Can I get financial help to change my ageing boiler?

My boiler is 13 years old. Should I replace it? 

If I do need to get a new one, how much will it cost and can I get any help paying for it? 

Or should I be replacing it with a heat pump? BM, Clapham, London  

Ruth Jackson-Kirby replies: Your boiler has served you well, but its age doesn’t automatically mean it needs to be replaced. ‘There isn’t a set number of years for when to replace a boiler as it depends on the type, your home and how you use it,’ says Hannah Hughes, a heating engineer at British Gas. 

You can look out for warning signs that your boiler is reaching the end of its life – such as frequent breakdowns, noises such as humming, vibrating, banging or a water leak. 

Also, keep an eye on your bills and the warmth of your house. As your boiler gets older, it will become less efficient, meaning your bills may start to creep up – beyond the price rises currently affecting all of us – and your radiators could take longer to warm up. 

Your boiler should have an annual service. This is always a good time to ask the engineer if it is getting to the end of its life. 

How much you’ll pay for a new boiler depends on the type you need, the brand and model you choose, and the size. On average you can expect to spend around £2,500, according to the Energy Saving Trust. 

‘When replacing your old boiler, it’s always a good idea to go for a more efficient model. Although this is usually the more expensive option, an efficient boiler can reward you with cheaper bills in the long run,’ says Bethany Howell from The Eco Experts. 

For example, replacing an old G-rated boiler in a semi-detached house with an A-rated condensing boiler will cost around £4,000, but then it should save you around £540 a year. 

There are several Government schemes that can help you with the cost of replacing your boiler if you meet the criteria. 

The Energy Company Obligation boiler replacement scheme replaces old, inefficient broken boilers for free. To qualify you need to receive at least one benefit, such as income support or disability living allowance. You also need to be the homeowner. 

Alternatively, in Wales the Nest scheme provides free boilers to homeowners and tenants who receive certain benefits or have a chronic medical condition. 

In Scotland, the Warmer Homes Scheme provides free boilers and insulation to homeowners and tenants who are struggling to pay their energy bills and have lived in their home for at least 12 months. 

You can check if you qualify for a grant with the Simple Energy Advice calculator at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/grant-eligibility/ questionnaire.

If you aren’t eligible for a Government scheme you could still spread the cost of your new boiler. Energy providers including British Gas, EDF and Eon all offer interest-free deals. For example, British Gas offers five years of interest-free credit on new boilers. 

Some boiler manufacturers also offer interest-free deals, including Worcester Bosch. 

‘When it comes to replacing your boiler, it’s worth considering heat pumps – if your home is suitable,’ says Howell. ‘This efficient heating system can save homeowners an average of £6,700 on energy bills over its lifetime, since it lasts between 20 and 25 years, whereas a boiler needs replacing every ten years or so.’ 

To install a heat pump system, your house needs to have either underfloor heating or radiators that are two and a half times larger than regular ones. This is because heat pumps don’t produce as much heat as a boiler, so they need a larger surface area to reach the same level of warmth. 

You will also need space for a hot water cylinder if you don’t already have one. That’s because a heat pump can’t provide hot water on demand like a ‘combi’ boiler. 

The upfront costs for an air source heat pump are higher than a traditional boiler. It will cost between £7,000 and £13,000, according to the Energy Savings Trust. 

The good news is you can get a £5,000 grant towards the cost from the Government. The grant is available to anyone living in England and Wales. 

You need to use an MCS-certified installer and agree a quote with them – they can then apply for the grant.