Making sure your boiler is running well isn't something you probably think about every day, but having hot water is obviously very important for most of us, so taking proper care of your boiler is vital. If your current boiler is more than ten years old, it's time to start thinking about replacing it, even if it's been enjoying a regular service and passing with flying colours. The cost of getting a new boiler might seem very high at first, but over time installing a more modern, energy efficient boiler could reduce your heating bills by up to 40% and you'll start seeing the savings kick in straight away. As well as saving money, not wasting so much heat and energy is also great for the environment. Newer boilers can covert around 90% of their fuel giving to them to heat, while the least efficient older boilers sometimes convert as little as 55%!

Its best not to wait until your boiler breaks down before thinking about getting a new one, as being rushed to replace a broken boiler could lead you to paying more. If you start shopping around while your current boiler is still functioning you won't have to worry about buying a more expensive boiler in a panic, plus you'll have a better idea of prices and may even be able to take advantage of a boiler deal of limited time offer. Remember that there are more companies that can fit a boiler than just the big name companies, especially as names like British Gas are likely to cost you more. A large number of independent suppliers and other large energy companies also offer boiler repair and replacement services, so don't forget to check those out as well before making a choice. When choosing a new boiler it’s important that you find one that's efficient in order to maximise the amount of money you could save.

Always chose an A-grade high efficiency boiler system that bears the Energy Saving Recommended logo - these are the ones that convert at least 90% of their fuel and the ones that are more likely to save you money. Some of the higher range boilers are built to allow future upgrades which means as technology improves the boiler can be augmented with other systems without needing to be fully replaced, which could save you money further down the road and increase the overall lifespan of your boiler. Even if you shop around and make good purchasing decisions, a good boiler will still set you back at least £700, and that's without the added costs of having it installed, which can vary massively depending on the amount of work needed and the fitter you choose.

If your boiler is getting ancient but you're worried about being able to afford the costs, always check to see if you are eligible for grants or discounts. Low income families in the UK have access to the Warm Front scheme which provides insulation and heating improvements to a home up to the value of £3,500 which is available both to people who own their homes and those who rent from a landlord. You can also opt for a buy now pay later scheme where you pay for your boiler on finance, but if decide to go down this route always make sure you are aware of the rate of interest so you don't end up paying more than you should. Interest on these schemes can sometimes be much higher than interest on a regular bank loan, for example.