When To Repair Or Replace Your Building's Boiler
Do you own an apartment building or business that uses a boiler for heat? Has it started to break down and you're now wondering if you should bother repairing it or if replacing it would be a better option? While replacement may be necessary, boiler repair may be a cost-effective means to keeping your building heated and your tenants or employees happy. Here are some questions to ask to help you decide whether to repair or replace:
How old is the boiler? If the boiler was installed in the past few years, repair is likely going to be the better option. Unfortunately, a boiler doesn't have an indefinite lifespan. Just like with anything else, there is a point beyond which boiler repair may not be as good an option as replacement. If your repair technician says that their company doesn't have the parts or that the parts are getting hard to find, you should definitely consider replacing the unit. On the bright side, a boiler that was manufactured recently is likely to be more energy efficient than a decades-old boiler, saving you money on your energy bills.
What sort of maintenance has it had? If you've owned the boiler since it was put in, you should know exactly what the maintenance schedule has been. A boiler that has had regular maintenance by a boiler repair technician is going to be able to last longer than a boiler that has been neglected. If you've only recently obtained the building, you may not know exactly what the previous maintenance schedule was like. A repair technician can look at the unit and tell you whether it can be saved or if you should start looking for a new unit as soon as possible.
Does the boiler size match the demand? In an effort to save money, the building's previous owners may have put in a boiler that was slightly underpowered. In addition to leaving parts of the building chillier than usual, this would've put excessive demands on the boiler itself. The higher the demands, the faster the boiler will wear out and need to be replaced. It's also possible that the unit was the right size when it was installed but that there have since been additions to the building. If the unit is too small for the building, a boiler repair can temporarily help the situation. However, your best option is going to be to have the boiler replaced as soon as possible.
For boiler repair, contact a company such as Rickett Industrial Environmental Systems.
