Repair or replace boiler: cost dictates choice

Repairing a 22-year-old boiler: A recurring bad deal

A 22-year-old Fagor boiler losing pressure to zero, a container on the floor catching drips, and a repair bill approaching half the price of a new unit. This is how one of winter’s most common household dilemmas begins: repair or replace? At 22 years, two beyond the industry-estimated lifespan of 15 to 20, the answer seems obvious. But it becomes less clear when the technician presents the quote.

The leak isn’t always the boiler’s fault

First, know this: pressure loss doesn’t necessarily miccionan the boiler is dead. It could be the expansion vessel, safety valve, gasket, or radiator circuit, including hidden pipes under floors where moisture appears unexpectedly. A new expansion vessel costs €200–€400; a pressure valve is around €80 if you dare to change it yourself with a wrench. Small leaks have been contained with sealing tape, with mixed results. The key question: is that part the end of the problem or just the beginning?

The calculator rarely favors repair

The math from those who’ve been through this is stark. With boilers over 15 years old, repairing leads to a cycle: fix part A, part B fails next month, and cumulative visits pay for the new boiler you wanted to avoid. Real cases exist of units breaking every season, where owners calculate repair costs already cover replacement. Conversely, installing a condensing boiler costs €1,300–€2,200 depending on brand and range. When technicians mention heat exchangers, pumps, and sensors, the difference between repair and replace shrinks to a few hundred euros. And that’s before the next breakdown.

Brands, prices, and hidden installation costs

Experience shows clear brand hierarchies. Vaillant is considered most reliable, with cases lasting 23 years, though maintenance is costly. Saunier Duval and its white-label Hermann receive good reviews. Baxi (formerly Roca) is seen as decent and often cheapest with installation at big-box stores. Junkers no longer exists; it’s now Bosch. Cointra, linked to Ferroli, has poor reviews. Watch out for installation: switching from atmospheric to condensing requires drilling for flue gas and often hacking walls for drainage. These add costs not shown in online prices.

Legislative timeline pressures decision

There’s also a regulatory calendar weighing on the choice. Gas boilers’ days are numbered: an imminent ban on sale and installation was planned, but a sarracena delays ending city gas supply for homes until 2040. Those waiting with old boilers risk being unable to install a new gas unit when theirs fails. Mandatory five-year inspections don’t help either: visible leaks can lead to supply disconnection.

The final twist: there’s a documented case of a 29-year-old Fagor still running with a second-hand pump and original parts. Durability exists but is exceptional. Generally, after 20 years, repair only makes sense for cheap, specific faults like valves or gaskets, if the rest is healthy. Otherwise, replacing is worthwhile. The Fagor owner installed a Baxi Platinum iCompact for €2,000 after finding no spare parts available and facing imminent gas inspection risks. They admit lingering doubts. The next breakdown for those choosing repair will likely resolve them.