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Boilers are the key to keeping your house warm and cosy during those cold winter months so when they fail it can cause a lot of upset. But how do you know whether it is more efficient to replace your central heating boiler or repair it? Our first instinct as gas engineers is to repair your boiler and get you up and running as soon as possible, but is this always the best option for you? We are going to go over some key points that will help you decide what the best option is for you.
How old is your boiler?
The life expectancy of a boiler is between 10-15years old. This is for all types of boilers whether it is a combination gas boiler (combi boiler), system gas boiler or heat only gas boiler. If your boiler is of good quality, well maintained and has an annual boiler service you should be looking at the higher end of this. However if your boiler is left to its own devices then we do see plenty that fail much sooner than they should have done. This if a massive thing to consider when deciding the best form of action regards to repairing your central heating boiler.
Is your boiler covered under warranty?
There are few ways your boiler may be covered under warranty and this could lead to your boiler being repaired at no extra cost to you.
The first thing to check is how long the manufacturers warranty is with the boiler. Alot of manufacturers now offer 10 year warranties with their products so if you have had a boiler fitted in the last 10 years it may still be covered.
The next thing to check is if you are paying for any cover or insurance with boiler repairs company.
My last tip is to check with your bank or house insurance as some companies bolt boiler cover on as part of their package.
How much is the cost of the repair?
When people have a boiler breakdown their first response is “that’s going to be costly” This is not always true as not all components in a boiler are expensive and it is definitely worth getting a qualified gas engineer to take a look first. You never know, this could result in a quick and easy fix.
If the cost of the repair is high and would be a large portion towards the cost of a replacement then it is well worth considering. This is taking into account our previous points about warranty and age.
Are the repairs becoming more frequent?
Sometimes you can fall into the trap of not thinking your repairs are costly as the one off cost isn’t very much. However if it is happening multiple times you do have to consider adding these up and taking into account the amount of time you are without heating while the boiler is being repaired and the amount of time you have and to take off work to get the repairs completed.
If repairs are becoming more frequent this is good indication that your boiler may becoming to the end of its life span.
Do you get your boiler serviced annually?
If you get your boiler serviced annually this can be a way of cutting out small problems before they become major issues.
If you have a regular boiler service you can ask your engineer for advise. They will know the ins and outs of your boiler and can provide you with key information to help you in your decision.