Get A Second Opinion
So you have an old boiler and the oil or gas company has told you to start thinking about replacing it. In a worst case scenario, the fuel company may have deemed your boiler dangerous and shut it down! It’s a situation nobody wants to face during the cold winter months. People immediately tend to go into panic mode and make a quick decision in order to get the heat turned back on so they can get on with their lives.
The problem with making a decision under pressure is that you might be missing a much more economical solution, such as a dramatically less costly boiler repair job. Or if you do indeed need a new boiler, the replacement boiler you hastily select may not fit your needs, and end up being more costly and inefficient than an alternative choice. Well don’t be so quick to pull the trigger. Let me help.
It’s in the best interest of the large companies that sell you service contracts to have new equipment in your home. Now that’s not to say that they may not be 100% correct. Your boiler actually may need replacing, and there are many valid reasons for you to replace it. I’m offering you the opportunity for another opinion.
Here are the top reasons to repair or replace a boiler:
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Dangerous carbon monoxide leaks from a faulty fire box. (new boiler)
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A section of your boiler is cracked. (new boiler)
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Extremely poor energy efficiency (typically, a boiler in good condition uses about 60% of your homes total energy bill). (new boiler)
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Your boiler is not heating your home like it used to. (repair or replacement)
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Your boiler is over 10 years old (the average boiler life expectancy). (repair or replacement)
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Your boiler frequently breaks down and needs repair. (repair or replacement)
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Your boiler is leaking water. (repair or replacement)
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You hear knocking, popping, rattling or hissing sounds from your boiler (these can be caused by uneven distribution of water in the boiler). (repair or replacement)
If a heating professional shuts your boiler off and tells you he has condemned it, you are in a sticky situation because other companies will be unwilling to take the risk and restart that boiler. It’s for your own protection. I take that very seriously. If I come across a dangerous situation I will shut the unit off and call the local building officials to make sure that the issue is resolved properly and safely.
Boiler Replacement