Boiler Servicing: Regular checks will save you money and could save your Life
Neglecting your boiler service is a big mistake that may cost you much more in the long term
Like most of us, you probably find winter to be a rather expensive season. Taking part in festivities and buying presents can often be expensive, and then there’s the extra cost of keeping warm during the chilly months. So we can understand why you might be tempted to do without a boiler service this year, especially if your old boiler seems to be working fine.
However, you could be making a big mistake. Our message is simple - don’t neglect your boiler! Having your boiler serviced annually can:
Help you avoid expensive boiler repair costs
If you’ve ever had a major fault with a boiler, you’ll know that a repair is expensive and often inconvenient, especially if the fault occurs during winter. In some cases, a major fault can mean that your boiler has to be replaced completely. By having your boiler serviced, minor faults can be fixed before they cause significant damage.
“If we service a boiler every year, we can spot faults early and fix them cheaply” says Colin Hackett of CH Installations, a renowned plumbing and heating company. “If a boiler is not serviced, there will be gradual wear and tear that is left unchecked. Over time, this could eventually cause major damage, which is going to be expensive to repair, and in some cases, might mean a new boiler is the only solution. Quite often, these minor problems don’t affect the day to day running of a boiler, so if the boiler’s not being serviced, the chances are that the faults won’t be noticed until it is too late.”
Keep you safe from carbon monoxide poisoning
In some cases, detecting boiler faults ‘too late’ could be fatal, because even modern combination boilers (combi-boilers) can develop carbon monoxide leaks. Known as the ‘silent killer’, carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless and so is difficult to detect, but can cause serious illness and lead to death. In its early stages, it causes headaches and flu like symptoms, and with continued exposure it can cause death.
The National Health Service (NHS) and many other organisations recommend that you have your boiler, central heating system and gas appliances checked annually by a professional boiler engineer. As part of your service, the engineer will make sure your boiler does not have carbon monoxide leaks and is safe. If you are a landlord, you have a legal obligation to provide these checks to ensure the safety of your tenants.
Keep your energy bills to a minimum
Having your boiler serviced can also save you money in energy costs, as after a service, your boiler will be working to full capacity, meaning it is more energy efficient. Colin Hackett explains: “During a boiler service, we calibrate your boiler and check it for leaks and build-ups. The result of this is that, when we are finished, your boiler will be at full capacity, so you will have reduced energy bills.”
As your boiler is more efficient after a service, it means that it is also more environmentally friendly as less energy is wasted. If you are selling your home, an energy efficient combination boiler can be seen as a selling point. “It might not impact directly on the value of your property,” says Colin, “But estate agents will ask about it and it could help you to sell more quickly.”
Ensure your manufacturers warranty is valid
If you have purchased a combination boiler (combi boiler) or any other type of boiler in the last couple of years, you may be assuming that your boiler is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. While this is the case when you buy a boiler, many manufacturers state that the warranty is only valid if you have your boiler serviced by a professional boiler engineer.
“It’s quite simple” says Colin Hackett, “If you don’t have your combi boiler serviced, a lot of the manufacturers won’t honour the warranty. So you’re running the risk of your boiler not being as efficient as it should be and you’re losing the value of your warranty.”
So if you want the full value of the warranty you have already paid for, you must make sure that your boiler is serviced annually by a boiler engineer who is Gas Safe registered.
Replacing an old boiler with a new combination boiler
If you have an old central heating boiler, the chances are that you could save money in the long term by having it replaced with a new combination boiler (combi boiler). Modern combination boilers are far more efficient that old central heating boilers and are often easier and cheaper to repair. “Older boilers tend to run at about 50% efficiency,” Colin Hackett told us, “But a modern combi-boiler that is serviced regularly will run at around 90%.”
When you have your central heating boiler serviced, ask the boiler specialist about the benefits of replacing your boiler with a combi boiler. They will be able to tell you more about the costs involved with maintaining your current boiler and the savings you could make with a new combination boiler.
Getting a boiler service or boiler repair
By law, everyone who installs and maintains gas appliances, including boilers and combination boilers (combi boilers) must be registered with Gas Safe. So when you are looking for a gas installer, you must make sure that they are registered and that their registration is up to date.
