
It could also mean that your radiators need bleeding, though, or that your heating system has become filled with sludge. So you are best off looking into one of these solutions first.
The latter will lead to blockages being formed in your radiators, which causes cold spots. If you have dirty water running around your heating system, then this can lead to long-term problems for your boiler appliance.
At the end of the day, all of this will result in your home's heating bills skyrocketing. You're paying for your boiler to be on full blast, but you're not reaping the benefits of a warm home.
So it is important that if your radiators are not warming up properly, or you find the hot water is not as hot as it used to be, it might be time to have your boiler looked at by a professional or have a full replacement installed.
Try and arrange for a heating engineer to come and have a look. If you are the owner of a gas boiler, then ensure that the engineer is Gas Safe registered. For an oil boiler, the engineer must be OFTEC qualified.
Bad Smells From The Boiler
When boilers are healthy and working as designed, they will never emit any kind of odour. If you find that your boiler is producing any kind of scent, then it is important that the boiler is looked at by a professional as soon as possible. As we're sure you know, carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and can be fatal if not dealt with seriously.
Even though carbon monoxide itself is completely scentless, in some cases, scents can be created due to the leak causing the boiler not to burn as designed. Even if you just detect a faint smell, this could suggest that there has been a carbon monoxide leak. Below are some more carbon monoxide warning signs that you should never ignore or any circumstances.
- The boiler's flame is burning yellow instead of a crisp blue
- Stains from dark soot on or around the boiler
- The pilot light is frequently getting blown out
- Higher amount of condensation inside windows
Some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, and unconsciousness. If you identify any of these warning signs, then you must evacuate the property immediately and get in touch with the emergency gas line to have your leak inspected by a professional.
It is also important for you and anyone else who has been within the property to be seen by a doctor. If you have any pets, then they will also need to be seen by a vet.In order to best protect yourself against carbon monoxide poisoning, the best thing you can do is ensure that you have CO alarms in your home. This will make sure that if carbon monoxide is detected, then you will be notified right away.
Leaking Boiler
Have you noticed puddles appearing around your boiler? If you have, then you need to take action as soon as possible. This can mean that your boiler has faulty internal parts or even that the boiler's internals are starting to disintegrate.Leaks can lead to even more issues, such as overall corrosion and rust buildup.
Worst of all, leaks can cause huge amounts of structural damage to your home. Of course, it will also lead to your heating being inefficient because all that hot water is being wasted. If you notice a leak, then don't wait for it to fix itself. You will only be costing yourself more money in the long run. Get in touch with a professional and see how they can help.
Increasing Energy Bills
If you have found that your energy bills are higher than they would generally be, then this may be down to having an inefficient boiler. As your heating system is used more and more and the system gets older, it will slowly begin to lose its efficiency and cost more to run.
The best way to check your boiler's efficiency is to look at the boiler's rating on the ErP energy label. The scale works on a seven-point colour system, starting at dark green, which is the most efficient and A-rated, right down to red which is the least efficient and G-rated.
Back in 2018, the government brought in the Boiler Plus legislation. This means that all newly installed systems need to have a minimum ErP efficiency of 92%.
All boilers also need to have time and temperature controls installed. This means that you can always be sure that when you have a new boiler installed, you will experience a leap in efficiency.
You will also have all the tools to assist with reducing your energy bills and heating your home sustainably. If your home is currently using an old G-rated boiler unit, and you replace it with a modern A-rated system that has a full range of heating controls, then you could save between £50 to £300 each year just through your heating bills.
Banging, Clunking & Whirring Sounds
Sometimes your boiler will make a small noise when it is first beginning to operate, but the noise should never be anything more than a low and continuous humming sound. Most people probably wouldn't even notice it if they weren't already listening out for it. If you hear any kind of whirring, clunking, or banging, then this means that there is a serious problem. These noises could mean a few different issues. This could be just from wear and tear, or it could be an issue with the heat pump or a broken valve.
The first thing you need to do is switch off your boiler before any further damage is caused. Next, you need to get in touch with a professional engineer. Most of the time, these kinds of issues are quite minor and very easy to fix. But it is still important to have them looked at as soon as possible, so the severity of the issue can be analysed.
Broken Boiler
Broken Radiator
NPC Plumbing & Heating Ltd provides the best boiler fitting services in and around Milton Keynes. Whatever you require, our professional team can assist you with everything from boiler repairs to installing a completely new heating system.
