There are often signs that a boiler is reaching the point that it needs to be replaced with a new one, although in many cases a skilled engineer when doing an annual check of the boiler will be able to give you advice on the right time to get a replacement.

During a routine inspection by a Gas Safe engineer, they might recommend thinking about getting a new one fitted and potentially even providing some preliminary estimations for the cost and type of boiler you should get. 

In an ideal world, everyone should get some advanced warning about any potential boiler issues, but sometimes the warning sign that a replacement is needed is a loud, unsettling or unusual set of sounds.

They often have different meanings, so here are what certain sounds can mean and when you might need an emergency callout.

Kettling

Hissing, whistling or a combination of the two noises at a high pitch can often be a sign of circulation issues within your boiler, as the flow of water slows down and causes some of it to boil over.

It can be an issue with the central heating system or a faulty pump, but it could also potentially be an issue with a sensor or thermostat component.

Banging

Loud knocks and bangs are typically a sign that the heat exchanger is rapidly expanding and contracting, which is typically a sign of too much water pressure or issues with limescale.

If it is the latter it will typically need a specialist to flush the system, but sometimes the water pressure can be adjusted without opening it up or creating any unnecessary risks.

Humming Or Rumbling

Humming or rumbling is typically caused by something in the boiler vibrating, which could be a loose part, a worn out component or loose sediment at the bottom of the machine.

Solar panels have become a huge topic of interest amongst both businesses and homeowners, as installation prices continue to decrease and their value for money continues to increase with more efficient photovoltaic cells.

One of the biggest barriers in the way of wider adoption of solar power is misconceptions about their capabilities. For example, there is a belief that solar panels do not work at all in winter, not only is that not the case, but there are times when it can generate power more efficiently.

The reason for this is that solar panels are powered by light rather than heat, which means that solar panels will work in any daylight hours, as long as the panels are not obscured by shadows.

Therefore, on a sunny winter day, a solar panel could actually work more effectively, as the solar panel does not overheat and generates less energy as a consequence.

The chilly temperatures reduce electrical resistance, boosting the capacity to generate power.

This helps to offset the most obvious negative aspect of winter when it comes to solar panels, which is that there are far fewer daylight hours than there would be around the time of the summer solstice when the days are at their longest in the year.

As well as this, the sun tends to be lower in the sky, which can affect the optimum angle of power generation and force light to face more atmospheric resistance before it reaches the solar panel, as well as end up blocked by nearby trees or buildings.

Finally, there is snow, rain and cloud cover, all of which can potentially reduce the power generated by a solar panel. However, in the case of snow and rain, having the panels tilted will help naturally guide the debris off of the panels, reducing the need to remove it manually.

Change is in the air and in the pipes of many people looking for a boiler installation to replace their existing units, particularly since a new energy-efficient combi boiler is not the only option. Read more

With the end of summer nearing, now is the best time to get a new boiler if your old one has seen better days. After all, you will soon need a boiler that functions to its maximum capacity as the weather turns cold and you need more hot water. And you certainly don’t want to be making an emergency call-out after a breakdown on a chilly winter’s day.

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