Whilst we can’t help what is going on in the world right now, we can control what is happening inside our own homes; for example, doing what we can to help prevent frustrating household issues like boiler failures. Especially on those cold, frosty mornings, none of us want to be without heating or hot water. So, it’s important to be pro-active when monitoring your boiler’s health, and to be able to recognise when a problem is serious and it is time you finally replace your boiler.
NOISES
We’ve all heard about things that go bump in the night, but if your boiler system is making unusual noises then it might be time to get it replaced. In general, should your boiler system start to make any unusual sounds then it is best to call on a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect it. Of course, boiler systems will naturally make some noise when in operation and often, more unusual boiler sounds will only caused by a minor issue. However, certain noises can indicate more serious problems and will require more careful attention. In particular, listen out for humming, vibrating and banging sounds, which might be caused by significant internal problems. Depending on the Gas Safe engineer’s recommendation, it is often best to invest in a full system replacement to fix the issue.
CONSTANT REPAIRS
The great thing about modern heating systems is that they are incredibly durable and in most cases can be fixed after experiencing a breakdown However, if your boiler is out of warranty and needs regular repairs, this can be a sign that your boiler needs replacing. Unfortunately, if you’re having to call out an engineer more than once a year, it is likely that your boiler is experiencing a significant issue. As such, it might be worth figuring out whether the expected costs of future repairs, call-outs and failures might outweigh the monetary value of a new boiler. If it does, then it is sensible to invest in a new boiler. What’s more, by doing so, you will also likely see a reduction in your energy bills.
RISING ENERGY BILLS
Modern boiler systems can provide exceptional energy efficiency benefits. A-rated systems, convert more than 90% of energy input into useable heat. Not only are these systems great for the environment, but they can help you to save money on rising energy bills. Conversely, older systems, which often operate at efficiency levels of 70% or less are becoming less viable. Over time, older systems will start to degrade and become even less efficient. Unfortunately, the only way to spot this is by identifying unexplained rises in your energy bills. Therefore, if this starts to happen, consider boiler replacement. Again, it’s worthwhile doing a calculation to find out if an upgrade would be cost-effective.
LEAKS AND SMELLS
If you ever experience a leak or smell emerging from your boiler system, then you should proceed with extreme caution. If you encounter an unusual smell coming from your boiler system, then it may be caused by a gas leak, which is an extremely serious problem and must be dealt with immediately. Do not smoke or light matches or turn electrical switches on or off. Open doors and windows and turn off the gas meter at the control handle unless the meter is located in the cellar. Finally, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 for assistance.
Afterwards, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer and ensure that the system remains off until they ascertain it is safe to restart it. Similarly, water leakage from a boiler system can indicate internal damage, which can quickly lead to significant problems if untreated. Once again, immediately turn off the system and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to assess things.
For further information and assistance please contact us or visit the Help and Advice section on our website.