There are many advantages to using a boiler for home heating rather than a forced-air system like a furnace. A boiler provides cleaner air and works at high energy efficiency to keep down the high cost of staying warm in a New York winter. The best long-term advantage of a boiler is that a boiler is … long-term! On average, a boiler will outlast a furnace by five or more years.
Your boiler isn’t immortal, of course! If you live in your home long enough, the boiler will wear down to the point where paying for repair after repair is no longer worth it. Putting in a new boiler stops those extra costs and helps you avoid an emergency winter breakdown.
So How Can I Tell My Boiler Is Ready to Retire?
You’re asking this question because you know that just waiting for the boiler to fail for the last time is not a good idea. Planning is key: watch for the warning signs of a dying boiler so you can move fast with having a new one installed. Below are the biggest warnings to watch for. Call a professional to give you an expert opinion, as well as to arrange for a replacement if necessary.
- Boiler makes too much noise: For any heating system, extra loud operation is bad sign. It means the heater is worn down too far. With a boiler, you may hear a rumbling sound. No, the tank isn’t likely to explode, but the sound can mean the effects of corrosion or that heavy limescale is leading to overheating. In either case, a new boiler is the best option moving forward.
- You’re paying for frequent repairs: How often do you call pros to fix up the boiler because it isn’t doing its job? Once a year? You might be okay—as long as the price for the repair isn’t greater than half the cost of a new system. More than once a year? That’s not good—the boiler will keep piling on repairs, and you’ll throw money away on a heater that isn’t going to be around much longer.
- You’re paying more for winter heating: Any heating system in a home puts in hard work, and subsequently raises utility bills, over a New York winter. But when you look at your recent billing statements, does the cost seem way too high? Unless it’s because of increased use or a spike in gas prices, this often means the boiler is dying and taking your monthly utility bills with it.
- Extensive leaks: You never want to see water pooling around the base of your boiler. Small leaks may occur early in the system life, but multiple ones mean corrosion and other deterioration have taken hold—and it’s time for the next boiler in your life.
- Rust: When rust starts up on the outside of the boiler tank (or almost anywhere else), it usually means the boiler is finished.
- Age: How old is your boiler? If it’s over 20 years old, we recommend you look into a replacement—even if the boiler still outwardly working well.
Schedule any boiler service in Staten Island, NY with a team that has over seventy years of history. Our friendly experts will help you find the best new boiler if it’s time to have your current one replaced.
Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning: Serving Staten Island’s Heating and A/C Needs Since 1955.
