When is the right time to replace a commercial boiler?

Companies that depend entirely on the boiler to control the workplace temperature cannot afford a boiler shutdown. Any disruption caused due to a boiler problem will lead to a huge loss. Employees will not be able to operate the machines without the boiler. Regular maintenance and proper handling will increase the lifetime of the boiler but it is difficult to predict the exact date of shutdown. It is prudent to replace your aged boiler before it collapses totally. We are listing down the factors which will help you decide when to purchase a new boiler.

Age of the boiler

Unlike residential boilers, commercial boilers have a longer lifetime. The average lifetime could range between 25-35. Check your company records to identify how old the boiler is. The probability of a boiler failure increases when the boiler is more than 30 years old. We would highly recommend you to replace the boiler after 30 years of usage. Aged boilers not only have a higher chance of failure but will also lack efficiency. You will be paying a higher energy cost each month with your old inefficient boiler.

Leaks

One of the routine checks to be done on a commercial boiler is to detect leaks early. It is possible that aged boilers might have a leak and it should be detected and fixed early. If the leak is huge or is repetitive then it is high time to replace the boiler. If the leak becomes bigger, then it is hazardous for the employees and will also lead to a total shut down of operations.

Consistency of heating

A properly working boiler should heat all the areas of the company equally. If the boiler is facing some problem then it might not heat consistently. Check for frequent complaints about heating from your employees, customers, vendors, etc. This will give you some valuable insight into the performance of the boiler. If you notice frequent complaints then it is a sign that your aged boiler is going to collapse soon. Check it out thoroughly with a boiler engineer and arrange for a replacement if necessary. Give us a call if you are located in Wakefield. Our boiler engineers will review your boiler and provide a detailed report.

A sudden increase in energy cost

Running a commercial boiler is a huge overhead on the expenses of any business. Though the cost of buying and installing the boiler is a one-time expense, the operating costs are huge. The bulk of the operating cost is the fuel it consumes each month. Track your monthly energy bills to detect an alarming increase. If you witness a huge increase in the monthly bill then it indicates that the boiler has lost its efficiency. If this repeats for the 2 consecutive months then it is a good time to replace the boiler. When you see a surge in the energy bill, get your boiler serviced once. If the spike in fuel cost comes down after servicing, then nothing to worry. If there is no drop in energy cost, then you need to buy a new boiler.