Repair or replace – an honest comparison
Nobody wants to replace a boiler sooner than they need to. Equally, nobody wants to keep paying for repairs on a boiler that is never going to be reliable again. Our job is to give you the facts so you can make a sensible decision.
When we look at an older boiler we consider its age and condition, its repair history, the cost and availability of parts, how efficiently it is running and how well it suits your home now. If a repair makes sense, we will say so.
Choosing the right replacement
There are three main types of gas boiler:
- Combi boilers heat water instantly from the mains, with no tanks or cylinder. They suit many smaller homes and free up space.
- System boilers work with a hot water cylinder but no loft tanks. They suit homes with more than one bathroom where several taps may run at once.
- Regular (heat-only) boilers work with a cylinder and loft tanks. They can be the right choice in some older homes and where replacing the whole system is not practical.
We will recommend the type and size that fit your home – not simply the one already there. Our boiler installation page explains how we plan and fit a new boiler.
What to expect from our quote
Your quote sets out the boiler, the flue, any system cleaning or filter, controls, and any extra work such as moving the boiler, adding a cylinder or changing radiators. If a cheaper and a better option both make sense, we will show you both so you can compare.
Older stone properties
Many homes in and around Hexham have thick stone walls, extensions added over the years and pipework that has been altered many times. Replacing a boiler is a good opportunity to fix circulation problems, balance radiators and make sure the new boiler is not oversized for the heat the house really needs.
Signs it may be time to replace
- The boiler is well over 10–15 years old
- Breakdowns are becoming more frequent
- Parts are expensive or no longer made
- Your energy bills keep creeping up
- The flame is yellow or there is sooting (call for help)
- Rooms take a long time to warm up
- You are planning an extension or new bathroom
- You want better controls or a smart thermostat
What a replacement quote depends on
- Like-for-like or conversion Swapping a combi for a combi is simpler than removing tanks and a cylinder.
- Boiler location Keeping the boiler in the same place usually keeps costs down.
- Flue and condensate The new boiler may need a new flue position or condensate route.
- System health Sludge, old radiators or poor circulation may need dealing with first.
- Controls Modern controls can improve comfort and efficiency.
