Does your boiler seem a little worse for wear these days? Is your home never as warm as you want it to be, regardless of your thermostat setting? The fact is that, like all things, your boiler has a limited life span. Good residential boilers are built to last with minimal problems, but only to a point. The average home gas, oil, or steam boiler will run for about ten to fifteen years, sometimes a bit longer. At that point, though, its time will eventually run out. It will eventually wear down from years of heavy usage during the cold winter months, and one day, it might refuse to start up at all. Fortunately, there are several key signs that you can keep in mind when you’re considering boiler replacement.

Most people’s first step is to call a local New Jersey heating repair company for service, but this might not be enough. Experienced HVAC professionals will generally let you know when boiler replacement is actually a better option. Believe it or not, replacing your old boiler with a newer, better model can even save you money. Here are some of the warning signs that your boiler might not have much time left.

1. Your boiler is more than fifteen years old. This is the key factor: your boiler’s age. If your boiler dates from the 1990s, you’ll inevitably need to replace it soon. There’s just no way around it: when a boiler gets old enough, it’s a ticking time bomb that could fail at any time. You’ll need to replace it as soon as you can, or risk going without heat when it finally dies for good.

2 Your boiler needs frequent repairs. A well-maintained, working boiler usually won’t need repair service more often than once every couple of years. If it feels like your boiler is always breaking down in the winter for one reason or another, it’s probably time to replace it. The cost of frequent repairs can outweigh even the up-front cost of a new boiler with professional installation service, and a better boiler will also guarantee sufficient, consistent heat.

3. Insufficient heating. Does it seem like your house is always too cold? The problem might be your old, aging boiler. A new boiler can provide a far superior quality of home heating, all while running more efficiently and using less energy.

4. The tank has been subjected to significant corrosion. Tank corrosion is a problem that generally can’t simply be repaired. When the tank has rusted and worn away, at which point it often begins to leak, it will need to be replaced completely.

5. Rising utility bills. Does it seem like your bills keep getting higher every winter? Older boilers don’t run as efficiently as the used to, and they need to do more work-- and use more fuel-- to create the same amount of heat. As a result, you may find that your winter energy costs are higher than they should be. Replacing your boiler can boost your entire home’s overall energy efficiency.

If you’re looking for great heating repair service right here in Bergen County, New Jersey, call us any time at Masters Plumbers for 24 hour furnace and boiler services.