Boiler Replacement

Does my boiler need replacing?

Because your boiler is hidden away, most people don’t even think about replacing it until long after it has started causing problems. In most cases, you will have known for a while that your boiler is on its way out. But waiting until it’s broken is not necessarily the best time to replace it. So here are four early warning signs your boiler may need replacing.

1. Your boiler has a low energy efficiency rating

Modern A-rated boilers are between 92-94% efficient. This means that up to 94% of the total energy consumed by the boiler is used to generate heat. Compare that to a 15-year old D-rated boiler which is less than 80% efficient. So updating your boiler to a modern efficient model will help make sure that more energy goes into heating your home whilst also helping you to save on energy bills.

2. Your boiler is more than 15 years old

Most boilers generally have a life-span of up to 15 years with some exceeding that if they are of high quality and are well maintained. However, just because your boiler is still functioning doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider replacing it. If you’re boiler is a bit ‘long in the tooth’ then you could be loosing out the economical gains of modern-boiler technology.

3. Your radiators take a long time to warm up

Generally speaking, it should take no more than 10-15 minutes for your radiators to heat up, should you have a pressurised system (combi boiler or system boiler) – ‘old school’ gravity based systems, where tanks are located in the loft general take longer, usually up to 40 minutes.

A central heating system taking longer than that needs attention. This does not necessarily mean a new boiler is required. A good service or Power Flush may solve the problem. But a central heating system which is slow to heat up should be looked at by a qualified heating engineer.

Read our Boiler On The Blink Article for the tell-tale signs that your boiler may need replacing.

4. Your boiler is not economical to repair

Most boiler manufacturers keep parts readily available for around 10-years. Should your boiler be older than this you may find it difficult to locate spare parts. This can dramatically increase repair costs. In most cases, your boiler will become uneconomical to repair. This is another good reason to change your boiler every 10-years.

Benefits of boiler replacement

Replacing your boiler with a more efficient model has several benefits including:

Lower heating bills

This is perhaps the most common reason for replacing an old boiler. The latest A-rated boilers are around 30% more efficient than an older G-rated boiler. This will result in an annual fuel saving of around £350 for an average 3-bedroom home. At that rate, your new boiler will have paid for itself within around 5-years.

Save money on repairs

A new boiler will not only save money on heating bills, but it will also cost less to repair. Most boilers come with a 1-10 year warranty as standard and some come with up to 12 years. So your new boiler shouldn’t cost you anything on top of the annual maintenance and fuel charges for the first 10-years of its life.

Read our Boiler Warranties Article for advice on how to safeguard your boiler long term.

Reduced carbon footprint

A new efficient boiler is not only good for your pocket, it’s great for the environment as well. Modern condensing boilers burn fuel extremely efficiently which reduces the amount of fossil fuel needed to heat your home. This has the net effect of reducing carbon emissions by as much as 30% compared to a G-rated boiler.

Boiler replacement costs

The cost of replacing a boiler varies considerably as numerous factors will need to be considered. Costs can be determined by the type of boiler required (brand, performance/efficiency etc…), is it a like-for-like replacement? whether it is installed on its own or as part of a system, and whether the boiler is moved to a different location.

Some key points that will impact boiler replacement costs include:

• The type of boiler being installed.
• The location of the replacement boiler (if it’s to be installed in the same place or in a new location).
• Installation rates charged by the installer (London installers are usually the most expensive when compared to the rest of the UK).

To get an idea of typical boiler replacement costs, we’ve listed the average cost for each heating system type in our table below.

* Please note the costs listed are to be taken as an estimate and we’d always recommend you seek advice from a qualified installer who will more accurately be able to assess your home’s heating needs and boiler replacement costs.

Read our Combi Boiler Supply & Fit Price Guide for more information on combi boiler replacement prices, including varying households and installation scenarios.

Boiler replacement funding

Whichever way you look at it, replacing your boiler is an expensive undertaking. While you will get your money back, in the long run, finding the money upfront can be a challenge, especially for low-income households. Fortunately, financial help is available from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

The government-backed ECO scheme can provide up to 100% of the cost of replacing your boiler – providing you meet the qualifying criteria.

For more information about the ECO scheme and a full list of qualifying benefits, read our Government Boiler Help Article.