In the event of a boiler packing up and failing to do its job, nobody wants to have to put up with cold water and a frosty environment. Neither, however, does anybody wish to have to dip into their pockets to cover the cost of new boiler which, including labour costs, can easily cost into the thousands of pounds. Hence most home/business owners will initially look into repair as the most salient option rather than having it replaced, which is fair enough if the repair is relatively affordable, but here are a few things to bear in mind when making that decision.
1. The Age of the Boiler
A boiler that is over twenty years old, and there are still a lot of these about, is unlikely to be a condensing boiler as they had significant reliability issues at that time. If this is the case, then consider changing to a condenser which is around 15% to 20% more efficient than its ancestors from the 80s and beyond. In real terms this can mean a saving, per annum, in the hundreds of pounds which in no time at all will pay for itself. Even a reliable older condenser boiler will become less efficient over time using more fuel to attain the same level of heat that it previously did. Also, as a boiler ages the necessary parts to keep it running with a little maintenance from time to time will become progressively less available and, hence, more costly. Longer term then, a new boiler might be the cheaper option.
2. The History of the Boiler
Look, let’s face it, if you have a boiler that’s operated ceaselessly without fault for thirty years with barely a tap or a knock needed and your heating bills don’t seem any more expensive than your neighbours’ or friends’ then maybe a repair is the way forward. In the wise words of the old adage, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” Conversely, your boiler might only be months beyond the expiry of its warranty (and doesn’t that always seem to be the case) but is breaking down every other day and costing a fortune in repairs, inviting a careful scrutiny of the immediate environment before planning to fling it out of the nearest window. If this is the case, then don’t think twice – get shut of it!
3. Explore the Available Cost-saving Options
It is no exaggeration to say that there is a veritable plethora of energy saving incentives available to the modern Brit. You could even get a new boiler for free if you meet certain criteria. The most prominent such scheme is the ECO scheme, supported by most major energy suppliers, which provides a replacement boiler free of charge as long as you fit into one of their ‘vulnerable group’ categories or have a low household income. If you don’t meet these criteria, then never fear, the government’s Green Deal incentive allows you to make vital repairs and replacements and pay the cost of these off on future energy bills. Any which way, there is nearly always an option which will aid you in your decision to make your heating system fully operational and effective.