To repair or replace? That is the question
Here at Chelmsford Gas Services we’ve been servicing, repairing and replacing boilers and heating systems in Chelmsford for many, many years. And we’ve seen pretty much everything so we’re always able to give you the most appropriate advice.
One of the trends we’ve seen is it’s incredibly easy to forget and underestimate the importance of your boiler and heating system over the summer months, only to suddenly remember it as the colder weather approaches and realise there’s an issue.
However, if you’ve noticed any small issues or quirks with your boiler either lately or during the previous cold spell, it’s almost certainly better to have it looked into by a professional now, instead of waiting until the colder months when the boiler could be particularly vulnerable to sudden and complete breakdown. Let’s face it, these things usually happen at the worst possible time.
What to do if something is wrong with your boiler or heating?
If there is an issue with your boiler, it can tricky to decide between having your boiler repaired or replaced altogether, especially if:
- it's an older boiler nearing the ending of its life expectancy
- it looks like it's going to be complex and/or expensive to repair.
So, what are some of the factors you should bear in mind?
Safety first, always
Before you even start weighing up such matters as costs and longevity, you need to ensure – for the sake of you and anyone else in your home – that your boiler is safe to continue using. In a worst-case scenario, there may even be a risk of fire or your boiler producing carbon monoxide.
Bear in mind that even if a quick boiler repair is possible, your boiler may still be prone to issues that could render it unsafe again in the future.
What’s the financial argument – both now and in the future?
Whether to have a boiler repair in Chelmsford, or a new boiler in Chelmsford, can be daunting and we will always give you the best advice for your specific needs.
However, generally speaking, we would always recommending taking a longer term view when making this decision to consider how much you’ll be paying for your boiler in the months and years ahead.
Typically, the older your boiler becomes, the higher the price of boiler repair is likely to be due to the difficulty in sourcing replacement parts for that model.
Furthermore, older boilers are usually less efficient, so with the rising price of fuel, are likely to cost more in gas usage than many newer, more efficient models. Better quality new boilers (when installed correctly) have many efficiency features when compared to older models, therefore a replacement boiler may well result in significant longer term savings.
Why regular servicing of your whole heating system, not just your boiler, can really help
A well-maintained, quality boiler should last many years. It’s important to remember however, that your boiler is only part of your heating system and is affected what’s happening throughout the pipes, radiators, valves and water quality, making it important that the system as a whole is maintained.
We would always recommend that your boiler and heating system serviced thoroughly and regularly and considered as a whole, not just the boiler in isolation. With that in mind you may wish to consider our CGS Boiler Plan to help maintain your heating system and make it work as efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.
Are problems with your boiler becoming more frequent?
Certain tell-tale events may cause you to decide to replace your boiler, instead of simply repairing it.
- it's noisy, and maybe even keeping you awake at night
- it keeps turning off or doesn't come on when the timer tiggers
- it's already broken down once or twice in the last year
- it's needed repeated repairs, especially expensive ones.
Would you like impartial, experienced guidance?
Are you still uncertain as to whether replacement or repair would be the best decision for your own boiler? If so, our team here at Chelmsford Gas Services team would be happy to hear from you and to answer your questions. Simply call us on 0800 4581 473 or 01245 251 741 now.