It’s already winter, and if you have a gas boiler to deliver comfort to your house, you’ve probably already had it running for a few days. But… will it be able to weather the weather this year? If the boiler is old enough, you may have some reservations about how much longer it’s going to last. Should you have it replaced before the winter gets colder?
Ways to Tell a Boiler Might Need Replacement
The best way to determine if a boiler has reached the end of its service is to call on a heating professional to size it up with an inspection. There are warning signs that will inform when to contact the pros:
- Basic age: Boilers can last longer than other types of heating systems. But once a boiler gets past 20 years, it’s in a higher risk zone of developing crippling issues from leaks and corrosion. It’s a wise idea to start fresh at this point-and the new boiler will work at higher energy efficiency than the current one did when it was new.
- Corrosion: Boilers are designed to resist the effects of corrosion for most of their service lives. When corrosion does appear, it’s often a sign that the system has worn down to the point where it ought to be retired.
- Heating output decline: Are you starting to notice rooms are colder than they should be? Boilers aren’t supposed to leave cold spots because of the way they evenly radiate heat into rooms-so when cold spots appear, something serious might be wrong. It could be within the radiator or baseboard heater. But if the boiler is old enough, the likely cause is that it’s worn down to the point it can’t heat up the water enough for comfort.
- Noisy operation: One of the advantages of a gas boiler for home heat is how quietly it runs. When the boiler starts to make too much noise, such as rumblings from the tank, then it may be past its prime.
Need assistance with boiler replacement in Bethesda, MD? Contact Mallick Plumbing & Heating, the Service Contractor of Choice!
