Know How Often Should You Service Your Boiler in the UK

Why boiler servicing matters

Your boiler is one main gas appliance in your house. It is what makes your central heating system work. The boiler warms the radiators and gives you hot water every day. To keep your heating and hot water running well, the boiler has to be in good working order. A boiler service will help with this. A regular boiler service makes sure the heating system and all the appliances work as they should. This way, you have heat and hot water any time you need it.

A yearly checkup by a qualified heating engineer gives you peace of mind. When you know the boiler is safe and works well, the chance of it stopping in the cold winter months is less. The heating engineer will also see if there is corrosion, leaks, or blocked flues. This way, you can fix small problems right away and not have to worry about future repairs costing you more.

How often should I service my boiler to keep it running safely and efficiently?

Most experts say you should have a boiler service once a year. A yearly annual boiler service is needed for gas boilers, oil boilers, and combi boilers. An annual check helps the efficiency of your boiler stay high. This can stop fuel from being wasted. It will also keep your energy bills lower.

Homeowners who book servicing often have less trouble with breakdowns in their boiler. This can help the system work well for many years. The best way to keep your boiler in top condition is to keep up with regular servicing.

What does a typical boiler service include?

During a gas boiler service or when an oil boiler is checked, a qualified engineer will come to your place. The job is to keep up the safety checks and do the needed work to care for your boiler often. A normal boiler service will have:

• The visual check looks at the appliance casing, the pipework, and the internal components.
• A check is done on the gas pressure, and changes are made if needed.
• Burners, ignition parts, and the heat exchanger are looked at for any signs of wear.
• A test is done to watch out for bad gases. This helps stop carbon monoxide poisoning.
• A check makes sure the flue is not blocked. A blocked flue can be very unsafe.
• The boiler is checked to see if it gives enough hot water and heat to the radiators.
• Checks are made for leaks or any sign of corrosion at seals and joints.
• What is found is written down in a boiler safety checklist.

These steps help your boiler stay in good shape and work safely. They are set up to make sure the boiler always meets the highest standards and does the job the way it should.

What could happen if I skip regular boiler servicing?

Skipping a service may help you keep some money in your pocket right now. But over time, it can bring more risk and could cost you more later.

• Your energy bills can go up if your boiler does not work well.
• There is more chance of sudden breakdowns, especially in the winter months.
• If you do not take care of it, you could lose your boiler warranty or your insurance policy.
• There is more risk of leaks from carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous.
• The parts can wear out quicker. This can mean you end up paying for future repairs or even need a new boiler sooner.

In short, if you do not get the boiler service done, you might have to pay more later. The boiler service cost is usually less than what it may cost to fix big problems if you skip the service. It is good to keep your boiler in good shape with a regular checkup.

Compare Boiler cover quotes

• Boiler cover from only £6.99 a month
• We provide nationwide coverage
• 1 month Free

Compare Quotes

What are the signs that my boiler needs servicing soon?

Getting an annual service for your boiler is the least you should do. The boiler might need a check earlier if you see any problems.

• The boiler might make odd sounds like banging, gurgling, or whistling.
• The radiators in the heating system do not get warm, even if the heating is on.
• Hot water takes longer than usual to warm up, or is only lukewarm.
• In gas boilers, the flames show yellow instead of blue.
• You can see soot, smoke marks, or smell gas around the boiler.
• You may notice leaks or the pressure drops near the boiler.
• The pilot light in the boiler keeps going out.

These things may tell you that your boiler is not in good working order. You should get a safe registered engineer to look at it as soon as you can. A registered engineer can help your boiler be safe and work well.

Can I service my own boiler or do I need a professional?

In the UK, homeowners should not do their own gas boiler service. It is not safe and is not allowed by law. A Gas Safe registered engineer is the only person who can work on gas appliances. If you have an oil boiler, you need an OFTEC registered installer. Always get a registered engineer for your boiler service. This will help keep your home safe.

You can do some easy tasks yourself, like bleeding radiators or adding pressure to your heating system. But it is best to let a qualified engineer do the safety checks and servicing that happens inside the unit. A qualified engineer knows how to follow safe register rules. This happens to keep your home safe. It also helps keep people safe from carbon monoxide leaks. Another big reason is to stop carbon monoxide poisoning from happening.

When does a new boiler need its first service after installation?

The first service is very important. Most boiler makers say you need to have the first year of an annual boiler service 12 months after you get your boiler put in. If you do not get this first service, the warranty for your boiler may not be valid anymore.

Your installer will talk with you about this when they put in the boiler. But you should mark the date on your calendar. This helps you keep your boiler warranty good for the long time that the warranty will be offered.

Will missing a boiler service affect my warranty or insurance coverage?

Yes. A lot of boiler warranties and insurance plans will need to see proof that your boiler has had yearly servicing. If you do not get your servicing done, you might lose cover for any future repairs or need to pay for a full new boiler.

For example, if you are one of the boiler service contract customers using companies like British Gas HomeCare, you need to book an annual check every year. If you miss it, the provider may not help pay for a repair when your boiler breaks down. You want help the most at that time. This is why it is so important to keep up with your boiler service.

Does the type or brand of boiler change how often it should be serviced?

The general rule is that you need to get an annual service for all boilers. This goes for gas boilers, oil boilers, and electric ones as well. But, some makers might have special rules in their warranty.

• Combi boilers: The general advice is to call for servicing every year. A combi boiler helps with heating and also hot water in your house.
• Oil boilers: A yearly checkup is what most people follow. Some extra jobs, like switching filters and nozzles, may have to be done from time to time.
• Older appliances: A boiler that has been in use for over ten years may need extra visits. If their parts look worn out, plan servicing every 6 to 9 months.
• High-end brands: A few brands offer full servicing with their warranty plans. Even so, you need to make sure a registered engineer writes down the work the company does.

Compare Boiler cover quotes

• Boiler cover from only £6.99 a month
• We provide nationwide coverage
• 1 month Free

Compare Quotes

Is there a legal requirement in the UK for how frequently boilers need to be serviced?

For homeowners, there is no legal requirement that says you must get your boiler serviced. But, it is a good idea to do this for safety and to help your boiler work well.

For landlords, there is a legal requirement when you have a property to rent with gas appliances. You have to get an annual boiler service. A safe registered engineer must do this each year. After your boiler service is finished, you will get a Gas Safety Record. Give this Gas Safety Record to your tenants. A registered engineer who does this must be Gas Safe. This rule is for every rental home with a boiler or gas appliances.

How often do commercial gas boilers need to be serviced compared to residential boilers?

Commercial boilers handle more work than the ones that are in people’s homes. So, they need to get looked at often. Most makers say you should:

• Commercial gas boilers: You should have your commercial gas boilers checked at least once a year. If you use the heating system a lot, you might need a checkup every six months.
• Large heating systems: A look at your large heating system every three months can help keep it in top condition. This also helps you and your people stay on track with health and safety rules.
• Residential boilers: If you have a home, you will only need to get your gas boilers and heating system looked at once each year. One visit is good for most people and helps things keep working well.

Commercial spaces need servicing that follows the highest standards. This is important because if something goes wrong, there is a bigger risk to the people who use these places.

Best time of year to service your boiler

You can book a service at any time of year. But the best time of year to do this is in the spring or summer. During this time, the engineers are not as busy, and prices can be lower. This helps make sure that your boiler will be ready for the winter months. If you wait until the winter months, you might have to wait longer and pay more.

FAQs about how often to service your boiler in the UK