Do you get your boiler serviced annually? Although it’s not a legal requirement for homeowners, it could benefit you in many ways – from increasing the life of your boiler to preventing dangerous gas leaks.

Wondering what’s involved in a boiler service and how much it costs? Luckily for you, we’ve got the answers. Read on to get the lowdown on boiler servicing.

What is a boiler service and what does it include?

When you book a boiler service, a Gas Safe registered engineer will visit your home to inspect your boiler. It’s not a case of just taking a glance and giving the thumbs up. A boiler service is a much more thorough and detailed inspection, to ensure that any underlying issues are identified. Each component of your boiler will be inspected to check it is operating safely and does not require any repairs or a replacement.

The gas engineer will perform several checks on your boiler including:

• Emissions check – This is to check your boiler is operating safely and not leaking any dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.
• Flue check – The gas engineer will check that your boiler has sufficient ventilation.
• Pipework check – The pipework will be inspected to ensure it meets the latest safety standards.
• Boiler installation check – The overall boiler will be checked to ensure it has been installed properly, in line with safety standards.
• Boiler control check – The controls on your boiler will be tested to check they are working properly.
• Visual inspection – An inspection of the inside of your boiler will be carried out to check for leaks, rust and corrosion.
• Pressure check – This will make sure the boiler is operating with the correct water and gas pressure.

How long does a boiler service take?

A boiler service should take between 20-30 minutes to complete. If urgent repairs are required, it may take a little longer. Once complete, the Gas Safe engineer should leave you with a list detailing the checks they’ve carried out. It’s a good idea to hold onto this paperwork for future reference.

You can prepare for your boiler service by ensuring there is free access to your boiler. If you have a prepayment gas meter, make sure it has been topped up. These things will both allow for a smoother boiler service.

How much is a boiler service?

Boiler service costs vary from one company to the next but as a guideline, we’d say you should be looking to pay around £60-£80. There may be a slight difference between oil and gas boiler service costs. If it’s your first time getting your boiler serviced, shop around and get a few quotes to make sure you get a fair price.

You may be able to save money by getting your boiler serviced in this summer. Gas engineers aren’t as busy at this time of year and are therefore more likely to offer their service at a discounted price. Having your boiler serviced in the summer is a sensible idea, as it will ensure it’s adequately prepared to heat your home during the colder winter months.

Another way you can save money on the cost of a boiler service is by taking out boiler cover. Many policies include annual boiler servicing free of charge and are cheaper than the cost of a one off boiler repair.

Benefits of having an annual boiler service

Wondering if it’s worth paying to get your boiler serviced annually? Here are just a few reasons why we think it’s a sensible idea…

It will help keep your family safe

Faulty boilers can be very dangerous, particularly if they are leaking harmful gasses like carbon monoxide. Having an annual service carried out on your boiler will ensure it’s operating safely and efficiently. It’ll give you the peace of mind that you’re doing everything you can to keep your family safe.

Prevent future breakdowns

Tiny boiler issues can soon escalate if left unattended. Having your boiler serviced regularly will give your gas engineer chance to spot and fix any little problems before they cause extensive damage to your boiler.

Save money on energy bills

Although servicing your boiler isn’t free (unless part of a boiler cover plan) it could save you money in the long run. During the boiler service, your engineer will check each component of your boiler to ensure it’s running efficiently. The more efficient your boiler is, the less it will cost to run, helping you to save money on your energy bills.

If your boiler isn’t working efficiently or you have an older model, they may recommend repairs or replacement to help you save money on future energy bills.

Meet insurance/warranty requirements

Some boiler cover plans and boiler warranty may require you to have regular boiler services, for your insurance to remain valid. It’s important to meet the requirements for servicing or you may not be able to claim on your insurance or warranty if something goes wrong with your boiler in the future.

Legal obligation for landlords

If you are a landlord, you’re legally obligated to have an annual gas safety check carried out on the boiler, gas appliances and flues in your rented properties. Only registered Gas Safe engineers must carry out gas safety checks and you are required to provide your tenants with a copy of the checks and gas safety certificates.

Organising a boiler check

Booking a boiler check is easy and these days can be done over the phone or online. First, you need to know if you need a gas boiler service or an oil boiler service. Next, do a quick search for ‘boiler service near me’ in Google and get some quotes from local companies. Be sure to look for reviews and ratings of gas engineers online and check the Gas Safe register to ensure they can legally work on your gas or oil boiler.

Make sure you note down the date of your boiler service and set a reminder to book one for the following year (or more frequently if required).

Save money with homeowner or landlord boiler cover

Homeowners can make great savings on the cost of annual boiler servicing by taking out a boiler cover policy with Hometree. Our boiler cover includes a free annual boiler service that will be carried out by one of our registered Gas Safe engineers at a time that’s convenient for you.

Not only could this save you money on your boiler service but also the cost of labour and repairs. It’s the cost-effective, hassle-free way to maintain a healthy boiler.