Heating with hot water produced by a boiler — also known as hydronic heating — is fairly common in the United States. Boilers are still utilized not only for traditional hydronic fixtures such as cast iron radiators and baseboard heaters, but increasingly as a part of new underfloor hydronic heating systems.
Gas-fired residential boilers generally deliver long expected service life if they receive regular annual maintenance by a qualified professional. How can you assess how much life your existing boiler has left in it? Here are some rough guidelines:
How Old is It?
The average boiler lasts about 15 years, though it’s not uncommon to see some in use past the 20-year mark. Boilers more than 10 years old may have low AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings around 75 percent, while new models are required to have 85 percent efficiency. Hanging onto an old boiler — even if it’s technically still operational — can be expensive due to the costs of wasted energy.
Does it Need Repairs?
Making certain costly repairs to an outmoded boiler can be questionable once the unit has exceeded two-thirds of its expected lifespan. Boilers that require a new heat exchanger, or have a cracked jacket that leaks or excessive internal corrosion from impurities in the water may require a substantial outlay of money to repair. Because the existing boiler could be too close to the end of its expected lifespan to be worth the investment in expensive repairs, upgrading may be the best call.
Does it Still Get the Job Done?
If rooms that were once comfortable now seem chilly, your boiler may have declined below the minimum performance specifications it was manufactured to meet. Over years of repetitive on/off cycles, critical boiler components incur wear and tear, and the unit no longer outputs heated water as effectively as it once did. This is reflected in decreased or excessively slow heating performance, cold spots in the home, and other red flags.
Still undecided about upgrading your boiler? Contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning for a professional evaluation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about boilers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area