Do you have a boiler in your home? If so, how often do you get your boiler serviced? Your boiler plays a vital role for your home and leaving it neglected will cause structural damage. That’s why boiler service regularly is highly recommended to maintain its performance and prevent unwanted risk.
The follow-up question is: What sign to service my boiler? This article provides the answer to that question, along with detailed explanations. So here's everything you need to know about boiler service. Learning this will help you gain insights into the benefits of boiler service, what it includes, how often it's needed, and the estimated cost. Scroll down for more details!
What is boiler service?
A boiler service is a checking and testing process to make sure your boiler performance is perfectly fine. It’s an effort that boiler owners should make in order to identify any issues with their boilers. Moreover, you need to service your boiler regularly and not wait until it's damaged. Otherwise, the maintenance process will be a lot more difficult and costly.
An important note you need to know about is how a boiler service can only be carried out by a engineer. This means you are not allowed to do it on your own. This policy ensures that experts handle the maintenance process and that the boiler operates safely.
Regular servicing also helps improve the efficiency of your boiler, which can lead to lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint. When a boiler is well-maintained, it doesn’t have to work as hard to heat your home, meaning it uses less fuel over time. This not only saves you money but also extends the lifespan of the unit. In the long run, a small investment in annual servicing can prevent major breakdowns and keep your home warm and safe throughout the colder months.
Benefits of a boiler service
The importance of boiler service is real. Boilers can bring plenty of negative effects to your environment, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. So, by servicing the boiler regularly, you'll avoid encountering any issues that can disturb your comfort. All that aside, what are more benefits from servicing a boiler you can get? Here are some of them:
1. Safety
Carbon monoxide poisoning is one serious issue that directly impacts your health and safety. The bad news is that’s not the only issue from a faulty boiler. Irregular service boilers also tend to have damages or malfunctions that cause so much danger, like hazardous gas leaks. That’s why a boiler service is needed to ensure your family's safety.
2. Extend lifespan
Constant boiler service is also considered a worthy investment as it can extend your boiler's lifespan. As mentioned before, a broken boiler will drain more of your pockets because you need replacements. By using this service and letting them do the maintenance, you can save your money for at least a year ahead.
3. Warranty
Like any other device, a warranty is one of the most important aspects you need to keep. It goes the same way for your boiler, as many manufacturers require you to book Gas Safe Register engineers every year. If you’re not servicing your boiler in a year by any chance, your warranty could be invalidated, and you’ll not receive benefits from it.
4. Consistent heating
A boiler that performs perfectly is one that provides consistent heating. However, this won’t happen if you don’t service your boiler regularly. That is the one problem you don’t want to have, especially when the colder months arrive. So, it’s important to make sure your boiler has consistent heating with a regular boiler service to improve your comfort.
5. Environmental benefit
A regular boiler service also has direct benefits to the environment. A boiler that runs efficiently tends to reduce fuel consumption and produce fewer emissions. As a result, your boiler contributed to reducing your carbon footprint. This environmental benefit is important as it aligns with the sustainability commitment that some communities build.
Taking care of your boiler with regular service not only keeps things running smoothly but also helps you save on energy bills. When your system is in good condition, it uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions, which is better for both your wallet and the environment. It’s a simple way to be more eco-friendly.
Checklist of a boiler service
If you have decided to service your boiler soon, you need to read this section. First, you need to understand that a boiler has many complicated components that are related to one another. All of those components will be checked just in case there is any trouble. Although the exact tasks of boiler service can differ depending on the model and fuel type, the general tasks are included:
- Visual inspections: This usually begins with visual inspections to check the boiler’s hot water cylinder, the pipework, and the control panel. The engineer will also check the weak points that can potentially cause damage, such as gas leaks and corrosion.
- Checking internal parts: A boiler service includes checking inside and outside components. After completing the exterior inspection, the engineer will remove the casing and check internal components, including the main injector, burner, spark probe, and heat exchanger.
- Gas pressure and flow: The engineer will also inspect the gas pressure and flow. It’s one of the important components as it affects water in the taps and radiators.
- Flue condition and functionality: A boiler flue is the pipe that connects your boiler to the exterior of your house. Flue conditions and functionality will be checked to identify any obstruction that prevents water from flowing.
- Boiler fired up: This is when the engineer will fire up the boiler to ensure the water heats up perfectly. If it's not running, they will know of any working faults in the boiler.
Regular boiler servicing isn’t just about fixing things when they break; it’s about preventing issues before they happen. It gives you peace of mind, knowing that your system is running smoothly and that you won’t face any surprises. It is also a simple way to make sure your home stays comfortable without added stress.
Sign to start a boiler service.
A boiler is one of the devices you can use in the long term. However, to ensure long-term functionality, you need to be aware of the indications of the issue and service it regularly. If you are clueless about when you have to service your boiler, here are some signs or indicators you should know.
Loud noises
Loud noises are never meant to be good. A boiler does indeed usually make a sound when it's working. But the sound is only temporary and will fade eventually. So, if you notice that the noise is weird and quite loud, it might be an indicator of a problem. You need to call the engineer to identify this issue.
Pilot light issues
PA pilotlight is one of the crucial components of a boiler. Your boiler relies on the pilot light to work perfectly. If the pilot light keeps turning off or you see that it has a yellow flame, it’s definitely a problem. It could be an indication that there's a carbon monoxide leak, and you need to get a boiler service immediately.
Poor performance
The inconsistent performance of your boiler is also a sign that you need to get it serviced. If you ever experience a cold house even though the heating is on, there's probably a problem with your boiler. There are some possible issues for this case, such as the radiators or a power flush needed. Call the engineer to find the exact problem.
Weird smell
The unusual smell can mean there’s boiler gas leaking or components malfunctioning, which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Ignoring those potential problems can lead to serious safety risks for your home. So, act immediately and get an engineer to take a look at the problems to prevent unwanted scenarios.
It’s been a year
Another sign that you should service your boiler is that it’s been a year since the last service. Ideally, the boiler needs servicing at least once a year, even if it's not having any trouble. If you don’t service it in one year or more, it’s just a matter of time before it has malfunctioning components.
So, when you take the time to service your boiler, you’re really investing in hassle-free comfort. For this reason, it’s less about technical details and more about knowing your home is warm when you need it. Additionally, with fewer unexpected problems, you get to focus on the things that matter most.
How much does a boiler service cost?
After you’ve learnt all of the boiler service insights above, there’s one vital question remaining: How much does it cost? The cost of this service is something that you need to consider as it is part of your household expenses. However, the cost might actually vary depending on the type of boiler used and the engineers.
Typically, an annual boiler service costs around £70 - £120. The cost could be lower if you sign up for the annual service plan. Whatever the actual cost, boiler servicing is a long-term investment. Additionally, remember to make sure the engineer you choose has a Gas Safe Register to carry out boilers legally and safely.
Final thoughts
In summary, boiler service is something you should do once a year to prevent malfunctions and extend lifespan. Additionally, there are more benefits you can get when servicing your boiler, such as ensure safeness, consistent performance, and reduce carbon footprint. However, the boiler service couldn’t be done on your own and should be carried out by engineers in Gas Safe Register.
If you’re interested in the engineering field, the College of Contract Management is your go-to. There are many insights and courses you can explore to gain more knowledge or sharpen your skills. The college has a practical approach that prepares you to stand out in your career. Enrol today and get started now!
