Why a New Boiler Won’t Fix a Cold House | Advanced Roofing Specialists
- Ryan Tucker
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
New Boiler House Still Cold?
Why Replacing Your Boiler Won’t Fix a Cold House (Until the Roof Is Checked)
If your heating is on but your house still feels cold, you are not alone. At Advanced Roofing Specialists, we regularly speak to homeowners across Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Suffolk who are frustrated, uncomfortable, and considering replacing their boiler as a last resort.
In many cases, the boiler isn’t the real problem.
In fact, we often meet people after they’ve spent thousands of pounds on a new boiler — only to find their home still feels cold, draughty, and expensive to heat.
This article explains why a new boiler often doesn’t solve the problem, what actually causes homes to feel cold, and why checking the roof first can save you a great deal of money.
“The Heating’s On — Why Is It Still Cold?”
This is one of the most common phrases we hear.
Typical complaints include:
Radiators feel warm, but rooms don’t
Upstairs is noticeably colder than downstairs
Heating runs constantly but comfort never improves
Energy bills keep rising
When this happens, it’s natural to assume the boiler is struggling or outdated. But in many Norfolk and Suffolk homes, heat is escaping faster than the boiler can replace it.
What a Boiler Actually Does (And What It Can’t Do)
A boiler’s job is simple:
Heat water
Circulate it through radiators or underfloor heating
What it cannot do is:
Stop heat escaping through the building fabric
Fix cold ceilings or walls
Prevent draughts entering the roof space
Correct insulation or ventilation problems
If warmth is leaking out of your home, even the best boiler on the market will struggle.
The Real Reason Many Homes Stay Cold: Heat Loss
In the UK, up to 25% of a home’s heat can be lost through the roof.
In coastal areas like Great Yarmouth, that figure can be even higher due to:
Strong winds stripping heat away
Older roofing materials
Exposed properties and shallow roof pitches
When heat escapes through the roof, the heating system ends up fighting a losing battle.
Why the Roof Is So Often Overlooked
Many homeowners assume:
“If it’s not leaking, the roof must be fine”
“We’ve got loft insulation, so it can’t be the roof”
“The boiler is old — that must be it”
In reality, roofs can:
Lose heat without leaking
Allow wind to pass through insulation
Have insulation that’s damp, compressed, or uneven
Suffer from failed membranes or poor ventilation
These issues are rarely visible from ground level.
Common Roofing Issues That Make Heating Feel Ineffective
1. Heat Escaping Through the Roof
Warm air naturally rises. If your roof isn’t retaining heat, warmth simply leaves the house as fast as it’s produced.
This leads to:
Cold ceilings
Uneven temperatures
Heating that never “catches up”
2. Wind Wash in Coastal Properties
Wind wash occurs when cold air blows through gaps at the eaves or roof edges, passing through insulation and carrying heat away.
We see this frequently in:
Bungalows
Chalets
Older terraces
Coastal homes around Great Yarmouth
Even well-insulated lofts can suffer badly from this.
3. Damp or Degraded Loft Insulation
Insulation only works when it’s dry and properly installed. Over time, insulation can become:
Damp due to condensation
Compressed and ineffective
Displaced by pests or previous work
Damp insulation dramatically reduces heat retention.
4. Failing Roofing Felt or Membranes
Older roofs often rely on felt that becomes brittle or torn. This allows cold air to enter the roof space, cooling the home from above without causing obvious leaks.
5. Poor Roof Ventilation
Ventilation is essential, but it must be balanced. Poorly designed or blocked ventilation can trap moisture or allow excessive cold air into the roof space.
Both scenarios reduce comfort indoors.
Why a New Boiler Can Make Little Difference
A new boiler may:
Heat water more efficiently
Reduce fuel usage slightly
Improve reliability
But it cannot stop heat loss.
If your roof is allowing warmth to escape:
The boiler runs longer
Energy bills remain high
Comfort barely improves
This is why many homeowners tell us:
“The new boiler works perfectly — the house just still feels cold.”
A Common Scenario We See in Norfolk & Suffolk
Home feels cold
Boiler blamed
Boiler replaced at significant cost
Initial improvement is minimal
Heating bills remain high
Frustration sets in
Only later does the roof get checked — often revealing the real issue.
Older Homes Are Especially Vulnerable
Great Yarmouth and surrounding areas have a high number of:
Victorian terraces
Edwardian houses
Post-war homes
These properties were built long before modern insulation standards. Many roofs have been repaired over the years but never upgraded as a system.
As a result, they leak heat quietly and continuously.
Why Checking the Roof First Makes Financial Sense
Before spending thousands on a boiler, a roof assessment can:
Identify where heat is being lost
Reveal insulation or ventilation issues
Highlight storm or age-related damage
Prevent unnecessary boiler upgrades
In many cases, targeted roofing improvements deliver more comfort than a boiler replacement.
What a Roof-Focused Assessment Looks At
At Advanced Roofing Specialists, we look at:
Roof coverings and fixings
Membranes and underlays
Loft insulation condition
Ventilation and airflow
Signs of condensation or wind wash
This gives homeowners clarity before making big financial decisions.
When a Boiler Replacement Is the Right Move
To be clear, boilers do eventually need replacing. However, it should usually come after the building fabric is working properly.
A warm, well-sealed home allows:
Smaller heating systems
Shorter run times
Lower energy bills
Greater comfort
Roof first, boiler second — not the other way around.
Warning Signs Your Roof Should Be Checked First
You should consider a roof assessment if:
Heating is on but rooms feel cold
Ceilings feel cold to the touch
Upstairs rooms never warm properly
Energy bills keep rising
Your roof is over 20 years old
You live in a coastal or exposed area
Final Thoughts: Don’t Heat the Outdoors
If heat is escaping through the roof, your boiler is effectively warming the outside air.
Before investing in a new heating system, make sure your home can actually hold onto the heat it produces.
For many homeowners in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Suffolk, the biggest gains in comfort come not from replacing the boiler — but from ensuring the roof is doing its job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my house still cold after fitting a new boiler?
Because the heat may be escaping through the roof, walls, or draughts faster than the boiler can replace it.
Can roof problems really affect heating efficiency?
Yes. Roof heat loss is one of the biggest causes of cold homes and high energy bills in the UK.
Is loft insulation enough to fix a cold house?
Not always. Insulation can be undermined by wind wash, damp, or poor roof ventilation.
Should I check the roof before replacing my boiler?
Yes. A roof assessment can prevent unnecessary spending and identify the real cause of heat loss.
Do Advanced Roofing Specialists cover Great Yarmouth and surrounding areas?
Yes. Advanced Roofing Specialists serve Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Suffolk, helping homeowners improve comfort and energy efficiency through roofing expertise
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