When To Replace Your Boiler
A boiler can't continue to run forever. Once you have had a good number of years of warmth from your boiler and it has more than repaid the initial investment, it should be time to consider a replacing it for a new one.
There are a number of ways to determine if your boiler is reaching the end of it's days. If you are finding it hard to decide then you should speak to a professional to find out if your boiler has a few more years left in it or not.
Basic system age
One of the first questions that needs to be asked when considering a boiler replacement is 'how long has the boiler been in servive?'.
The average life span of a gas boiler is about 15-20 years, so it's almost always recommended to replace the boiler if it is older than 20 years.
A boiler as old as that has a higher risk of failure, is more prone to needing repairs, and is less efficient, meaning it's probably not worth keeping.
Although the boiler may seem to be working fine, that can change in an instant.
Corrosion
A big warning sign that a boiler should be scrapped is the presence of rust and other types of corrosion. Modern boilers are designed to resist corrosion for many years, but leaks and broken valvles allowing are to get in, or a reaction betweek the burnerd and heat exchanger, can cause corrosion. If this has happened it is best to get a new boiler installed.
Leaks
An old boiler that has become worn down may develop leaks at valves and connection points. If you see water pooling around the boiler you should contact a professional immediately to find out what is casuing it. The technician will be able to determine if it can be repaired or if a replacement system is the best solution.
High enegy bills
A boiler that is rasing the cost of your energy bills each winter isn't a boiler that's worth keeping. Early on the the system's life, issues that cause price jumps can often be fixed, but an older boiler may have detrioriated too much to be able to fix.
A new, higher efficiency boiler will start saving you money right away, and you'll have a system that should be free from problems for many years.