Your boiler is one of your biggest investments for your home not to mention one of the most important regarding climate control and comfort. Hence, it makes sense to protect and increase the lifespan of a boiler.
7 Ways to Increase the Lifespan of a Boiler
The following tips will help you extend the boiler’s lifespan:
Do Not Skip Your Boiler Servicing Schedule
Never skip the servicing schedule if you want to extend the lifespan of a boiler. A qualified engineer can detect minor issues early on during a service check before they become more serious. An annual servicing includes:
- Testing the gas rate
- Doing a complete visual check
- Testing the working pressure
- Cleaning the condensate trap and magnetic filter (where applicable)
- Conducting a combustion analysis
- Checking the safety device
A consistent record of annual servicing is also required to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty.
Install a Magnetic Filter
A magnetic filter captures the sludge before it reaches your boiler. It is attached to the heating system’s return piping. In open-vented systems, dirt, rust, and other material build-up as sludge. It circulates and eventually accumulates at the base of a radiator, resulting in cold patches that strain your heating system and overload the boiler. Therefore, adding a magnetic filter extends the boiler lifespan.
Add Inhibitor to your System
The inhibitor prevents corrosion and scale and extends the life of a boiler. Applying this solution to the central heating system creates a protective layer that stops metal accumulation and sludge buildup.
Powerflush
A power flush is not typically performed as part of routine maintenance procedures or as a preventative measure. Power flushing your system can boost its efficiency, eliminate cold spots in the radiators, and extend the boiler lifespan, if you are worried about the accumulation of sludge and metals.
Do Not Forget to Insulate the Pipes
Lagging or insulating your water pipes is a simple but important measure that extends boiler lifespan and minimises heat loss. There are only two pipes that require lags: those in the garage and those in the loft since they tend to freeze and split the most. Additionally, if your boiler is condensing, you must insulate the condensate pipe to prevent it from freezing.
Give it a Summer Run
Giving your heating system a summer run keeps your boiler in fine working condition. Like any other machine, a boiler idle for months shortens its lifespan. Therefore, you should occasionally turn on your heating system to keep it running smoothly, circulate water, and avoid sludge buildup.
Bleed your Radiators
Your radiators may get cold due to sludge and metal buildup, but most of the time, the problem is with the air. Therefore, you should try bleeding the radiators to allow the air to release and the water to flow through. To perform this task, check out our guide on how to bleed a radiator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do you Know If you Need a New Boiler?
Signs to watch for include:
- Frequent strange noises
- Frequent repairs—on a different part each time
- Constant leaking
- Variations in water temperature
- An old boiler (a decade or more)
If you notice any of these problems with your boiler, you might need to replace the boiler.
How can you increase the efficiency of an old boiler?
There are a few measures you can take to increase the efficiency of an old boiler:
- Installing an economizer
- Decreasing the stack temperature
- Insulating valves
- Get Boiler Servicing Done Regularly
What is the average lifespan of a boiler?
The average boiler lifespan is 10-15 years.
Can boilers last 20 years?
A well-maintained boiler can last up to 20 years, but this is rare.
If you have other questions about how to extend your boiler’s lifespan or how to install a new boiler, feel free to contact us. You can also set up a new boiler installation schedule with our licensed professionals at TBIS.