Service
Boiler Servicing
An annual safety and efficiency check of a gas, LPG or oil boiler, which also keeps most manufacturer warranties valid.
Why servicing matters
An annual service catches small problems before they turn into a breakdown in the first cold week of the year, keeps the boiler burning cleanly and efficiently, and checks that it is safe. Carbon monoxide has no smell, and a poorly burning boiler is one of the ways it gets into a home.
It is also, very often, a condition of the manufacturer’s warranty. Many warranties of five, seven or ten years are only honoured if the boiler has been serviced every year by a registered engineer, with the record to prove it.
What a proper service includes
For a gas boiler, a Gas Safe registered engineer checks the gas pressure and flow, analyses the flue gases with a combustion analyser, checks the flue and its terminal, inspects and cleans the burner and heat exchanger where the manufacturer requires it, checks seals, the condensate trap, the expansion vessel and the safety devices, and records the results.
For an oil boiler, an OFTEC registered technician services the burner, replaces the nozzle and usually the filter, checks combustion, and looks over the tank and fuel line. A visual check of the tank for cracks, bulging or leaks is part of a good oil service.
A service that takes ten minutes and never opens the case is not a service. Ask what will be done and ask for the paperwork.
Where we cover
Common questions
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Once a year, ideally before winter. Autumn is when most engineers get busiest, so booking in late summer or early autumn usually gives more choice of dates.
How much does a boiler service cost?
General market rates for a standard gas boiler service in this part of the country sit roughly in the range shown in the cost table on this site, with oil boiler services usually a little more because of the nozzle and filter. Landlord gas safety records are often combined with a service for a combined price.
Is a service the same as a gas safety certificate?
No. A gas safety check for a landlord confirms that appliances and flues are safe; a service goes further and maintains the boiler. Many engineers do both in one visit, which is usually the most economical way to handle a rental property.
Enquire about servicing
Tell us what the boiler is doing, whether it runs on gas, oil or LPG, and where you are, and we will put you in touch with a registered heating engineer where one covers your area. No charge for the introduction, and no obligation.