Service My Boiler -Is It Worth The Money?
Absolutely . The purpose of a service is to prevent your boiler breaking and costing you more in the long run.
An annual boiler service costs very little in terms of money and is essential for keeping your boiler running smoothly and safely.
Hot water and heating are an essential part of domestic life and most people would be lost if their boiler suddenly stopped working.
Paying for a boiler service every year is good practice in keeping your boiler in tip top working order.
How Much To Service A Boiler?
According to Checkatrade, The average boiler service cost ranges from £60 – £100 depending on the type of boiler you have and where you live in the UK.
This equates to around £2 per week which is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get.
Is Boiler Cover Worth It?
This probably depends on the age of your heating system and its past reliability history.
If your system is less than 5 years old, you are best to take a chance and only pay monthly for cover when your system is nearer to 10 years old.
Boiler cover costs up to £25 per month which is quite expensive in my opinion.
Martin Lewis website has a great post to help you make up your mind.
How Long Does It Take To Service A Boiler?
Servicing a boiler takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on your boiler type and age of your boiler.
- Combi boilers – usually take around 30 minutes.
- System boilers – generally take about 1 hour.
- Regular boilers – can take up to 1.5 hours.
- Oil boilers – take between 1 to 2 hours.
How Often Should You Service A Boiler?
You should service your boiler once a year to keep it in tip top condition.
We recommend servicing in the summer so that it is ready for the long winter campaign.
What does a boiler service include?
Here’s what should take place as part of a boiler service
- A visual check of the boiler and flame
- Checking the operating gas pressure and/or heat input
- Checking safety devices to make sure it’s working properly
- Check case seals for an effective seal & testing the gas connections
- Boiler casing removed to check all main boiler components (burner, heat exchanger, main injector, spark/sensor probe)
- Boiler fired safely to identify any working faults
- Checking your boiler for corrosion and leaks & Boiler parts cleaned,
- Putting the casing back on and make sure it’s properly sealed
- Doing a flue test to check that there are no unsafe emissions coming from your boiler
- The boiler being fired safely to identify any working faults
- A flue gas analysis efficiency test
- Cleaning the condensate trap
- Visually check of the hot water cylinder and bleeding radiators.
- Confirmation in writing that the service has been carried out.
Who Carries Out A Boiler Service?
You should get your boiler serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
We recommend you use an engineer recommended to you by friends and family or look in your local ads for some one that has good reviews.
Check their credentials on the Gas Safe register
If you have any concerns, contact the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or through the Gas Safe Register website.
Boiler Service British Gas
Many people in the UK prefer to use British Gas for their servicing.
BG have been in business for many years and have a great reputation although they are not cheap.
See the British Gas Boiler Service page here.
British Gas offers a variety of boiler service options, including one-off services, annual services, and HomeCare cover packages:
- One-off boiler service: Costs £99
- Annual boiler service: Costs from £93 per year or £7.75 per month
- Boiler service plus 12 months cover: Costs from £19 per month
- HomeCare cover packages: Range from £200 to £325
Boiler service tips
- Ask what will be included in the boiler service.
- ask for a written report and check it is accurately filled out.
- Request a carbon monoxide detector to be safe, Cost you £20 or so.
Oil Boiler Servicing
For a recommended list of oil boiler engineers we recommend you visit TrustA Trader.
They will have vetted all people on their list and all will have been recommended.
Why Oil Boiler Service?
As well as improving your boiler’s safety and efficiency, an annual service can help you to:
- Avoid expensive boiler maintenance issues.
- Reduce the chance of breakdowns over winter.
- Save money on your heating bills.
- Protect your family from deadly carbon monoxide leaks.
- Make your heating oil go further.
Does an oil boiler need to be serviced every year?
When getting an oil boiler service you will want to know what you are paying for and to ensure that it is worth the cost, therefore the engineer will inspect your boiler to ensure it is in good condition and test the efficiency. The average oil boiler service takes about an hour.
During this time, the engineer will:
- Ask about any problems with your boiler.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations, and visually inspect the boiler and any associated pipes (including your oil tank or supply pipe).
- Clean the flue.
- To check combustion, use a flue gas analyzer.
- Check your oil tank for water.
- For any indications of leakage, inspect the supply line.
- Clean the boiler casing.
- Clean the heat exchanger and burner
- Replace the boiler nozzle.
- To ensure that safety systems are working properly, test them (including any thermostats or pressure relief valves).
- To verify that the boiler is operating properly, turn it on at the end so you have your heating and hot water
After your service is completed, the engineer will provide you with an OFTEC CD/11 form that lists all the work done.
