Boiler repair or replace?
If you need to have your boiler repaired, there are a few factors to consider before you make the final decision.
In general, it will cost less to repair a newer boiler than an older one, as parts for a boiler over 10 years old are harder to come by – which means finding and buying them can cost a lot more.
Prices for boiler repairs can also vary depending on the make and model of your boiler, how the boiler is fitted and the cause of the fault that’s occurred.
And the cost of fixing your boiler depends on what the issue is – as a rule of thumb, major repairs, such as replacing a heat exchange, can cost upwards of £400. Smaller repairs such as replacing a fan, gas valve or printed circuit board will usually cost around £150. We aim to only fix what’s needed and want to help get your boiler running properly as soon as possible.
Should you replace or repair your boiler?
While your first instinct when your boiler has an issue might be to repair it, this might actually end up being more expensive in the long run.
Similarly, if you’re faced with a major issue with your boiler and you’re wondering if you should just replace it, this might not always be necessary.
Repair
- Less than 10 years old
- Has been generally reliable
Replace
- No longer energy efficient
- Replacement parts are rare
Signs of trouble
There are a number of indicators that your need to sort your boiler out; we’ve listed some of the key ones below to help you spot problems.
Stop using your boiler and get it checked as soon as possible if:
- Yellow flame visible
- Odd smells when boiler is running
- General wear and tear
- Leaking from unit
- Radiators take a long time to get warm
- Noisy boiler or system
- Bills are increasing
- Needs repairing frequently
Saving on bills
An older non-condensing boiler starts off at 80–85% efficiency but may drop as low as 50% after years of use. Whereas new central heating systems with a smart thermostat can achieve over 90% efficiency.
This means for every £100 you spend on gas; you could be wasting over £40 just on running an inefficient boiler. This mounts up quickly, along with increasing repair costs, so make sure you calculate carefully when deciding whether to repair or replace.
Talk to one of our boiler engineers to find out if you should repair or replace your current boiler.