It comes without saying that a sub-standard boiler could break more often, meaning more ongoing maintenance costs. Additionally, once your boiler reaches its end of life, replacing it can be expensive.
Here, we’ll cover the average lifespan of a boiler and how you can extend the life of yours.
How long do boilers last?
Different boiler types and brands will have different service lives.
Gas boilers are expected to last between 10–15 years on average, as long as you service and maintain it well. Some premium boilers that have been exceptionally well-maintained, however, can last for over 20 years.
Electric boilers, meanwhile, can last for around 25 years on average if you choose a quality model and look after it.
How to extend the life of your boiler
Because boilers are a long-term, expensive investment, it’s essential to get as much life out of them as possible. Below are our top tips on extending the life of your boiler.
Make sure it’s serviced regularly
For landlords, a yearly boiler service in your properties is a legal requirement. However, for homeowners who live in their property, it’s not. If you’re in the latter group, we recommend servicing your boiler at least yearly to ensure it’s working effectively and safely.
A boiler service will be able to identify any potential issues that could cause your boiler to break or malfunction in the coming months, so it’s a good idea to get it serviced in late summer or early autumn to prevent any issues in the winter.
Keep it moving even in the summer
Many of us save money in the summer because we don’t need any heating for a period of a few months. But it’s sensible to put it on every now and then over the course of the summer – this will keep it in top shape because it’ll keep the parts moving and functioning correctly. You don’t need to do this often – schedule it to come on when you’re out of the house and you’ll never know it was on.
Insulate your pipes
Burst pipes are a common winter issue. While you can replace the burst parts of your pipes with the help of a plumber, it may also affect your boiler.
By insulating your pipes, you’ll protect them and your boiler from the cold snap. If you do this now before the chill really sets in, you can ensure you’re fully prepared for the winter and less likely to experience a costly and damaging boiler breakdown.
Keep it free of debris and clutter
Storing your boiler badly can affect its lifespan. In many homes, boilers are located in garages, attics, or cupboards. Often, these are places where we store other items – it’s recommended that you keep the area around your boiler completely clear, but if that isn’t possible, leave a space of at least three feet around it.
Keeping the inside of your boiler clear and clean is also important to make it last a long time. Sludge can easily build up and affect its performance. A lot of this build-up is rust from the pipes and radiators, so installing a magnetic filter can help eliminate this metallic waste. An inhibitor can help you deal with the rest of the waste product, which is made up of limescale – this build-up can result in cold spots in your radiators, which can limit the life of your boiler.
If your boiler already has too much of this waste built up, power flushing it is a good option. This will flush all of the debris, sludge, and build-up in your system to stop it affecting your radiators. If you choose this option, make sure you add an inhibitor and magnetic filter afterwards to prevent it from happening again.
Boilers are a long-term investment and an essential part of our homes. Because of this, we want to make sure we get the longest life possible out of them before we need to replace them. By using these tips, you can squeeze even more life out of your boiler and even extend its typical lifespan!
