How to extend your boiler’s lifespan…
Our boilers are indispensable workhorses that keep our homes warm, and our baths hot all year round. We simply couldn’t live without them.
And yet, they’re often neglected and not given a second thought until they run into a problem.
Nobody wants the expense of having to replace their boiler sooner than they need to, so it makes sense to look after yours.
How long your boiler will last depends on how well you look after it. You can help your boiler run reliably and efficiently for longer by keeping it regularly serviced and well maintained.
We’ve compiled a list of things you can do to help extend the lifespan of your boiler, so that it can keep you warm and comfortable for many years to come.
How long should my boiler last?
The average lifespan for a boiler is about 10-15 years.
Many boiler manufacturers have increased the warranty periods for their boilers in recent years, reflecting the quality and reliability of boilers on the market.
As ATAG Selected Partners, we’re able to offer extended guarantees of up to 14 years on ATAG boilers. And all ATAG boilers come with a lifetime guarantee on their heat exchanger!
But precisely how long your boiler will last, depends on how well you look after it.
How to extend your boiler’s lifespan
Boilers aren’t cheap, so here are some steps that you can take to ensure that your boiler provides you with stress-free and reliable service for as long as possible:
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by starting well!
Extending the lifespan of your boiler starts from before it’s even out of the box! To get off to the best start, you should:
Choose a quality boiler
Not all boilers are created equal, and as the adage goes: Buy cheap, buy twice. It’s important to invest in a good quality boiler, rather than the cheapest option.
Buying a cheaper but inferior boiler is a false economy, because a low-quality boiler is likely to have a much shorter life span than a high quality one.
A boiler that’s initially cheaper to buy, might end up costing you more to run; more in repairs; and you might have to replace it sooner.
So, rather than shopping by price, get expert advice on reliable models from an engineer you can trust.
The Heating People can work with all boiler manufacturers, but in terms of quality, we rate: Worcester Bosch; ATAG; and Vaillant boilers.
Choose the correct size of boiler
In addition to choosing a quality boiler, it’s important to install the correct size for your needs.
An oversized boiler will suffer from a problem called ‘boiler cycling’ which will put pressure on its component parts, thereby shortening its lifespan.
An expert engineer will specify the correct size of boiler for your home and lifestyle, after conducting a heat loss calculation for your home.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by using professionals
To keep your boiler running safely, smoothly, and efficiently for as long as possible, you need an expert to maintain it.
You should only allow a Gas Safe registered engineer to install, service or repair your boiler.
Allowing an unqualified person to work on your boiler is illegal and puts yourself and your family at risk of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Being Gas Safe registered is your assurance that your engineer has had the right training and knows what he or she is doing.
Rest assured that all engineers at The Heating People are Gas Safe registered.
We’re also proud to be certified Heat Geeks, which is your assurance that we have undergone Heat Geek’s in-depth heating system design course. This means that we can get the best out of your boiler and heating system for years to come.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan with regular servicing
Having your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer will extend its lifespan.
During your service, your engineer will check, clean, and maintain your boiler to keep it running safely and efficiently. This significantly lowers the chances of your boiler developing faults and breaking down.
Research by Which? in 2021 found that the chances of your boiler breaking in its first six years are doubled if you don’t get an annual service.
So, aside from the essential safety checks, a service is a proactive way of ensuring that your boiler stays in good working order. And any minor issues can be fixed before they turn into bigger and more expensive problems.
So, if you want to keep your boiler healthy (and maintain it’s warranty) you need to get booked in for your service!
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by getting repairs done quickly
Regular servicing will help to keep your boiler running smoothly and safely all year round. But if you notice anything unusual with your boiler in between services, you should have it checked right away.
Ignoring warning signs that something’s amiss with your boiler is a bad idea. By kicking the can down the road, you’re running the risk of minor issues turning into major (and expensive) faults.
By getting repairs done quickly, you’ll extend the lifespan of your boiler.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by testing it in the summer
Although we only tend to think about our boilers in the winter months, we need our boilers all year round.
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) says that summer is the perfect time to have your boiler serviced to avoid any nasty surprises when winter arrives.
And although your boiler will still be working for your hot water in the summer, it’s a good idea to switch your heating on now and then to keep it ticking over.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan with a magnetic filter
Another way to look after your boiler is to install a magnetic filter. This is a device that collects the corroded metals that can build up in your heating system over time.
The constant movement of water through the metal pipes of your heating system can result in rust, dirt and debris building up. This so-called ‘sludge’ causes blockages and interferes with the smooth running of your boiler.
A magnetic filter attracts the sludge, whilst allowing the water to continue flowing through your heating system. This can help your boiler to last longer and can reduce your energy bills as your system’s efficiency is improved.
But if you have a significant build-up, you may require a power flush.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan with an inhibitor
A second way to protect your boiler from problematic sludge, is to ask your heating engineer about adding a central heating inhibitor to your heating system.
An inhibitor is a chemical solution which is added to the water in your central heating system. This breaks down the sludge, thereby protecting your boiler from damage caused by blockages, and improving overall efficiency.
Again, an inhibitor won’t be effective if you have a big build-up of sludge, for that you may need a power flush.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan with a power flush
A power flush isn’t something you should do regularly for boiler maintenance, per se. But we’ve included it here, because it’s a solution where you have a big problem with sludge, and magnetic filters or inhibitors simply won’t cut it.
And a power flush can help to extend your boiler’s lifespan, where it’s needed.
A power flush works by sending high-pressure water through your radiators, pipes and boiler. This flushes out any sludge and blockages and allows water to flow freely throughout your system.
This will allow your radiators to heat up properly, and your boiler won’t have to work as hard to heat your home.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by bleeding your radiators
Similarly to when your radiators are full of sludge, your boiler also has to work harder if they’re full of air.
But how does air get into your system?
Well… when water is heated and cooled, air bubbles are produced. Since there is nowhere for the air to escape from, it can build up over time, and can create air pockets inside your radiators. This explains why you sometimes get cold spots on your radiators.
Bleeding your radiators releases the trapped air and ensures that your boiler can heat your home efficiently.
Bleeding your radiators is a simple task that you can do yourself, and all you need is a radiator key. You just need to fit your key into the bleed valve at the top of your radiator, turn it, and the trapped air will be released.
Just remember to have a container to hand to catch any water that trickles out, and close the valve afterwards.
As a guide, bleeding your radiators once a year should keep them working well.
Extend your boiler’s lifespan by insulating your pipes
Looking after your boiler extends to looking after its pipes!
In winter, a large number of boiler problems are caused by frozen condensate pipes. A frozen condensate pipe will cause your boiler to stop working completely.
Thankfully, a frozen condensate pipe has a simple fix – you just need to thaw it out with warm water. But to prevent the problem from recurring, you should look at insulating it with pipe lagging.
How do I know if I need a new boiler?
Whilst all the tips in this article will help to extend the lifespan of your boiler, unfortunately it won’t last forever! There will come a time when you’ll need a boiler replacement.
But how do you know when that is?
Your heating engineer will be able to advise you on whether it’s time for you to replace your boiler with a new model.
But you might like to read: 6 signs that you need a new boiler.
If your boiler is approaching the average lifespan of 10-15 years, it won’t be running as efficiently as it once did, and it may not have been that efficient to begin with!
Add to that the extremely high price of gas, and it’s easy to see that you could make big savings with a newer, more efficient model.
For tailored advice on whether it’s time to replace your boiler, contact one of our friendly team today.
Conclusion
Boilers are often overlooked until they’re causing a problem. But if you proactively look after your boiler, you can drastically reduce your chances of a breakdown and extend your boiler’s life.
By following the tips in this guide, your new boiler should last for at least 10-15 years. And you’ll be reducing your chances of having to pay out for costly repairs.
But your boiler won’t last forever. If it’s on its last legs and you’ve followed our guide, then it might be time to invest in a new faithful friend.
Contact The Heating People today to book your free survey.
