Repair vs Replace:
How To Determine The Right Call?
Nothing lasts forever — even your boiler. But your facility depends on your commercial boiler and its reliable operation. Consider these important factors before deciding whether to repair or replace this essential part of your system.
Service Life
While the age of your boiler is an obvious consideration, replacement age depends on the type of boiler and how well it has been maintained. A well-maintained firetube or cast iron boiler can last 30 years or more. A condensing boiler can have a service life of 15 to 20 years when properly maintained.
If a boiler is nearing the end of its service life, that may be the deciding factor in the decision to replace. Continually repairing a boiler near the end of its service life can cost more in the long term than replacing it.
Frequent Issues
Be sure to look at your boiler’s operating history. Check to see if the same problem keeps happening, or if new problems are cropping up. Recurring issues may indicate a problem with installation that a technician can correct. Frequent, unrelated issues indicate your boiler may no longer be reliable, and you may need to consider replacement.
Weighing the Costs
Most of the time, the repair cost will be a small fraction of replacement cost, so it makes sense to perform necessary repairs. But for some cases, like a major boiler overhaul, the repair cost can be one-quarter to one-half of the cost for a replacement boiler. Frequent or major repairs create higher operation costs. In these cases, particularly if the boiler is approaching its rated service life, you need to determine whether the boiler is worth repairing.
