Understanding your Boiler – Is It Time to Repair or Replace?

The central heating boiler is a key part of most households, and if it goes wrong it’s a major cause of disruption and inconvenience. But is it better to go for a boiler repair or look at a complete boiler replacement?

Age Matters

Even if you’ve been paying for regular boiler maintenance, it’s likely that the older your boiler gets, the more it will start to cost you in repairs. You need to consider the overall reliability of the unit and also how easy it is to get parts. Oddly, boilers that older than 15 years are likely to have a better parts supply, as they’re relatively simple machines. More modern condensing boilers rely heavily on electronics, which means that they become harder to repair more quickly. You may therefore end up looking for a new boiler sooner than you would have done in the past.

If your old boiler needs repairs, you have to look at the cost compared to the price of a new one, and whether more repairs will be needed in future years. What you also need to consider is energy efficiency – an older boiler may mean that you’re spending too much on your energy bills. But will the cost of replacement be offset by savings?

Costs and Efficiency

A boiler replacement isn’t cheap and represents a major investment for most householders or landlords. You therefore need to be sure that it’s a cost-effective decision. If you’re buying a boiler on a loan, you need to consider how long it will take to pay off.

Replacing an older-type boiler with a modern condensing unit could save you up to a third on your gas bills, so this will go some way to offsetting the cost of buying the unit. Remember that you’ll still have to pay for regular boiler maintenance to keep your system running smoothly. New boilers will have a warranty, though, which will offset any initial repairs.

Boiler Brands

If you do decide to replace rather than repair, it’s important to consider what brand to buy. Boilers from big-name makers may be more costly initially, but this is likely to be offset by a longer warranty. This will leave you to enjoy tha extra peace of mind.

Finally, consider where your boiler lives in your home. If it’s taking up valuable space, a smaller modern boiler could free up some usable room. On the other hand, this means you may end up paying for a new fitted kitchen too!

Whatever you decide, make sure you consult an expert and consider all of the options before you take action.