Do I need a new boiler?

Download our Top 5 Heating Headaches GuideWhile it might seem cheaper to keep fixing small problems in your heating system with ad-hoc engineer visits, it can be a false economy to ‘mend and make do’. You should consider replacing your boiler in your business if you experience any of these common heating headaches…

You haven’t got enough hot water

First, check the size of your hot water cylinder. Is it a quick recovery cylinder? Is your input temperature from the boiler adequate to achieve hot water temperature? Is it on long enough to match the demand? It’s important to ensure any commercial boiler is correctly sized to power your heating and hot water circuit in line with your specific needs, so always get advice from heating experts who can advise on whether to fix or replace.

You hear strange noises coming from the boiler

Parts can become worn or damaged over time. At first, it might be cost-effective to replace certain elements that cause knocking or rattling, but these noises are often signs of a bigger problem and that build up over time, which means it could be much more sensible to replace the boiler itself.

You’re having to get your boiler repaired regularly

It’s important to get your boiler serviced annually by a fully qualified and Gas Safe registered heating engineer – but if you also need to call the experts more than once a year outside your yearly check, a replacement might be wise. The issues you face might be down to parts and may only need simple tweaks to repair – but even minor work can add up over time – especially if you don’t have a service contract – and constant callouts are a sign that you need to consider a replacement unit.

You can’t get the right temperature in every room

Lots of businesses struggle to maintain the temperature they need in certain spaces, without over-heating the whole building. One way to do this is to switch from a traditional ‘central’ thermostat (like many of us have in our homes) to room-by—room temperature control with thermostatic control valves on individual radiators.

Your radiators don’t heat up properly

There could be a build-up of sludge in the radiators or pipework, which means your filter may not be up to the job. If your boiler is over 10 years old, you may not even have a filter fitted. In either case a new model could be your best fix. First though, check if your radiators have been bled recently, and if you still have problems, book a service visit to see whether you need a boiler repair or replacement.

Your boiler still has a pilot light

If you still have a pilot light, your boiler is probably over 20 years old – and it’s definitely worth getting a quote for a new system especially if issues with lighting the pilot are starting to crop up more often. Older boilers also make it hard to find the parts and expertise you need – and if you do find them, they’ll come with a premium.

You want to save money on your bills

You might have noticed your bills creeping up lately. This could be the time of year, increased usage or price increase from your utility company, but it could be down to an inefficient boiler. Lots of different things can have an impact on running costs when it comes to heating, but the main questions you need to ask yourself if you’re reviewing your equipment are:

• • Have you got an energy efficient boiler?

• • Is your heating zoned and controlled efficiently?

• • Has your boiler been correctly sized for your premises?

• • Do you have adequate insulation?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no’, you can probably make savings by changing or replacing your current system or addressing heat loss from your building — as long as you ask for specific advice on how to reduce your bills. Tip: Check your boiler’s energy rating A-rated boilers tend to operate at more than 90% efficiency, with G-rated appliances straining to achieve 70%.

Your boiler leaks

Leaks can be a symptom of – or cause – bigger faults – and should be investigated straight away. Water can damage your building, and if leaks are a regular occurrence they could have caused rusting or corrosion inside the boiler itself which could leave you no alternative but to replace it.