Should I replace my 30 year old boiler?

GarethSutherland

Hi all! I've got a Worcester boiler in my flat which is roughly 30 years old. I bought the flat 3 years ago and haven't had any problems with the boiler. I had it serviced last year and there were no problems, (didn't stop the guy trying to upsell me a new boiler though!)

Some friends have recommended that I buy a new boiler. Main arguments:
1. My current boiler will be difficult to repair if it breaks down.
2. The new boiler will be energy efficient and save me money in the long term.

I'm not sure what to do, especially as I can pay £100 annually for boiler cover which should protect me from the headache of it breaking down.

Any advice?
Thanks

Swipe

Personally, I'd keep your old one and only replace it when it breaks if a repair is too expensive to justify.

JJ_Egan

£100 wont cover breakdown and parts no longer available .

MWT

GarethSutherland wrote: »

I'm not sure what to do, especially as I can pay £100 annually for boiler cover which should protect me from the headache of it breaking down.

You don't say who the cover would be with, but read the exclusions carefully as in all the ones I've seen so far, with a 30 year old boiler they only have to determine it is not repairable and that is the end of their liability if it fails, so don't regard that sort of cover as protecting you from 'the headache of it breaking down' ...

SuiDreams

I would say replace it when it breaks down and can't be repaired. In most cases the saving on bills, is unlikely to cover the cost of replacement.

GarethSutherland

You don't say who the cover would be with, but read the exclusions carefully as in all the ones I've seen so far, with a 30 year old boiler they only have to determine it is not repairable and that is the end of their liability if it fails, so don't regard that sort of cover as protecting you from 'the headache of it breaking down' ...

Currently looking at 24/7 Home Rescue. In their T&Cs, with regard to age, it simply says "Any boiler aged 11 years or over will be subject to a £75 mandatory Excess"

Which seems fine to me, if they pay for the rest!

Unless there's something I'm missing :think:

SaverRate

As they say if it isn't broken don't fix it!! I probably wouldn't bother with the boiler insurance and save the money for a new boiler if/when your current one breaks!

Swipe

GarethSutherland wrote: »

Currently looking at 24/7 Home Rescue.

Might be worth searching the forum and other review sites before signing up. You may live to regret that.

JJ_Egan

GarethSutherland wrote: »

Currently looking at 24/7 Home Rescue. In their T&Cs, with regard to age, it simply says "Any boiler aged 11 years or over will be subject to a £75 mandatory Excess"

Which seems fine to me, if they pay for the rest!



No parts available then what do you do ??
They will be unable to fix and no refund .
Breaks down in very cold weather wait for repair and sorry no parts for this model .
Waste of time paying breakdown cover that does not cover .
My choice would be wait until summer and get quotes .

MWT

GarethSutherland wrote: »

Currently looking at 24/7 Home Rescue. In their T&Cs, with regard to age, it simply says "Any boiler aged 11 years or over will be subject to a £75 mandatory Excess"

Which seems fine to me, if they pay for the rest!

Unless there's something I'm missing :think:

This would be the bit you are missing ...


"Please note we do not replace complete boiler units if they are unrepairable or Beyond Economic Repair."


Also...

Beyond Economical Repair(BER) –means in the opinion of our technical team based on all the circumstances presented, the cost of repair is 60% or more than the manufacturer’s current recommended retail price. The cost of repair includes all parts inclusive of any VAT payable and labour costs together with depreciation being applied at the rate of 10% per annum. See example of BER in the table below


So with that depreciation rate over a 30 year period you could find that pretty much any repair even if it was possible would be considered as 'beyond economic repair' ...

spot1034

As I said in another thread earlier, my boiler is 30 years old this year (Glow Worm) and my plumber who services it every year has told me many of the parts which might fail are in fact still available. I intend to keep it until I have a problem and then I will be guided by him as to whether a repair is worthwhile. He is a reliable tradesman with many regular customers who give him quite enough work to keep him going without trying to persuade people to have things done which aren't necessary.