Repair or Replace: Should You Fix Your Old Boiler or Get a New One?
Quick answer: Repair it if the boiler is reasonably young, it’s the first real fault, and parts are easy to get. Think about replacing it if it keeps breaking down, parts are hard to find, a major part like the heat exchanger has failed on an older boiler, or it’s an old back boiler. Get a diagnosis first. A call-out with us is £95 + VAT (£114 including VAT), and you get a fixed price for the repair before you decide anything.
Right, so plenty of boilers I’m called out to just need a part. But there comes a point where pouring money into an old boiler stops making sense. Here’s how to tell which side of that line you’re on.
In this guide:
- Five questions that decide it
- When repairing makes sense
- When replacing makes sense
- What each option costs
- How I’ll help you decide
- FAQs
Five questions that decide it
- How old is the boiler? The make and model are on the front, and the age is usually on the data plate or in the paperwork.
- Is this the first fault, or the third this year? One fault is bad luck. Repeat faults are a pattern.
- Can the part still be got? On older boilers, some parts become hard to find or expensive.
- Which part has failed? A pump, a valve or a sensor is a normal repair. A heat exchanger on an older boiler is a different conversation.
- Is it still under warranty? If it is, check that before paying for anything. The manufacturer may cover it.
Repair is usually the right call when…
- The boiler is under ten years old or so and has been serviced
- It’s a first fault, or it’s been reliable until now
- It’s a common part: a pump, a diverter valve, a fan, a sensor, a pressure relief valve, an expansion vessel
- The repair cost is small compared with the price of a new boiler
- It’s still under warranty
A lot of the faults people panic about fall into this list. Low pressure, no hot water but heating works, the boiler locking out. Most are straightforward boiler repairs.
Replacing starts to make sense when…
- It keeps breaking down. If you’re calling an engineer out every winter, those bills add up fast.
- Parts are hard to find. Waiting weeks for a part in January is no fun, and obsolete parts get pricey.
- A major part has failed on an older boiler, like the heat exchanger or the main circuit board, and the repair is a big chunk of the price of a new one.
- It’s a back boiler behind a gas fire. They’re very old technology, and they still turn up in older Bath homes.
- It’s corroded or leaking from the inside. Rust inside the casing usually means water has been getting where it shouldn’t for a long time.
- Your gas bills keep creeping up and the boiler is old and non-condensing. A modern condensing boiler wastes far less of the gas it burns.
Not sure which way to go? WhatsApp us the make and model and what it’s doing, or call 01225 970248, and we’ll go from there.
What each option costs
Repairing
Our call-out and diagnosis is £95 + VAT (£114 including VAT), which covers the first hour on site. Parts are extra. Repair costs vary with the part, so once I’ve found the fault you get a fixed price before any work starts. No guessing, and you can say no.
Replacing
From our boiler installation page, all including VAT:
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Combi boiler swap (like-for-like) | £2,500 to £4,000 |
| System or regular boiler installation | £2,500 to £4,200 |
| Switching from a system or regular boiler to a combi | From £3,500 |
| Back boiler conversion or full system upgrade | £3,500 to £6,000 |
Every installation includes a full system clean and a filter. You get a written fixed price after a free survey. The Viessmann boilers we recommend come with up to 12 years’ warranty (10 years on the Vitodens 050-W, 12 on the 100-W), registered by us. My guide on what a new boiler costs in Bath goes into what affects the price.
How I’ll help you decide
When I come out to a breakdown, I find the fault first. Then I’ll tell you:
- What’s wrong, in plain English
- What the repair costs, as a fixed price
- Whether I’d fix it if it were my boiler, and why
- If a new boiler makes more sense, roughly what that would cost, so you can compare
Then the decision’s yours.
Repair or replace FAQs
How old is too old for a boiler?
There’s no fixed age. A well-serviced boiler can run well past ten years. It’s the pattern of faults, the cost of parts and whether it’s still reliable that matter more than the age alone.
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old boiler?
It can be, if it’s a small, common part and the boiler has otherwise been reliable. If a major part has gone or it keeps breaking down, replacing it is often better value.
How much does a boiler repair cost in Bath?
Our call-out is £95 + VAT (£114 including VAT) for the first hour. Parts are extra, and you get a fixed price for the repair before any work starts.
Will a new boiler lower my gas bills?
If you’re replacing an old non-condensing boiler, usually yes, because modern condensing boilers waste much less gas. How much you save depends on your home and how you use the heating.
Can you fit a new boiler quickly if mine has broken down?
Yes, where we can. Tell us it’s urgent when you WhatsApp or call, and we’ll give you the earliest survey and fitting dates we have.
See what our customers say on our reviews page.
Whatever your boiler’s doing, I’ll find the fault, give you the price, and tell you honestly which way I’d go. Cheers.
WhatsApp Bath Eco Heat or call 01225 970248.
