According to the latest figures, four in every five homes in the UK or 77% of all residential dwellings are centrally heated by gas boilers. This makes the system essential to keeping the household running; if it breaks down, it could mean a big headache for those living in the home.
Fortunately, modern boilers are now significantly more durable and reliable. The risk of suddenly having to do without gas heating is significantly lower. The system still requires regular maintenance checks to ensure continued optimal function, of course.
This is why getting a regular boiler service is extremely important in preserving your boilers. With an annual maintenance service, potential major issues in the future will be promptly identified and addressed, keeping the boilers in tiptop shape for longer.
But what exactly does a boiler service entail? This article will discuss boiler service and will serve as a complete guide for property owners.
If you need a boiler service urgently, click on the ‘Order Now’ button below to get a quick quote. You can also sign up for a trade account which will give you access to our online platform that would be perfect for anyone who is managing several properties.
Regular boiler service is the proactive maintenance of your boiler by a qualified engineer. The engineer thoroughly inspects the boiler and its parts, making sure that everything is running safely and efficiently.
During the boiler service, the engineer removes the boiler casting and conducts a meticulous inspection, cross-checking whether the appliance meets all the necessary requirements, especially those that may involve safety risks.
This process should last at least half an hour, depending on the make and model of the boiler. The engineer then provides the property owner with a service report that details all the conducted tests as well as notable results.
The following are several compelling reasons to get your boiler regularly serviced by professionals:
Safety
First and most importantly, boiler service ensures the safety of your gas appliance. Regular maintenance can protect your home and the people within from multiple potential risks like gas leaks that can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning that can cause brain damage and even death.
In fact, according to the National Health Service, carbon monoxide poisoning causes around 60 deaths in England and Wales every year. This gas is made even more dangerous because it is odourless, colourless and virtually undetectable without the proper equipment and know-how.
Efficiency
Like most appliances, ageing boilers will inevitably become less efficient in performing its task of heating your home. An annual check will ensure that all the components are running at their best condition which effectively increases your home’s overall energy efficiency.
Savings
An improvement in the efficiency of the boiler translates to lower gas and power costs. The average UK home spends around 4% of their annual household budget on gas and electricity. Driving down these expenses should help with cost-saving.
Annual boiler service is also a way of getting ahead of potential breakdowns and boiler repairs. By identifying components that may cause issues down the road, they can be repaired or replaced before they turn into more complex and costly problems.
Boilers are usually covered by warranties to up to their 15th year, in some cases. However, most manufacturers only honour these warranties if the boilers are regularly serviced. This means that an annual boiler service keeps your warranty intact for repairs that you may require.
Regulations
If you are part of most households that have gas boilers, then those boilers can only be legally serviced by Gas Safe registered engineers. Ask to see official identification that confirms the engineer’s qualifications before letting them work on your boiler system.
Energy Performance Certificates’ engineers are all Gas Safe registered and they carry their ID cards during boiler service jobs, so you won’t have a problem identifying us. We also proudly display our Gas Safe registration number on our website for you to verify that our services are authorised and regulated.
Take note that gas and oil heating systems are not the same, so it follows that an engineered certified to only service one type should not be handling the regular maintenance of the other. If your home has an oil boiler, it should be checked by an Oil Firing Technical Association or OFTEC engineer.
Convenience
The boiler and central heating system of your home plays a huge role in your comfort and convenience in any given season. Unanticipated breakdowns and repairs can easily disrupt your daily activities, especially if there are major issues that take a lot of time and resources to address.
Annual boiler service reduces or even eliminates the possibility of prolonged downtime and ensures your comfort and convenience throughout the year.
Regular annual boiler service is recommended for all households with this gas appliance. For the reasons mentioned above, but especially because of safety, convenience, and cost-savings, it is in the best interest of everyone on the property if the boiler is regularly serviced by professionals.
Summer is the best time to schedule a service. During this season, the boiler is not used as much as it would be during the colder seasons. If there are issues with the boiler, they can be addressed with time to spare before winter. Boiler engineers are also less busy during this time.
In some cases, there are some tell-tale signs that the boiler may need attention even in between regularly scheduled service. If you encounter any of the following, make sure to get your boiler checked as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse:
A single boiler service can typically cost around £50 to £80. Servicing high efficiency condensing boilers can cost up to twice that amount, though. The variations depend on the make and model of the appliance in question. Those living in metro cities are also likely to encounter higher prices compared to those in rural areas.
In some cases, you can save money by getting your boiler serviced during the summer, when engineers are less busy.
If the boiler in your property is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you may consider a service plan that includes annual service and repairs for a monthly fee. Many choose this route for their peace of mind even after the warranty has expired.
When you need your boiler serviced, choosing the right company can save you from a headache in the future by identifying issues or concerns while they’re still minor, easily fixed problems. That company is Energy Performance Certificates.
Over 150 clients around the UK trust us so much that they regularly use our services. We are a fully national service provider covering wide geographical areas. Energy Performance Certificates only employ qualified, licensed, and skilled professionals in our team so they can deliver quality work in every service visit they make. We conduct each job reliably and comprehensively.
We also offer fixed pricing which translates to excellent value wherever you are in the UK.
Click the ‘Order Now’ button for a quick quote or sign up for a ‘Trade Account’ for a more convenient experience, especially for those managing several properties.
