Knowing the age of your boiler is extremely useful. It can indicate when the warranty will expire, how well your boiler performs, and how efficient it is. If you want to know ‘how old is my boiler,’ here’s how.
Like anything heavily mechanical and used daily, it will be prone to wear and tear and eventually need to be replaced.
Knowing how old your boiler is makes it easier to know when it’s time for a new one.
Old boilers can be fuel-guzzling monsters, meaning you’ll pay more than you need to for home heating and hot water.
A boiler’s efficiency drastically drops with age, and the chances of faults and breakdowns increase, resulting in expensive repair costs.
Depending on where you live in the UK, replacing an old boiler with a new, A-rated condensing boiler can save up to £475 annually on fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
But how can you find out how old your boiler is?
This guide explores various ways to determine the age of your boiler based on the brand. It also reveals signs that your boiler is getting old.
Key Takeaways:
- Checking your boiler’s serial number or barcode is the quickest way to determine its age.
- Signs that your boiler is aging include rising fuel bills, your home not getting as warm as it used to, regular breakdowns and repairs, odd noises, and difficulty finding replacement parts.
- You can save money on fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint by replacing your old boiler with a new, A-rated condensing boiler.
How To Find Out When Your Boiler Was Installed in the UK
Here are the steps to follow to determine your boiler’s age:
Examine the Boilers Serial Number/Code
The quickest route to determining the age of your boiler is to check its serial number.
This number is usually easy to identify. It will be on a sticker containing a barcode, usually on the exterior panel of the boiler casing.
On some boilers, you can also find the barcode sticker or label on the bottom of the boiler, the drop-down panel, or the installation manual.
The serial code can contain letters and numbers. However, it’s a good idea to check your boiler’s manual if you have issues finding it.
The number contains details about your specific model and the date it was manufactured.
Wondering which boiler manufacturers performed best? Check out our best boiler brands guide for the full rundown. To determine the best boiler installation company, check out our Warmzilla and Boxt reviews.
Check out our video on how to vet boiler brands/models in the UK:
How Old Is My Baxi Boiler?
If you have a Baxi boiler, the good news is that it’s quite straightforward to find out its age.
Baxi boilers have serial numbers on the sticker on the front of the boiler panel, or inside the interface panel.
If the Baxi boiler was manufactured after 2003, the 4th and 5th digits are the year it was made. The 6th and 7th digits indicate the exact week.
For instance, if the serial number is BCP0215956568CX, the digit 0207 means the boiler was made in 2007 in the 15th week of that year.
If you installed your Baxi boiler before 2003, you’ll need to give your serial number to Baxi. They can inform you of the boiler’s manufacture date.
Want to learn how to use your boiler better? Read our complete guide on boiler flow temperature, and how to optimise your boiler settings. You can also find out how much gas a boiler uses here.
How Old Is My Ideal Boiler?
If you want to know the age of your Ideal boiler, check the installation manual that came with it.
Inside, you will discover the Benchmark Certificate, which should provide details such as the manufacture date.
If you cannot access the installation manual, some Ideal boiler models have a sticker on the boiler’s casing. In particular, the following models differ:
Ideal Logic And Ideal M
Ideal Logic and Ideal M models usually have the serial number on the top of the boiler.
The code is typically 25 digits long and divided into three, with the last two representing the boiler’s manufacturing date.
If the boiler was made before 2005, the date format can be YY/MM/DD. However, after 2005, this was changed to DD/MM/YY.
Ideal Classic
If you have the Ideal Classic, the serial number will be shorter at around 17 or 18 digits long. You can find the serial number on a barcode sticker, typically on top of the boiler.
For instance, the serial number may be UZ 34565 0808. In such a case the third set of digits shows the manufacturing date, the 8th week of 2008.
Ideal Mini
If you have an Ideal Mini, then these models have quite short serial numbers and do not show the week.
Instead, the serial numbers show the month and year. You can determine them by looking at the last four digits at the end of the code.
For example, if the last four digits are 0607, the boiler was made in June 2007.
Did you know the efficiency of your boiler can impact the amount of energy it uses and ultimately impact your heating bill costs? Check out our guide to the best condensing boilers to learn more.
You may also find our review of the best eco-friendly boilers of interest.
How Old Is My Worcester Bosch Boiler?
Worcester Bosch is one of the UK’s leading boiler brands. However, it’s surprisingly difficult to work out the age of a Bosch boiler if you’re not an engineer.
Unlike other manufacturers, the numbers are designed for internal company use only and have production dates coded. Therefore, you’ll need to contact Worcester Bosch for help determining the age of your boiler.
How Old Is My Valliant Boiler?
You can determine the age of a Vaillant boiler by checking the serial number on the sticker or label. The label is usually inside the control panel on the front of the boiler.
The Serial number will be at least 20 digits long. The third and fourth digits represent the year of manufacture. The following two numbers show the assembly week.
For example, if the third digit is 0 and the fourth is 8, the boiler was made in 2008.
What Are The Signs That My Boiler Is Getting Old?
Before deciding whether to repair or replace your boiler, you’ll need to verify its age.
Here are some key things to look out for to know you need to replace your boiler:
Decreasing Efficiency & Energy Rising Bills
Are your heating bills higher than they used to be? It may mean your boiler is getting older and no longer operating at its optimum efficiency.
A boiler’s age is one of the main factors affecting efficiency. As your boiler ages, its efficiency falls, meaning it releases more carbon and wastes more fuel.
Wear and tear causes your boiler to lose its ability to maintain optimum efficiency. It will cost you more to run, especially if it’s an old, non-condensing boiler.
The table below shows how efficiency drops as your boiler ages:
| Boiler Age | Efficiency Percentage | Efficiency Rating (ErP) |
| 0+ Years | 90% + | A |
| 10+ Years | 85% + | B/C |
| 15+ Years | 80% + | C/D |
| 20+ Years | 70% + | E/F |
| 25+ Years | 60% + | G |
Got a common boiler problem? Check out our quick-fix guide on boiler lockout, boiler ignition faults, boiler PCB faults, faulty diverter valves, and boiler timer issues.
Colder Home & Hot Water
If your home isn’t getting as warm as it used to, your aged boiler may be the culprit.
As your boiler ages, wear and tear on various components makes it harder to produce adequate heating and hot water.
A new boiler will be more effective at keeping your house warm and producing hot water.
Regular Repairs & Breakdowns
Older boilers are prone to regular breakdowns and repairs. Boilers have many moving parts that are regularly exposed to heat.
Over time, the parts deteriorate as a result of normal ageing and eventually fail, making it necessary to replace or repair them.
The warranty for an old boiler will likely be voided, so you’ll have to pay for any major repairs and emergency call-outs. Repair or part replacement costs can quickly add up and reach or exceed the costs of a new boiler.
Therefore, it can make more financial sense to replace your old boiler with a new model to avoid constant repairs and the inconvenience of an unreliable boiler.
Have you heard about the gas boiler ban and are wondering what the alternatives to gas boilers are? Read our complete guide to replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump.
Parts Are Harder To Find
If it’s becoming harder to find the right parts for your boiler, your heating system is very old.
Manufacturers may no longer produce parts for considerably old boilers, so finding replacement parts can be challenging.
Parts unavailability is a sign you need to get a new boiler, especially if you’re using an old back boiler with outdated parts and features that can pose a safety risk.
Odd Noises and Smells
Strange whistling, gurgling, banging, or clanking noises from your boiler can be a symptom of an aging boiler with underlying issues.
It may mean limescale has built up over the years and is causing kettling, or your boiler has loose parts and other malfunctions.
Older boilers can also have poor combustion or gas leaks that can be serious and usually present peculiar smells.
When Should I Replace My Boiler?
If your boiler is over 10 years old, no longer has a warranty, and is frequently breaking down and needing repairs, you should probably replace it with a new A-rated model.
Older boilers are less efficient. For example, a boiler over 10 years old may have dropped in efficiency by around 10%, meaning that it will be using more fuel and cost you more to run.
The more you hold off, the lower the efficiency, resulting in higher heating bills.
As a result, it’s often a good time to start researching a new boiler as your boiler reaches its 10-year birthday.
This will give you enough time to source a fair price for an installation and help you avoid any emergency breakdown costs.
What size boiler is right for your home? If you are considering a combi boiler, it is largely determined by the number of radiators in your home.
Check out our complete guide to new boiler installation here if you are wondering about the best type of boiler for your home.
How much may a new boiler cost? Are you considering converting from a conventional to a combi boiler? Use our boiler installation cost calculator to get an estimation.
How Much Can A New Boiler Cost?
New boiler costs can range between £600 and £3,600 in the UK.
The table below shows the average costs for different types of boilers, excluding and including installation.
| New Boiler Type | Cost (excl. Installation) | Cost (inc. Installation) |
|---|---|---|
| Combi swap | £600 – £2,000 | £1,500 – £3,500 |
| System boiler | £500 – £2,500 | £1,700 – £3,600 |
| Conventional boiler | £600 – £3,500 | £1,700 – £3,000 |
| Electric boiler | £600 – £2,500 |
The price of a new boiler can vary depending on various factors. These include:
- The type of boiler, e.g., combi boiler, system, or heat only.
- The brand of the boiler.
- The boiler warranty length that comes with the boiler.
- If you want the boiler moved to a new location on your property.
- The location of the boiler, e.g., in some cases, you may need scaffolding, which can increase the price.
- Any extras, e.g., radiators, pipework, a power flush, or thermostats.
- Whether it’s an emergency call-out or not.
If you have a boiler that requires a hot water storage tank e.g. a system or conventional boiler, then this may also need to be replaced (although unlikely as they can last up to 20 years).
Ensure you get different quotes from reputable installers to get the best value for money.
It’s also a good idea to start researching the various boiler brands and determine the type of support and warranty length they offer.
Wondering how much a new boiler costs? Check out our guide on options available if you need a new boiler but can’t afford it, as well as boilers on finance and government boiler grants here.
How Old is My Boiler Conclusion
You can determine the age of your boiler by examining the serial number or barcode. These are usually easy to find on a sticker or label on the exterior panel of the boiler casing.
Some models also have the sticker or label on the bottom of the boiler, the drop-down panel, or the installation manual.
Watch out for signs that show your boiler is aging and needs replacing. These can include rising fuel bills caused by decreased efficiency, your home not getting as warm as it used to, regular breakdowns and repairs, odd noises, and difficulty finding replacement parts.
Replacing an old, inefficient boiler prone to breakdowns and repairs can save you several hundreds of pounds and that’s in energy costs alone.
That’s why it often makes financial sense to replace an old boiler sooner rather than later, as it will likely pay for itself in no time.
Sources and References
- https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/boilers/