Taking regular care of your boiler is more important than you might realise. After all, your boiler plays a vital part in keeping your home life running smoothly by providing a warm, comfortable home and hot water. So just how important is an annual boiler service?
While we think about boilers during winter when we turn on the central heating, you actually rely on your boiler all year round. As a result of the daily need for a well-functioning boiler, it is essential to look after it properly. The best way to give your boiler the TLC it needs is to conduct an annual boiler service.
What happens during a boiler service?
During an annual boiler service, various tests, checks and necessary cleaning is carried out to make sure that your boiler is functioning to its best possible standard. It must be a Gas Safe registered engineer who conducts the boiler service. During which, the engineer will be able to identify any faults, gas or water leaks, and ultimately make sure the boiler is running safely and efficiently.
Our boiler service checklist outlines exactly what happens during a boiler service appointment.
How long does a boiler service take?
A boiler service usually takes less than an hour, though this will depend on the appliance. Your professional Gas Safe engineer will follow a comprehensive boiler service checklist to make sure everything has been checked and is working well.
How often should you service your boiler?
You must have your boiler serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer and this should be completed at least once a year. The best time to have your boiler serviced is in summer when your heating demand is lower, helping to find and fix any faults before winter hits (when your boiler has to work harder).
Tip: Don’t leave your boiler to its own devices all summer and let it break down when you turn the heating on in autumn or winter. Book an annual boiler service in preparation for the cold winter weather.
Why should you book an annual boiler service?
Not sure if you need your boiler serviced? Here are 5 reasons why you should book an annual boiler service:
1. Stay safe
One of the most important reasons for a boiler service is that it helps to keep you and the people in your home safe. Your boiler is a fuel-burning appliance that can release carbon monoxide which is poisonous. The problem with carbon monoxide is that the gas is tasteless, colourless and odourless which means it is hard to detect its presence and makes people unaware when they are being poisoned.
Therefore, it’s critical that you have your boiler serviced regularly. Servicing your boiler can give you peace of mind that you’re safe, or highlight any need for repairs before a broken boiler causes any serious damage to your health.
2. Keep your warranty intact
During your warranty period, which could be up to 10 years, manufacturers require you to have an annual service to keep the warranty valid. While your boiler is under guarantee, if you do not have a service once in every 12 months then your warranty could be void, and if a problem occurs, you’re likely to be liable to pay the full repair costs involved.
3. Catch faults in your system early
Chances are, if you’re not a trained gas engineer, you won’t know about a problem with your boiler until you come to turn it on and it won’t ignite. During a service, your gas engineer will be able to identify and fix any underlying problems before it’s too late. No matter how small the issue with your boiler, ignoring it could lead to a more serious problem which could be much more costly to repair or lead to a safety issue.
4. Prolong the lifespan of your boiler
Primarily, the age and model of your boiler will determine how energy efficient it is; as your boiler gets older, it inevitably becomes less energy efficient.
Replacing a boiler is costly, and so you want to ensure you get the most out of the investment. Maintaining a healthy, efficient boiler by regularly servicing it could help make it last much longer. Remember the average lifespan of a boiler is between 10 and 15 years, but with careful maintenance and regular servicing, it can reach this age and beyond.
5. It’s a legal requirement for landlords
If you’re a landlord, there is a legal requirement to present a gas safety record each year. It makes it really convenient to conduct the gas safety check at the same time as a boiler service. This means that you know your boiler is working well and poses minimal risk to your tenants’ health.
With a boiler service, you are taking a proactive approach to help reduce the chance of faults or detecting issues early before they become a bigger problem in the long term. The small cost of a boiler service can help to save from a significant cost during a breakdown.
Do you need an annual boiler service? You’re in expert hands with us. Get in touch with our team today to arrange your boiler service with one of our trusted, Gas Safe registered engineers.
