When so much money is spent on heating and hot water bills, there comes a time when your boiler, no matter how good you think it is, is performing so badly it needs to be replaced. You may not be aware of its efficiency until an engineer checks it and tells you.
Here, we look at the main signs to look out for when it’s time for a replacement boiler.
What is a replacement boiler?
When we talk about a replacement boiler, we mean a like for like replacement where the type of boiler, say a combi, is the same. Depending on your circumstances you may want to install a different type of boiler – like a system or regular boiler. The change in boiler types also means replacing the pipework and location which would make the replacement costlier.
How often should a boiler be replaced?
This depends on each individual boiler in terms of the quality of its initial installation, the condition of the heating system such as radiators; whether it has been well maintained with annual servicing and if genuine manufacturers’ parts have been used during repairs. If well maintained, it can last around 15 years before other factors make a replacement boiler necessary.
How do you know when your boiler needs replacing?
Signs your boiler needs to be replaced
- The boiler was installed 15-20 years ago
- Some of the parts are hard to find for your boiler
- The condition of the boiler generally isn’t good anymore due to wear and tear
- The boiler isn’t running efficiently when combustion readings are taken
- Does it have more maintenance requirements now?
- Do you hear gurgling, banging noises more often than before?
- Has a repair engineer been called out more often recently?
- Have your gas bills been rising even after you have gone onto the best tariff?
How much does it cost to replace a boiler in 2021?
Comparing the cost of 5 best-selling combi boilers from famous brands like Worcester Bosch, Baxi and Vaillant, the average cost of replacing a boiler comes to £950. Similarly, looking at the best selling heat only boilers from Viessmann, Baxi and Ideal, the average replacement cost is £740.
You will need to add the installation cost to the above prices including labour, system flush, boiler filter and possibly thermostatic radiator valves.
Can I get a grant to replace a boiler?
You could be eligible for a grant to replace an old (10 years old or more), inefficient or faulty boiler. If you receive a qualifying benefit such as income support or disability living allowance and you own your home or you are a private tenant, you may qualify for a new boiler under the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
The grant will cover most of the cost of replacing the boiler and installation although you may have to pay a part of the cost. Because this is a grant and not a loan, you won’t have to pay the rest of the cost back. While saving on the boiler, you’ll also make savings on your heating bills going forward.
Are gas boilers being phased out?
Fossil fuel heating appliances like will eventually be phased out from newly-built homes but there are no plans to ban gas boilers from existing homes. So you can still buy a brand new gas boiler that will serve you well for many years. At the moment government policy seems to be gas heating will be banned in new build homes by 2025.
