Boiler On The Blink?

1. Your radiators take a long time to heat up

When your boiler comes on your radiators should reach operating temperature within 10-15 minutes. If it takes any longer than that it’s a sure sign that something is wrong. It may not be the boiler itself, slow heating radiators can be caused by several issues including sludge, air pockets or a malfunctioning water pump.

But whatever the cause, you should get it checked out by a registered Gas Safe engineer as quickly as possible. Because slow heating radiators will not only leave your home cold and uncomfortable, they are uneconomical and will cause your energy bills to rise without explanation.

2. The boiler gives off an unusual smell when it’s on

Your boiler should never give off any sort of smell, especially not a bad one. A boiler which is emitting an unusual smell is a sign that it is not burning gas or oil efficiently. Worryingly, this could be indicative of a carbon monoxide leak which is extremely dangerous.

So if your boiler is giving off an unusual smell, call a Gas Safe engineer today and get it looked at. While a funny small may not mean your boiler needs replacing, when it comes to carbon monoxide leaks it is better to be safe than sorry. If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide leak call the emergency gas helpline on 0800 111999 immediately.

For more gas emergency and safety advice please visit the National Grid Website(opens in a new window).

3. Your energy bill is increasing without explanation

Are your heating bills increasing but your energy use is not? This is a sign your boiler is not working efficiently. As boilers get older they burn fuel less efficiently which means you are using more gas/oil but getting less heat. If your boiler is more than 10 years old it is likely G-rated and it will be more cost-effective to have it replaced.

Regular servicing can help to keep your boiler working efficiently and you should have your system Power Flushed every five years or so. But once your system gets to 10+ years old it is more cost-effective in the long run to have it replaced by a new A-rated boiler.

4. Your boiler is leaking water

Your boiler should never leak water, a leaking boiler is a sign that seals have disintegrated or pipework is damaged. In both cases, this can lead to reduced pressure which causes your central heating system to work less efficiently. Water leaks can also cause structural damage to your home.

So if you notice puddles of water forming underneath your boiler call a plumber as soon as possible. It may be an easy fix, broken pipes can be replaced at low cost. But the cost of inaction could be far worse. An inefficient boiler is estimated to cost £315 extra each year for a typical 3 bedroom home according to the Energy Savings Trust(opens in a new window).

5. Your boiler and radiators are making funny noises

During normal operations, your boiler should be almost silent. You should hear the sound of the boiler firing up when it comes on and that should be it. So if you hear banging, clunking or rumbling when your central heating comes on it is a sure sign your boiler is in distress.

Clunking noises are often caused by a broken valve or heat pump. While that funny rumbling noise is known in the trade as ‘kettling’. This is the sound of water boiling, which is a sure sign your boiler is not working efficiently. Neither of these issues means your boiler needs replacing but you should get them checked out by a Gas Safe engineer.

Read our Boiler Kettling Article for more information on common causes and fixes.

6. Breakdowns are becoming more frequent

If your boiler is breaking down more frequently it may be more efficient to have it replaced. Emergency plumber call out charges are expensive and spread across several years they can easily amount to more than the cost of a new boiler.

Installing a new boiler will also give you peace of mind that you’ll have heat when you need it. Plus, the latest A-rated boilers are much more efficient than older G-rated models. You could save several hundred pounds a year heating your home by switching to a new efficient boiler.

Should you take the plunge and upgrade your boiler then you’ll also want to take a look at the boiler warranties and extra cover available, these will help safeguard your boiler and its usage long term.

Check out our Boiler Warranties Article for advice on what to look for.

7. The blue flame is now yellow

Efficiently boilers should have a blue flame. If your pilot light flame is burning yellow it is a sign that your boiler may be leaking carbon monoxide. So you should get it checked out by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer immediately. Remember carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous and can be fatal, so don’t delay.

In older boilers, you can check the colour of the flame by peering through an inspection window. Newer boilers don’t have a window, they have an emergency shut-off instead. In this case, the boiler will automatically shut down and a service message will be displayed. You should then call a heating engineer to get it fixed.

8. Replacement parts are hard to find

Parts for older boilers can be hard to find which can make repairs problematic, not to mention expensive. This is particularly true for smaller manufacturers who may have gone out of businesses. In most cases parts for boilers are readily available for around 10-years, after this, you may start experiencing issues.

If you find that your heating engineer is having trouble finding parts to fix your boiler consider getting it replaced sooner rather than later. Because the problem is only going to get worse. The next time your boiler breaks down you could be faced with having to get it replaced anyway. Only this time you’ll be doing it in the middle of winter.

9. Your boiler is losing pressure

Low water pressure is a sign of a leak in the system. This could be due to a broken pipe, a faulty valve or leaking seals. Whatever the cause you need to get it seen sooner rather than later. Because low pressure means your boiler is not working efficiently and you are wasting energy.

Leaks don’t necessarily mean you need a new boiler, seals and broken pipes can be replaced at low cost. In some cases running leak sealer through the system can solve the problem. But a boiler which is constantly losing pressure, without any noticeable leaks, is a sign that it’s on the way out.

10. Your boiler is more than 10 years old

Boilers are designed to have a working life of around 10-15 years. But a well-maintained boiler can last much longer than this. It is not uncommon to find boilers still working after 20+ years. But new boilers are more efficient than old boilers, so even if your boiler is working properly it may not be working efficiently.

So if your boiler is more than 15 years old, it may be more cost-effective to have it replaced, even if it is working faultlessly. A new A-rated boiler should be at least 20% more efficient than a G-rated one which equates to savings of around £300 a year. At that rate, your new boiler should pay for itself within seven years.

Please read our Saving Money With A New Combi Boiler Article for more information on how a modern-combi boiler could help you to save on energy bills.

Conclusion

The above signs are indications that your boiler is on the blink, while they don’t necessarily mean your boiler needs replacing they are signs that your system needs to be checked by a registered Gas Safe engineer. Doing so will not only give you peace of mind that your boiler is safe, it will ensure your heating system is working efficiently.

If your boiler is beyond repair and needs replacing, don’t panic. Grants are available for low-income households as part of the ECO (Energy Companies Obligation). This scheme is funded by the large energy companies and could help you to cover the costs of a new/replacement boiler.

You can find out more about the ECO scheme and whether you qualify by reading our Government Boiler Help Article.