A boiler service is essential to keep the appliance running efficiently for its full expected life span.
When it comes to servicing, most people tend to do it in winter when they need the heating on the most, but this may not the best time to have it serviced.
Here, we look at how often it should be serviced and the best time to do it.
Find out exactly how much a boiler service costs here.
How often to have a boiler service?
Your boiler needs to be serviced at least once a year. Prioritise your safety and boiler’s efficiency with an annual service.
Don’t skip it—proper maintenance prevents breakdowns, leaks, and safeguards your warranty coverage. Stay proactive for uninterrupted warmth and peace of mind.
Boilers should be serviced once a year, every year. You should service your boiler even if it’s fairly new as manufacturers require it to keep their warranty valid.
An annual check gives you the reassurance the heating system is working safely.
Boiler Service for Landlords
If you are a landlord, having the boiler and flue system serviced annually in your rented properties is a legal requirement.
The law requires landlords to have gas appliances like boilers checked every 12 months by a qualified engineer to ensure they are operating safely.
This includes booking annual boiler servicing as part of meeting the safety check requirements for rental accommodations.
Not complying with these boiler servicing laws could lead to you facing penalties as a landlord.
So make sure you are arranging yearly boiler servicing for all your rental units to meet your legal obligations.
How important is boiler cleaning and service?
Boiler cleaning and service refers to the regular maintenance of your boiler to keep it in good working order. This includes tasks such as checking the boiler’s pressure, topping up the water levels, bleeding the radiators, and checking for leaks.
It’s important to carry out these tasks on a regular basis, as neglecting to do so could result in your boiler breaking down.
This could leave you without heat or hot water, and could even be dangerous if the boiler is not serviced regularly.
The Boiler Service Checklist: What’s Involved?
Servicing for Energy Efficiency
Getting your boiler serviced annually helps ensure it runs efficiently. Efficiency means:
- More of the energy in your gas or oil is converted into usable heat.
- Your boiler needs less fuel to produce the same amount of heat.
- Greater efficiency saves you money on fuel bills!
Other servicing checks like examining flues and components also contribute to better performance.
An inefficient boiler wastes energy and costs more to operate. Annual servicing optimizes efficiency.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Fuel Savings | Less fuel needed for same heat |
| Lower Bills | Reduced operating costs |
| Optimized Performance | Components checked and tuned |
What does a boiler service involve?
When a qualified technician comes to service your boiler annually, there is a general process they will follow:
- They will start by inspecting the boiler casing and connections for any leaks, corrosion, or flaws.
- Next, they will remove the front casing to get internal access and examine all the components and pipes.
- The technician will then clean the inside if needed to remove any built up debris or scale.
- Checking the gas pressure and ensuring the flue is clear is also standard.
- Testing boiler performance comes next by firing up the boiler to check flame output and temperature regulation.
| Servicing Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Inspection | Check for leaks, corrosion |
| Internal Access | Remove casing |
| Examination | Review components and pipes |
| Cleaning | Remove debris and scale |
| Testing | Check gas pressure, flue, performance |
The service concludes with the engineer doing final checks to ensure all is working properly. They can also flag any potential problems found that need future attention.
Gas Safety Certificate: Everything You Need to Know
The time a boiler service takes can vary based on appliance age and type but expect 30 minutes to an hour typically.
Annual servicing gives a comprehensive review of your system’s health and safety. Keep records of each boiler service completed, when it was done, and by which certified engineer for reference.
Who is qualified to service your boiler?
The person servicing your boiler needs to be properly qualified based on the type of boiler you have installed.
- For gas boilers, only a Gas Safe registered engineer is certified to carry out the work. They will have official Gas Safe ID you should ask to see.
- With an oil boiler, servicing must be completed by an OFTEC registered engineer. Request to see their ID as well.
Having an unqualified person service your boiler could be dangerous and also invalidates work done under your warranty.
| Boiler Type | Required Certification |
|---|---|
| Gas | Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Oil | OFTEC registered engineer |
When booking your annual boiler service, double check whoever arrives at your home has the proper credentials for your boiler. This ensures the servicing will be completed to high standards by someone qualified.
You can find local engineers qualified to service your boiler type by searching sites like TrustATrader and the Gas Safe Register directory. Compare reviews and rates.
For landlords requiring annual servicing of rental boilers, using a certified Gas Safe or OFTEC engineer also meets your legal obligations for safety checks.
Schedule your boiler service at a time when a qualified technician is available. Summer is ideal when engineers tend to be less busy.
What Counts As An Emergency Boiler Repair?
When to do a boiler service
Here, we look at why it is better to service your boiler in the summer.
Cheaper in the summer
Boilers don’t get used as much in the summer so they don’t break down as much. This leaves engineers, both self employed and those working for companies with less work so they are willing to give discounts for a boiler service in the quieter months.
Easier to find a booking to suit you
Because engineers don’t have as much work in the summer, you are more likely to find an appointment that suits you.
They can be more flexible with their timing and work around your requirements, so you can book a boiler service in the long summer holidays for example. This way, any repairs can be done promptly.
More parts available in the summer
With boilers breaking down mostly in the winter period, gas engineers – especially the self employed or small businesses, won’t stock large amounts of replacement parts because it’s not cost effective. Reordering parts can add to the delay in fixing a broken down boiler.
The average time to fix a boiler with another part can be 1-3 days and in winter this is difficult to work around when heating and hot water is needed most of the time.
In the summer, you can better manage without a working boiler until a part is found.
Your boiler is ready for winter
A summer boiler service means your boiler is in good shape come winter. The heating system has had a chance to work for a while in the service so all those parts have been checked.
Most parts tend to develop faults when they have been idle for long periods and then a higher demand is put on them suddenly.
You won’t waste extra money with an inefficient boiler
Gas engineers deal mainly with boiler faults in the winter so will fit a service in when it suits them.
You may end up having a service two months into the colder period and waste money on bills by having an inefficient boiler.
A summer service means your boiler is working efficiently throughout the colder months
It’s safer for you and your family
Boilers are used less often in summer so if a boiler is faulty and releasing harmful carbon monoxide into the room, it is much worse in the winter with heavy use.
A summer service ensures these faults are picked up and fixed so the chance of CO poisoning is reduced.
Give more time to find the right boiler
If a boiler is beyond repair and you end up needing a new one, you will have more time to find the right one at the right price in the summer.
You become more desperate for a replacement boiler when you’re suffering in the cold and may make a hasty decision in the winter which costs you more.
Sometimes when the casing is opened up during a service, the faults become apparent with signs of leakage and rust, even though the boiler is working.
What is the cost for boiler servicing?
The price of your annual boiler service will vary based on:
- Your boiler type and model
- Your location
Expect to pay:
- Gas boilers – £60 – £100
- Oil boilers – £70 – £150
- Electric boilers – £50 – £80
| Boiler Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Gas | £80 |
| Oil | £110 |
| Electric | £65 |
Engineer rates are usually higher in the Southeast and major cities like London.
Compare quotes from qualified technicians. Schedule service in summer when lower rates or discounts may be available.
Summary
Here’s why you should service your boiler every year and in Summer:
- Cheaper in the summer.
- Easier to find a booking to suit you.
- Your boiler is ready for winter.
- More parts available in the summer.
- You won’t waste extra money with an inefficient boiler.
- It’s safer for you and your family.
- Get more time to find the right boiler.
As you can see, there are many reasons why a summer boiler service is better. Even if you have just serviced your boiler a few months ago in the winter, it is still a good idea to take a hit and get it serviced in the summer months.
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