Older Boiler on the Blink: Repair, Replace… or Rip It Out for a Heat Pump?

 


Older Boiler on the Blink: Repair, Replace… or Rip It Out for a Heat Pump?

It’s a familiar winter moment. The heating goes cold, the boiler makes a noise like a disgruntled badger, and suddenly you’re Googling “boiler repair near me” in a coat.

But if your boiler is old (say 10–15+ years), this breakdown is often a crossroads rather than a simple repair job. Do you:

  1. Patch it up,

  2. Replace it with another gas boiler, or

  3. Bite the bullet and switch to an air-source heat pump?

Let’s look at the real-world pros and cons — particularly from a UK perspective.

1️⃣ Repair the Existing Boiler: The “Just Get Me Through Winter” Option

When it makes sense

  • The boiler is under ~10 years old

  • The fault is minor (sensor, valve, fan)

  • Repair cost is under £300–£400

Pros

  • Cheapest short-term fix

  • Fast (often same day)

  • No disruption to radiators or pipework

Cons

  • Older boilers are inefficient (often <70%)

  • One repair often leads to another

  • Parts availability drops sharply with age

Reality check
If your boiler is 15–20 years old, a repair is often just buying time — not value.

2️⃣ Replace with a New Gas Boiler: Familiar, But Time-Limited

Typical cost
£2,000–£3,500 installed (depending on system changes)

Pros

  • Reliable, familiar technology

  • Works well with existing radiators

  • Cheaper upfront than a heat pump

Cons

  • Still burns fossil gas

  • Subject to volatile gas prices

  • Future regulations may restrict lifespan

  • Not eligible for major green grants

The big question
Would you install a brand-new petrol car knowing it might be restricted in 10–15 years?

Gas boilers aren’t being banned tomorrow — but they are being slowly edged out.

3️⃣ Switch to an Air-Source Heat Pump: The Long Game

Typical cost (UK)

  • £8,000–£14,000 installed

  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant: £7,500 off

Pros

  • 3–4× more efficient than gas

  • Very low running costs in a well-insulated home

  • Compatible with solar panels and batteries

  • Future-proofed against regulation changes

  • Big carbon-reduction win

Cons

  • Higher upfront cost (even after grant)

  • Works best with good insulation

  • Radiator upgrades sometimes needed

  • Slower “background heat” rather than blast heat

Important myth-buster
Modern heat pumps do work in UK winters, including sub-zero days — but insulation matters more than ever.

The Hidden Decider: Insulation, Not the Boiler

Before choosing any option, ask:

  • Do you have decent loft insulation?

  • Are cavity walls filled?

  • Are draughts under control?

A heat pump in a leaky house is like trying to heat the garden.

A Sensible Decision Path

Your boiler <10 years old & cheap fix?
👉 Repair.

Your boiler 10–15 years old & failing often?
👉 Replace or plan a heat pump.

Your boiler 15+ years old & home well-insulated?
👉 Heat pump strongly worth considering.

Your home poorly insulated?
👉 Insulate first — whatever you choose.

The Bigger Picture

Replacing a gas boiler today locks you into:

  • Gas price uncertainty

  • Carbon emissions

  • A system that may feel outdated sooner than expected

A heat pump is not just a heating upgrade — it’s a home-energy strategy, especially when paired with solar and batteries.

Bottom line

  • Repair = short-term survival

  • New gas boiler = familiar but finite

  • Heat pump = expensive upfront, cheaper and greener long-term

The “right” answer depends less on the boiler — and more on how your house holds heat.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Insulation: Can You Ever Have Enough?

Image
  Insulation: Can You Ever Have Enough ? Short answer: almost certainly not . Longer answer: many UK homes have some insulation, but far fewer have the right amount, in the right places, installed to modern standards . This blog looks at the crucial difference between what you have and what you should have – and why that gap matters for your comfort, bills, and carbon footprint. What Most Homes Have If your house was built before the 2000s, typical insulation looks like this: 🏠 Loft 100–150 mm of mineral wool Often patchy, compressed, or missing at the edges 🧱 Walls Cavity walls : may have older blown insulation (or none at all) Solid walls (common pre-1920): usually uninsulated 🪵 Floors Timber floors with no insulation underneath Draughts coming up through gaps you only notice in winter 🚪 Windows & doors Double glazing, but with: Poor seals Thermal bridges around frames This setup was once considered “reasonable”. By tod...
Read more

Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home

Image
  Caffeine With a Conscience: Sustainable Coffee at Home ( How to keep your brew strong but your footprint light ) For many of us, coffee is less a drink and more a survival mechanism. But behind every comforting cup is an industry that comes with a hefty environmental and social cost. From deforestation to exploitative labour , the true price of coffee can be far higher than what you pay at the till. The good news? You don’t have to give it up. You just need to drink it smarter. The Hidden Cost of Coffee Coffee production is linked to deforestation, water waste , and pesticide use . Global demand encourages intensive farming that depletes soils and biodiversity . Billions of single-use cups and pods end up in landfill every year. Your morning pick-me-up doesn’t have to be part of the problem. Choose Better Beans Look for certifications that mean something: Fairtrade : Farmers get a fairer deal. Rainforest Alliance : Supports biodiversity and sustainab...
Read more

Greenwashing 101: How to Spot It and Avoid It

Image
  Greenwashing 101: How to Spot It and Avoid It Because not everything with a leaf on it is eco-friendly. What Is Greenwashing? It’s when companies pretend to be environmentally friendly — but aren’t. They might slap on a green label, use words like natural or eco , or show a smiling Earth mascot… all while selling a product that’s anything but sustainable . Greenwashing is marketing spin dressed up as planet love. Why It Matters When you fall for greenwashing: You waste money 💸 You support dodgy practices 🚫 You feel good — but nothing actually changes 🌍 Real sustainability gets drowned out by noise. And your good intentions are used against you. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For Vague or "Fluffy" Language:   Look for buzzwords that sound good but lack specific meaning or legal definition, such as "natural," "eco-friendly," "sustainable," or "green". Misleading or Fake Labels:   Be cautious of self-made labels t...
Read more