Keeping your boiler in top condition is key to keeping your water and heating in good working order. To ensure you’re staying on top of boiler maintenance, it’s recommended that you have your boiler serviced by a professional at least once a year.
However, in between service appointments, you might start to notice a couple of signs that your boiler might not quite be in the top condition that it once was, leaving you to wonder whether or not it’s time you switched out your current boiler for a new one.
Your boiler is an important piece of household equipment – if not the most crucial appliance on your property – so it’s good to familiarise yourself with a few signs to look out for.
Here are some of the biggest indications that your boiler may need replacing.
You’ve Noticed Some Unusual Noises
Boilers and radiators make all sorts of noises, even when they are in good working order. However, every so often, you might start to hear a sound here or there that you’re sure neither your boiler or radiator has made before…
It’s definitely worth noting the type of sounds you’re hearing, which of the two they are coming from and how frequently it seems to be happening. Whilst some sounds may be an indication of a problem that could be easy to fix – tapping or sounds of running water coming from your radiator – some may be a signal that your boiler needs attention.
Humming, banging and loud vibrating noises are just three sounds that could be an indication of a larger fault with your boiler or central heating system. If you start to hear any of these noises, it’s always best to call someone in.
It’s Breaking Down Frequently
As mentioned previously, everyone should be having their boiler serviced at least once a year. However, there’s sure to be the odd occasion when your boiler might need a little TLC in between it’s annual service appointments.
If you find that your boiler is in need of repair any more than once a year, though, the cost of repairs will start to add up – and it’s a sign that your boiler is getting to a point where it can’t be fixed effectively.
If this is the case, it’s often more practical and more cost effective to simply have your boiler replaced. Once you make the switch, your annual service should be all it takes to keep your boiler in good condition year-round.
Your Bills Have Increased
If you notice your bills creeping up each month and you’re fairly sure there’s been little difference in the amount that you use your boiler, it could be a sign that your boiler is no longer running at full-efficiency.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what boiler efficiency means for you, the efficiency rating of a boiler is a good indication of how much energy the boiler actually needs to keep running. So, a more efficient boiler costs less to run, whilst a less efficient boiler needs more energy in order to keep going.
If you don’t know the efficiency rating of your boiler, a boiler engineer should be able to identify this for you. Efficiency ratings run from an A rating to a G rating, with an A-rated boiler running at around 90% efficiency. If your boiler is rated at anything below a D rating, it may be worth having it replaced in order to avoid further bill increases.
You’ve Noticed Leaks
If you’ve noticed any leaks coming from your boiler, this is a sure sign that your boiler needs checking over by a professional.
Leaks aren’t just a sign of damage to the boiler, but could be a cause of damage elsewhere, depending on where in your home the boiler is situated. In some cases, boiler leaks could be a cause of water damage, electrical short-circuit and even damage to the structural integrity of your property.
Whilst, in some cases, the leak can be fixed and your boiler can be restored to good working order, it is often a sign that your boiler may be deteriorating and may need replacing in the near future.
It’s Difficult To Locate Repair Parts
If your boiler repair requires a part that your boiler engineer has expressed difficulty tracking down, it may be a sign that your boiler is getting to be a little too outdated.
Whilst boilers can last for years – sometimes multiple decades – there will come a time when the parts needed to repair the boiler are becoming increasingly expensive and increasingly difficult to track down.
Should you find yourself in this situation, it might be time to upgrade your boiler to a newer model. Whilst the initial investment into a new boiler can be quite expensive, it will make future repairs easier, less expensive and far less frequent.
Noticed These Signs? Call On Birmingham Boiler Repairs
If you have noticed any of the signs above when it comes to your own boiler, be sure to get in touch with us here at Birmingham Boiler Repairs and let us know!
We have over 20 years industry experience in keeping boilers ticking over across Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Dudley. Whatever the problem, we’ll have one of our professional boiler engineers identify and fix it.
As a Gas Safe Registered company and a Which? Trusted Trader, we pride ourselves on delivering a professional service to the very highest standard.
Why not get in touch with us today and see if we can help you to get your boiler up and running and in great working order?
