As we head into winter, it’s time to make sure your boiler is up to the task of keeping your home warm when the snow starts to fall. If you just had your boiler replaced or think it may be time to start thinking about it, you may be wondering how long the common boiler is supposed to last on average. While there are many factors that play into this answer, Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning is here to talk about how long you can expect your boiler to last and what you can do to extend its life.

Cast Iron Water or Steam Boiler Life Expectancy

If you have a cast iron water boiler that has been installed properly, you can expect to get 20 or more years out of it. While some people may make claims that they get considerably more time out of their cast iron boiler, it is important to note that it isn’t the norm. For a steam boiler, you won’t get quite as much out of it, but as with anything, it depends on how you care for and maintain it when it comes to longevity.

High Efficiency Boiler Life Expectancy

High efficiency boilers aren’t made of cast iron and won’t last as long as the cast iron options will. They aren’t made of materials that are as durable as cast iron. Some people compare cast iron boilers to a semi-truck engine and a high efficiency boiler to the engine in a sports car. The semi-truck engine is built to last much longer than other engines are. The same goes for these boilers. While the high efficiency boiler is going to likely cost less to operate because it is so efficient, you can only plan to get about 15 years out of it before replacing.

How to Extend the Life of Your Boiler

Just like any other appliance, the better you maintain it, the longer it will last. It is essential that you have your boiler inspected and serviced at least once a year. This will help you catch repairs before they are big and more costly. Another important way to extend its life is to ensure it is installed properly. If your boiler is installed improperly from the beginning, you will probably have constant problems with it. And lastly, you need to make sure the boiler in your home is the correct size for your space. A boiler that is too large or too small will work twice as hard to keep your home warm and will need to be replaced sooner.

Boiler & Furnace Sales, Installation, Replacement, Repairs, Maintenance & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam, Massachusetts

If you fear that your boiler has reached the end of its life, you can count on the experts at Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning to inspect it and give our honest opinion as to what your next step should be. Whether you need to simply repair your boiler or replace it all together, you can count on us to do the job right. Call us today!