A common question for homeowners is: How Often Does A Boiler Need Servicing? We look at why your boiler may require a service and how often it should be completed.

How Often Should I Service My Boiler?

Gas and oil boilers should be serviced at least once a year. This annual service is a fantastic chance for a qualified heating engineer to take a detailed look at the unit and ensure that the system is running as well as possible. It is important to have the peace of mind of knowing that your heating system is running both efficiently and safely.

If you are a landlord, then having your boiler and flue systems serviced annually within the properties that you rent out is extremely important. In fact, having the boiler systems serviced annually is actually a legal requirement.

Electric boilers do not require the same level of service as oil and gas boilers may need. But we would still recommend getting the boiler looked over when the opportunity arises.

Boiler service requirements for tenants

Landlords are required by law to have their gas appliances in rental properties checked for safety regularly. As stated in the Gas Safe Register, under The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR), it is very important for landlords, as the duty of care to ensure that all gas appliances, as well as fittings, chimneys and flues, are working safely and efficiently.

This includes a boiler check for gas safety. The gas safety assessment is required by law to be carried out between 10 and 12 months after the last fully completed check. 

On the completion of the safety check, the tenants will be issued a gas safety record. It is important to remember that a gas safety check may not include a full service, and full service can be something you ask for separately.

Tenants should check their private landlord agreement. A boiler service is not always included in the Gas Safety Check level of cover that is provided by the landlord. Although, as technology within central heating systems has moved forward, a boiler service is necessary as part of the safety check in order to establish the Gas Safety Certificate.

Why is boiler servicing required?

An annual boiler service will make sure that your boiler is running at its most efficient and safe in order to keep your home at the perfect temperature. Regular maintenance will minimise the risk of breakdowns taking place and extend the lifespan of the appliance.

Safety - All devices that burn wood or use fossil fuels such as natural gas can produce carbon monoxide if the device is faulty. Carbon monoxide is completely odourless, colourless, and tasteless, so it is very easy to go undetected. It is very important to have your boiler regularly tested by a gas safe registered engineer in order to keep your home safe and everyone who lives within in good health.

Warranty - Although it is not a legal requirement, an annual boiler service can be part of the manufacturer's condition in order to maintain the boiler's certificate of guarantee. Because of this quirk in a lot of warranty contracts, we would recommend checking the details and ensuring that you know whether annual services are needed so you can hold onto your warranty.

Energy efficiency - Having a boiler that is maintained and regularly serviced will ensure that the appliance is running at its optimum energy efficiency. It can also majorly extend the lifespan of the boiler.

Cost efficiency - If you are looking to bring your monthly costs down, the cost of maintaining a boiler regularly can be considerably less than the cost associated with a replacement boiler or the cost of breakdown repairs. Boiler service companies and energy suppliers will offer options to spread the cost making the boiler agreement less of a dent in your bank balance.

Fault finding - Having a broken boiler installed in your cupboard during the cold winter months is an absolute nightmare. This can be solved through an annual boiler service. During these services, a gas engineer will identify any issues and fix them before they can evolve into something more significant. This can help to put your mind at ease.

Should I Replace My 20 Year Old Boiler?

What does a boiler service include?

Boiler Inspection

The first thing that an engineer will do is inspect the boiler and all the surrounding pipework. The engineer will check for any visual issues such as leaks, cracks, or general corrosion.

The boiler will then be tested, as well as the boiler's controls, to make sure everything is working as it should. The boiler casing will also be removed to ensure there are no damaged parts inside the boiler. This should only be done by a qualified engineer.

Flue and pressure check

Once the engineer has ensured that everything looks as it should, they will begin to check the other aspects of the boiler. They will check that the gas pressure and flow are at the correct level, as well as check that the flue is fitted properly and there are no obstructions. A blocked flue can result in carbon monoxide.

Cleaning of essential parts

Commonly included within a boiler's servicing is the cleaning of specific parts such as the exchanger and combustion chamber, the burner assembly and electrodes, and the condensate siphon.

Smaller component checks

The engineer will check any electrical connections, fans, seals, and pipework.

Even if you are a gas or oil-powered boiler user, the appliance will require electricity to power the pump used for pushing hot water around your home's radiators. It is these electrical connections that need to be checked to ensure the system works correctly and safely.

Seals also need to be checked as they can crack over time. If this is necessary, the engineer should be able to change them on site for you. Water and gas pipes need to be examined and checked for leaks. If a leak is identified, then the engineer will be able to arrange a time for it to be fixed.

Final safety checks

The engineer will restart the boiler so they can check for any final working faults. This can include odd noises being created by the boiler or a faulty boiler display screen. They may also check to ensure your carbon monoxide alarm is working correctly.