Boiler problems: To repair or replace?

Boiler problems can be extremely inconvenient. A solution needs to be found quickly or you’ll end up with piles of plates in the sink, a chilly household and the dreaded task of having to take a cold shower in the mornings. The best thing to do is call out an experienced gas plumber.

A gas engineer or plumber will be able to look at your boiler and find a solution to the problem. Usually they’ll be able to repair the problem but with repairs often costing hundreds of pounds, many homeowners are faced with the dilemma of whether to go ahead with the repair or replace their boilers instead.

To help you decide on the right decision for your boiler, we’ve provided a list of questions you need to consider below.

Got a broken boiler? You’ll have to decide whether a repair or replacement is the best course of action.

Boiler considerations

How old is your boiler? – Before committing to having your boiler repaired, it’s important to consider its age. After ten years or so boiler manufacturers tend to discontinue spares and accessories on some makes, so you may find new parts hard (and expensive) to source.

If your boiler is over ten years old, you also need to consider that its efficiency rating. Investing in a new boiler may work out to be more cost effective, as it is likely to be a lot more efficient to run.

What brand is the boiler? – Like with every product, some brands are better than others. Do your research to find out how reliable your brand of boiler is. If you find that other people have had trouble with the same brand of boiler, you may want to consider having it replaced, rather than risking the repair.

Have you had previous issues? – If this isn’t the first time your boiler has broken down, you need to consider the fact that it might be packing up. The more issues your boiler has, the more repairs you’re going to have to make and the more money you’ll have to pay out. In the end, it might work out cheaper to install a new boiler and eliminate the cost of repairs.

How much have you been quoted? – Lastly, you need to consider the price you have been quoted for the repair and the price you have been quoted for a new boiler installation. If repair costs are high, you may find installing a new boiler to be more cost effective. If however you are unsure about the prices you have been quoted, there’s nothing to stop you getting another gas plumbing company to take a look at your boiler and quote you a price for repair and replacement.

Often it works out more cost effective to replace your boiler with a newer model.

Pros and cons of repairing boiler

Repairing your boiler is likely to be cheaper than installing a brand new appliance and may be a good option if you don’t have the lump sum to spend. However, if it isn’t the first time your boiler has broken down, there’s a risk that you’re going to end up repairing it numerous times, which can get very expensive.

 

Pros and cons of replacing boiler

A brand new boiler is likely to come with a good few years’ warranty. New models are also more efficient than their predecessors and will therefore help you keep your costs to a minimum. On the downside, new boiler installations can be pretty expensive, so it all depends on your budget.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, your decision to repair or replace your boiler is one that has to be made fairly quickly. The longer it takes, the longer you have to do without hot water and central heating. Even still, it’s important to make sure you know all the facts and consider the pros and cons before making your decision. There’s no right or wrong answer, it all depends on the state of your current boiler and the amount of money you are willing to spend.

Image credits: Hatters! and Images_of_Money