How often should your boiler be serviced, and what happens at a service?

It is one of the most common questions about boilers: how often does a boiler really need a service? The short answer is once a year. The longer answer is worth knowing, because it explains what you are paying for and why skipping a year can cost you more in the end.

Why once a year?

Almost every boiler manufacturer asks for a yearly service by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep the warranty valid. Miss one and, if the boiler fails, the manufacturer can refuse to cover it. The Gas Safe Register recommends a yearly service too, for safety rather than paperwork.

A gas boiler burns gas in a sealed box and sends the fumes out through the flue. When everything is clean and sealed, that is perfectly safe. When a seal perishes, a flue comes loose or the burner gets dirty, the boiler can start burning badly and producing carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. A service is how those problems get caught early.

What happens at a boiler service?

Every boiler is a little different, but a proper service usually covers:

• A look at the boiler, the flue and how they are fitted, inside and out.
• The gas pressure and flow, checked against what the manufacturer says they should be.
• The burner, heat exchanger, seals and condensate trap checked, and cleaned where needed.
• A flue gas reading with an analyser, which shows how well the boiler is burning.
• The safety devices and controls tested, so the boiler shuts down if something goes wrong.

If anything needs attention, the engineer will tell you what they found and what it needs.

How long does it take?

For a standard gas boiler, usually about an hour. It can take longer if the boiler needs a good clean or a part changing, or if it has not been serviced for a few years.

When is the best time of year?

Any time is better than never, but late summer and early autumn suit most people. The heating has been resting all summer, and a service before the first cold snap means any problem shows up while you can still do without the heating for a day. Once the weather turns, everyone wants their boiler looked at the same week.

How to get ready for the visit

• Clear a path to the boiler, and empty the cupboard it lives in if there is one.
• Have the boiler’s manual or service record to hand, if you have them.
• Make a note of anything odd it has been doing: noises, pressure dropping, fault codes, hot water taking a while.
• Make sure someone is in who can show the engineer the boiler, the gas meter and the thermostat.

A word on carbon monoxide alarms

Whether or not your boiler is due a service, fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a gas appliance, and test it now and then. It costs very little and it is the only way to know if something is wrong between services.

We are Gas Safe registered and service boilers across North Leeds. You can read more about boiler servicing, or book one online in a couple of minutes.