How old is your boiler? Knowing the age of your boiler is extremely useful as it can indicate how well your boiler is performing, when the warranty will be expiring and how efficient it will be.
Like anything that’s heavily mechanical and used on a daily basis, it will be prone to wear and tear and eventually need to be replaced.
So, how can you find out how old your boiler is?
How To Find Out When Your Boiler Was Installed in the UK
Here are the steps to follow in order 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 as it will be on a sticker containing a barcode, usually on the exterior panel of the boilers casing.
The serial code can contain both letters and numbers, but its a good idea to check your boiler’s manual if you are having issues finding it.
The number contains details about your specific model, as well as the date it was manufactured.
Wondering which boiler manufacturers performed best? Check out our best boiler brands guide for the full rundown and if you are trying to determine who the best boiler installation company is, check out our Warmzilla and Boxt reviews.
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 their serial numbers on the sticker on the front of the boiler panel, or inside the interface panel.
If the Baxi boiler was manufacturered post 2003 onwards, the 4th and 5th digits will be the year it was made, while the 6th and 7th digits indicate the exact week.
For instance, if the serial number is BCP0215956568CX, the digits 0207 means the boiler was made in 2007 in the 15th week of that year.
In the event that your Baxi boiler is older than 2003, your option is to give your serial number to Baxi who can inform you of the date the boiler was made.
Want to learn how to use your boiler better? Read our complete guide on boiler flow temperature, how to optimise your boiler settings and 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, you can check the installation manual that came with it.
Inside you will discover the Benchmark Certificate that should provide details such as the manufacture date.
If you do not have access to this, then some Ideal boiler models also have a sticker on the boiler’s casing. In particular, the following models differ:
Ideal Logic And Ideal M
IF you have either an Ideal Logic or Ideal M, you can likely locate 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 boilers manufacturing date.
If the boiler was made prior to 2005, the date format will be YY/MM/DD, but after 2005, this was changed to DD/MM/YY.
Ideal Classic
If you have the Ideal Classic, then the serial number will be shorter at around 18 digits long and this is on a stocker, typically on top of the boiler.
For instance, the serial number may be UZ 34565 0808, in which case the third set of digits show the manufacturing date, which in this example is 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, it shows the month and year. This will be at the end of the code, specifically the last four digits.
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 if you are interested to find out more.
You may also find our review of the best eco-friendly boilers of interest.
How Old Is My Worcester Bosch Boiler?
Even though Worcester Bosch are one of the UK’s leading boiler brands, it’s surprisingly difficult to work out their age if you are not an engineer.
Unlike other manufacturers the numbers are designed for internal company use only, so you will need to contact Worcester Bosch for help.
How Old Is My Valliant Boiler?
If you have a Vaillant boiler, then you can figure out its age by checking the serial number found on the sticker, usually inside of the control panel on the front of the boiler.
The Serial number will be at least 20 digits long and the third and fourth digits represent the year and week of creation.
For example, if the third digit is 0 and fourth is 8, the boiler was made in 2008.
Is a Boiler Ever Too Old?
The average boiler lasts for around 10 years until it needs replacing with a new one.
There are some key things to look out for to know your boiler is too old and needs to be replaced:
Decreasing Efficiency & Energy Rising Bills
If you notice that your heating bills are higher than they used to be, one potential cause is as old inefficient boiler no longer operating at its optimum efficiency.
A boilers age is one of the main factors in efficiency and as they age their efficiency falls, meaning they will release more carbon and cost more to run.
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 you notice that your home isn’t getting as warm as it used to, despite you making no changes to your property and having an older boiler, the aged boiler may be the culprit.
This is related to wear and tear and various components in the old boiler may not be working at their optimum.
Regular Repairs & Breakdowns
An older boiler has more wear and tear and more likely to need parts replaced, this makes a breakdown much more likely, hence why it often makes more financial sense to get an old boiler replaced with a new model.
The issue issue is that the warranty in old boilers is no longer valid, so any major repairs and emergency call out fees will have to be paid for by you alone, which can quickly add up.
Heard about the gas boiler ban and wondering what the alternatives to gas boilers are? Read our complete guide to replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump.
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, the time has probably arrived to replace your boiler.
Older boilers are also less efficient e.g. a boiler that is 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.
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 as the boiler really does start to deteriorate with age past the 10 year mark.
What size boiler is right for your home? If you are thinking about 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?
The price of a new boiler can vary depending on a variety of factors, but you will likely pay from £1,400 to £2,500, which includes the boiler itself and the Gas Safe installation.
The exact cost is dependant on the type of boiler you want to have installed, the brand, warranty and the size of the boiler, as well as if you want to move your boilers location.
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).
The typical advice is to get a few different quotes from local plumbers to make sure you are getting the best value for money.
It’s also a good idea to start researching the various boiler brands and finding out what type of support and the length of warranty 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
Replacing an old, inefficient boiler that is 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 at all.