As winter closes in and our reliance on hot water and heating increases, your boiler will need to be operating at its maximum capacity to ensure your heating remains cosy for the foreseeable future. A broken boiler can cause untold misery as winter rolls around, losing access to your radiators, your shower and your comfort levels. This is why it’s so important to check your boiler frequently, especially as winter draws in, to guarantee you won’t have to be faced with a boiler replacement in the coldest months of the year. Here, we look at some of the common signs your boiler needs replacing:
Increased Consumption
One of the clearest identifiers for a dysfunctioning boiler is the increase in energy consumption. If you have a smart metre, you should keep a close eye on your readings over the course of a week or so, to determine a pattern. If your smart metre readings or energy bills are consistently high, there is likely an issue with the boiler itself. When a boiler is no longer operating at its optimum capacity, it will need to use much more energy to cover your home, so if this is happening, your consumption will shoot up.
Unusual Noises
You’ll want to listen for unusual noises coming from your boiler, if it starts whistling or making banging sounds, it’s a sign your boiler requires some attention. Unusual noises typically signify an issue with your boiler, so it’s important to keep close attention to the sound your boiler is making, to ensure it’s operating efficiently.
Leaking Water
If you have spotted puddles of water forming around your boiler, alarm bells should be ringing. This is a very worrying sign and requires attention as soon as possible. Leaking water is a sign that something is wrong with the boiler, usually, the components have worn down or lost function. Leaking water can damage your boiler, which can lead to a world of problems and may result in a serious gas leak in the future.
Slow Heating
One of the earliest and most recognisable symptoms of a dysfunctional boiler is the increased time it will take for your water to run hot or for your radiators to achieve maximum heat output. If you have noticed this issue, it’s important to have your boiler checked straight away, as catching this issue early will help reduce the risk of your boiler breaking beyond repair. A simple fix can restore your hot water, but a larger problem left unchecked can result in an expensive boiler replacement.
Bad Smells
Unusual or overwhelmingly bad smells should never be ignored. Not only can this be a clear indication your boiler isn’t functioning as it should, and may in fact be leaking water, bad smells can often indicate the greater risk of a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is deadly, so if you have spotted an unusual smell, please ensure you err on the side of caution and have your boiler assessed immediately.
UK Energy Management (NE) Ltd is a national organisation working primarily within the ECO industry delivering funded measures for eligible customers nationwide. We are committed to doing all we can to deliver savings across the nation and with our team we are fully equipped to manage projects from inception to completion with a real focus on customer experience. Contact us today.
