Your boiler can be the most important part of your home, especially in winter. So when it comes to maintaining your boiler or replacing a boiler, making sure you get it right is essential.

But when is the right time to replace your boiler and what should you be looking for in a newer model?

Here we take a look at whether it’s worth replacing your old boiler and how long it will take for the investment to pay off.

Boiler prices

Your boiler is the heart of your home and is a complicated machine.

Therefore, new boilers do not come cheap and prices vary widely depending on the different brands, sizes and types available. Typically, prices for new boilers range from around £ 500 to £ 2,500, so it’s important to know all the facts before deciding to buy a replacement boiler.

However, it should be noted that the costs of installing and replacing the boiler are often offset by the savings you get from your new, more energy-efficient boiler. After all, it’s estimated that about half of what you spend on energy each year goes back to your boiler. More information on costs and savings can be found below.

How long to recover the cost of a new boiler in savings?

While peace of mind is vital when it comes to purchasing a boiler, you can also consider how long it will take for the boiler to pay for itself.

Replacing an old inefficient boiler with a new one means you can expect to save money – how much depends on your old boiler.

According to Confidence in energy saving, here is what you can expect from a new gas boiler with an A rating and thermostatic radiator controls:

Source: Energy Saving Trust, accessed May 2021

When to buy a new boiler

Now that you know how much you could save, how do you know when it’s time to invest in a new boiler? Here are some simple tips to help you decide:

• If your boiler is beyond the point where it pays to repair it. If you’ve brought in a qualified engineer to examine your boiler and they’ve told you it’s at the point of no return, it’s time to invest in a boiler replacement.

• If your boiler doesn’t give you the control of your heating that you need – for example if the controls or timer aren’t very flexible, or there’s no thermostat – a new boiler may be a good one. option to help lower your heating bills. In some circumstances, you may be able to get by by simply installing new controls.

• If your system has a “dry cycle”. A dry cycle is a feature found on older boilers, which means if the heat is on, but your house is already at the temperature set by the thermostat, it will not turn off, but send heat to an “overflow heater”. ‘(usually in the bathroom). This can be a real waste of energy because you heat your home when you don’t need it.

• If your boiler has a continuous pilot. (This is the flame you can see burning through a small window on the front of some boilers.) This is a common feature on older boilers and is a real waste of gas.

• If your boiler is on the floor rather than on the wall, it is likely to be older and much less energy efficient. In this situation, it is a good idea to consider a replacement boiler.

• If your boiler is rated G for energy efficiency, it’s a good idea to replace it.

• If you want to sell your home or renovate your home, a new boiler could add to its value.

Things to do before buying a new boiler

Before you rush out to buy a new boiler, there are plenty of other steps you can take to keep your heating costs down without splashing out.

A new boiler is a big investment, so it may take a while to get your money’s worth while saving. Here are some less expensive steps you could take to reduce your heating bill: