Your boiler can develop a few strange behaviors as it gets older. Not all of these necessarily signal a need for replacement. However, there are a few things that can pretty reliably indicate that your boiler is reaching the end of its life. Let’s have a look at the signs that your boiler is ready to be replaced.
Age
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the age of the system. If your boiler is more than 15 years old, chances are it’s declining in a number of ways. This includes efficiency. Boiler systems are improving every year, just like other heating systems. That doesn’t mean you should go out and buy a new one every year, but it does mean that upgrading to a model almost two decades more recent will drastically improve your heating capabilities. Wear and tear is also a factor you should consider, which brings us to our next point.
Frequency of Repairs
Every heating system has the occasional part that needs to be repaired or replaced. The older your system gets, however, the more wear and tear will accumulate on the various parts. Eventually, this wear and tear will get bad enough that multiple parts will begin to fail, either simultaneously or in rapid succession. When you see this start happening, it’s a pretty good sign that your boiler needs to be replaced.
Deterioration
Now, technically this whole post is about deterioration, but for this point we’re going to discuss two specific things: Kettling and rust. Kettling is what happens when minerals in the water of your boiler build up in the heat exchanger over years of use. Eventually, these form mineral deposits that restrict or block the flow of water through the heat exchanger, causing a massive increase in pressure and a distinct rumbling sound. If you hear this rumbling sound from your boiler, call a professional right away.
Rust is often caused by leaks within the boiler itself, rather than water from some external source. As the boiler ages, parts of the water supply system will degrade faster than others. This causes leaks which culminate in rust spots. If rust seems to be spreading on your boiler, you likely have multiple leaks.
If you think your boiler might need replacing, call Sunset Air. We offer heating services throughout Olympia, WA.
