Should I repair or replace my boiler?
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Should I repair or replace my boiler?

Of course nobody wants to buy a new boiler, however with hug boilers we spread the cost into monthly installments starting from £13 per month. If your boiler is continually losing pressure or consistently making lots of strange noises then you may have to consider replacing your old boiler.

Most boilers last between 10-15 years on average however this does vary depending on the type of boiler. So how do you know when it’s time to get a new boiler? We will explain what we would recommend in different circumstances.

1 – Your boiler isn’t as energy efficient or working as well as it used to. You may be finding your radiators just aren’t getting as hot as they used to. Sometimes this issue can be caused by a blockage in the heating system or a leak.

A system blockage may need a powerflush of the heating system and can cost around £200 – £500 to fix.

A faulty heat exchanger would need a replacement costing anywhere from £200 – £600 depending on your boiler.

A faulty diverter valve would also need replacing costing £200 – £500.

If your boiler isn’t too old (less than 8 years) we would recommend having one of our specialist engineers take a look at it to fix any repairs. If your boiler is older (especially 10 – 15 years) we would recommend looking at replacing your boiler. Hug boilers provide boilers starting from £13 per month to help you finance your new boiler.

2 – Your boiler is losing pressure regularly. If your boiler is leaking water, this is an indicator that there is a fault somewhere in the system. This could usually be caused by a broken seal or valve inside your boiler. This can also sometimes be caused by corrosion of a heat exchanger or another internal component.

If water is leaking from your system, it is important to get this checked out straight away to prevent further damage to components or property damage. A pipework leak would need finding and repairing which can cost £100 – £350. A leak from your heat exchanger would need replacing with the new component costing around £220 – £600. If your pressure release valve is faulty, it will need to be replaced, typically costing £100 – £300.

We would recommend that if your boiler is less than 8 years old, it would be best to repair it. A qualified engineer would have to do this for you. If your boiler is older than 10 years, and you are always having problems with the pressure, we would recommend looking into a new boiler. A more efficient boiler would only save you money in the long run on your energy bills.

3 – Your boiler is regularly breaking down. If your boiler seems to be breaking down often and you are having to have multiple callouts within a year you may also want to consider a new boiler. You should typically have your boiler serviced annually to keep it well, however if your boiler still seems to be breaking down after annual services, then you may need a new boiler. 

A component failure usually costs anywhere from £250 – £650 per component. If you are having to replace quite a few components, it may be wise to just get a new boiler. At Hug boilers we have a range of finance options and provide boilers from £13 per month. This monthly cost is nothing compared to replacing multiple components. A new boiler should only need an annual service and will be much more energy efficient saving you money. 

We would recommend if you are having multiple callouts and your boiler is 10+ years older to look into getting a new boiler. If your boiler is less than 8 years  old and is only having a rare breakdown, you may be okay for a couple more years.

4 – Your gas bill is increasing with no explanation.This may mean your boiler is no longer energy efficient. This can have a larger impact on your energy bill, as well as harming the environment. An older and less efficient boiler will cost you more money to run compared to a modern A-rated boiler. A- rated boilers typically have efficiency ratings of 90%+ compared to an older model is normally 70% or less.

An older boiler may have built up sludge in the pipework which  is making it less efficient and a powerflush may be recommended to fix this. This can cost from £200 – £550 to repair. If your boiler has components which are struggling to function effectively. We would recommend a service of seals and valves and this can typically cost £100 – £350.

A new A-rated boiler can save you up to £500 per year depending on the home you live in just on your energy bills. A new A-rated boiler will also need minimal call outs (if any) and you won’t have costs of fixing old components.

5 – Your boiler or radiators are making strange noises. If you are unsure of what the strange noises mean, check out our blog post on The ultimate guide to strange boiler noises here. Different noises can indicate different underlying issues. 

Dirt and debris can build up within your heating system overtime resulting in blockages and making your system less efficient. If there are signs of sludge in the pipework, we would recommend a power flush costing £200 – £550. If components are failing within your system they will need to be replaced costing £200 – £550 each. 

If you are unsure what is causing your strange boiler noises, please contact hug boilers for a gas safe qualified engineer. Depending on the issue if your boiler is 10 + years older we would recommend getting a new boiler. If it is just a blockage of debris you may only need the powerfush and not a new boiler.

6 – Your current boiler isn’t meeting your hot water demands. If you have extended your home or added a bathroom , you may find your boiler to not be meeting your hot water demands. You may need a new boiler with a higher power output. 

If your boiler has randomly started to deliver less hot water then you may have a problem with your heat exchanger. A faulty heat exchanger would need replacing, costing £200 – £600. 

If your boiler doesn’t have a high enough power output, you may need a new boiler that is more powerful. Hug boilers offer a range of finance options to be able to finance your new boiler. If you are unsure of what size boiler you may need to meet your hot water demands visit hugboilers.com to answer a few simple questions and we do the rest. If you would like to know more about what boiler is best suited for different types of homes, please visit what boiler should I buy.

If your boiler is older than 10 years and no longer meeting your hot water demand, we would recommend getting a new boiler that will meet your hot water requirements.

Our platform allows users to find the perfect boiler for their needs, by simply answering a few questions online we’ll suggest the best options based on your needs. Take your pick from our suggestions and select an installation date. Specialist gas-safe hug engineers – local to you – take care of the rest, from start to finish. You’re in safe hands.

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