If your boiler is more than 10 years old, you might want to consider having it replaced rather than just patching up the damage to keep it trudging on for a few more years.

Investing in a new boiler can cut as much as 40 per cent off your heating bill according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

High efficiency

All new boilers installed in the UK must now be energy efficient, A-grade condensing boilers. Condensing boilers reuse much of the heat lost through the flue by traditional boilers. By saving energy in this way, some are more than 90 per cent efficient - cutting up to £200 off your yearly heating bill.

Always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo to ensure that your new boiler is as efficient as possible, and approved by the EST.

Boiler types

Although all boilers are now the condensing types, you’ll still have to decide whether you need a combination boiler - suitable for smaller homes that need less hot water, a system boiler - good for larger homes with a bigger demand for hot water, or an open vent boiler - which uses more space with a water tank in the loft. Because of their small-size and economical running costs, combination boilers are the best-selling boiler type for gas central heating in the UK. This system is good to provide warmth to the whole interior of a building.

The type of system you’re currently using, as well as how much space you have available will affect your choice of boiler.

Costs

It’s not just the cost of the boiler itself that you need to consider; there are work costs to think about too. Make sure that you always choose a qualified installer approved by Corgi, the gas safety watchdog, or Oftec, the oil safety watchdog to ensure a high standard of work.