With the winter temperatures in Ohio regularly dipping below freezing, you need to know you can always rely on your boiler to work efficiently and effectively keep your house warm. One of the main concerns with boilers is that they tend to lose efficiency and become less reliable as they age. This occurs mainly as a result of regular wear and tear or components starting to give out.
Many older boilers have certain small issues that may go unnoticed for some time. When a cold snap arrives, and the boiler has to work harder, even a seemingly minor problem can suddenly turn into an expensive breakdown. Luckily, there are some warning signs that can help you know if your boiler is at risk of failing and needs replacement to avoid a mid-winter failure that leaves you without heat.
How Long Boilers Typically Last (and What Impacts Lifespan)
The typical lifespan of a boiler is between 10 and 20 years, but how long any boiler may last depends on factors like what type it is, how much use it gets and the house’s water quality. High-efficiency condensing boilers tend to last longer than conventional boilers, as they experience less strain and don’t have to work as hard because they heat more quickly and more effectively.
Combination or combi-boilers typically have the shortest lifespan, as they provide hot water for plumbing as well as for radiant heating. If you have overly hard water, your boiler probably won’t last as many years as it would if your house had softer water. No matter what type of boiler you have, scheduling regular maintenance is crucial to ensure you get as much service out of it as possible.
At some point, there may come a time when replacing your boiler is a smart decision even if it still works fairly well. Older boilers are often more difficult and more expensive to repair because replacement parts are not readily available. Older units are also more prone to major issues that require much more costly repairs.
Signs Your Boiler May Need to Be Replaced
If you have an aging boiler, you should always watch for signs that it could be about to give out. Some obvious boiler replacement signs include leaks and visible rust or corrosion. Strange noises like kettling, rumbling and banging can also indicate that a boiler may soon fail. Uneven heating, radiators that don’t fully warm up or increasingly high energy bills can all indicate that a boiler no longer works effectively enough. One other time when we always recommend replacing a boiler is if it frequently breaks down and requires numerous repairs.
Rising Energy Bills and Declining Efficiency
Boiler efficiency tends to decrease with age, resulting in older units using more fuel to produce the same amount of heat. What typically happens is that it takes longer for the boiler to fully heat the water, resulting in increasing monthly energy costs. Many older units also have issues with increased energy consumption as a result of short cycling, which is when the unit continually cycles on and off. While short cycling and decreased efficiency aren’t always signs you need a new boiler, they’re still concerns. Upgrading to a new, higher-efficiency boiler can result in significant energy savings and improved indoor comfort.
Boiler Safety and Performance Red Flags
There are certain red flags that indicate you need to immediately schedule an inspection and potentially replace your boiler. The biggest risk with a boiler is the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Under normal circumstances, a boiler produces only a minimal amount of carbon monoxide. The combustion fumes should also flow directly outside through the exhaust flue. However, if the appliance isn’t burning cleanly, and the gas doesn’t fully combust, it can result in excess carbon monoxide production.
You can tell if the gas isn’t fully combusting, as the flames will be yellow or orange instead of blue. If the flue is clogged or damaged, or the boiler has any ventilation issues, carbon monoxide can leak out into the house and pose a serious health risk.
In addition to monitoring the color of the burner flames, you also need to regularly check the pressure gauge. If the pressure is higher than it should be, the boiler isn’t regulating the temperature properly, so the water is getting hotter than it should. Any other water pressure issues, such as frequent pressure drops, also mean that the boiler isn’t performing properly and should be repaired or possibly replaced.
Issues with the pilot light or electronic igniter are also concerning. The risk here is that the pilot light or igniter may fail to light the burners, preventing the boiler from running and leaving you without heat until you can schedule repairs.
If you have a combination boiler that isn’t performing properly, the first thing you’ll usually notice is issues with your hot water when showering or using a faucet. Inconsistent temperatures or the water not getting fully hot are sure signs that you need to call for an inspection.
Repair vs. Replacement: How to Decide
When considering boiler repair vs. replacement, the first thing you need to do is obtain an estimate to determine how much the appliance will cost to repair. If the repair will cost anywhere close to 50% of what you’d pay to install a new boiler, replacement is the much smarter investment. You should also think about the age of the boiler, how much longer it may last and how quickly you can get it repaired.
If the appliance is older, and the necessary replacement part isn’t available locally, it could be at least a few days before you can get it fixed. This isn’t always a concern if the boiler can still keep your house warm, but it definitely is if the unit won’t turn on or doesn’t work effectively enough.
The one thing you always want to avoid is a mid-winter emergency where your boiler dies, leaving you with no way to stay warm. This concern is one reason why prewinter inspections are so important. A professional can spot potential issues that could lead to a sudden failure. They can also advise you whether you’re better off getting repairs or investing in a new boiler.
Benefits of Replacing an Old Boiler
Replacing an aging boiler provides numerous benefits in terms of your finances and your home comfort. A new boiler will almost certainly be more energy efficient than your old unit, allowing you to save on your heating bills and also your hot water bills if you opt for a combi-boiler. The new boiler will work better at maintaining a more consistent temperature in every part of your house and be quieter as well. Another major advantage of boiler replacement is increased safety and reliability, so there is a much lower chance of unexpected breakdowns or safety hazards.
Upgrade Before Your Boiler Fails When You Need It Most
The biggest signs that it’s time to replace your boiler are if it’s more than 15 years old, struggles to keep your house warm during colder weather or has started running much more and using more energy. By scheduling a professional evaluation, you can avoid unnecessarily high heating bills and lessen the chances of a sudden failure.
At Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, our family-owned and -operated company, we have been serving Medina home and business owners since 1959 and can expertly handle all your boiler and radiant heating needs. We’re available 24/7 to respond to any heating emergencies, and you can trust us to provide honest, unbiased advice on boiler repair vs. replacement.
To schedule a boiler replacement consultation, contact us at Gene’s Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical today.
