These days, boilers are built to be highly efficient and reliable machines, keeping our homes toasty at the drop of a hat. If you’ve had your boiler for over a decade, though, the chances are that it won’t be functioning as it should. Boilers are advancing all the time, meaning older models simply aren’t as efficient and can actually cost you significantly more in energy bills month on month.
To help you decide whether it’s time to say goodbye to your current boiler, here are some clear warning signs.
Radiators taking longer to warm up
If you’ve noticed that the radiators around your home are taking longer than usual to warm up, this is one warning sign that your boiler’s on its way out. You can try bleeding your radiators to release any trapped air and see if this solves the problem. If not though, the chances are that your boiler has lost its oomph.
Most modern boilers are able to heat homes almost instantly these days, so you shouldn’t settle for a chilly home. Replacing yours with a modern model will ensure that you can keep your family warm at the touch of a button.
Unusual smells
Another signal that your home needs a boiler replacement is unusual smells being emitted in the area around your boiler. Boilers functioning properly and effectively don’t give off smells, so if you notice any strange scents, it’s likely a result of a broken boiler. Odd smells shouldn’t be ignored either as usually this is the sign of gas leaking from an area of your heating system.
Boilers should receive regular checks and services to prevent potentially dangerous gases like carbon monoxide from leaking and putting your household at risk. However, once you notice that your boiler has started to leak gases, it’s far better to opt for an upgraded model and give you and your family peace of mind.
Increasing energy bills
Do your energy bills keep going up each month? Are you making a conscious effort to use your boiler only when your house is at freezing point? This shouldn’t be the case. Older boilers are produced with far lower energy ratings and can deteriorate even more over time, leaving you paying out far more than you should when bills come around.
All modern boilers produced today have an A-rating for energy efficiency, allowing homes to hugely reduce and keep on top of their energy bills. BOXT supply only the most efficient and reliable boilers to homes across the UK. They offer a complete boiler replacement service and can have a brand new boiler installed as soon as the next day. If you’ve realised that your old boiler is costing you far more money than it’s worth, use their simple ‘find a boiler’ tool to kick-start your boiler replacement today.
Strange noises
Odd noises coming from your boiler can be just as troublesome as smells. If you’re hearing bangs, clunks, and more coming from your boiler, you should definitely call your local engineer. Whilst many boiler issues are fixable, if there are funny noises constantly, you’re probably better off saying goodbye to your ancient model.
Regular repairs
Boilers shouldn’t need repairing on a regular basis. Healthy boilers are reliable and should last many years with an annual servicing and regular flushes. If your boiler is starting to require a visit from an engineer more often than it’s worth, you should definitely consider opting for a replacement. Not only are there plenty of payment plans available nowadays to suit any household budget, but you can save tons of money in the long run by having an efficient boiler in your home. It may be tempting to repair your ancient boiler and avoid the upheaval of a boiler replacement, but you’ll kick yourself further down the line when your energy bills are through the roof.
Yellow flames
Last but not least, a boiler functioning as it should will always burn with a blue flame. If you have noticed your boiler’s flame is yellow rather than blue, it’s probably time to book in for a boiler replacement. Yellow or orange flames are a sign that your boiler isn’t running efficiently, and worse, these flames can produce lethal gases such as carbon monoxide.
