How Long Does a Boiler Last?

Boilers, and knowing how long does a boiler last? Are very important appliances for your home; in fact, they can be considered the centre of your home because of everything they do to keep it comfortable.

The thing is that you can’t just place a boiler in your home and forget about it.

Although they are not exactly high maintenance, boilers do need occasional servicing and they also need to be replaced once they get to a certain age.

Most boilers last 10 to 15 years, so you won’t be spending money on a brand-new boiler on a regular basis.

It’s also good to know what to do with them in the meantime.

While 10 to 15 years is average when it comes to keeping your boiler, there are some brands that last more than 20 years and still work great.

Regardless of how long your own boiler lasts, there are two things to remember about it.

First of all, they will likely need servicing every few years or so.

And second, they should be inspected once a year in order to make sure that they are running as they should.

Most people have their boilers inspected right before the winter begins because that’s when the boiler is doing most of its work.

Your best bet is to keep an eye on your boiler and make sure that nothing out of the ordinary is happening with it.

It is usually time to get a new boiler if the following things are happening:

• A repair that costs a lot of money
• System leaks
• Unusual noises
• Frequent repairs and breakdowns
• Unusual smells from the boiler
• Difficulty finding the parts you need
• Inefficient operation
• High utility bills
• Intermittent heating and hot water
• Radiators that take a long time to heat up

In these cases, it will likely be much more cost-efficient to buy a new boiler rather than getting the existing one repaired.

This is especially true if your boiler is more than 10 years old, is out of warranty, or your repair bill is more than £300.

If your boiler is less than five years old and your repairs are under £300, it might be better for you to pay for repairs instead of a replacement.

And if you’re not sure whether you should choose a repair or a replacement, a professional gas technician will be able to inspect the boiler and make a recommendation.

Sometimes it is difficult to make this decision without their assistance.

While boilers generally last in the 10- to 15-year range, there are things you can do to extend their lifespan a bit. These include the following:

• Buy a boiler that has a long warranty. Most boilers have warranties that are at least 10 years in length, but some brands offer warranties longer than this.
• Consider installing a magnetic system filter. These filters collect heating sludge and should be installed when the new boiler is installed.
• Use a central heating inhibitor to break down sludge. And after the sludge is broken down, it will be removed from your heating system.
• Get a hot flush. This is a good thing to do when you replace the boiler. The entire heating system will be cleaned out so that the sludge doesn’t cause any damage to the boiler’s components.
• Purchase a scale reducer. This is important if you live in an area with hard water because it fights against limescale to help the boiler operate more efficiently.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to keep your boiler around longer is to get it serviced annually.

Annual inspections provide you with a lot of advantages that you may not have thought of.

When a Gas Safe engineer inspects your boiler, they can spot problems before they get too cumbersome or expensive to repair.

These regular inspections also save you a lot of money on your utility bills.

Even more important, manufacturer warranties often require regular servicing in order for the warranty to remain in effect.

The last thing you want is to get your boiler repaired and have to pay for it yourself because the warranty is no good.

As you can tell, yearly inspections of your boiler are important for numerous reasons.

They help the boiler run more efficiently, save you on your utility bills, and help take advantage of any warranty you may have in effect.

Keep in mind that a brand-new boiler can cost roughly £1800, so it is both cheaper and easier to get regular maintenance done on your existing boiler.

If you want your boiler to last as long as possible, there are other things you can do to make that happen. First of all, always buy a boiler that is a reputable brand, such as Ideal or Worcester Bosch.

You should also choose a boiler that meets your needs, which means looking at the right size or kW output. If you buy a boiler that is too small, for instance, it can put excess pressure on the system and cause frequent breakdowns.

When you call someone for repairs or replacement, make sure that it is a Gas Safe registered engineer. Not only is it dangerous to do otherwise, but it is also illegal.

And should you need repairs, it’s best to have them made immediately without waiting. The longer you wait for repairs, the more likely the situation will be made much worse. But most of all, you should pay attention to any changes that might be happening with your boiler. If you notice anything that just doesn’t feel right, it’s best to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

The average boiler lasts 10 to 15 years, but regular inspections are important to keep it running efficiently during that timespan.

Always make sure that you take good care of your boiler in the meantime, and always trust any work that needs to be done to a certified Gas Safe registered technician for the best results.