Commercial boilers are built to last many years, longer than a domestic boiler in most cases, however after it has performed dutifully for a long time it may start to give you signs that you need to replace it. Whether you have a commercial boiler installed in your school, hotel, restaurant or retail outlet, there are some tell-tale signs which indicate your boiler isn’t working as expected.
Replacing a boiler is cost-effective in the long run, as an inefficient, old boiler is going to have a detrimental effect on your energy bills. Let’s take a look at the top 6 signs that you’re boiler is telling you that it needs to be replaced.
1. Your Boiler Is Old
Many commercial boilers will last for around fifteen to twenty years before you need to consider replacing them. Older boilers which have been operational since before the year 2000 will be reaching the end of their life, and general wear and tear will begin to show.
Boilers which have been properly maintained last much longer than those which have been neglected, so if your commercial boiler is approaching one or two decades of daily use, then it’s wise to start planning for a replacement.
2. It Is Making Unusual Noises
Boilers usually run quietly, and only make slight noise when heating water. However, if your boiler starts to make banging, bubbling or whistling noises then that is an indication all isn’t as it should be.
There can be an issue with a system blockage or a build-up of excess pressure which needs to be relieved. The noises maybe coming from the pipework inside your home, from the pump or the boiler interior, but always turn your whole system off if you hear something concerning like this.
3. More Frequent Breakdowns
If you’ve started to notice that your commercial boiler is playing up more often than usual, giving you a variety of error codes, then it’s a clear sign that it is not performing to the best of its ability. Some routine maintenance will be able to address many of these problems, and you can even get new parts to keep the boiler running, but eventually it will not be able to work at all.
If your boiler is breaking down more than twice a year, it’s a sign you should be considering investing a new one.
4. The Boiler Is Leaking
A leaking boiler is never a good sign. If your boiler is fairly new then it may just be the fault of a loose seal or valve that needs to be tightened, but if your boiler is already 10 years old or over, then leaks are likely to be the result of corrosion and cracks on the tank itself.
It may be that the heat exchanger has broken, or galvanic corrosion may be the culprit. A leaking boiler can be prone to fail, causing widespread flooding throughout your premises, so it’s not an issue to be taken lightly.
5. High Energy Bills
As a commercial boiler ages its components can wear down and become less productive, reducing efficiency for the boiler as a whole. This can happen slowly over the course of a few years, but the effects will be noticed in your energy bills.
If you start to see your energy bills creeping up year on year without it being the effect of price hikes or inflation, then your boiler is probably to blame. There may be visible corrosion or build-up of grime causing the issue, and it needs replacing.
6. Noticeable Hot And Cold Areas
A perfectly functioning boiler should heat every room in the premises equally unless zone controls have been programmed in. If you are noticing that some rooms are colder than others, or much warmer than they should be, there is likely an issue with the temperature control thermostat connected with the boiler.
Try adjusting your thermostat or the times of day it comes on, it may be a quick fix, but consistently different temperatures between rooms indicates a more profound fault.
Is your commercial boiler not working as expected? Is it causing problems for you, your customers and your clients? Is it affecting the overall day-to-day operations of your business? If so, reach out to us here at Rowlen today and book a boiler servicing to diagnose potential issues.
If we think your boiler can be repaired and its life extended with some new parts we will fix it as soon as possible. However, if your boiler is on its last legs and you would benefit from a new one to replace it, we’ll be able to discuss the options available to you, including pricing and efficiency.
