Annual Boiler Service: Why it’s essential that you take good care of your boiler
Many householders across the UK underestimate the importance of boiler servicing, but making sure your boiler is serviced regularly helps to ensure it runs safely and efficiently. You should, in fact, get a qualified engineer to service your boiler at least once a year, regardless of whether your boiler is old or brand new.
What is an Annual Boiler Service?
An annual boiler service involves getting a Gas Safe engineer to visit your property so that they can perform various tests and checks on your boiler. The engineer will look for any problems with your boiler, as well as make sure that it runs effectively and is safe to use. As you rely on your boiler even more during the colder months, most professionals recommend you have an annual boiler service in the summer to allow your engineer plenty of time to fix any potential faults before winter starts.
Generally, an annual boiler service lasts around 45 to 60 minutes and typically costs between £75 and £100. If you have a home insurance or boiler cover policy, you may find that you’re covered for boiler servicing and won’t have to pay for anything.
Why Get an Annual Boiler Service?
If you’re a landlord, it is your legal responsibility to have an annual service on the boilers in each of your rental properties. Although homeowners aren’t legally obliged, getting an annual boiler service can provide many long-term benefits, not just for your boiler but also for you and your home. We’re going to explore the key reasons for booking a boiler service every year.
- Save money on boiler repairs
When an engineer carries out a professional service on your boiler, they will be able to spot any minor faults before they turn into significant problems. While some boiler issues (like strange or loud noises) can be detected by an untrained person, others will be impossible to identify without performing a series of checks on your boiler. If left unresolved, problems with your boiler could turn into extremely expensive repair jobs. However, when your engineer catches faults early, you’ll spend less money on repairs and reduce the chances of being left with no heating and hot water for long periods of time.
- Peace of mind that your boiler is safe
A faulty boiler can be incredibly dangerous and, in some cases, potentially fatal. Even though gas leaks are quite rare, they can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can actually kill you. Most people wouldn’t have a clue if their boiler was leaking carbon monoxide because it is an odourless gas and therefore very difficult to detect. It’s crucial to have your boiler serviced annually so that your engineer can fix any issues before they become life-threatening problems.
- You won’t invalidate your manufacturer warranty
If your boiler is still under warranty, you’re likely to find that the manufacturer warranty terms and conditions state that you must get a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out an annual boiler service to keep your guarantee valid. Should you fail to get your boiler serviced regularly, you’ll invalidate your warranty and end up paying the full cost of repairs when your boiler runs into problems. Always read the fine print so that you know what is required to keep your warranty intact.
- Reduce the cost of your energy bills
During an annual boiler service, your engineer will make sure your boiler is running at peak efficiency to help prevent energy wastage. The more efficient your boiler, the less you’ll spend on your energy bills. How energy efficient your boiler is will depend on the age of your system, but even an older boiler needs regular checks to ensure it’s performing as efficiently as possible. In addition to helping you save money on your bills, an efficient boiler will reduce your carbon footprint.
- Your boiler will live much longer
A boiler replacement is a considerable investment, so it makes sense to look after the one you already have at home to help prolong its life. By servicing your boiler annually, you’ll improve its reliability and keep it in good working order for longer. But if you neglect your boiler and don’t get it serviced, you’ll need to replace it sooner and spend a significant amount of money to do so.
