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Oil boilers are common for UK home heating, especially in rural areas where natural gas is not available. These boilers heat your home with oil or kerosene. How long do oil boilers last?
Oil boilers typically last 15–30 years. Your oil boiler’s quality, maintenance, and use will determine its lifespan. Oil boiler lifespan depends on proper maintenance. This includes replacing the filter, checking the oil supply, and having a professional annual service of the boiler. Failure to maintain your oil boiler might shorten its lifespan and cost you money.
Boiler quality also affects longevity. A high-quality, energy-efficient oil boiler may last longer and be cheaper to operate. The frequency of boiler use also affects the oil boiler lifespan. Boilers used frequently, such as those in large families or to heat a vast room, may last less.
Hire a dependable and skilled professional to ensure a proper oil boiler installation in your home.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how long oil boilers last.
Understanding the Lifespan
How long an oil boiler lasts depends on things like the brand, type, how well it is taken care of, and how often it is used. An oil boiler that is well taken care of can last between 15 and 30 years on average. Regular maintenance and proper care can make it last longer while skipping maintenance can cause it to wear out faster and even break down.
What Maintenance Does An Oil Boiler Require?
Saving energy is becoming more and more important. It may come as a surprise, but if you don’t keep your boiler properly, it can become less and less efficient.
Maintaining your oil boiler is important to make sure it works safely, reliably, and efficiently (you don’t want a freezing home or a sudden cold shower!). Maintenance can also keep you from having to pay a lot for fixes, which will save you money and lower your heating bill.
This article talks about why oil boiler maintenance is important and what you can do to make sure your unit keeps running at its best.
Why is Oil Boiler Maintenance Important?
Oil boilers are great for heating your home and water, keeping you cosy and toasty in the winter. But just like with any other heating system, it’s very important to keep your oil boiler in good shape to ensure its proper operation.
- Help people find problems with their boilers early before they get worse—A yearly service can help you spot problems early, but you still need to know what to look for and what to do to make sure your boiler is working right. You don’t want a boiler that doesn’t work well or an unexpectedly high repair bill that you could have avoided.
- Can help reduce costs—If you don’t check on your boiler and have it maintained regularly, you might not know that it is running inefficiently and costing you more on your energy bills than it should.
- Make sure the boiler is safe to use—Like most home equipment, oil-fired boilers that aren’t well taken care of can give off small amounts of carbon monoxide. These traces can kill you with carbon monoxide if you are not careful.
What's Involved in Oil Boiler Maintenance?
There are some helpful things you can do as a homeowner to make your oil boiler last longer and keep you from having to buy a new one if something goes wrong.
To keep your oil boiler in fine shape, you should service it once a year. But here are some other things you can do to keep it in good shape:
Back Boiler Replacement Scheme
Keep The Oil Tank Full
Oil boilers operate by burning oil, so it shouldn’t be surprising that checking the oil line is part of normal boiler maintenance. That is especially important in the winter, when you may use your boiler more often.
As soon as you notice that your oil tank is almost empty, you should fill it up again. It’s best not to let the oil level drop too low or run out completely, as this could pull any water or trash from the tank’s bottom into the oil line or, if you absolutely run out, let air in.
When you replace the oil tank after running out, you might need to turn the boiler off and on more than once to get the oil to flow. If the boiler fails to relight, you must contact a trained engineer.
Watch the Water Pressure
It’s easy to forget to check your system’s water flow regularly. But if your heating system is protected, it’s an important part of keeping your boiler in good shape. In most oil boilers, the pressure can be seen on a gauge on the outside.
You should always check the boiler’s instructions for information on the right pressure. If the pressure in your boiler has dropped below the minimum level, you may need to manually raise it by opening the refill loop until the pressure gauge reads the right level.
Low water flow on a regular basis could mean that your unit has a problem. There may be a leak or a problem with the way the system was installed, and this needs to be fixed right away. Therefore, if you notice that the pressure is dropping often and you have to keep it up, it might be time to call an expert engineer or book your yearly service, if it’s due.
Check for Corrosion
If you want to keep your oil boiler working efficiently, you’ll need to take every precaution against corrosion. Corrosion can creep into any of your system’s components, including your radiator, boiler unit, or pipes.
You can treat the system’s water by adding an inhibitor to prevent corrosion. This will help protect the system and reduce the levels of corrosion that occur. If you haven’t already got one as part of your oil boiler service, you can ask your engineer to fit a magnetic filter into the system. This will help prevent debris and blockages, can be emptied and cleaned on the annual service, and ultimately help fight against corrosion.
Do A Visual Inspection
When you’re checking on its health or getting it ready for service, you might want to do an eye inspection or spot check on your boiler. This will help you raise any concerns you have with your engineer and get them sorted out as quickly as possible.
During your visual assessment, here are some things you can do:
- Look for water leaks around and under your oil boiler.
- If you have a pressure gauge, check the pressure and make sure it stays in the range that the boiler manual or instructions say it should be.
- Check for error codes. These may show that your boiler has different issues that can be fixed during a service. Write down the fault number so you can give it to your engineer.
- Watch out for any strange sounds or noises coming from your heating system. Find where the noise is coming from and let your engineer know when they fix your boiler.
Book an Oil Boiler Service
To maintain your warranty, you must service your oil boiler annually.
Without it, your system may malfunction and require costly repairs. Paying the annual oil boiler servicing expense is better than costly repairs or replacements.
We don’t recommend Gas Safe engineers for oil boilers, but they can handle most gas boilers. To schedule oil boiler service, contact an OFTEC-registered engineer.
OFTEC-registered engineers can maintain, repair, and service your oil boiler and know how to keep it running well.
How To Increase The Boiler Lifespan
One of the easiest yet most efficient ways to care for your boiler is to ensure it has an annual servicing. An OFTEC boiler engineer will carry out vital checks to assist guarantee your boiler stays running no matter the weather. Not only does a yearly service ensure your boiler will stay functioning safely and properly, but it also retains your warranty.
Another approach to increase the life of your boiler and deal with dirt buildup is to attach a magnetic system filter to it. This helpful device helps your boiler perform to its best potential, getting rid of any pollutants from the water that goes through your central heating system.
Summary
Hope, you are clear now about the topic of how long do oil boilers last. Maintaining your oil boiler requires more than an annual service call. It means regular inspection of its performance, and with easy checks, you can help keep it running smoothly and efficiently, too.
By following a maintenance schedule, you can keep your home warm, comfortable, and cosy while also reducing your heating bills.
Do you think your oil boiler is ready for an upgrade? Contact us today. We are providing the best installation of air source heat pumps under the government-backed ECO4 scheme. The main objective of this scheme is to provide free heating grants to low-income households to upgrade their home’s heating system. So, under the ECO4 scheme, you can get an energy-efficient electric heat pump to save on energy bills and heat your home efficiently. So, if you are eligible, you can benefit from this amazing support. We are here to assist you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Service Your Boiler?
An annual boiler service is ideal. Proper boiler maintenance can keep it running all year, making boiler service easier and possibly lowering repair costs. Service your boiler annually to maintain its warranty.
How Do You Know When To Service Your Boiler?
A boiler service should be done annually, usually around the same time. If you haven’t done so in the past year, a service may be worth booking. From now on, schedule annual maintenance.
Can You Perform Your Oil Boiler Service At Home?
Home oil boiler maintenance includes checking water pressure, adjusting if needed, and physically evaluating the system. For complete oil boiler servicing, contact an OFTEC-qualified professional. You should never service a boiler yourself.
