With the colder months approaching quickly, one of your top priorities right now is most likely keeping yourself and your family warm and comfortable as temperatures outside begin to drop. 

From making sure that your kid wears a scarf on their way to school to changing to warmer bedding for those cold nights, there are several things you can do to keep your loved ones warm. While layers are a great option, there’s one thing you simply can’t do without as it gets chillier: a properly functioning boiler. 

But how can you tell whether your boiler is up to the task of warming up your home? And what are the signs that it’s time to have your boiler checked by a professional? Or even replaced? We’re answering all these questions below, so keep reading to find out! 

Worried woman calling a boiler breakdown emergency service using her smartphone

Can my boiler handle my family’s heating needs?

This question is crucial, as your boiler is at the heart of your central heating system and ensures that your home stays nice and warm and that your taps and showers can supply enough hot water for the entire family. 

Your boiler is probably the right fit for your household’s energy needs if it has a high efficiency rating, if you benefit from consistent heating, and if you don’t notice any issues with your hot water. 

Since you’ll be relying heavily on your boiler during the colder months, it’s good to keep an eye out for any signs that your boiler may need some extra attention and maintenance before heading into winter. 

What should I look out for when it comes to my boiler?

There are several ways in which you can tell that your boiler isn’t performing optimally. The first signs are obvious: your home may not be warm consistently. You can tell this if your loved ones complain about being cold even though the heating is on or by touching your radiators and finding that they’re cold or only warm at the top. 

In addition to affecting your family’s comfort, your boiler will also cost you quite a lot of money on your monthly energy bills if it doesn’t operate efficiently. So, keep an eye on your bills for any abnormal expenses, especially if you know that your family’s energy consumption habits haven’t changed. 

At the same time, a boiler that doesn’t work properly will let you know by the sounds it makes. Noises like gurgling, banging, or hissing are quite common when a boiler is damaged. Your boiler may also emit unusual smells which can signal a gas leak, in which case it’s crucial to contact a professional immediately. 

What should I do if my boiler doesn’t work well?

The answer to this question is easy: Contact a professional. They can advise you about the best course of action when it comes to your boiler. Maybe it needs some maintenance or minimal repairs. In some cases, however, you may need to replace your boiler to ensure your family’s comfort. 

Of course, this will not exactly come cheap. New boiler prices and installation fees vary depending on your location in the world. You can do some googling and find price comparisons based on where you live. In the UK, for instance, some homeowners check GreenMatch to find out what the current boiler replacement cost is. So, maybe you can find a similar platform that offers general information about boiler prices in your area. 

You can also talk to multiple local installers to find out how much they charge for a new boiler installation or compare several manufacturers to secure the best deal for your boiler upgrade. 

Conclusion 

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what you can do as a mom to make sure that your loved ones stay warm and comfy this winter season. By looking for the telltale signs that something’s wrong with your boiler and acting on time, you can ensure that your heating system can properly attend to your household’s energy needs.