Boiler Servicing

There are a lot of questions, opinions and controversy on the subject of boiler servicing. The major problem is that servicing is a preventative measure. There is no easy way to quantify the saved expense, reduced inconvenience and saved lives that regular boiler servicing claims to provide.

So, let’s attempt to tackle these questions without entering any opinions – just the facts.

Do I need to have my boiler serviced?

I’ve also seen many cases where expensive boiler repairs or life-threatening situations could have been avoided with regular servicing. There are three major reasons given for getting a boiler service:

Prolong the Lifespan of the boiler:

Consumer law dictates that boilers should have at least a 2-year guarantee/warranty. Manufacturers who have a bit more confidence in their products will generally give a longer warranty. All boiler warranties (and boiler insurance plans, for that matter) are dependent on the boiler being serviced annually. Skipping a service can nullify the warranty.

The fact that boiler manufacturers put a limited lifespan on their products tells you that they know that their parts are liable to failure after time. Regular servicing can help to extend the lifespan of these components. It can also flag potential faults so that they can be rectified in a timely and more cost-efficient manner.

Reduce fuel costs:

In order to get the most out of a boiler it needs to be operating at 100% efficiency. A boiler which isn’t working to its full efficiency will cost you money on your fuel bill as it will require more gas. A boiler servicing check will determine the efficiency of the boiler so that improvements can be made, if necessary.

Efficiency can be affected by factors such as air intake, flame quality, boiler insulation, gas flow, etc. Each of these could be caused by a build-up of dirt, soot and dust. Regular servicing will ensure that the boiler is cleaned correctly to minimise the impact of these.

Gas safety:

While exhaust leaks from boilers are very rare, they are not unheard of. We always highly recommend that every household installs a functioning Carbon Monoxide alarm. You will probably never need it – but I personally would rather buy one than put my family at risk (no matter how low that risk is).

A boiler service will help to ensure that the boiler is running safely and that there is no unburnt gas or carbon monoxide (CO) escaping. It will also identify parts that are likely to fail which could cause leakage. Bear in mind that regular servicing does not eliminate this risk – but it can reduce it.

In summary:

So, much like vehicle servicing, boiler servicing is highly recommended, but not mandatory. There are a lot of very good reasons to have your boiler serviced. If you are the type of person who would prefer to forego the small regular expense of a service to maintain your warranty and ensure continual operation, and you prefer to only pay for major repairs/replacement when needed then boiler servicing isn’t for you. However, if you are after peace of mind – not only for your family’s safety, but also for the continued efficient operation of your boiler – then it makes sense to have it serviced regularly.

How often should I have my boiler serviced?

The majority of boiler manufacturers recommend that their product is serviced annually. As mentioned earlier, to maintain the warranty on a new boiler you will need to have it serviced every 12 months.

Older boilers are generally more “robust” than modern variants – mainly due to the fact that modern electronics have many more components that are liable to failure after time. However the older ones tend to be a little less economical and are more liable to getting soiled.

However every boiler is as individual as the house where it’s installed. Factors such as the type of boiler, gas-works piping/plumbing, what type of flue, position and location of the boiler itself, and even how much it’s used can affect how regularly it should be checked.

As a general yardstick we tend to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations of having an annual service.

If you are a landlord or rent out a property then you are legally required to have the boiler checked annually (Gas Safety Certificate requirements).

How long does the boiler service take?

There is no exact answer or guide for this. A simple answer is: the average service is about half an hour – some take longer, some shorter. It depends on the type of boiler, when it was last serviced, its condition, etc.

How much does a boiler service cost?

This will also depend on the type of boiler in question. Contact us for a FREE quote.