A constant narrative over the past few years has been the future of heating, and there have been worries bubbling under the surface that people may have to replace their boilers before they reach the end of their operating life.

According to more recent reports, that is not going to be the case with existing boilers, meaning that homeowners can keep their current boilers or replace them with an energy-efficient alternative without worrying they will be mandated to replace them at great expense.

This means that when you choose to replace your boiler, it will be at the right time and for the right reasons.

Typically, your gas safe engineer will let you know if there are any issues during their annual inspection but there are some telltale signs that it is on the way out.

Water Leak Or Odd Smell

If you get odd smells emanating from your boiler, especially if they are eggy or sulphurous, you need to switch your boiler off immediately and get in touch with an emergency gas engineer.

This smell is usually the sign that there is a gas leak, which could be potentially lethal and almost always means that your boiler will need replacing or substantial repairs. 

It is also the case that if your boiler flame is yellow rather than blue, there is likely a serious problem with it.

Similarly, a boiler should never leak, and it could be potentially just as damaging if left unchecked.

Constant Breakdowns and Costly Repairs

Modern boilers are remarkably reliable and will rarely break down in a way that cannot be easily fixed by a professional.

However, if you are noticing constant issues with your boiler and compounding bills due to frequent repairs combined with harder-to-source parts, it might be time to see if your boiler has reached the tipping point and needs replacing entirely.