What is a boiler service?
A gas boiler service is something that should be done every year to ensure that your boiler is working efficiently and doesn’t pose any dangers to you and those around you. It is something all boiler manufacturers recommend and yet not all of us actually do, instead waiting until the inevitable happens, the boiler breaks down (usually in winter when you need it most) and you then face expensive call-out fees and repairs.
A boiler service is basically a check and test carried out by a Gas Safe Register engineer. At the end of the test you will receive a boiler service certificate, which is proof that the gas boiler service has been carried out and it is safe to operate.
What does a boiler service include?
There are various necessary stages to a gas boiler inspection, which MUST be done by a Gas Safe Register engineer to be valid.
1. Visual inspection
The Gas Safe engineer’s first job is to take a look at the actual boiler and its controls to ensure that it is working in the correct way. Things he or she will look for are corrosion damage and gas leaks, as well as the flame of the boiler.
2. Removal of the casing
The next stage of the gas boiler service is to take off the casing, paying attention to the boiler’s inner workings. The engineer will then check the heat exchanger, main injector, burner and spark probe. Don’t ever think that this is a job you can do yourself. It would be extremely dangerous to try.
3. Check the flue
The flue is the part of the boiler system which conveys exhaust gasses from the boiler into the outdoors and this needs to be working correctly to eliminate any dangerous emissions. If your boiler flue is blocked these fumes have nowhere else to go, except back inside your home and if they do that they could kill you.
4. Gas pressure check
Gas pressure is what makes your boiler work. If pressure is low, water in taps and radiators will not heat up properly. Your engineer will ensure that the gas pressure is at its optimum during a gas boiler check.
5. Fire up the boiler
This part of the gas boiler service will ascertain whether there are any faults when the boiler is working.
6. Report issued
Once your engineer has done all the required tests a report will be issued, This is a record of any problems you might have with the boiler, as well as how to look after it to ensure it works efficiently.
Why is a boiler service important?
There are a number of reasons why it is important to book an annual boiler service. They include:
To avoid break down
This is the most obvious reason. If your boiler breaks down you have to live without water and heating. You will have to pay for an emergency call out and you may have to wait days for an engineer to come and fix your boiler, especially during the winter. A gas boiler service will help to ensure that these problems are unlikely to occur.
To catch problems early
A gas boiler service lets you catch boiler problems before they become serious. During the service your engineer will be able to detect any minor issues and nip them in the bud before they become expensive or even hazardous.
A condition of warranty
Your boiler warranty will be void if you do not service your boiler annually. Therefore, it is binding upon you to get your boiler serviced annually.
For safety
One major problem of a faulty boiler is carbon monoxide poisoning. There are around 60 deaths every year in the UK due to carbon monoxide poisoning https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/ . Deaths that could possibly be avoided if a regular gas boiler service is carried out.
It’s a legal requirement
As per law, every landlord must have a record of boiler service and any other gas appliance check record in the form of Gas Safety Certificate (CP12 certificate).
Keeps heating bills low
The older the boiler is the less efficient it becomes, which means it needs to use more fuel to heat a building. This obviously results in higher bills. An annual service will ensure all the components are in the best possible condition and deliver a higher level of efficiency for longer.
How long does a boiler service take?
The time your boiler service will take depends upon the make and model. It could be done in as little as 30 minutes but usually it is about an hour, more if you want to ask questions. Time will also be factored in for the engineer to write up his service report which will detail what has been checked out.
How much does a boiler service cost?
There are a couple of ways you can pay for a gas boiler service. One, is with an annual boiler servicing contract. This can cost between £150-£250 a year but you’ll probably pay it monthly by direct debit to spread out the cost. The advantage of an annual contract is that if anything goes wrong with your boiler between servicing the contract usually covers this too. This might be a good option if you have an older boiler, as it will not only need regular servicing but the older it gets the more likely it is to break down.
For one off boiler servicing be prepared to pay from £60-£120 so it does pay to shop around – especially as local companies can offer a much more affordable deal than bigger national organisations. Finally, don’t forget that your gas boiler service must be done by a Gas Safe Register engineer. Click on this link to find out more: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer-or-check-the-register/
Contact us
Have we convinced you that a gas boiler service is a good idea? If so, get in touch with us! As industry specialists we are more than qualified to give your boiler a first rate service. Contact us and we’ll give you a free quote with no obligation for you to go ahead if it’s not for you. For more information follow the link below:
