CEE recommends replacing a boiler when you are 25 or older. A boiler can operate beyond this age, but it will operate less efficiently and will be more likely to need more frequent repairs as it ages. This means you'll pay more to heat your home as your boiler ages. When considering repairing or replacing a boiler, first assess the condition of the metal from which the boiler is made, by any available means.
If the boiler is almost rusty, it should probably be replaced soon. If the condition of the metal does not indicate short-term problems, a good step is to estimate the cost of a new boiler versus the cost of making enough improvements to the existing boiler to work as well as a new one. The decision can then be made to conserve or replace the boiler. If your boiler is older than 25 years old, you may need to replace it.
Most boilers that are over 25 years old are now considered inefficient compared to modern alternatives. Old boilers are more likely to be affected by common fault problems and will most likely have a harder time bringing water to a temperature high enough to effectively heat your home. If your old boiler is still operating efficiently and doesn't break down, it's OK to continue using it as long as you repair your boiler annually. But if your old boiler breaks down regularly, it's time to consider replacing it.
Usually, when only one or two tubes leak, it's reasonable to plug them in order to postpone the replacement cost until later, when presumably a larger number of tubes can be replaced at a time. Unfortunately, all sections are damaged by feed water at approximately the same rate, so it can be argued in favor of replacing all sections when one leaks. The owner's willingness to spend money on the boiler and the enthusiasm of the people who work on it are reduced, until, finally, the boiler barely works and everyone involved advocates its replacement. If the system to which the boiler is connected is supposed to be a closed circuit, or an almost closed circuit, but it is leaking, the liquid water or steam that is filtered is replaced by new water containing new oxygen and new minerals.
If your boiler is going through its prime, now would be a good time to request quotes to install a new energy efficient replacement. You may not realize it, but you might need a boiler replacement even though your current boiler is still working. A reasonable alternative to replacing the boiler is to buy new boiler doors and seal them hermetically, then clean the boiler room and install additional lighting. Similarly, if some sections of a cast iron boiler have been replaced, it is reasonable to assume that the other sections will need to be replaced soon.
Much of the credit for the increase in efficiency that is usually attributed to replacement boilers must be attributed to the set-up, new controls and careful control adjustments made at the time of boiler installation, all of which could be done with the existing boiler. My advice is that the 10 years to replace the boiler isn't too bad, because the better it is (Vaillant and Worcester), maybe you can delay it a bit. Before you rush to replace the boiler, it is advisable to ask a plumber to take a look at your entire heating system. It's not uncommon for homeowners or facility managers to wait until a boiler breaks down completely before replacing the unit.
However, if your boiler starts to make hums, vibrations, or shocks, it needs to be evaluated and possibly replaced. .
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