5 Signs You Might Need a Boiler Replacement

A properly functioning boiler plays a key role in ensuring your comfort. But if your equipment is aging and begins to show signs of trouble, it may be time to consider a replacement instead of pouring money into frequent repairs.

This blog will look at the top signs your boiler may need to be replaced, including:

• Frequent repairs
• Water leaks or puddling
• Higher-than-usual energy bills
• Short cycling or inconsistent heating
• Strange noises from your boiler

Read below for a more detailed look at how these common boiler issues could signal that it’s time for a new system.

Upgrade to a Reliable Boiler with Ranshaw Plumbing & Heating

When you're worried about your boiler, trust your home and comfort to the team at Ranshaw. We pride ourselves on offering honest, upfront pricing and dependable boiler installation and repairs. Our trained technicians are ready to help you tackle boiler woes, ensuring your replacement is installed correctly. Call to get an expert opinion on your boiler's condition and whether you need to upgrade ASAP.

It's not unusual for your boiler to need regular tune-ups or occasional repairs. But if you find yourself repeatedly calling for a technician, it may be a sign that your aging boiler is ready for a replacement.

The typical lifespan of a boiler is 15-20+ years. Older boilers are more likely to need repeat service — from wear and tear over time. You fix one thing, and another problem soon arises. Eventually, pouring money into service calls and dealing with frequent outages becomes expensive and less convenient than investing in an upgrade.

A boiler that leaks creates ongoing hazardous conditions. Spotting moisture or puddled water around your boiler could be a sign that it's deteriorating from the inside out.

Structural damage resulting from normal wear and tear can also show up as corrosion. Spots of rust, tiny holes, and worn joints and seals should be considered red flags. Once the structure of your boiler is compromised, disaster — and a giant mess — could be just around the bend.

Older boilers may gradually lose efficiency. As your boiler works harder to produce heat, your utility bills rise. Installing a new system could save you money in the long run. Modern boilers may also be more energy efficient, as they're manufactured to today's energy and sustainability standards.

Older systems have relatively low efficiency. Ratings of just 56-70% AFUE indicate that those boilers convert 70% or less of the energy in fuel into actual heat. The rest escapes. New high-efficiency heating systems may have AFUE ratings of 90-98.5%. That means nearly all of the fuel used winds up heating your home.

When a boiler short-cycles, it turns off and on repeatedly. Instead of heating its internal water supply thoroughly over a longer period of time, the boiler stops short of the desired temperature. As a result, the boiler has to keep turning on to boost the water temperature before quickly turning off again.

Rapid cycling results in frequent heating and cooling sequences that can stress boiler components. Extended periods of short cycling may accelerate normal wear and tear and cause your boiler's gas valves or burner to fail entirely. Short cycling also affects water chemistry and utility bills.

Short cycling may happen if:

• Your boiler is too big for your home's heating needs.
• You have a faulty thermostat.
• There are issues with water flow or pressure to your boiler.
• Your fuel supply is low or inconsistent.
• The condensate pipe is blocked or frozen.

A noisy boiler could be problematic. If you hear banging, clanking, gurgling, or whistling coming from your boiler, it's time to call a licensed company for heating help. Those noises could mean your boiler has trapped air, hidden limescale buildup, or broken components in dire need of attention.

Don't ignore a new or worsening boiler sound. Doing so could open the door for larger problems and costlier repairs.

With over 60 years of experience, the Ranshaw team has the expertise and training to tackle even the most difficult boiler concerns. We can repair all boiler brands and models, and, when necessary, spearhead your next boiler installation. Choose Ranshaw and see why our many satisfied customers have given us a 4.8-star rating on Google.