Heating

How Long Should A Regular Boiler Last?

No matter what type of boiler you have, the average lifespan would be around 10-15 years. With the proper care and maintenance from a boiler engineer, they can last well up to 20-25 years, though there may be dips in performance. For most boilers, this dip happens in the 10th year. Their efficiency goes down about 30% by then. 

The efficiency of your boiler depends on what type you have. Combination (combi) boilers and condensing boilers are some of the more modern options. A combi boiler can have a thermal efficiency of 98% when they are new, and a condensing boiler can have 92-95% depending on the model and brand. However, if you have a traditional boiler on hand, like oil boilers or gas boilers, they usually have a thermal efficiency of 85%. 

There have been so many great strides in improving heating systems’ efficiency that it was only 30 years ago when these oil heating furnaces could only reach a maximum of 70% when bought new. 

Can you imagine the 30% dip in the 10th year with such an inefficient model? It is understandable to see why most would replace it in 10 to 15 years. However, given the push for more sustainable options, you might see a generation of boilers that can last well beyond that, given proper maintenance. 

How Do You Extend The Life Of Your Old Boiler?

Like any other appliance in your home, the only way you can extend its lifespan is through responsible use and proper maintenance. When you manage to do both consistently, there should be no reason for such heavy-duty machines to break down before their time. 

What Commonly Affects Its Lifespan

Several things can negatively affect your boiler’s lifespan–it is a mixture of environmental factors and user habits. It is up to the homeowner, or the landlord and tenant’s joint effort, to make sure that these variables are under control. 

 Improper Boiler Storage

When you first get your unit, the boiler manufacturer’s manual outlines your boiler’s ideal location and storage. It is generally advised that you keep it in a cool, dry place away from other items for proper ventilation.

If your boiler is in the attic, basement, or closet, make sure your boxes and clothes are not directly beside your unit. Leave at least 1 m or 3 feet-gap between your boiler and other items. However, it is preferable to keep the whole area clear. 

*You may also want to apply the same idea for your boiler flues and vents. It is always best to keep them clean so that they can do their job properly. 

Impact Damage 

Even though your boiler is built to last, they aren’t made for impact damage. The impact can come from a variety of sources like items falling on your unit or receiving hits when you roughhouse near the boiler. While your cast iron boiler might look like it can take a beating, that isn’t true. You may need to replace the section or the entire boiler because of the dents in extreme cases.

Poor Water Treatment

Poor water treatment leaves impurities and debris in the system. These tend to build-up and create blockages in your storage tank and pipework that affect your existing boiler’s performance. When the grime stays inside too long, it can lead to a boiler breakdown. The UK generally has hard water, which means it is rich in minerals and similar sediments. You need to treat your water for this before it enters your home to prevent this. 

Debris Build-Up

As mentioned earlier, debris can affect your boiler and lead to its early retirement. And poor water treatment isn’t the only way to trigger this. When there is trapped air in your system, it can mix with the water and create rust. Rust, along with the limescale from your hard water, can turn into a thick sludge that prevents your home from heating evenly. It becomes something that not only damages your boiler but your pipework and radiators as well. 

You may want to invest in a magnaclean filter, and you can read more about it here. 

Overfiring

Every boiler has set limits. While you can go for the maximum amount, you cannot keep it there indefinitely. You are at risk of overfiring your boiler the same way you would overfire your woodstove. Cast iron boilers are more prone to this. 

Remember, your unit is only built to withstand a certain amount when you keep overfiring your boiler, you damage the internal tubing and heat exchanger. The reality is that overfiring doesn’t actually speed-up your heating. So, you end up increasing the wear on your unit without any reward. 

Thermostat Misuse

When you set your thermostat to a certain temperature, it works hard to keep it that way inside your home. So it doesn’t matter if it becomes warmer or cooler because the thermostat sensors will adjust the heat for you. If you increase the heat to account for the sudden drop, you are only overfiring your older boiler, and that counts as thermostat misuse.

Another example is when you constantly toggle the controls or participate in “thermostat wars” with your partner or roommate, that also contributes to decreasing your boiler’s lifespan. It forces your boiler to make frequent changes, and there might be a point where it can no longer keep up. 

Delayed Repairs

Nothing affects the boiler as much as neglecting repairs. For the most part, when the issues listed above happen, a quick and speedy repair can make things right. They rarely leave lasting impressions on your system. However, when you leave them alone, the worst-case scenario always happens, and you end up without heating when you need it the most. 

Plumbingforce offers clients same day service for emergency boiler repairs. If you want to address your heating problems as soon as possible, all you have to do is look for our experience boiler engineers!

How To Take Care Of Your Boiler

When it comes to taking care of your boiler, it is a balancing act. You need to be able to avoid making common mistakes while actively working to address its issues. You can set preventive measures in place, like a self-administrating anti-limescale solution and a magnaclean filter. There are a host of maintenance tips without calling an engineer:

• Adjust the boiler pressure

• Bleed your radiator

• Drain and balance your system

• Invest in a smart thermostat

By doing this, along with scheduling an annual maintenance check-up with your local heating engineer, you can make your boiler last longer. If you are looking for a new, professional team – Plumbingforce can match you with a Gas Safe registered engineer.