Boilers are one of the most intensively used household appliances, yet faults can go unnoticed unless the heating suddenly stops working or the water doesn’t warm up as fast. A boiler breakdown can be extremely frustrating and costly, especially in the middle of winter. Not only is it annoying and inconvenient, but certain failures can also be a danger to you and your family if not spotted in time. Please read on to find out some of the tell-tale signs that it's time to replace your boiler.

Radiators take longer to heat up

Do your radiators take hours to get hot? Most modern boilers can reach their maximum temperature quickly, so a sluggish radiator could mean that your boiler is on the way out. But it could also mean that your radiators need bleeding, or the central heating system needs a powerflush.

So if your home takes too long to heat up or your water doesn’t come through as hot as it used to, it might be time for a boiler service or a full replacement. Arrange for a heating engineer to come and fix the problem.

Your energy bills are increasing

Rising energy bills could be a sign of an inefficient boiler. When the heating system is old, it loses its efficiency and tends to stop more in the middle of the operation. To find out your boiler’s efficiency, check its ERP energy rating. The most efficient boilers are rated A and the further you go through the alphabet, the less efficient they get. For example, rated A boiler are 90 percent efficient, whereas G rated boilers are less efficient at only 70 percent efficient.

If you have a G-rated boiler and it’s older than 15 years, it must be overworked. Frequent start and stop operation mean more energy is being consumed, causing you to pay higher energy bills than you should be. Replacing a less efficient boiler with an A-rated boiler is highly recommended in this case.

Your boiler is leaking

If water appears around your boiler, you should take action immediately. This is because the internal parts may be faulty or have already started to disintegrate. A leak can lead to further problems, such as rust and corrosion, as well as structural damage to your home. It also means that your heating will be inefficient and you will be wasting a lot of hot water. So avoid paying more for your heating and water, and prevent any damage being caused to your home, by calling an engineer out immediately.

Your boiler is giving off a bad odour

A boiler in good condition will not emit any odour. If your boiler does, it needs to be investigated by a professional straight away as it might be caused by a carbon monoxide problem. Carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal for all in the household. Although carbon monoxide itself is an odourless gas, a smell could be created because the leak is causing the boiler to not burn properly. Any smells, no matter how faint, could indicate a carbon monoxide leak and must be dealt with by a professional. 

Other carbon monoxide warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored include:

• Pilot light that frequently blows out
• Increased condensation inside windows.
• The boiler is burning a yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame
• Soot stains on and around the appliance

To learn more about carbon monoxide, the dangers and what to do in the case you have a gas leak - click HERE.

Your boiler is making noises

Your boiler will make the odd noise, especially when firing up, but this should be no more than a low hum that most wouldn’t even notice. But any form of banging, clunking and whirring sounds indicate a variety of different issues -  anything from a broken valve to heat pump problems, or just the general wear and tear of the appliance.

If your boiler is making noises that is causing you to worry, switch the boiler off first and help to stop any further damage. Then call for an engineer to come and have a look. The boiler issue could be minor and easily fixed but it’s important to make sure the appliance is safe for use, too.

Frequent boiler breakdowns

If there is always something wrong with the boiler and you find yourself having to be without hot water and heating for a while, the boiler well and truly needs to go. You shouldn't be constantly spending money on repairs, call-outs and quick fixes. It’s better to get a new boiler and have that peace of mind.

To find out more about your boiler options, give us a call and we will happily talk you through it all. Whether it's a Combi, System or Conventional boiler you're looking for, we will make sure you have all the information you need to make the best choice for your needs.