The importance of annual servicing

Daily use of your household’s heating system can take its toll on the various components that make up your boiler. As such, making sure your boiler is serviced annually is important to ensure that it continues to function as intended. However, there are a number of other reasons why a boiler service is an absolute must.

SAFETY

One of the most important reasons that you should have your boiler regularly checked is to ensure the safety of your household. A faulty or incorrectly fitted boiler can cause severe health problems such as carbon monoxide poisoning which, due to its odourless properties, can be a silent killer. Alternatively, you could also experience a gas leak without realising it, which in the most severe cases - can potentially cause a house fire.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Another benefit of regular boiler maintenance is that it will help to reduce your household energy bills. Over time and with regular use, sludge can build up within the internal components of your boiler and affect its performance. During an annual service, an engineer will check the system to see if any sludge has accumulated; if so, they discuss with you options for system cleaning (at extra cost) to flush your heating system through, clear the debris and also treat it to protect against further build up. Completing this process and ensuring that the system is sludge free annually will enable your boiler to operate more efficiently and reduce its fuel consumption. Improved efficiency not only helps to keep your energy costs down, it will also reduce your environmental impact.

INCREASED LIFESPAN

By having your boiler regularly serviced, you are going to prolong its lifespan. A new boiler is a significant investment, which is why it pays off in the longterm to invest in annual maintenance. Regular professional inspections by an engineer will not only keep your boiler functioning efficiently, it will also help to identify any minor issues within the system so that they can be resolved quickly. Taking a proactive approach to fixing these concerns will prevent them from snowballing into larger and more expensive issues at a later date.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Lastly, if you are a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe. You are responsible for ensuring the boiler meets all the legal requirements for any new and current tenants residing in the building. You are also responsible for ensuring an annual gas safety check is carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

When should I get my boiler serviced?

While there isn’t a set time for you to get your boiler checked, we would recommend booking your service during the summer months - from June to September - as you’re unlikely to be using your boiler as much during this period and so any maintenance will not be a disruption to the comfort of your home. It is also advisable to book ahead to guarantee an appointment with your local registered engineer.

If you don’t already have an engineer that you use regularly, we are always available to assist with your annual boiler inspection.