Is it worth repairing a boiler?

When you have a problem with your boiler it can be tempting to simply start looking for a new one. Sometimes this can be the right decision depending on your circumstances, such as the age of the boiler, and if you have had the problem more than once. However, it can be the case that we give up too easily with boilers and choose to replace a perfectly good boiler that only requires a small repair to start working effectively. So, how will you know whether your boiler is worth replacing or if you should buy a new one? That’s what we will be exploring in this guide. 

What to consider when your boiler has a problem

If your boiler is still relatively young, the first thing you will want to find out when it starts having a problem is if it is still under warranty from the manufacturer. Several manufacturers have warranties that last ten years or longer so it is always worth find out if your boiler is covered as it will likely cover the cost of having the boiler repaired or at least the price of the replacement parts you might need to purchase even if it doesn’t cover the labour costs. 

The other main consideration when your boiler encounters an issue is if it is a small enough problem that you could resolve yourself. Sometimes boilers encounter minor faults that can be solved on a DIY basis. With so many comprehensive videos and guides available online to fix certain boiler problems, it is always worth checking to see if it is something you can do yourself before calling out an engineer and potentially giving up on the boiler. 

Common boiler issues and fixes you could do yourself

• Check your boiler pressure – this is one of the most common causes of a boiler breakdown. When your pressure is too high or too low your boiler will lock down and won’t start working until you repressurise it. Getting your boiler pressure back to within its normal range is something that you can do yourself. 
• Try bleeding your radiators – when air gets into the boiler and heating system it can result in your radiators not heating up as much as they should be. Bleeding the radiators can resolve this. 
• Look out for leaks – if your boiler pressure is dropping consistently even after you have repressurised it, you may have a leak. Even though you would need a Gas Safe engineer to fix the leak if you found one, it can be helpful if you can locate it our rule out the possibility of a leak if you can’t find one. 
• Make sure your condensate pipe isn’t frozen – cold weather and low temperatures can lead frost to form on your condensate pipe, which will prevent your boiler from working properly. If you experience this issue, simply pouring some warm water on the pipe should be enough to fix the problem. 

Are you replacing your boiler for the right reasons?

As we’ve seen above, some boiler problems can easily be fixed by you, and if your boiler is still under warranty then it will be much easier to have it repaired when required. With that in mind, it’s important to ask yourself whether replacing your boiler is truly the right option, see some of the factors below to help you make the decision. 

Reliability and efficiency

Good quality boilers whether they are older or newer are designed and built with longevity in mind. This means that even if they do encounter a problem and breakdown, in many cases it will be easy to fix. A lot of boilers might start needing repairs or new parts after roughly 10-15 years, but the age of the boiler is not a reason to automatically rush into replacing it as soon as you have a problem. However, older boilers will have been manufactured with older technology and parts, which likely means they will be less efficient. Therefore, deciding to replace your boiler could be more likely to be based on seeking higher levels of efficiency rather than how reliable your current boiler is. 

Plans for home improvements

If you have recently bought a new property or have reached a stage in your home where you want to make some improvements and renovations, often this will naturally converge with wanting to replace your boiler. Home improvements take time, so if you know it might be a while before you get started or for progress to be made you may want to wait it out with your current boiler until the other elements of your work are finished. If you want to make your boiler last as long as possible, you can buy high quality and affordable boiler spare parts online and use a trusted installer to fit them. 

Availability of parts

You might have been advised to replace your boiler based on the fact that the parts required to repair it aren’t available anymore. However, at NBS we specialise in providing refurbished boiler parts for many manufacturers that are affordable and in full working order. So, if you are basing your decision to replace your boiler on the parts you need to fix your current unit no longer being available from the manufacturer be sure to search online through our website as we might have the exact part you’re looking for, saving you thousands on a boiler replacement that you don’t need. 

Conclusion

Going back to the main question of this article, in some cases it definitely can be worth repairing your boiler. However, if it is ultimately going to be more expensive for you to continuously carry out repairs on an old system then it won’t be worthwhile to keep doing so. It’s important to always weigh up all your options and not just rush out and buy a new boiler when you have one small problem.  

If you’re looking for brand-specific well-priced boiler replacement parts you can find them from us at NBS. Explore our range of parts today.