A boiler is an essential component of any household. Like any other appliance, there are times when these devices perform less efficiently than we would like. As a result, your home may not be adequately heated during the winter months and fuel bills can rise significantly. This presents the homeowner with a difficult choice. Should a boiler be entirely replaced or would it be easier simply to repair or service the existing one?
There are benefits and drawbacks to both options, but appreciating the pros and cons of each can help you to determine which option would best suit you.
Purchasing a New Boiler
One of the main advantages that new boilers provide is that they are more energy efficient than older models. Their systems are computer controlled, thus allowing for a more uniform burning of the fuel. Newer models are also much more environmentally friendly. They produce fewer waste products and consume much less electricity. It is for this reason that many locations will offer what are known as “green incentives”.
Financial Incentives
These financial rebates will help encourage homeowners to purchase newer models and will likewise help save money on an initial purchase. Finally, most boilers come with a warranty of ten years or more, thus ensuring that any repairs during this time period will cost nothing to the homeowner.
However, modern boilers can be quite expensive. This may be a problem for households that are dictated by a tight budget. Additionally, new models are technologically advanced and must be repaired by a qualified technician. Should a warranty expire, replacement parts can cost a considerable amount of money as well as the time of the expert who fits them.
Over the course of a boilers lifetime, despite these initial financial outlays, you are likely to save a significant amount of fuel and therefore money on energy bills when compared with an inefficient older model which may require more frequent repairs overall.
Repairing an Existing Model
The main benefits of repairing a boiler are centered around the cost. Parts and labour will tend to be much cheaper in comparison to servicing a modern boiler. In fact, homeowners themselves are often times quite capable of changing air filters and other basic devices. Even if a serviceman needs to be employed, repairs can generally be accomplished quickly. However if your boiler is of a certain age replacement parts can be hard to find, particularly if they are not from a main brand such as Bosch.
Replacing Parts
The best case scenario is simply to repair and replace certain parts such as the atomiser or pilot light may only need to be cleaned. This can be performed quickly and with little financial burden. It can be much more logical to perform such repairs periodically as opposed to purchasing an entirely new boiler.
While these advantages cannot be ignored, it must also be recognised that it can be difficult to find replacement parts for older models. Some may even be obsolete, therefore repairs can be more costly and time consuming than initially anticipated. Also, more frequent repairs will be needed as a boiler ages. This can be counterproductive to saving money and over time, the cost of repairs may even exceed the price of an entirely new boiler.
A final concern revolves around efficiency. Older boilers are known to burn fuel at a faster rate and will take longer to heat water for household use. The result will be a fuel consumption that once again negates any money saving benefits that a repair could offer.
So, it is clear to appreciate the dilemma that many will encounter when deciding to repair or replace a boiler. Such decisions need to take into account the aforementioned variables and it proves wise to speak with a qualified repairman to help determine which may be the best option.