Boiler Servicing: A Consumer Guide

A faulty boiler can be dangerous, notably because of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. For that reason it’s highly advisable to get your boiler serviced once a year to make sure everything is in order. In this guide we talk you through what you need to know when it comes to a boiler service.

Why you should get your boiler serviced

- An annual service will improve energy efficiency and reduce the chance of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning

- Boilers that aren’t serviced regularly will produce less heat from the gas consumed, meaning they will cost more to run

- Full blown boiler problems can often develop from minor faults so an annual service will increase the chance of these being picked up and fixed before they develop. Often boilers can break down without much warning. The most notable signs include: your boiler making strange noises, radiators not getting as hot as they should and the taps taking a long time to produce hot water – so be vigilant.

- You can also help by making sure you keep the area around the boiler clean and not overheating your home.

What type of boiler have you got?

The three main types of gas and oil-filled boilers are:

Conventional: Burns fuel in a combustion chamber surrounded by a water jacket; this heats the water which is then circulated around the heating system.

Condensing: Work in a similar way to conventional boilers, but are more fuel efficient as they convert more of the heat normally wasted by a conventional one.

Combination: A type of condensing boiler that provides instant hot water and central heating. They are energy efficient and compact as you don’t need to store hot water in a tank.

What should be covered in a service

As there are different types of boiler what you can expect from a service can vary, but a good service will usually contain:

- A visual check to certify that your boiler meets the current standard

- Your boiler should be fired up to check if they are any working faults

- The casing should be removed so all the main components – burner, heat exchanger, main injector etc can be checked

- The flue terminals should be checked to make sure they are unobstructed and all components are sealed properly

- The gas valve should be adjusted to ensure the burner is combusting properly

- Boiler parts cleaned if necessary

- A gas tightness test should be carried out to check there are no leaks

- You should receive a service report that shows everything the engineer has done to service your boiler

Boiler servicing contracts

You’ll probably save money if you pay for a service as you go along, but if you want peace of mind then the alternative is a boiler servicing contract with a service included. There are a number of different companies out there offering contracts of this nature ranging from the AA to heating product manufacturer Worcester Bosch Group. Prices for servicing contracts are between £150 and £300; and as always comparing contracts to see what is offered for what price is the best way for you to find the contract that best suits your needs.