Are you wondering how much a new boiler will cost in the UK? Before you jump into buying a boiler, you should consider which boiler type and size are right for you,
Your boiler is an essential part of your home, from keeping your rooms warm on those cold nights to allowing you to run a hot bath or shower after a stressful day. But if your boiler is getting old, it can become unreliable and even break down, usually when you need it most during the winter.the different brands and how to get the best deal.
Finding out the age of your boiler can help you decide whether you should start looking for a replacement. But how on earth are you meant to know how old your boiler is? Chances are you don’t. However, there is an easy way to determine the age of your boiler.
How can I find out the age of my boiler?
A quick and easy way to find out the age of your boiler is to look at the serial number. Your boiler’s serial number is a long set of numbers that may also contain a few letters. It will look like a barcode and can usually be found on your boiler’s drop-down panel, underneath your boiler or at the top of it, depending on the make and model.
The year your boiler was manufactured is usually hidden inside the serial number. If you still have the installation manual, you will likely find the serial number there as well.
How can I find the serial number for my boiler brand?
Below, we explain where you can find the serial number and the year of manufacture if you own a Baxi, Vaillant, Ideal or Worcester Bosch boiler.
How old is my Baxi boiler?
If you own a Baxi boiler, you can find the serial number by opening the drop-down panel on the front of your boiler. Once you find the serial number, you can call Baxi on 0330 678 0917 and give them the number, and they can then tell you the year of manufacture.
But if your boiler was manufactured after 2003, the serial number will look like the one in the picture below.
The fourth and fifth numbers of the serial number are the year of manufacture, which are 0 and 6 in the above picture, meaning this boiler was made in 2006.
How old is my Vaillant boiler?
You can find the serial number for your Vaillant boiler by locating a sticker attached to the top of your boiler. When you find the serial number, look at the third and fourth numbers because they reveal the year your boiler was manufactured.
The third and fourth numbers of the serial code above are 0 and 1, meaning the year of manufacture is 2001.
How old is my Ideal boiler?
Ideal boiler serial numbers should be present within the installation manual and on the Benchmark certificate that was completed by the engineer who installed your boiler.
If you own an Ideal Logic, Classic or Mini boiler, the serial number is also on a barcoded sticker located at the top of your boiler.
Ideal Logic
The last six digits of the serial number are the manufacture date, making it easy for you to find out the age of your Ideal Logic boiler. But you need to be aware that Ideal Logic boilers made before 2015 use the YY/MM/DD date format, and those made after 2015 use the DD/MM/YY date format.
The above serial number uses the YY/MM/DD format, so the manufacture date for this boiler is the 18th of August 2008.
Ideal Classic
Ideal Classic boilers have a shorter serial number, and you can find the manufacture date by looking at the third set of numbers containing four digits. In the picture below, the third group of numbers is 0612, which represent the year and the week of manufacture.
So, 0612 of this serial number means that the boiler was made during the 12th week of 2006.
Ideal Mini
The last four digits of an Ideal Mini boiler serial number can tell you the month and year of manufacture.
In this case, the last four numbers are 0308, meaning the boiler was manufactured in March 2008.
How old is my Worcester Bosch boiler?
You won’t be able to find the serial number for your Worcester Bosch boiler unless you’re a boiler engineer because the serial numbers are for internal use only. But you can contact their support team on 0330 123 3366 if you want to find out the age of your boiler.
What if I don’t own one of these brands?
If you’re struggling to find the serial number for your boiler, whatever its brand, you can search for your boiler in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB). It will ask you to enter the fuel type, boiler type, boiler brand, and model name. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers. You can find all the information you need in your user manual.
The official industry database can’t give you the exact manufacture date for your boiler. But it will tell you the dates when the manufacture of your boiler model began and ended.
Alternatively, you can contact your boiler manufacturer’s support team to discover how you can find out the age of your boiler.
How else can I tell if my boiler is ageing?
If you’re having trouble determining the age of your boiler, you might still be able to work out whether it’s old and needs replacing.
Some signs that your boiler is ageing and nearly ready for retirement include:
- Regular breakdowns
- Your boiler or radiators are noisy
- Higher energy bills
- Your boiler doesn’t work like it used to
- Replacement parts are hard to find
When your boiler gets older, its efficiency drops and can struggle to heat your home as it once did. That means it will use more energy to heat your home and make your heating bills more expensive. An ageing boiler is also more susceptible to damage and breakdown issues.
Should I replace my boiler?
Most modern boilers last between 10 and 15 years, but some become inefficient and break down a lot before reaching this age. If you notice any of the above issues with your boiler, you should consider getting a replacement.
If you’re still unsure whether you need to buy a new boiler, you can ask your heating engineer for an unbiased opinion. They can also help you understand which new boilers are suitable for your home and needs.
How much will a new boiler cost?
It depends on the type of boiler you get installed and its brand. If you replace your current boiler with one of the same type, the installation will be quicker and cheaper. But your engineer may recommend a different boiler type if your requirements have changed since your current boiler was installed.
| Boiler Type | Typical Boiler Price |
|---|---|
| Combi boiler | £500 – £2,200 |
| System boiler | £500 – £2,500 |
| Regular boiler | £500 – £2,600 |
The prices in the table do not include installation costs, which can vary depending on how much work is required.
We recommend getting quotes from different installers to compare prices and find the best deal. If you’re ready to get quotes for a new boiler, you can obtain free quotes from trusted boiler engineers by completing our online form.