Signs You Need a New Boiler 

When it’s freezing outside, keeping your home warm is extremely important for both your health and comfort. Sudden drops in temperature can cause various health issues including colds, viruses, joint pain and infections, which is why it is crucial that you stay warm in your home during winter. 

The boiler is perhaps one of the most important utilities in your home; it ensures that your radiators heat up your home on a frosty day and your showers are running hot. Unfortunately, there does come a time when your boiler and central heating system needs replacing or repairing. When your boiler breaks down, it can be a stressful experience, particularly if it is very cold outside. This is why it is important to catch the boiler breakdown warning signs early, so that your gas central heating continues to run smoothly. Read on to find out what they are.

Your gas boiler is giving off an unpleasant smell 

You may have noticed some strange or unpleasant smells coming your boiler. If this is the case, this is a sign your boiler needs replacing immediately. Working boilers will not emit any smells; in fact, you should never really notice that it is there. A strange or bad smell coming from your boiler could be a sign that there is a carbon monoxide leak, which can be fatal and therefore requires immediate attention. If you do happen to notice unpleasant smells coming from your boiler, you should notify a professional immediately and take your family out of the house. Carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous and can lead to fatal poisoning.

 

There are other signs that also signal a carbon monoxide leak. You should look out for yellow and brown stains around your boiler or condensation in the room where your boiler is installed. Another sign to look out for is if the pilot light turns from blue to yellow. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact a professional immediately.

Your boiler is leaking 

If you notice water leaking from your boiler, this is a tell-tale sign that your boiler needs replacing. While it may be easy to ignore the odd leak or pool of water, you should always pay attention to leaks; they can lead to serious problems further down the line and can cause costly damage to your boiler and your home. Boiler leaks can be caused by a number of factors. It can be difficult to tell exactly what is causing your boiler to leak which is why you should always contact a professional plumber to take a look, however below are a few common reasons:

 

●    As your boiler is constantly heating up and then cooling down, the metal inside your boiler can contract and expand as this happens, causing cracks and splits. These cracks can cause water to leak out of your boiler.

 

●    Your boiler may be leaking because of an overworking valve, which occurs when the pressure release valve in your boiler is working overtime. The purpose of the valve is to release any excess water if the pressure rises too high. This valve can, sometimes, operate too high which will be the reason you are experiencing leaks.

 

●    Over time, the heat exchanger in your boiler can corrode and eventually split, which may be why your boiler is leaking. When your heat exchanger begins to corrode, this is a sign that it is time for a new boiler as heat exchangers are expensive to replace alone.

You can hear strange noises coming from your boiler

 

You may hear strange, unusual noises coming from your boiler. If this is the case, it could be another sign that you need to contact a professional for a new boiler replacement. Your boiler may be whistling or sound like a kettle boiling, or you may notice a scratching or tapping sound. Both sets of noises are a sign of a different problem:

 

●    A whistling sound, on the other hand, can be caused by limescale build-up on the heat exchanger. Limescale, a white substance that forms in layers, limits the movement of water and is caused by minerals found in hard water. Limescale can build up on the heat exchanger (the component that transfers heat into the water), which in turn traps water and causes it to boil. This explains why you can hear whistling or kettle boiling noises.

 

●    If you can hear a tapping or scratching sound, it could be an indication of sludge build-up, which is essentially just dirty water. While this doesn’t sound too bad, the particles from this dirty water then mix with iron oxide (rust) that forms and develops inside your radiators and pipes. When the particles mix with iron oxide, a gooey substance is formed; this substance passes through the heat exchanger and deposits particles as it passes through. This restricts the flow of water and causes the strange scratching noises that you can hear.

You’ve noticed an increase in energy bills 

During the colder months, we naturally use more energy heating up our homes. However, if you have noticed a sudden increase in your energy bills that are much higher than usual, this is another tell-tale sign that your boiler needs replacing. If you have previous bills stored away, take a look at them and compare them to how much you are currently spending on your energy bills. Tracking your monthly gas bills is a good way to keep an eye on your spend and will highlight any sudden spikes in your energy bill prices. Below are two factors that could be causing the sudden increase in your energy bills:

 

●    You may have an old gas boiler which, inevitably, has an old pilot light. An old pilot light is a small burning gas flame that burns 24 hours a day, used to ignite the main gas burner. As the flame is constantly burning, a lot of gas is wasted which may be the reason you are noticing an increase in your energy bills. Replacing your boiler with a newer model will combat this as old pilot lights feature in old boilers.

 

●    Similarly, if you have old boiler then high energy bills could be caused by a faulty motorised valve. If the motorised valve is faulty, your boiler may continue to run when it is not timed to, explaining the sudden increase in your energy bills. The motorised valve in your boiler may have jammed, which can cause a number of issues. You can detect whether the motorised valve is faulty by looking out for the following signs: lukewarm water running from your hot water tap, having to switch on your heating to run hot water from taps and shower, and no general heating despite hot water running from your taps.

Your last boiler installation was over 10 years ago 

If your boiler is more than 10 years old, it is generally recommended that you replace it. If your boiler takes a very long time to reach the correct temperature or you have noticed that your home is simply not heating up like it used to (or how it should), it may be time for a new boiler. If you do have an old boiler, installing a newer model will ensure that your home is heated up properly and cost effectively. Older boilers are far less efficient than newer models currently on the market; manufacturers are constantly finding new and innovative ways to make boilers as energy efficient as possible, so replacing your old one with a new model is a wise move.

Aqua Gas: Boiler breakdown, repair and installation services in Sheffield 

At Aqua Gas, we understand the importance of a working boiler which is why we offer a 24/7 emergency callout service. Our experienced and highly trained team of fully qualified plumbers carry out high-quality boiler installation, maintenance and central heating repair services to ensure that your boiler is always functioning properly. We work with all makes and models of boiler, and will always offer you the most cost-effective solution for you in the long run, whether that be a simple repair or a brand new boiler. To find out more about our boiler services and what else we offer, get in touch with us today.