Getting a combi boiler installed for your home is one of the best investments you can make with regard to energy efficiency, sustainability, and certainly a warmer and more comfortable living space for you and your family.
Sooner or later, though, the questions of longevity and durability will come up and you could choose to replace your gas boiler here.
Hence, it’s best to take care of these even before you make the purchase.
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The Average Lifespan
Most manufacturers will tell you outright that a properly installed and maintained combi boiler system will last you an average of twelve to fifteen years.
Now, that’s a long time, but you do hear stories of homes where the boiler conked out in just five years, as well as those where the boiler has been around since the parents moved in as newlyweds and are now celebrating their silver anniversary.
The longevity of your combi boiler is all a matter of proper maintenance and periodic servicing by professionals.
Tips and Tricks to Make Your Combi Boiler Last
Here are a few pointers for ensuring the longevity of your combi boiler:
Periodic Servicing Is a Must
Have your combi boiler seen at least once a year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.
Annual servicing is required by law and consumer regulations if you want to keep up with the manufacturer’s warranty.
If the manufacturer or distributor doesn’t have a service record for your boiler, they are highly likely to void the warranty.
Servicing will involve the following steps to ensure that your boiler is in good working order:
- Visual inspection of the boiler, casing, and seals, as well as a safety check for corrosion or leaks;
- Gas burning rate per manufacturer’s standards;
- Working pressure within standard limits;
- Check up for operational controls
- Combustion analysis to check system efficiency; and
- Safety device checking.
Optional services include cleaning the condensate trap in boilers with condensing technology and filter cleaning for those fitted with a magnetic filter.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to service your boiler on your own unless you happen to be a registered engineer yourself.
Insulating Your Pipes Is Key
Lagging your pipes minimises heat loss and protects boiler pipes against the winter cold. Uninsulated pipes are in danger of splitting and cause potentially disastrous leaks.
Note that this only applies to exposed pipes, the ones located in a loft, attic, or garage.
Also, you don’t have to do this for gas pipes; this only applies to those connected to central heating or water mains.
Lagging is also something you can do yourself, as you can buy pipe lagging at plumbers’ supply shops or DIY stores.
If your boiler has condenser technology built in and its condensate pipe is on the outside, you will definitely need to lag it before winter comes in.
In many cases, most gas engineers are called out in colder weather because of frozen condensate pipes; lagging prevents this from happening and keeps you from spending more for service.
