Tag: boiler

Should you consider buying a new boiler?

Should you consider buying a new boiler?

Home-owners are often surprised on being told by a professional that they need to replace their boiler. It’s recommended to get a second opinion before deciding on it, but there are several common indicators of a failing boiler that anyone can take note of themselves. Let’s quickly go through what those indicators are next.

Icon of boiler with sticking plasters

Frequent breakdowns

The older an electronic appliance is, the more maintenance it needs; which is normal. If, however, the boiler is breaking down frequently, even after ensuring regular maintenance, take it as a sign that the appliance is nearing the end of its service.

Old boiler with water tank icon

It was installed 10+ years ago

Just because a boiler is more than 10-years old, that does not mean it’s about to fail. On the other hand, when a boiler begins to lose performance, energy-efficiency and breaks down often after a decade, it’s indeed time to look for a new one. Whilst this was once a hassle, there are numerous companies such as Duffy Heating who make replacing your boiler with a newer, better model quite easy. As compared to old models, modern gas boilers are 20-30% more energy-efficient any way, but with a professionals help, you’ll be able to select a model that is best suited for your needs and budget.

Consumption meter icon

The unit consumption rate is significantly higher than expected in winter

The cost of electricity is always on the rise, which means that your bills will possibly be higher than they were last winter. Simply comparing heating bills with 12-24 months between them is not an accurate way to determine whether a boiler has lost its energy efficiency over the years.

Instead, compare the units consumed during the winter months every year to notice if there was a sudden and sizeable bump at any point. Unless you can explain the bump in unit consumption rate (loss of insulation, property extensions, considerable increase in the number of residents, significant increase in the number of electronic appliances, etc.), it might be time to buy a new gas boiler to save both money and precious energy.

Orange yellow flame illustration

The yellow-orange pilot flame of doom

The pilot flame inside a boiler is supposed to be blue and steady. If you notice that the flame is turning yellow/orange every now and then, take it as a sign of potential deadly danger. To understand the correlation here, read the points as mentioned next:

  • Yellow, orange or yellow-orange flames produce carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Carbon monoxide is toxic to the level of being deadly, and we can’t smell it
  • When a boiler starts releasing CO, the gas will slowly fill up the entire confined and insulated space of your home
  • This silent killer causes nausea, vertigo, tiredness, sleepiness, headaches, permanent brain damage and death

Call in emergency boiler maintenance first for a temporary solution, and then replace the old, faulty appliance with a new boiler as soon as you can.

Note that boilers, just like every other electronic appliance, can last for longer or shorter periods of time than expected. The life expectancy of a boiler varies depending on the make, model, maintenance, usage, boiler installation etc. and not just its age. If you notice any of the signs we just discussed, consider replacing your boiler before it fails permanently.

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How to maintain your boiler

How to maintain your boiler

Boiler repairs and replacements can be very expensive. It also always seems to be the case that the boiler stops working at the worst possible moment, like in the middle of a cold snap. Avoid boiler breakdowns, common issues and costly repairs with these simple boiler maintenance tips that you can do yourself safely. A well maintained boiler will last longer and run more efficiently, saving you money on bills and repairs.

Repairing a boiler

Never skip your service

Your boiler’s annual service is incredibly important. An engineer on the Gas Safe Register should check your boiler once a year. This service ensures all the parts are in good working order and are safe. If you can, time the service before the cold weather sets in, to make sure your boiler will make it through the coldest part of the year. Winter puts the most strain on a boiler, so be sure it can get through.

Front of a wall-mounted boiler

Turn the heating on

Did you know, a boiler left off for too long can seize up? To avoid a nasty surprise when you try and put the heating on for the first time when the cold weather hits, give the boiler a quick blast even when you don’t need it. Putting the heating on for just ten minutes occasionally during the summer will keep the boiler working properly, ensuring it’s ready to go when you need it.

Understairs cupboard storage area

Clear out clutter

The boiler in most homes is in a cupboard that ends up being used for all sorts of storage. Try to resist piling the boiler high with spare carrier bags, cleaning supplies and winter coats. To work efficiently, boilers need proper ventilation around them, which means they need space. Keeping a clear path to the boiler will also make it easier for access for you to check on it, and for any plumber or engineer who needs to reach it.

Wall-mounted boiler with front flap open

Make regular checks

Get in the habit of giving the boiler a regular once over. Look out for any leaks, cracks or sooty marks. Check the boiler’s pressure is where it should be. Listen for any strange clunking sounds when the boiler is running. Check the boiler’s blue flame, which should be strong and always blue. If the flame appears weak, yellow or smoky, this is a clear sign there’s a problem.

These warning signs can help you identify issues before they become real problems. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, get an engineer to take a look to make sure there’s nothing going on.

Dark radiator on a bright yellow wall

Bleed the radiators

Air in the system will stop your heating from working as well as it could, and put extra pressure on the boiler. Turn the heating off before you do it, and bleed the radiators on a regular basis.

Make sure that you’re being safe and sensible with any boiler maintenance. Never try and make any boiler repairs yourself, and always call a gas safe professional if you think there is a problem with the boiler.

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6 Common boiler problems

6 Common boiler problems | H is for Home 

After hibernating over the warm summer months, during the cold winters the boiler is kicked back into gear. Working long hours after being inactive for a while means that the most common time for a boiler to break down would be when you most need it the most. While some issues can be fixed without having to call out an engineer, if you’re in doubt, the best thing you can do is seek some help from a professional.

Sometimes it’s even better to get a new boiler altogether than have it fixed over and over again, that’s why it’s important to compare the cost of repair services with the new boiler cost to save more money.

Today, we’ll be exploring six common boiler problems to help you identify the issue and guide you in the right direction to sort it out.

Drips and leaks

A range of issues could cause a boiler to leak. Where the leak is coming from will determine the cause of the breakage. The internal component breaking, for example a pressure valve or pump seal, is usually the reason for a leak. If the source of the leak is the pressure valve, then the boiler pressure could be above what it should be. If the pump seal is the culprit, then it may need to be replaced due to it being dilapidated. Corrosion can also occur around the tank or pipes due to the boiler not being adequately fitted.

Don’t try to fix these issues yourself and if the cost of the repair is worrying, then get some boiler cover. If you get covered with Certi, you can benefit from their value+ boiler cover plan. The value+ home emergency cover from Certi includes access to a helpline that you can call at any time and costs as little as £4.95 per month.

Close up of a radiator thermostat

No hot water or heat

Hot water or heat loss can occur due to broken airlocks or diaphragms, motorised valves failing, thermostat issues or low levels of water. If you experience this, a good place to start is to check whether the issue is due to a problem with your boiler pressure or thermostat. If you think that your airlock or diaphragm is broken, you will need to call out an engineer.

Condensing boiler

Low boiler pressure

All boilers will have a pressure gauge built in to them, which makes checking the pressure very easy. If the needle is under 1, that means you could have a low boiler pressure which means your central heating will not function how it should. A leak, a faulty pressure relief valve or radiators that have recently been bled are all reasons the pressure could drop. If you can’t find a leak, then you can try to re-pressurise the system. The instructions to do this can be found in your heating system’s manual. However, if you aren’t comfortable, then contact a professional.

Changing setting on a central heating system

Thermostat problems

If the precision of your thermostat isn’t accurate or if the heating is turning on/off when it shouldn’t be, then it may be time to look at replacing it. First, you should carry out some checks such as whether the thermostat is on and that the settings have been set correctly. Another thing to remember is that the thermostat will not allow your boiler to warm up your home above the temperature that it has been set to. If this is the case, then you should try to increase the settings a tiny bit at a time until you find your ideal temperature. If that doesn’t apply to you, then your thermostat could have malfunctioned or the accuracy may have decreased over time. This is when a replacement should be considered.

Purple flame

Pilot light keeps going out

There is a small blue flame that has to be kept alight to allow it to light a bigger burner. This is called the pilot light. This could be going out due to a broken thermocouple (which will stop the gas supply), a build-up of deposits in the pilot light or a draught which will blow out the pilot light. It’s important to check that there are no problems with the gas supply before you try to reignite the light. If your boiler isn’t receiving gas, but the gas stopcock is on, then you need to get in contact with your gas supplier. There will be instructions in your boiler’s manual if you are unsure on igniting the pilot light.

Fixing a boiler with a screwdriver

Unusual noises

A common source of strange noises like banging, gurgling or whistling can be due to air in the system. However, it could also be due to low water pressure or kettling. Impending pump failure (more common in older systems), could also be a reason for the noises. The type of noise can help determine the issue. But always seek professional help if you’re unsure.

Having boiler issues can be stressful, but there’s plenty of help available to you. Having your boiler covered is highly recommended for the unexpected breakdowns and if you are ever unsure, don’t be afraid to get in an engineer to fix the problem.

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