If you’re looking to avoid any unexpected breakdowns, or prevent your boiler from falling victim to a fault, an annual boiler service is exactly what you need to maintain the well-being of your boiler and keep your manufacturer warranty valid. An annual boiler service will include checks and tests carried out by a Gas Safe engineer to ensure that your boiler is still operating effectively and efficiently without any faults.
A Gas Safe engineer will visit your home and conduct various tests on your boiler to make sure that it’s functioning safely and effectively. A boiler service will usually include the following:
Boiler control checks (room thermostat etc.)
Gas and pressure flow tests
Inspection of the inside of the boiler
Flue and combustion checks
Inspection of water and gas pipework
Checks on all electrical connections
In addition to the above, Gas Safe engineers may also check that all seals are intact while trying to identify any corrosion or leaks from pipework and internal components within the boiler. Post boiler service, the Gas Safe engineer will provide you with any information or advice you need to help maintain your boiler between annual boiler services. Manufacturers have checklists to ensure that a qualified engineer does everything that is necessary to keep your warranty valid.
One-off boiler services can cost anywhere from £60 to £100 depending on the age and model of your boiler. Prices vary from provider to provider (sometimes drastically!), and in addition to the one-off boiler service cost, you may have to pay for repairs if a fault is discovered. Repairs can cost upwards of £100.
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First off, your boiler should only ever be serviced by a professional, and you should never attempt it yourself. As a general rule of thumb, Gas Safe engineers can only install and service gas boilers. In the case of an oil boiler, you’ll need to have your boiler serviced by an OFTEC registered engineer. If you have a coal, wood-fired, or any other solid-fuel burning boiler, you should contact a HEFTAS registered engineer. If you’re unsure whether the engineer visiting your home is fully certified, you can ask them for some identification, or search online using tools such as the Gas Safe register to find out whether they are qualified.
We mentioned previously that annual boiler services are essential to make sure that your boiler is working correctly. However, annual services are also important so that you can start saving money on energy bills, and stay safe if your boiler is faulty. In some instances, a faulty boiler can be unsafe and leak poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is also known as the “silent killer” due to its colourless and scentless properties. It can be hard to tell if your boiler starts to leak carbon monoxide, and therefore important that you install a carbon monoxide alarm to detect any gas leaks.
Boiler cover (also known as Boiler Breakdown Cover or Gas Boiler Breakdown Cover), is a form of protection in case something was to go wrong with your boiler. Boiler cover usually comes as a monthly or annual subscription and will help cover the costs of engineer call outs and labour, as well as any parts required if your boiler was to breakdown or encounter a fault. Most boiler cover packages will offer the same thing, with the main differences being the excess cost for an engineer visit, access to a 24/7 helpline, and the monthly cost of the cover package. Some boiler cover packages may or may not include an annual boiler service as part of the monthly cost.
When choosing a boiler cover package, it’s important to find one that suits your needs. If your boiler is slightly older and more susceptible to breakdowns, it may be in your best interest to find cover that includes a higher number of call outs and repairs in the price. Otherwise, you may need to pay extra if the number of call outs exceeds the limit. Make sure you compare boiler cover products before you decide on which package to go for, and most importantly, always double check the terms and conditions!
