Signs That Your Boiler May Be on the Brink

Inside the home, your boiler is one of the most important appliances. It provides you with a source of heat and hot water to keep you both comfortable and clean. If a boiler breaks it can be a costly predicament to solve.

Today, we’re sharing with you some of the common signs that your boiler may on the brink and in need of repair.

Increased usage

One of the most notable signs, apart from visible wear and tear, is a sudden increase in how much energy is being used to heat your home. If you’re noticing your usage is going up, the likelihood is that you need to check the condition of your boiler.

A boiler that is no longer functioning efficiently will use more energy to reach full heating capacity, which in the long-term could see the cost of having a hot shower go up.

Old age

Boilers generally begin to be considered old, or nearing the end of life, at around 10 years. If you’ve had your boiler for over the course of a decade, it may be time to consider purchasing a new energy system. Plus, the older the boiler, the less energy efficient it tends to be.

A new heating system is the perfect way to get a reliable, cost-effective source of heat into your home. You may even be eligible for a government grant towards the cost of a new boiler.

Frequent repairs

If you require maintenance work to be carried out on your boiler regularly, it’s a sign that the heating system needs upgrading for the long-term, plus you may struggle to find new parts for an outdated boiler system, and ones you do find may be expensive.  

It may be a quick fix to get your current unit fixed, but the costs will soon add up and will eventually outweigh replacing it with a new heating system – one that could be energy efficient and help lower your energy bills.

Warning signs

There could be more severe indications that something isn’t right with your boiler. Here are a few warning signs to look out for that will need your urgent attention:

• The smell of gas or fumes
• Visible signs of scorching or spillage marks
• Pilot light continually going out or has a yellow flame
• Headaches or a persistent feeling of nausea  

All these issues point to your boiler needing repair or upgrade. It’s important to take action sooner rather than later if you notice any of the above.

Safety first

It’s important to make sure your boiler is serviced regularly, as it ensures the unit is running efficiently and it can pick up issues before they become serious problems. By law, all engineers who fit gas boilers must be on the Gas Safe Register.

If you’re currently using oil to heat your home, it’s recommended to have your boiler serviced by an OFTEC-registered engineer, but it’s not a legal requirement. We can help you complete an oil to gas conversion if you want a boiler that’s always serviced by a Gas Safe Engineer.

You can contact us today if you’d like more information on how we can get you Flo-ing with a clean, reliable supply of energy.