Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether to repair or replace your boiler as it could just be an occasional repair or service it may need, or it could be a financial nightmare with regular repairs required. In this blog, we will review when it might be a good idea to repair, or replace your boiler.

DIY

Sometimes when a boiler breaks down, there can be small DIY fixes that can be used to reduce the chances of needing a boiler repair expert. A few fixes that you can do include:
-Thaw any frozen pipes using hot water.
-Bleed your radiators.
-Ensure the thermostat is set to the correct time. If you own a smart thermostat, you should check that it is connected to the boiler.
If none of these fixes works, then you should contact your local boiler repair experts to fix your boiler.

Efficiency

Newer boilers have been ranked on an efficiency scale, from A – G. A-rated boilers are the most efficient types of boilers, averagely being above 90% efficient. Meanwhile, G-rated boilers are the least efficient types of boilers, averagely being below 70% efficient.

One reason you may wish to replace your boiler is if it is rated lower on the efficiency scale. Not only is having an efficient boiler more environmentally friendly, it is also cheaper to run long-term.

Frequency

Boilers, from time to time, will break down. The seriousness and the frequency of the breakdown will affect whether you should repair or replace your boiler. If the boiler is regularly breaking down, then you should replace your boiler as this will reduce costs long term. If the boiler rarely breaks down, then you should look to repair your boiler by contacting your local boiler company.

Warranty

It is important to check your warranty; you should always check to make sure you are still under warranty, and follow all guidelines set in the contract. If your boiler is still under warranty, then it is worth getting your boiler repaired as it will usually cover the costs of new parts, and potentially even the labour costs.

Future

When debating whether to repair or replace our boiler, you should think about the future: how long will this boiler realistically last? If the boiler has very minor faults, then you may think it’s better to repair your boiler since it’ll likely last for years. If your boiler realistically won’t last longer than a few years without regular repairs, then it is best to replace your boiler. In addition to this, you may also need to consider the boiler’s age; will there likely be easily accessible parts available in the future?

Costs

Purchasing a new boiler can be expensive as they are a long term investment. This reason alone is why many people are hesitant to replace their boiler when they identify problems with their current boiler. When you are considering whether to replace your boiler, you should identify any long term costs; will you often have to pay for repairs? If you think that long term the cost of repairing your boiler will be larger than the cost of purchasing a new boiler, then you should consider replacing your boiler.

Parts for repairs

As a boiler model begins to age, parts for repairs can become progressively more difficult to replace. This means that sometimes a boiler repair expert may tell you to replace your boiler to ensure that long term, you can access parts required for any future boiler breakdowns.

Warning signs

There are certain warning signs that you should look for when it comes to your boiler. Some of these signs can be fixed, however, a replacement might be on the table depending on the damage:
-Unusual sounds – Boilers can make sounds when starting up, but if they start to make unusual banging, gurgling or clunking sounds, then it is important to call a local boiler repair expert to identify any issues. The expert may suggest that the boiler should be replaced if the boiler is very damaged.
-Bad odours – Naturally, boilers do not create an odour, so if you notice a faint bad odour from the boiler, you should immediately call a boiler expert. A smell from a boiler is likely a carbon monoxide leak. Despite carbon monoxide gas being odourless, a leak does have a smell due to the boiler not burning properly. We have written a blog about signs of a carbon monoxide leak, and how to deal with one. Read our blog here.
-Radiators – One common detected issue with boilers as they start to age is radiators taking longer to heat up. There are multiple reasons why radiators can start to take longer heating up, including age, or your central heating system is full of sludge. You should contact your local boiler repair expert to find the cause of the issue. They might be able to flush your central heating system if sludge is present, but they may suggest replacing your boiler if it is down to age or wear.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be difficult to determine when to repair or replace your boiler. Depending on the state of the boiler, sometimes it is financially beneficial to purchase a new boiler.

Repair:
-Younger boiler
-Highly efficient boiler
-Under warranty
-Minor faults

Replace:
-Older boiler
-Bad sounds or odours
-Costs of repairs
-Regular breakdowns
-No warranty

Please be aware that there are given circumstances where these may not apply. If you are unsure whether to repair or replace your boiler, you should contact us at info@bradfordboilercompany.co.uk or at 01274 317169.

Take a look at our range of boilers.