Be that as it may, however, all monarchs die (except, seemingly, for Queen Elizabeth) and when that happens a successor is named. But assuming your boiler hasn’t completely conked out, how do you know it’s at death’s door?  In other words, how do you know it’s time to replace it vs. making repairs? For starters, ask yourself the following four questions:

1. How old is the boiler?

Whether your boiler is made of steel or cast iron, the metal will deteriorate as the boiler gets older. This is because rust develops, and continues to develop, where the metal and water meet. Eventually the metal gets so thin the boiler leaks steam or water – not so good (understatement). Check the condition of the rust. It might be counter-intuitive, but the larger the boiler the easier this is. A steel boiler with more than 100 horsepower, typically found in multi-family buildings, is equipped with manhole covers that are relatively easy to remove. Otherwise, it’s necessary to shut it down and drain the water to look inside, and a professional should be used. 

2. Do you have an old coal boiler that was switched over to oil or gas? 

If so, it may be time to look at a replacement. And if gas, does it have a pilot light rather than an electronic ignition? A pilot light uses a small amount of fuel 24/7 to keep the burner ready to ignite (and we’ve all had that fun experience of using a match when the pilot light goes out). Modern boilers are equipped with a much more energy-efficient ignition, with a pilot light started by an electronic spark. It burns only when a heating cycle is ready to begin and shuts off as soon as the heat source ignites. It is not worry-free, however; like any other metal component the ignition can crack over time due to wear and tear from expanding and contracting. 

3. Is the boiler oversized for your building? 

If so, you might want to consider modifying it to lower its operating capacity rather than replacing it. 

4. Do you want to lessen your environmental footprint? 

A modern, energy-efficient upgrade and a new high-efficiency heating system may decrease your furnace’s pollution output by half.

Choosing to purchase vs. repair a boiler is often an occasion to clutch your heart (joking) and furrow your brow (not joking). For an expert opinion, call us. We’ll be happy to discuss it with you over the phone or come out and take a look.  

For all of your plumbing , water leak, sewer and gas line needs, day or night, drop Combat Plumbing a line!