Is an annual service for my boiler necessary or is it just a waste of money? This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the heating industry.
Many boiler installation companies offer warranties or guarantees of up to 10 years when you purchase a boiler from their website, but they will only be valid if you get your boiler serviced annually.
Your boiler is one of the hardest working appliances in the household, providing you with essential heat and hot water daily. It’s easy to take it for granted until something goes wrong, and it breaks down. An annual service by a reputable company is a failsafe to prevent this occurrence from happening.
In the same way that a car has to pass an MOT to keep it roadworthy, you can think of an annual boiler service in the same way – it’s a safety check to make sure it’s all working properly and by getting it checked regularly you can catch small issues before they turn into major issues. This could save you money on costly repairs or even replacement, but it also gives you peace of mind that your boiler is safe. After all, your boiler burns fuel every day, this has the potential to be dangerous so why would you take a chance?
One of the biggest dangers is Carbon Monoxide poisoning; known as the “silent killer” due to it’s lack of smell or taste, making it undetectable by humans kills more people in the U.S every year than mass shootings and is responsible for up to 60 deaths in England and Wales. Hundreds of thousands visit hospital with symptoms related to Carbon Monoxide poisoning with symptoms including headaches, dizziness, stomach pain and shortness of breath. If you don’t get your boiler serviced annually, it’s recommended that you ensure your home is fitted with a Carbon Monoxide detector.
My boiler is brand new; I don’t need to have it serviced…
A boiler is a complex machine with complicated electrical and mechanical components, the more complicated the machine the more likely it is that something will go wrong. It’s not uncommon for new boilers to have issues, this can be down to faulty parts or bad fitting. Another reason to get your boiler serviced annually is that a lot of manufacturers will insist that an annual service by a fully qualified heating engineer is essential to ensure your warranty remains valid. Not getting an annual service will void the warranty, potentially leaving you with expensive repair costs down the line.
I’ve never had my boiler serviced and I’ve never had any problems…
Your boiler may not experience any issues for years without servicing, but it only needs to breakdown once and it could happen at any time if it isn’t checked over regularly. By not having your boiler serviced regularly it might be placed under additional strain, shortening the lifespan of the boiler and increasing the chances of a breakdown.
In the majority of cases, the boiler will be located inside the home. It’s important that an appliance that burns fuel for years and years is regularly checked to ensure everyone’s safety. Other appliances may show overt signs of a malfunction but it’s harder to tell with a boiler what is going on ‘under the hood’. It’s a legal requirement for tenants to be provided with a Gas Safety Certificate by their landlord every year.
How much does an annual boiler service cost?
There are varying factors that will affect the cost of a boiler service, such as the heating engineer, what type of boiler you have and where in the country you’re located, but the cost of a service will be between £75 – £150. Less than the price of a cup of coffee each week to ensure your home is safe.
Never attempt to service a boiler yourself unless you are a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
What is included on an annual service?
The main things that are carried out on a boiler service are as follows:
- Visual inspection
- Check for corrosion and leaks
- Safety devices
- Water & gas pipework
- Check boiler seals are intact and in good condition
- Check gas/oil pressure flow
- Clean boiler parts if required
- Test appliance to ensure the rate that the gas/oil is being burned is safe
- Combustion analysis
- Ensure correct operation of components and controls
After your boiler service is completed you will be issued with a service certificate (similar to a car MOT) detailing what work has been done and documenting any remedial work completed (if applicable).
Servicing a boiler can help improve its efficiency, which in turn will save you money by allowing it to waste less fuel, bringing your fuel bills down – who doesn’t like saving money? It will also ensure your family is safe from Carbon Monoxide poisoning and that’s something you can’t put a price on. Make sure your boiler is serviced regularly to ensure it’s operating safely and efficiently.
