How Long Does A Boiler Last?
On average a boiler should last you between 10 to 15 years. This can vary depending on several factors, including temperature, how hard you work your boiler and how often you get it serviced.
This handy guide will dive deep into how you can extend the life of your boiler, how to maintain it effectively and how often you should look to replace your boiler to help you save money on your heating systems.
How to extend the life of your boiler
Your boiler is one of the most important appliances in your home. It helps keep life running smoothly and has a huge impact on your comfort levels so you must keep your heating system in top shape to meet your needs. Part of caring for your boiler includes knowing how long it is likely to function and how to take care of it to extend the lifespan.
Below we have outlined some simple steps you can follow to maximise the lifespan of your boiler, no matter what model you own.
Choose the right boiler for your needs
There are several factors that you need to consider when choosing a boiler as there are lots of different types of boiler and fuel types available. Gas boilers, electric boilers, oil boilers, and LPG boilers are the most common fuel types that different models of boiler can use. Depending on where your home is, your boiler or heating system will probably use one of these types of fuel.
You also need to ensure your boiler is the right size (kW output) for your home. If you install a boiler that is too small for your home, you could put excessive pressure on the heating system and cause frequent breakdowns, reducing the lifespan of the system. A boiler that has excessive power could lead to high energy bills and have a greater impact on the environment.
If you're wondering what size boiler do I need for my home? check out our guide that breaks down everything you need to know about boiler sizing today!
Ensure all work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer
By using fully registered Gas Safe heating engineers, you can be sure the life expectancy of your boiler will vastly increase in comparison to using someone who isn't fully or legally qualified to be carrying out the work that needs to be done.
Get your boiler serviced regularly
Just like your car or motorcycle, your boiler requires a frequent health check to ensure that it is functioning effectively and safely. It's best to get a professional heating engineer to perform an annual service as this will help to spot any issues that could cause costly damage in the future and resolve them ahead of time before they become too serious and costly.
Pay attention to your central heating system
Keep an eye on unusual changes in your heating system, seemingly small, niggly issues you can live with like a weird noise every so often could be an indication of a bigger issue. If you've noticed any change in the way in which your boiler performs, you should call out a heating professional as soon as possible so that any issues can be identified and resolved.
Don't overwork your boiler
Setting your water pressure too high could lead to unnecessary wear-and-tear on your boiler which will shorten the lifespan. Ensuring the boiler pressure is correct for your boiler type and needs is important to ensure you get your boiler to last.
Install a magnetic filter
Magnetic filters can help prevent the build-up of limescale and sludge in your boiler and heating system pipework. The magnetic filter works by filtering out metallic debris before it settles in the pipework or radiators and causes problems to central heating systems.
Maintaining your boiler
As well as getting an annual service on your boiler, there are a few basic boiler maintenance tasks you can carry out yourself which will contribute to a more efficient operation and a longer lifespan of your boiler and central heating.
Bleed the radiators
The radiators are an important part of the heating system in your home as they are the part of your system that houses the hot water that provides you heat. This means it's important to check them regularly to ensure that they are in working order.
If you find your radiators have any cold spots, then it's likely that there's air trapped inside. To remove the air, you simply need to bleed your radiators before the cold weather arrives, to ensure your heating system is running efficiently when you need it most.
Check your boiler's pressure
Double-check your boiler' pressure once a month or so to see if it needs topping up. Your boiler pressure should be between 1 and 2 bars at different states. Anything below one bar is considered low pressure and needs repressuring, whilst 2.75 bars and above is considered high pressure.
Look for a blue flame
A blue flame in your boiler indicates that it is working correctly and the gas inside is burning properly. If you can check it, it should be a strong blue colour. An orange or yellow flame indicates there's something wrong with the boiler and you should call a Gas Safe registered engineer as soon as possible.
Turn on your heating regularly
Tuning on your heating at least once a month, even in the spring and summer can help to keep it running efficiently. This helps to clear the boiler pump of any grit that may gather when it's not in use. Even turning on your heating for 10-15 minutes every so often will help to keep all of the parts to the boiler moving correctly and minimise the chances of a breakdown.
Defrost and protect the condensate pipe
If the temperature drops below freezing (zero degrees celsius), your external condensate pipe may freeze and lead to blockages that cost you a lot to repair. Wrap old towels or foam pipe insulation around the water pipe to pad it out and protect it from the cold. Turning up the heating on your boiler thermostat can also help to prevent the production of condensation which can freeze and cause blockages.
How often should a boiler be replaced?
Even if you have had a boiler for a long time, and it still seems to be working, you should be replacing your old boilers if they are older than ten years. You can tell when your boiler needs replacing as you will need to get regular repairs or hear odd noises.
There are many advantages to replacing your old boiler, however, including the advancement in modern boiler technology allowing for much cheaper energy bills and boiler manufacturers creating increasingly environmentally friendly boilers.