​Warning signs it’s time to replace your boiler​

​

Boilers are installed in millions of homes across America, providing space heating in the colder months.

If yours is a home with a boiler, you may be wondering how to know when it’s time to replace it. While these appliances are hardy, they’re also complex and when they develop problems, repairs can be costly. 

Here are some of the telltale warning indicators it’s time to make a change with your boiler…

1. Your boiler is getting old​

New, condensing boilers are expected to last 15-20 years. The Department of Energy recommends​ considering replacement with a more efficient model after 15 years. 

If your boiler is beyond 20 years old, even if it’s working okay, consider replacing it now. It will inevitably break down at an inconvenient time.​

You can schedule a replacement, which could be completed in as little as one day in many cases. 

2. It’s causing the water temperature to fluctuate​

A fairly common and somewhat maddening issue with malfunctioning combi boilers is to suddenly switch from delivering hot water to cold, then back to hot again. 

This may be a symptom of sludge buildup in the heat exchanger creating a blockage. However, it can also be a sign of a failing boiler that needs replacing. 

3. There’s a water leak​

Boilers can develop leaks for a number of reasons, not all of which necessitate repair. For example, loose joints can allow water to leak out, and all that’s needed is to tighten them. Likewise, damaged pump seals and too much pressure in the tank are relatively easy fixes to water leak causes. 

However, if the leak is caused by corrosion or cracks–either of which may develop over time as a form of wear and tear–boiler replacement is likely the best option. 

4. You can see damage

When corrosion happens on a boiler, it’s typically on the inside and out of view. However, if you can see rust on the outside of the boiler, it’s just as much of a problem and likely indicates corrosion on the internals, as well, in which case a replacement is likely going to be necessary. 

5. There’s a yellow flame

Like a gas furnace, the pilot light flame should be blue, with only a tiny tip of yellow at most. If the flame is yellow or orange, it means that the gas is not combusting efficiently, which can create carbon monoxide. 

This can be a hazardous situation and also cause your boiler to run less efficiently, costing you more. If you see a yellow flame, call a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professional immediately.

6. Your energy bills have spiked

Unusually high heating bills might tip you off that something is amiss with your boiler. This can happen if the boiler is not burning gas efficiently or if you have a water leak. 

7. It frequently breaks down​

Over years of ownership, any home appliance may develop a one-off issue that needs addressing before it goes back to functioning normally. 

But when a piece of equipment is nearing the end of its life, it’s not uncommon for multiple problems to arise in a short span of time.

There’s no hard-and-fast number for how many of these breakdowns is too many, but generally speaking, if you have to have more than two repair visits in one cold season, that’s a red flag.

8. Repair is not cost-effective​

At a certain point, just because you can make a repair doesn’t mean you should, from a cost-benefit perspective. ​

For example, banging, buzzing, vibrating, gurgling or humming noises coming from the boiler could mean a number of different things, such as:

• the circulating pump needs replacing
• the heat exchanger needs replacing
• the thermostat needs replacing
• the system needs to be flushed
• the fans are defective.​
  

A repair technician may tell you that the cost to diagnose, order parts and repair a complex issue on an old boiler is not worth the money.​

​