Annual Boiler Service
Annual Boiler Service! Is This Necessary?
Annual boiler service, as the name suggests, this is a yearly check on your combination boiler. Any boiler service must only be carried out by a licenced gas safe registered engineer. Don’t try to cheat the system and call in a “cowboy.”
This appliance does not warrant saving a few pounds &/or pennies. Servicing your boiler is not as simple as 1, 2, 3 and if you want to know more as well as the different types of service that are available for your boiler, then read on.
What Does A Boiler Service Involve?
This is a good question. During a service, one of our competent boiler engineers, will visit your home and undertake a few safety checks on your boiler in order to check how efficiently your boiler is running. The engineer will also check your central heating system to ensure that this is also working efficiently. This check will detect any carbon monoxide which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Full Service
Not sure what is involved when you hear the term “full service?” Don’t worry by the end of this blog, you will be a natural.
As the name suggests, this is where the gas engineer will strip your boiler down and carry out all the necessary safety checks. This is done to ensure your boiler is ready to take on the colder months. Just think of a boiler service similar to getting a MoT on your vehicle (for us Brits). Because the components to having your boiler fully serviced is numerous, below for your perusal is a little table I have compiled for your easier read instead of me typing it.
Minor Service
From the detailed table that I have painstaking taken the time out to do for you, you will see that there is a huge difference between a major boiler service and a minor boiler service.
Boiler Service Checklist
During your annual service, our gas safety engineer will carry out the following test to your boiler dependent on the type of service visit that you have booked.
Minor Boiler Service |
| Full operational checks including controls |
| Visual inspection for leak and corrosion (please see complete list below*1) |
| Gas rates and pressure checks |
| Flue analysation, integrity and air checks*2 |
| Operational checks – safety devices |
| Clean condense trap (if applicable) |
| Inspect recharge expansion vessel |
| Inspection and testing of case seals (replace if required) |
| Carbon monoxide alarm tests/install |
| Boiler manual annual service record |
Major Boiler Service |
| Full operational checks including controls |
| Visual inspection for leak and corrosion (please see complete list below*1) |
| Gas rates and pressure checks |
| Flue analysation, integrity and air checks*2 |
| Operational checks – safety devices |
| Clean condense trap (if applicable) |
| Inspect recharge expansion vessel |
| Inspection and testing of case seals (replace if required) |
| Carbon monoxide alarm tests/install |
| Complete strip down of main heat exchanger, fan and gas valve |
| Service and clean fan |
| Service and clean ignition probes and sensors |
| Wash out and clean main heat exchanger |
| Replacement of burner seals (as required) |
| Resistant values of NTCs checked – noted |
| Resistant values of fan checked – noted |
| Resistant values of pump checked – noted |
| Complete gas tightness tests |
| Removal of CWS pre filter and clean |
| Removal and clean magnetic filter (if applicable) |
| Balance heating system |
| Chemical treatment of heating system (if applicable) |
| Boiler manual annual service record |
| System water testing and evaluation *3 |
I bet you did not realize how detailed it is to have your boiler checked over properly. Please note that although gas appliance is checked, can also include your gas hob.
Boiler Servicing Cost: And How To Save Money on Your Boiler in 2021
Every gas safe registered company have different rates for boiler service. At times, it would suit to shop around and get an average price. Don’t always go for the cheapest company though because they may not be so thorough and will charge extra for work that should be a part of the service.
Is It Necessary To Do A Boiler Service Every Year?
This is one of the most common questions that customers ask when they ring up. If you drive, don’t you have to get a MoT carried out yearly. While you may say well this is not the same. But just as how you cannot go without your vehicle, you also cannot go without hot water, especially during the winter months.
All boiler manufacturers have a service checklist in the back of their manuals. If you have had a new boiler installed and say something goes wrong after 2 years and you had a 5-year warranty on this boiler. If you call out the manufacturer, the first thing they will do is check the service history. If this is blank then they will not cover any repairs as you have failed to undertake yearly service.
On the other hand if you have had a boiler for a long time, servicing this would also be ideal because this will at times help to mitigate any boiler repair costs as the engineer would have spotted a potential wear and tear of the boiler parts.
Long and short of it, yes, get the boiler service on a yearly basis. It would be unfortunate that because you failed to do this just when you need it more during the winter months, this breaks, and you are left with not only no hot water but also no heating.
When Is The Best Time To Service Your Boiler?
Companies will tell you that there is no best time to service your boiler but take my advice, the best time would be during the summer months. Why? This is because there is not a lot of demand from the boiler.
This is because you are not requiring your radiators to warm your home. You only require hot water or like some, medium temperature water during the summer months.
Some companies offer boiler cover, which is paid monthly and nearing the anniversary, you will be contacted and reminded about your boiler service.
After reading this, hope you will now understand the importance of having your boiler serviced regularly. By doing so, you will have peace of mind when the winter months arrive.
Ring us in order to carry out your annual boiler service.
Since a few days, I am researching on the work of plumber, and then I found your blog that looks interesting to know more about plumbing services. Your blog is really helpful to learning about the different types of plumbing work and the different engineers. I also want to become a plumbing and heating engineer or maybe a gas engineer. Thanks for the information.