How long should it last? A touch personal if you ask me, but we'll delve into it regardless.
A boiler’s average lifespan is between 10 and 15 years before you need to replace it.
Your boiler accounts for around 60% of your energy bills and is a vital part of your home.
Buying and fitting a new brand boiler is one of the most expensive investments you’ll make in your home, so the longer it can last, the more value for money you get.
Let’s explore how much life you can expect from your boiler and how you can lengthen that lifespan.
PS We fit new combi boilers with gas installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get it installed as quick as tomorrow.
A Boiler’s Average Lifespan
The timescale between new boiler installations is usually capped at around 15 years on average.
You probably have an old combi boiler that’s survived a more extended period, but it’s the efficiency that matters., as this will result in higher bills.
Plus, the repair costs can soon rack up if you plan on maintaining an old boiler.
In fact, old boilers are much more likely to need repairs, so much so that it's common for insurance companies to classify old boilers in need of repair as "beyond economical repair".
For instance, Major components such as the heat exchanger or printed circuit board (PCB) can cost several hundreds of pounds, so if your boiler is old and needs one of these replacing, it may be time to consider then it may be more cost-effective to get your boiler replaced.
In theory, most boilers, even modern ones, can last longer than 15 years. However, that’s how long it would take to become so inefficient that it becomes more cost-effective to buy a new one.
An old boiler can also negatively impact the environment as well as your energy bills.
A boiler is a piece of complicated machinery with moving parts like expansion vessels, pumps, valves, several meters of pipework, various electronic components, and a burner. No matter the quality, all these parts wear out at different rates.
Additionally, the boiler is constantly going between hot and cool, meaning it’s continually expanding and contracting, leading to stress and fatigue on the joints and pipework.
An older boiler will also be from a different time when technology and climate concerns were different, so it’s wise to consider a replacement.
How To Lengthen Your Boiler’s Life
Annual Servicing
When you buy and install a new boiler, you’re told to have it serviced one year later and at the same time every year after that. Annual servicing protects your warranty and keeps your boiler safe, maintained, and efficient.
The best thing you can do to keep your boiler working efficiently for as long as possible is to have it serviced by a professional annually.
Annual servicing needs to be carried out by a gas-safe engineer who performs efficiency and safety tests on the boiler to ensure it works effectively.
Manufacturers require annual services by Gas Safe engineers to ensure the warranty remains valid. The engineer also checks the system for leaks or faults to catch minor problems early before they develop into expensive issues.
Fix Repairs ASAP
Ensure you pay attention to your boiler and heating system to notice any changes or unusual noises that need quick fixing.
Don’t ignore or put anything off longer than you have to if you see anything wrong. Minor problems can worsen over time and lead to hefty repair costs.
As mentioned before, boiler parts wear out, but it doesn’t mean the boiler becomes useless. Components can be repaired, cleaned, or replaced, so ensure you have your boiler serviced annually to maintain its efficiency and extend its lifespan.
Powerflush
The boiler’s heating system comprises water and metal, so, naturally, dirt, rust, and sludge build up in your radiators and pipes over the years.
Such build-up can create blockages that gradually decrease the efficiency of your boiler and heating system.
When left too long, such blockage can cause significant damage. With a Powerflush or chemical flush service, a professional engineer can add chemicals to your system and flush to clear any sludge or blockages.
Check our new boiler costs guide and use our boiler size calculator if you want to get a better understanding of how our fixed-price boiler quote tool works.
Only Use A Qualified Gas Safe Engineer
It’s dangerous and illegal for unqualified people to work on appliances like boilers. Your warranty can also become void when you use anyone other than a qualified professional.
Always the engineer you use is on the Gas Safe Register, which provides a list of heating engineers legally eligible to work with such appliances with the highest standards.
Using a qualified engineer from installation to any ongoing repairs or servicing can help you increase the life of your boiler by preventing damage to your boiler and heating system.
Choose A Suitable Boiler
Having a boiler that’s the right fit and size for your home is vital. A boiler that’s too small means you’ll be overworking it and putting excessive pressure on the system, resulting in frequent breakdowns and reducing the lifespan of your boiler.
On the other hand, a boiler with excessive power can lead to high energy bills. A good quality boiler that’s the right size for your home should meet your hot water needs perfectly without any issues for many years to come.
Should I Replace An Old Working Boiler?
Even when your boiler is over ten years old and is yet to break down, you may be tempted to keep it going for as long as possible. After all, a replacement is a significant investment that requires careful consideration.
Odd noises, faults, and regular repairs are good indicators that your boiler is on its way out, and you should start considering getting a new one. Other motivators that make a new boiler the best option for you include:
Low Energy Bills
A boiler gets less effective and efficient at heating your home as it gets older, meaning it needs to work extra hard and use more energy to produce hot water.
You’ll immediately see significant reductions in your energy bills when you replace an old boiler with a modern, more efficient model. In some cases, savings reach up to £365.
In fact according to the Energy Saving Trust:
Upgrading from an old G-rated boiler to a modern A-rated boiler could save you as much as £300 a year on your bills.
Latest Technology
Modern boilers are more attractive and compact, and they also outshine their predecessors in terms of performance and cheaper running costs. Today boilers come with better controls and can be connected to the internet for enhanced control of your heating through an app from anywhere in the world.
You can control how you heat each room in your home and the temperature. Others come with weather compensation technology that automatically adjusts the heating according to the weather outside or maximum energy savings.
Looking to pay for your new boiler monthly? Refer to our boiler on finance guide for more info.
Have you got limited space in your home? Check out our guide on the best small boilers.
Did you know our boiler installation cost calculator only takes 60 seconds to complete? Using a series of multiple-choice questions can provide you with a fixed price on a range of budget-friendly boilers.
More Available Parts
Older boilers may require parts that are already discontinued. Your boiler may still be hanging in there, but the parts needed may not be around anymore.
It can be almost impossible and expensive to source them when your old boiler requires replacement parts. A complete replacement of your boiler may prove to be the better option.
Selecting The Right Boiler
You must ensure you’re making the right choice according to your lifestyle, home, and budget when it’s time for a new boiler. Factors to consider include:
Boiler Type
You can choose from three boiler types including:
Regular boilers – Also called traditional boilers, they’re usually found in older heating systems. With regular boilers, the cold water from the main supply fills a large tank in the attic, which feeds water to the boiler where it’s heated. Hot water is then sent to radiators and a separate hot water cylinder for the taps.
A combi – Combi (combination) boiler is the most common boiler installed in the UK today. They’re a compact unit that takes water supply directly from the mains and heats it on demand, removing the need for hot water tanks or cylinders. They’re usually not suitable for large homes with high heating and hot water demands.
System Boiler – The system boiler also takes water from the main supply. It produces hot water and directly sends it to your radiators. However, it needs a separate hot water cylinder that’s kept in an airing cupboard to store the hot water for use in your taps.
How Long Should a Boiler Last? Final Thoughts
A suitable boiler should last you at least ten years or longer if you keep it well-maintained.
If your boiler is outdated, you should consider replacing it even if it’s still working to ensure you get energy savings not possible with an old, inefficient boiler.
Looking for the best deal on a new combi boiler?
If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new boiler, consider getting a quote from us, here’s why:
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