Central Heating Boiler Life

[Yer Bahookie]

Our central heating boiler is 12 years old and has been regularly serviced. It recently started to get a bit noisy but still works. However, the last time we had it serviced we were told that it was almost at the end of its life and would need to be replaced soon. I thought a gas boiler would have been designed to last longer than that. Any comments?

[buildersmate]

15 years is probably an average life of a boiler, and it depends on the make, the servicing done, the hardness of the water and the correct use of inhibitor.
If your technician is saying this and you trust him/her, then its probably right. Its a bit like an old car - the chance of a complete failure is increased.

[KARL]

Buildersmate is correct regarding there being a number of factors in this question. In all probability the noise you refer to is localised boiling within the boiler due either to buildup of sludge, scale or just possibly both. The former can be removed by simple flushing, the latter by more thorough flushing using an agent such as that offered by Fernox. If using an agent you will also reveal whether there are weaknesses in the entire system (not just boiler) and you may get early leaks as a result - but if an inhibitor has protected the system from new you will likely only have happy results. Our boiler is 34 years old and still going as well as when new (we monitor the efficiency). With our usage we are very happy with the results whereby with 24 hour demand (i.e. not timed) we have a minimum nighttime temperature of 18 degrees and daytime of 20. Annual cost at current price of gas is about �500 for the 150 square metre house with high ceilings in the majority of it.