Tips to Increase Your Boiler's Lifespan

Why would you want to spend money on a new boiler? Just the thought of how much it will cost is scary, and how it will mess up your daily life! Because of this, our boiler needs good care.

A combi boiler typically lasts 12–15 years. 

Usually, this depends on usage and attentiveness. Boilers often fail after 9–10 years. Fortunately, your boiler may have worked hard for 20 years. No matter the reason, better boiler care will likely extend its lifespan. 

Moreover, if you have an old, inefficient boiler and desire a modern, long-lasting boiler but can't afford it, the UK government has designed the free boiler grant under the ECO4 scheme for low-income households. If you qualify, you can upgrade your boiler and save money. 

We've compiled some top tips to extend your boiler's lifespan. Read on to learn if you can start fixing your boiler right immediately.

Explore The Top Tips For Boiler’s Lifespan

1- Get it Serviced

Maintaining your boiler requires annual service. You may rest easy knowing that any potential issues can be caught before they become costly and dangerous.

Obviously, only a gas-safe registered engineer can perform an annual service. Did you know that only gas-safe-registered engineers can remove boiler cases? You need to service your boiler annually to maintain its manufacturer's warranty. Without a service history, the manufacturer will likely void your warranty.

Every engineer does a few basic checks. This includes:

• Visual Inspection – Inspect boiler, boiler casing, boiler seals and check for corrosion and leaks
• Gas Rate – assess the rate that the boiler is burning gas to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Working pressure – Test to see if the working pressure is that of the manufacturer’s instructions
• Safety Device – Check the boiler safety device is operational
• Combustion Analysis – check with a gas analyser for the correct rate of combustion to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Controls – Check boiler controls are operational
• Clean Condensate Trap (Condensing boilers only)
• Clean Magnetic Filter (If a Magnetic Filter has been fitted)

Generally, you should anticipate paying between £60 and £120. The price varies depending on the type of boiler, the area you live in, and the firm you choose.

2- Bleed your Radiators

Your heating system can obtain air year-round. Your combi boiler's AAV (Automatic Air Vent) removes air that gets in, but sometimes it rises to the radiators. Hot at the bottom and cool at the top indicates air in your radiator. Your radiator may be cold for other reasons, but you should bleed it. 

You only need a radiator key, which you can buy for pennies at any plumbing or DIY store.

Your key fits in the radiator's top bleed point. Turn it to hear air coming out. Always carry a tissue to avoid spilling water. Once the water starts coming through, close it, and you've bled your radiator!

3- Install a Magnetic Filter

System filters are metal or plastic components linked to central heating return pipes. A powerful magnet collects the system's muck within.

System filters are placed on heating system return pipes near the boiler. It catches sludge before entering the boiler, preventing it from damaging components and extending its lifespan. The filter can be cleaned. An experienced heating engineer does this during an annual service. Depending on brand and installation, a magnetic filter costs £120–£200 to supply and install.

4- Add Inhibitor to Your System

But what's an inhibitor? You add an inhibitor to your central heating system to avoid corrosion and scale. It also reduces radiator sludge. Heating systems are comprised of metals, which can break over time. This is prevented by an inhibitor's metal protection. 

Installing an inhibitor to your central heating system is easy, but you shouldn't do it unless you know how it works. A pressurised central heating leak is dangerous.

5- Give it a Summer Run

Why use central heating in summer? Most combi boilers offer a ‘summer setting’ for hot water only. An advanced boiler with many mechanical and electrical components won't profit from long-term storage.

Your central heating system should be used occasionally to keep it running, in addition to providing hot water. Switch your heating on occasionally in the summer to circulate central heating water and prevent nasty pieces from collecting on your radiator and components.

6- Insulate Pipes

Do it yourself. Any plumbing store or DIY store sells pipe lagging at a low price.

This only applies to loft or garage pipes. Lagging your pipes reduces heat loss and protects them from winter cold, which can split and cause big leaks. Only central heating or water pipes need lagging; gas pipes do not.

Lagging is worth it if your boiler condenses and the condensate pipe ends externally. A frozen condensate pipe causes boiler problems in winter, thus gas engineers are often called out. Lagging the condensate line is cheaper and avoids this.

To Sum Up

Most combi boilers last 12–15 years. Following these tips will certainly increase the lifespan of your boiler or central heating system.

Many factors can damage your boiler or heating system. Pipe age, flushing, inhibitors, and other factors can make or break it. You can't tell your system's state until you install it. Use these system tips wisely. Old, congested systems should not have inhibitors added.

Similarly, power flushing a brand-new system is not recommended as it is likely to waste money.

If your boiler is really old and none of these solutions work, getting a new one might be the best option. The government ECO4 scheme is also here to provide free boiler to low-income families.