It could be time for a replacement boiler if your boiler is making strange noises, leaking water, or you’ve noticed a drop in water pressure. These indicators make it quite clear that you need a new boiler. This article covers a few more warning signs that you should be aware of, which will increase your understanding of boilers and how they work.
Warning signs your Boiler is on it’s way out
Odd Noises
Even while worn-out boiler parts can be replaced as they age, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a new boiler. You should have your boiler checked out by a gas safe engineer if it’s making knocking, popping, or hissing noises when it’s on, and you might even need to consider buying a new boiler depending on the fault.
Leaks
If your boiler leaks water, it’s typically an indication that a valve or seal, for example, has cracked within the boiler. It might cause structural damage to your property if left unattended, an electrical short-circuit, or both.
Important Tip: The boiler should be turned off and thoroughly inspected if you notice a leak.
Higher Bills
Have you noticed your energy bills creeping up? Your boiler’s age may be the cause. Simply put, you pay more to operate a boiler that is less efficient. While older G-rated boilers work at 70% or less efficiency, modern A-rated boilers function at above 90% efficiency.
Temperature Fluctuations
If repairs don’t help, you probably need to replace your boiler if your hot water takes a while to warm up or alternates between flowing hot and cold while running a sink or bath.
What type of boiler do I need?
Regular/Traditional Boilers
You’ll know if you’ve got a traditional boiler if you’ve got a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder in your property.
A hot water cylinder tank, often called vented or unvented cylinders, is part of a traditional boiler system and its job is to keep the hot water generated by the boiler warm and ready for use when it’s needed.
These types of boiler systems are more common with older houses, hence the name, they also tend to suffer from low water pressure because of it being gravity based.
Combi Boiler
Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains water supply instead of using a storage tank. They are perfect for smaller residences, three bedrooms or smaller, and supply hot water on demand, such as your showers or heating system.
Although they may be put in any acceptable location, they are often mounted to the wall in the kitchen or an airing cupboard. Combi boilers are now the most common boiler in UK homes for a number of reasons, but tend to be a higher kW than other boiler types.
System Boilers
A System boiler is a more modern take on the traditional boiler and it’s ideal for a busier household. Have you ever been in a shower and someone turns on the hot water down stairs and you’re suddenly drenched in freezing cold water? That’s exactly what a system boiler design avoids, it’s very similar to a traditional boiler design but without the cold water tank in the loft. Instead of your boiler heating up the water on demand, you schedule the boiler throughout the day to turn on and generate the hot water and store it for later use.
What’s the process of Boiler Installation?
The normal first step for a boiler installation is to remove the existing boiler. After that, the installer will clean or flush your system. Depending on the state of the heating system, a chemical flush may be adequate or a power flush may be necessary.
There’s also various chemical treatments that can help prolong a heating systems life, such as corrosion and limescale cleaners, performance additives and magnetic flushes that remove all the ferrous sludge that builds up.
You can also add a boiler filter to most heating systems, which helps cut out the most harmful material reaching your boiler and often can increase your warranty with the boiler supplier.
Your new boiler will be installed either where your old boiler was or in a new place. The installer will verify that everything is functioning properly when this is finished. After the work is done, the engineer will have a handover with you so that you are as informed as possible, are familiar with how to use the controls and run the boiler, and are aware of some basic maintenance procedures.
What are Boiler Grants?
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the government offers payments to encourage property owners to adopt low-carbon heating equipment like heat pumps (BUS). The upfront costs of low carbon heating systems may be addressed by property owners with the aid of these funds.
You will obtain a new boiler for free or significantly less than its normal cost because boiler grants are not refundable (including installation). Whether you believe you fulfil the requirements, you may visit the Boiler Grants website and submit a brief application to determine if you qualify.
At JM Page we have the expertise to install new boilers, we work with Worcester Bosch as accredited installers. We supply gas, oil and LPG boilers in Milton Keynes, all our highly qualified boiler engineers are registered with CORGI, Gas Safe, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) so you can trust your new boiler installation is in expert hands. All our work is guaranteed for 2 years with a 5 year warranty on our Worcester Bosch boilers.
Get in touch with our team on 01908 222227 or fill out a quick enquiry form and our team will be in touch.
