The winter season has arrived more quickly than ever before. The hustle is now going to increase as most of us are going to get busy keeping ourselves warm, comfortable, and cosy. From remodeling the home to filling gaps and holes, and getting a regular checkup of a boiler to adjusting furniture settings, the hustle goes wild with each passing day.
However, the most concerning thing after winter arrives is the working condition of the heating system. Whether it is working or it needs any repair or maintenance. All of these questions are clouded in the minds of every household in the UK.
In recent times, the move towards energy-efficient heating systems has gained momentum as part of the ECO4 scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to facilitate low-income and vulnerable households with energy-efficient heating systems to lower carbon emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.
If your boiler is before 2005 and needs to be replaced you can avail the benefit. However, you need to be a recipient of government benefits to qualify for free boiler. But you might be asking why a new boiler is really important and how it could help you in the long run. Let’s take a look at it.
What is a Boiler?
When it comes to households in the UK, the majority of them are equipped with a central heating system backed by a boiler as the source of heat. These boilers use gas to heat up the home. A large number of households in the UK are using old boilers that are inefficient and non-condensing. One of the biggest disadvantages of these boilers is that they use more energy and produce less heat. As a result, heavy bills are to be paid, which becomes difficult for low-income households.
How does it Increase Home Value?
In winter, the heating systems are working throughout the day. However, there is a difference in the working of an energy-efficient boiler to a non-efficient boiler. For instance, energy-efficient boilers are highly eco-friendly and emit less carbon. Whereas, the old boilers are good at consuming more fuel and delivering less heat. This in turn makes it miserable for you to spend a warm and comfortable winter by paying hefty bills.
One of the reasons to replace your old boiler with a new one is that it can help improve your EPC rating. The Energy Performance Certificate is required when you are selling your home or renting it out. If the EPC rating is A, B, or C, there are chances of getting a high price for your property, and if renting out, higher rental yield.
What are the Signs of an Old Boiler?
You may not have an idea about what to look for if your boiler is old and inefficient. We will shed some light on signs of an old boiler that will help you determine if you need a new one or stick with the present one. Don’t worry, you can notice these signs without the help of any technician or experienced professional. Here’s everything you need to know about signs of an old boiler.
Age of the Boiler
One of the signs that can easily be figured out is the age of the boiler. You can simply check the label/sticker on the back or front of the boiler. Normally, manufacturers write the date of manufacturing. In case, you cannot find the label, you can simply refer to the invoice. Now it is up to you how much you are responsible for keeping things in place.
In case, you have lost your invoice, you can search for model number and name and search it on manfuactruer’s website to know the date.
Surging Bills
One of the signs of an old boiler includes surging bills. If you have observed significant increase in the energy bills, your boiler is surely 15-20 years back. One of the reasons to fund UK households is to help them control their budget and keep their homes warm and comfortable.
If you have not replaced your old boiler, do it as early as possible. You will find a significant improvement in the bills and warm up your home without bragging.
Repairs and Maintenance
One of the signs of an old boiler is that it can not only put a burden on your bills but also add up the cost of repair and maintenance. If you are calling a technician every now and then, it means your boiler needs to be repaired immediately.
Water Leaks and other Visible Damages
Another big sign of an old boiler is the water leaks and visible damage on the body. If you find leakages around the boiler, make sure to fix it as early as possible. However, if the damages and leakages are to be repaired frequently, you need to consider buying a new boiler or applying for the boiler grant under the ECO4 scheme.
Uneven Heating
In most cases when the boiler turns old, you will observe unusual behavior. Sometimes you will find your heating system warming up your room in no time. And at times you will find your heating system not warming up the room even after running for hours and hours.
This is a clear indication of your boiler turned faulty and old, and needs to be replaced immediately.
Uneven Air Flow
When it comes to new boilers, you will find harmony in the air flow. No matter what the outside conditions are, your central heating will turn your rooms into a comfortable and cosy place. However, not in case when your boiler is old. It is because you will find an uneven air flow that can affect the overall performance of heating.
Summing Up
In this post, we have discussed some of the ways how a new boiler can help increase value of your home. Moreover, you will also learn some of the signs of an old boiler that can decrease your value of home by directly affecting the EPC rating of your home. Before time runs out, make sure to apply for a boiler grant and make your life peaceful.
